Another amazing day was scheduled for us. We departed on our chartered bus and headed to City Hall where we met with a group of Japanese parents for small group questions and an informative Q&A session. The parents quizzed us about American schools and some of our successes and challenges. The American delegation did likewise. Some of the highlights from our discussion included: learning the cultural importance of education and respect for teachers, the pressure entrance examinations have on teenagers, and the fact that most Japanese students do not work any part-time jobs or have cars. It is critical that after school students attend "crammy" schools in order to be better prepared for entrance exams. Parents sacrifice and pay the "crammy" school fees in order to ensure a better chance for their children. We learned that University education is relatively cheaper in Japan than in America and that the majority of stay at home mothers begin teaching their toddlers before they enter public school or enroll them into private Kindergartens. This accounts for the 100% literacy rate prior to entering first grade.
Dancing with the Stars was up next. That is, the stars of the local Senior Citizen Ladies Dance Troupe. Oh what fun it was to pair up with one of the dancers and learn a traditional Japanese dance! We had to take our shoes off in order to make the required moves smoothly on the tatami mats. The ladies were thrilled to meet us and eager to teach us their dance moves. I must admit we worked up a sweat. The Senior Citizens really put us through a fun but physical workout.
Collapsing onto the bus we all caught our breath as we journeyed to our next destination, Kagoshima Bunka Kogei Village. This is similar to an American community center. It is dedicated to arts and crafts. The Village is secluded at the bottom of a hill in a grove of slender and tall trees. They even grow their own bamboo. That should have been a hint that we were about to make bamboo vases. We toured the facility and watched local artists make pottery, ceramics and tie-dye cloth. Once we entered the workshop it was time to roll up the sleeves and take off the tie. It was tool time. We were instructed on how to craft our own bamboo vase. The American delegation enjoyed measuring, sawing, and cutting the green bamboo. We whittled away at the bamboo with a sharp knife until we had our own perfect vase. It was so much fun. At the end of our session the lead craftsman branded our vase with the Bunka Kogei Village emblem. Our bamboo vases will be a keepsake to cherish forever. In fact, I have been enthralled with watching the vase change from green to brown before my very eyes.
Dancing with the Stars was up next. That is, the stars of the local Senior Citizen Ladies Dance Troupe. Oh what fun it was to pair up with one of the dancers and learn a traditional Japanese dance! We had to take our shoes off in order to make the required moves smoothly on the tatami mats. The ladies were thrilled to meet us and eager to teach us their dance moves. I must admit we worked up a sweat. The Senior Citizens really put us through a fun but physical workout.
Collapsing onto the bus we all caught our breath as we journeyed to our next destination, Kagoshima Bunka Kogei Village. This is similar to an American community center. It is dedicated to arts and crafts. The Village is secluded at the bottom of a hill in a grove of slender and tall trees. They even grow their own bamboo. That should have been a hint that we were about to make bamboo vases. We toured the facility and watched local artists make pottery, ceramics and tie-dye cloth. Once we entered the workshop it was time to roll up the sleeves and take off the tie. It was tool time. We were instructed on how to craft our own bamboo vase. The American delegation enjoyed measuring, sawing, and cutting the green bamboo. We whittled away at the bamboo with a sharp knife until we had our own perfect vase. It was so much fun. At the end of our session the lead craftsman branded our vase with the Bunka Kogei Village emblem. Our bamboo vases will be a keepsake to cherish forever. In fact, I have been enthralled with watching the vase change from green to brown before my very eyes.
1 comment:
This is awesome work. I did not know that I was in the company of such an accomplished educator. keep up the fantastic work that you are doing.
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