Well, after realizing I am an idiot the other day when I logged into the class website and saw that my chapter should have been posted LAST Friday, I have been working hard to play catch-up. I was consoled to see that I was not the only one who missed the date but I am still disappointed in myself for falling behind. Luckily, I did most of my research-gathering over a month ago and all I have to do now is finish reading and sorting through it while I organize the outline for my chapter on Education. I also want to edit, add, and modify my section topics (Ritsumeikan U./Kyoto Museum for World Peace, Comfort Women in WWII) in the WikiBook.
I'm hoping to focus my chapter on Education in Japan on their reforms that took place in 2002, the effects of those reforms, as well as looking into the issues of textbook censorship and revisions concerning WWII and other like events in which Japan was an aggressor yet wishes to paint itself in a friendlier light by either removing the terms 'aggressor' and 'aggressive' as pertaining to them as well as omitting mention of such facts as the existence and treatment of "Comfort Women".
Lastly, I do want to do a small section on the bullying ("Ijime") problem that is prevalent in Japanese schools, as a reflection of a larger societal issue.
Hopefully I either have or can find sources which will allow me to give a thorough overview of each of these topics. I am hoping to be done by the end of this weekend, including writing the corresponding quiz that the rest of the class must take.
Sorry for my lateness! I had meant to take a little time to myself to recover from jet-lag but then I got sick and have only recently recovered. I have been pretty miserable this past week but I am on my way to recovery now and working hard to catch up.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
Oops, I haven't posted in a while...
Well, the last few days have been pretty hectic. I am now back in the US. We finished up in Osaka and headed to Hiroshima to visit the Hiroshima Peace and Atomic Bomb Museum. It was a very moving and emotional experience. We also had the great pleasure and honor of meeting another Hiroshima A-bomb survivor.
As the study abroad part of this class came to a close we each went our separate ways. I went to stay a few extra days in Tokyo which, being a bit more uneventful than the rest of the trip, gave me the chance to actually be homesick. So when the time came to depart on Saturday, I was ready, though a part of me was still very sad to leave.
My flight back from Japan to Atlanta was relatively smooth. Unfortunately when I got to Atlanta I found that they'd moved my flight from Atlanta to St. Louis up by 2 hours and thus I had missed my flight. I had to catch a flight from Atlanta to Memphis and then from Memphis to St. Louis instead. It added about another 6 hours to my already very long day. I'm still trying to recover. After not being very effected by jet-lag upon arriving in Japan, I feel that I am definitely paying for it now that I have returned.
I am planning to begin researching more on my class topics starting next week. As for this week, I will spend much of it resting, working, and catching up with friends and family. I still feel very out of the loop. I guess this would be reverse culture shock? When I got to Japan I felt very fat since most everyone there is very skinny! When I got back to the US I felt very skinny once again in comparison to my peers. I also miss having recycling bins everywhere. I am definitely more recycle-conscious after my trip.
I should also mention that I had the opportunity during my extra time in Tokyo to visit the WAM Comfort Women Museum. It was small but informative. The staff there was very friendly and knowledgeable. I believe that it aided me in my studies.
Upon returning to work today, I gave my sports-oholic coworker the Hanshin Tigers baseball that I bought in Osaka and he starting doing some research on the team. Here's an interesting link that he found: http://www2.gol.com/users/michaelo/History.html Hopefully the Tigers' bad luck is over! Though...after seeing them play even a few innings, I think they're going to need a little more than luck, but...I still wish them the best.
Alrighty. I will write more as I continue to do my research. I hope that everyone else in the class had a safe journey home and look forward to reviewing your chapters in the Wiki as well.
As the study abroad part of this class came to a close we each went our separate ways. I went to stay a few extra days in Tokyo which, being a bit more uneventful than the rest of the trip, gave me the chance to actually be homesick. So when the time came to depart on Saturday, I was ready, though a part of me was still very sad to leave.
My flight back from Japan to Atlanta was relatively smooth. Unfortunately when I got to Atlanta I found that they'd moved my flight from Atlanta to St. Louis up by 2 hours and thus I had missed my flight. I had to catch a flight from Atlanta to Memphis and then from Memphis to St. Louis instead. It added about another 6 hours to my already very long day. I'm still trying to recover. After not being very effected by jet-lag upon arriving in Japan, I feel that I am definitely paying for it now that I have returned.
