Wednesday, we had our Japanese cultural/language class. Let's see how much of it I remember. ;)
First of all, just to give you an idea of where I am at on a globe...
Top Left: The country of Japan. I'm going to assume you already know where it is.
Top Left: Country of Japan. Arrow points to Sasebo. Japan is made up of four islands (yes there are tons more but there are 4 main ones). We are on the southern most island, Kyushu.
Top Right: Island of Kyushu. You will see Fukuoka at the top of the island. It is the largest city on the island. Sasebo is 9th largest.
Bottom Left: Not sure why I have that as a picture, go with it. Still just Kyushu.
Bottom Right: The red dot at the top is the Navy base. The arrow pointing to the other dot is where Jordan and I will be living called Hario. It is Hario Island or in Japanese: Hariogima. Gima means island. I don't know if I'm spelling it right but there ya go!
Ok now back to what I was saying about the culture.
The Japanese believe in a blend of religions. Shinto and Buddhism. They believe in balance. Respect for the spirits in nature. Respect for elders because without them we wouldn't be here! They believe in respect for the dead and helping them find their way to heaven or whatever. They also believe in parties! There are festivals for EVERYTHING! I'm not kidding. Seriously, everything.
For the most part, the Japanese people keep to themselves. They don't invite themselves into things, pry, go out of their way to talk to you. However, they are very friendly if you talk to them. They are more than pleased to help you and are very interested in speaking and working with you. Especially if you try and speak Japanese! They get SO happy!
Anyways, they keep to themselves. However, in times of crises, like the tsunami, they come together. They know every one needs help and they do their best to offer their services. This is a very crowded country. They have learned to work together well. So there is a sense of community every where. Balance.
If you get chopsticks at a restaurant, you want to break them evenly for good luck! Balance. If not its only bad luck until your next meal. Haha. Always asking the spirits for anything that will help their crops, family, or wealth. Karma is a big deal. You don't want to die with bad karma. Good luck in your next life, haha.
Recycling. They value the Earth so much. It's a country wide effort to recycle everything! Speaking of recycling..I have a great story about why they pee in holes here. When they first started cultivating for rice and what not, they would do their business in the crops and use it to fertilize their fields.....yeah. Let that sink in.
For how crowded this area is, it doesn't feel stuffy. I feel close to other people in a good way. I know I can ask any Japanese person a question and get a polite response. I'm sure there are a-hole Japanese people but really, they are few and far between.
So this post is very scattered and not well thought out...my bad! Kind of word vomit happening here. But I love their culture, beliefs, stewardship, respect, and honor that they encourage. Very cool. America could learn a thing or two.
Also, before I go, one thing that REALLY separates them from Americans...they believe in blending in. Not making a scene. Not standing out. It has to do with balance and harmony I think. Being one as a community. Working together. Where as in America, we are all about getting away from the norm. Be a shining star, be different, get noticed. Here? If you make a scene, good or bad? You get out casted as a hooligan and trouble maker. Even when you are of age to get a job, you dress exactly like they do at the place you want to be hired at. You want your employer to know you will do exactly like they do, do what they say, and won't go off the tracks. Very different than home.
Alright, sorry again for such a SCATTER brained blog! My next one will have LOTS of pictures! We went on a field trip Thursday and saw a couple sites, spoke some Japanese and saw some very interesting things.
Sayonara!
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