I am planning to begin researching more on my class topics starting next week. As for this week, I will spend much of it resting, working, and catching up with friends and family. I still feel very out of the loop. I guess this would be reverse culture shock? When I got to Japan I felt very fat since most everyone there is very skinny! When I got back to the US I felt very skinny once again in comparison to my peers. I also miss having recycling bins everywhere. I am definitely more recycle-conscious after my trip.
I should also mention that I had the opportunity during my extra time in Tokyo to visit the WAM Comfort Women Museum. It was small but informative. The staff there was very friendly and knowledgeable. I believe that it aided me in my studies.
Upon returning to work today, I gave my sports-oholic coworker the Hanshin Tigers baseball that I bought in Osaka and he starting doing some research on the team. Here's an interesting link that he found: http://www2.gol.com/users/michaelo/History.html Hopefully the Tigers' bad luck is over! Though...after seeing them play even a few innings, I think they're going to need a little more than luck, but...I still wish them the best.
Alrighty. I will write more as I continue to do my research. I hope that everyone else in the class had a safe journey home and look forward to reviewing your chapters in the Wiki as well.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Tourist day
Yesterday was fairly easy-going. We set out as just normal tourists and went to see a castle and several shrines. It was fun but a lot of walking and I got sunburned. After that we went out to have dinner and then do karaoke with several students and staff from Ritsumeikan University which we visited yesterday. It was a lot of fun but we were up past midnight. I had to wake up easy since we are checking out of the hotel today and heading to Osaka.
I will post more of my exploits in Osaka later. Until then, I hope that everyone is good!
I will post more of my exploits in Osaka later. Until then, I hope that everyone is good!
Friday, June 5, 2009
Keeping Busy in Kyoto
Today was an absolutely amazing experience. But before I go on about that I want to recall yesterday.
Yesterday, we spent our morning traveling from Tokyo to Kyoto. Once we arrived we went to the Kyocera headquarters. They are a very green company that has their hand in all kinds of products; everything from ceramic plates and knives to printer/copier machines and even jewelry! The museum was kind of low-key (it was nice, don't get me wrong, but not as high-energy as everything thus far has been). It was a nice change of pace.
After that, we all went out to eat at a small restaurant that Dr. Tamashiro recommended. It was very pleasant. All the employees there were very kind and fun. I could tell that they really liked their jobs. When they thought no one was looking (except for me because I apparently didn't have anything better to do) they were dancing and being goofy in the lobby area. Very cute and amusing. I'd like to go back there. The food was really good, too. Their idea of "French Fries" was interesting as well... They use a kind of sweet potato and then put butter and honey on them, so it's kind of like a waffle. It was interesting.
Okay. So today we began with my presentation on Ritsumeikan University and the Kyoto Museum for World Peace. Following, we visited both starting with the museum. It was absolutely stunning. I really wish that we had been allowed to take photos of the exhibits but unfortunately it was disallowed. It's understandable, though. I did get some of the main lobby area where it was allowed so I plan to use those in my Wikibook report. I also wish that we had more time to look at the museum but we ran short. Our volunteer tour guides were also great. Very knowledgeable and kind, and also inquisitive of our own opinions and experiences in our respective countries of such topics as education on WWII and the Atomic Bombs. It was cool to be able to compare notes with them on these issues.
Overall, the museum was a very powerful experience. It was a very honest and emotional portrayal of the consequences of war and also such issues as starvation that keep our world from truely being at peace. They asked a question in the beginning of the tour which was thought-provoking throughout our trip and it was something like this: "If there is no war, is the world really at peace?" And one of the points that the museum tries to send home is that this is not true. Just because there is no war does not mean that everything in the world is great and wonderful. In order for true peace to happen, everyone needs to be able to live to the full potential of their being. Without proper food, shelter, education, freedom from persecution and hard, etc. is this made possible. At the end of the trip we were asked to ponder on how we can help to make such a thing a reality on our world. Again, I'll say that it was very powerful.
After our museum tour we were invited to eat lunch in one of the school's cafeterias. Joining us were several students and faculty of the school. I wish I had had more of a chance to get to know all of the nice people joining us but time did not allow. They were all very kind and welcoming.
After a yummy lunch we participated in an International Studies class which focuses on Peace Studies. All of the students in the class are supposed to be researching about a different Peace Museum somewhere else in the world and reporting back to the class at the end of the semester. It seems very interesting. I had the opportunity to sit with a group of students who were still undecided in their respective Peace Museum choices. They were students who didn't really want to be in the class but registered late and had no choice. I found that very amusing. It was nice talking with them, though. I was able to inquire their opinions on a range of topics such as the education system in Japan which is another field I am studying for this course.
After finishing with the class we remained at Ritsumeikan for a meeting of sorts with the museum curator, Dr. Ikuro Anzai, and several other staff and students of Ritsumeikan. There were various snacks and tea served. It was very nice. We spoke to the group of our opinions of their museum as well as compared and contrasted it to the Yasakuni Shrine War Museum that we visisted a few days ago. At least an hour went by as we all conversed and several speaches were made. I figured that after all was said and done it would be time to go get dinner and explore Kyoto with the group. I was very surprised when we were invited at the last minute to all go out to eat together.
We went across the street to a traditional Japanese restuarant (we sat on the floor and everything) and were treated to a variety of foods. Anzai-sensei picked up the tab but we insisted that we let us pay him back for it so he compromised and let us pay him back a little but he still picked up most of the tab. I couldn't believe it. We ate a lot of food!! And while I didn't really have much, everyone else drank a lot! It was a really great time. I really had fun and learned a lot. I also had the opportunity to speak with another student, Minami-san, about Psychology studies in Japan as she is a Social Welfare major (I believe she said). It is similar to my major and thus we have taken much of the same classes, I imagine. I am very interested in learning about the Japanese curriculum. I am hoping to talk with her again later.
Tomorrow night we are planning to go out to Karaoke with several of the same people from tonight. I am very much looking forward to it.
Everyone that we have met here has been so gracious and polite to us. I feel like I am some special, important person! It is really unbelieveable that we have been allowed to meet with some of the high-status people that we have. When I first read the description for this class I figured that we would take a few tours, go to a few lectures, and it would be very impersonal. I never expected to be able to talk one-on-one with such important people. This is the coolest class ever.
I am sure that tomorrow will be just as exhillerating as today. I will write more about it later. Until then, I hope that everyone else is having at least half as much fun as I am.
Yesterday, we spent our morning traveling from Tokyo to Kyoto. Once we arrived we went to the Kyocera headquarters. They are a very green company that has their hand in all kinds of products; everything from ceramic plates and knives to printer/copier machines and even jewelry! The museum was kind of low-key (it was nice, don't get me wrong, but not as high-energy as everything thus far has been). It was a nice change of pace.
After that, we all went out to eat at a small restaurant that Dr. Tamashiro recommended. It was very pleasant. All the employees there were very kind and fun. I could tell that they really liked their jobs. When they thought no one was looking (except for me because I apparently didn't have anything better to do) they were dancing and being goofy in the lobby area. Very cute and amusing. I'd like to go back there. The food was really good, too. Their idea of "French Fries" was interesting as well... They use a kind of sweet potato and then put butter and honey on them, so it's kind of like a waffle. It was interesting.
Okay. So today we began with my presentation on Ritsumeikan University and the Kyoto Museum for World Peace. Following, we visited both starting with the museum. It was absolutely stunning. I really wish that we had been allowed to take photos of the exhibits but unfortunately it was disallowed. It's understandable, though. I did get some of the main lobby area where it was allowed so I plan to use those in my Wikibook report. I also wish that we had more time to look at the museum but we ran short. Our volunteer tour guides were also great. Very knowledgeable and kind, and also inquisitive of our own opinions and experiences in our respective countries of such topics as education on WWII and the Atomic Bombs. It was cool to be able to compare notes with them on these issues.
Overall, the museum was a very powerful experience. It was a very honest and emotional portrayal of the consequences of war and also such issues as starvation that keep our world from truely being at peace. They asked a question in the beginning of the tour which was thought-provoking throughout our trip and it was something like this: "If there is no war, is the world really at peace?" And one of the points that the museum tries to send home is that this is not true. Just because there is no war does not mean that everything in the world is great and wonderful. In order for true peace to happen, everyone needs to be able to live to the full potential of their being. Without proper food, shelter, education, freedom from persecution and hard, etc. is this made possible. At the end of the trip we were asked to ponder on how we can help to make such a thing a reality on our world. Again, I'll say that it was very powerful.
After our museum tour we were invited to eat lunch in one of the school's cafeterias. Joining us were several students and faculty of the school. I wish I had had more of a chance to get to know all of the nice people joining us but time did not allow. They were all very kind and welcoming.
After a yummy lunch we participated in an International Studies class which focuses on Peace Studies. All of the students in the class are supposed to be researching about a different Peace Museum somewhere else in the world and reporting back to the class at the end of the semester. It seems very interesting. I had the opportunity to sit with a group of students who were still undecided in their respective Peace Museum choices. They were students who didn't really want to be in the class but registered late and had no choice. I found that very amusing. It was nice talking with them, though. I was able to inquire their opinions on a range of topics such as the education system in Japan which is another field I am studying for this course.
After finishing with the class we remained at Ritsumeikan for a meeting of sorts with the museum curator, Dr. Ikuro Anzai, and several other staff and students of Ritsumeikan. There were various snacks and tea served. It was very nice. We spoke to the group of our opinions of their museum as well as compared and contrasted it to the Yasakuni Shrine War Museum that we visisted a few days ago. At least an hour went by as we all conversed and several speaches were made. I figured that after all was said and done it would be time to go get dinner and explore Kyoto with the group. I was very surprised when we were invited at the last minute to all go out to eat together.
We went across the street to a traditional Japanese restuarant (we sat on the floor and everything) and were treated to a variety of foods. Anzai-sensei picked up the tab but we insisted that we let us pay him back for it so he compromised and let us pay him back a little but he still picked up most of the tab. I couldn't believe it. We ate a lot of food!! And while I didn't really have much, everyone else drank a lot! It was a really great time. I really had fun and learned a lot. I also had the opportunity to speak with another student, Minami-san, about Psychology studies in Japan as she is a Social Welfare major (I believe she said). It is similar to my major and thus we have taken much of the same classes, I imagine. I am very interested in learning about the Japanese curriculum. I am hoping to talk with her again later.
Tomorrow night we are planning to go out to Karaoke with several of the same people from tonight. I am very much looking forward to it.
Everyone that we have met here has been so gracious and polite to us. I feel like I am some special, important person! It is really unbelieveable that we have been allowed to meet with some of the high-status people that we have. When I first read the description for this class I figured that we would take a few tours, go to a few lectures, and it would be very impersonal. I never expected to be able to talk one-on-one with such important people. This is the coolest class ever.
I am sure that tomorrow will be just as exhillerating as today. I will write more about it later. Until then, I hope that everyone else is having at least half as much fun as I am.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Day 3...
As our third day here is now over I can say that today has been fun as well. We began by meeting with Yumi Kikuchi-san once again. She had accompanied us and introduced us to Councilor Fujita-san the other day. She may try to play herself off as somewhat incompetant and not important but she can't hide the fact that she is an amazing woman. She has accomplished more in her life so far than some in a lifetime. It is truly inspiring.
After speaking with Yumi-san about her work we participated in an Anthropology class at Kyoritsu University. I wish we would have had a little more time to ask some questions of the students but it was a great experience. I would have liked to have spent more time there but with so much to do we have to keep moving.
Next we went to the Peace Boat headquarters and met with Akira Kawasaki-san and Satoshi Nakazawa-san who told us more about their organization. It seems very interesting and for a good cause. It would be great if Webster University could somehow partner with them in the future.
After that, several others and I got lost in Shinjuku... We somehow made it back to the hotel. It's sad to say but I probably wouldn't have made it back at all had I gone by myself. I get lost enough back in St. Louis where I grew up. Luckily my classmates are more capable than I, a fact to which I am very grateful.
Tomorrow we check out of this hotel and head to Kyoto. I am not sure if I will have internet access at the next hotel or anywhere else after this so this may be my last post for a bit. If so, I will write more when I get back to the US. Otherwise, expect more updates later.
After speaking with Yumi-san about her work we participated in an Anthropology class at Kyoritsu University. I wish we would have had a little more time to ask some questions of the students but it was a great experience. I would have liked to have spent more time there but with so much to do we have to keep moving.
Next we went to the Peace Boat headquarters and met with Akira Kawasaki-san and Satoshi Nakazawa-san who told us more about their organization. It seems very interesting and for a good cause. It would be great if Webster University could somehow partner with them in the future.
After that, several others and I got lost in Shinjuku... We somehow made it back to the hotel. It's sad to say but I probably wouldn't have made it back at all had I gone by myself. I get lost enough back in St. Louis where I grew up. Luckily my classmates are more capable than I, a fact to which I am very grateful.
Tomorrow we check out of this hotel and head to Kyoto. I am not sure if I will have internet access at the next hotel or anywhere else after this so this may be my last post for a bit. If so, I will write more when I get back to the US. Otherwise, expect more updates later.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Tokyo so far...
I meant to try posting every night but by the time I set my mind to it I have been too exhausted. We have been keeping very busy all day. There is so much to see and do in Tokyo. One would have to spend years here to see and do everything. One thing's for sure: if I lived here I would be in much better shape! We spend all day walking for the most part and there's so much to see that it's a pleasure. Back home, I really have to motivate myself to go out and walk around. If they had half of the exciting things in St. Louis as they have here it would make it worth my while to do so.
Here's a brief overview of what I've been up to:
June 1st:
We started off the day visiting the Asakusa Sensoji, an old but still very popular Buddhist temple. It was almost like an amusement park with all the shops and vendors lining the walkway up to the place. Actually, there was a ride not too far off from the temple--like the Superman ride at Six Flags: St. Louis. It was intereting. I got my fortune for the day there--it was a good one. I say "good" as in it wasn't bad like another of my classmates'. Apparently there are good and bad fortunes. When you get a bad one, you can tie your piece of fortune paper onto a small rod in a designated area and at the end of the day, the monks will pray for you.
Next was the Kototoi Bridge where we learned of the hundreds of thousands of civilians that had been killed during WWII. Kototoi Bridge is a site where many thousands lost their lives during air raids as it was a heavily trafficked area. Many were trapped there and died.
Next, we visited the Tokyo Megaweb Showcase, a giant Toyota showroom and history museum. It was really neat. I'm sure that if I knew more about cars I would have been more impressed but as it is, I don't. It was still fun, though. I took many pictures.
Afterwards, I went exploring with Melissa from the class in Shibuya. That was an experience. I have never seen so many people on the streets in my entire life. It was very cool. We went to several shops and malls. It was...interesting to say the least. I think that I'll try to make another post soon with some of the pictures I've been taking.
June 2nd:
Began by going on a tour of the Yasukuni Shrine, a Shinto shrine. It was originally established as a military shrine where those who serve and die for the emporer are enshrined and made into gods. During WWII they had to pretend to be an ordinary shrine in order to keep from being destroyed by the Allied Powers. But now they are back to focusing on the military aspect of things, however they do still retain some of the services as regular shrines do.
Next we went on a tour of the Yasukuni Shrine's museum. It covered various wars which the Japanese have been involved in including WWII. It was very interesting getting the Japanese perspective on the wars, however many of the displays were not translated into English or, as we found out from our tour guide (Mr. Seishi Ishibashi), the English translations are very different from the Japanese descriptions.
We then went and saw the grounds of the Imperial Palace, however we didn't get to spend much time there because we were on a tight schedule.
Last, we were very fortunate to meet with Councilor Yukihisa Fujita of the National Diet of Japan. It was explained to me that he is equivallent to a US Senator. He spoke to us of various issues and answered our questions. He is a very well-spoken man and very down-to-Earth, it seems, despite his position. He quickly gained my favor. His party is attempting to hold an election in the coming months to overthrow the dominant political party that has been in office for more than 60 years. From what I have learned thus far, I hope that they succeed.
After that, I and several others went out to dinner in the Asakusa area. We spent some time walking around and looking at all the many shops and restuarants before heading back to the hotel.
I hope to post more of our adventures later. I apologize that these are not more detailed but I am exhausted.
I hope my friends and family back in the US are doing well and taking care of themselves. ^_^
Here's a brief overview of what I've been up to:
June 1st:
We started off the day visiting the Asakusa Sensoji, an old but still very popular Buddhist temple. It was almost like an amusement park with all the shops and vendors lining the walkway up to the place. Actually, there was a ride not too far off from the temple--like the Superman ride at Six Flags: St. Louis. It was intereting. I got my fortune for the day there--it was a good one. I say "good" as in it wasn't bad like another of my classmates'. Apparently there are good and bad fortunes. When you get a bad one, you can tie your piece of fortune paper onto a small rod in a designated area and at the end of the day, the monks will pray for you.
Next was the Kototoi Bridge where we learned of the hundreds of thousands of civilians that had been killed during WWII. Kototoi Bridge is a site where many thousands lost their lives during air raids as it was a heavily trafficked area. Many were trapped there and died.
Next, we visited the Tokyo Megaweb Showcase, a giant Toyota showroom and history museum. It was really neat. I'm sure that if I knew more about cars I would have been more impressed but as it is, I don't. It was still fun, though. I took many pictures.
Afterwards, I went exploring with Melissa from the class in Shibuya. That was an experience. I have never seen so many people on the streets in my entire life. It was very cool. We went to several shops and malls. It was...interesting to say the least. I think that I'll try to make another post soon with some of the pictures I've been taking.
June 2nd:
Began by going on a tour of the Yasukuni Shrine, a Shinto shrine. It was originally established as a military shrine where those who serve and die for the emporer are enshrined and made into gods. During WWII they had to pretend to be an ordinary shrine in order to keep from being destroyed by the Allied Powers. But now they are back to focusing on the military aspect of things, however they do still retain some of the services as regular shrines do.
Next we went on a tour of the Yasukuni Shrine's museum. It covered various wars which the Japanese have been involved in including WWII. It was very interesting getting the Japanese perspective on the wars, however many of the displays were not translated into English or, as we found out from our tour guide (Mr. Seishi Ishibashi), the English translations are very different from the Japanese descriptions.
We then went and saw the grounds of the Imperial Palace, however we didn't get to spend much time there because we were on a tight schedule.
Last, we were very fortunate to meet with Councilor Yukihisa Fujita of the National Diet of Japan. It was explained to me that he is equivallent to a US Senator. He spoke to us of various issues and answered our questions. He is a very well-spoken man and very down-to-Earth, it seems, despite his position. He quickly gained my favor. His party is attempting to hold an election in the coming months to overthrow the dominant political party that has been in office for more than 60 years. From what I have learned thus far, I hope that they succeed.
After that, I and several others went out to dinner in the Asakusa area. We spent some time walking around and looking at all the many shops and restuarants before heading back to the hotel.
I hope to post more of our adventures later. I apologize that these are not more detailed but I am exhausted.
I hope my friends and family back in the US are doing well and taking care of themselves. ^_^
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Done! ...for now.
Alright. I've got my two case studies sections done (at least until after the trip) and my preliminary sources posted for my chapter on education. Honestly, I must say that the most difficult and time-consuming part of this whole project is posting it in Wiki. Research, I'm used to. Working with Wiki's code (or any computer code, for that matter) I am not. Let's hope I don't forget everything I've tentatively learned by the next time I work on it.
Going to get started packing tonight, get the rest of my stuff together tomorrow, and then spend a very looooooooooong time on a plane. :p But it'll be worth it. Hope everything goes smoothly. Next time I post, it'll be from Japan where I am hoping to be writing nightly on the occurrences of each day.
Going to get started packing tonight, get the rest of my stuff together tomorrow, and then spend a very looooooooooong time on a plane. :p But it'll be worth it. Hope everything goes smoothly. Next time I post, it'll be from Japan where I am hoping to be writing nightly on the occurrences of each day.
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