Global Community Diary
My Internship at Global Community
Dienstag, 10. April 2012
Tokyo International Business College entry ceremony
The names of all new students were read out and all of them had to stand up and report their attendance. Very ceremoniously and you could feel that they are very proud to be students of this college. Everything seemed to be strictly planned. There should be no possibility for coincidences to happen. From the speeches to the timtable (yes, even the flowers at the front of the stage) everything seemed to be perfectly proposed.
Afterwards the teachers introduced themselves to the students. That seemed to be more relaxed and friendly. Also some students were honored for their good performances. One third of all students at this college come outside from Japan. The students are not only able to learn English. Also French and Italian are languages that are teached at this college.
Montag, 9. April 2012
Meiji shrine guiding
After such a long time, he experienced a lot of the Japanese lifestyle and he shared his opinion with us. He especially likes the respect that Japanese people have for each other. They treat people in the right way. When the earthquake happened you could experience that there were no riots. All the people stayed calm and nobody lotted or rampaged. The people helped each other. If the earthquake would've happened in America it would have been different, he said. Because he's getting out of the Navy sometime this year, he and his family will return to America, but there are many things about Japan that he'll miss. Because of his job he visited many countries around the world, but Japan is very unique in his opinion, he told us.
Donnerstag, 5. April 2012
神道 - Shinto
A question that can be answered fast, if you just reply that Shinto is a religion. But does this answer fit?
For Hidetoshi Tojo Shinto is much more than just a religion. In his opinion Shinto is the origin of the Japanese culture. Gratitude, culture and respect are the main pillars of this worldwide unique religion, he said.
Compared with Christianity there is not such a strong hierarchy in Shintoism. All is on just one level and everything, even the smallest stone, got its own soul or spirit. The kanji letters for religion are vulnerable and wisdom (宗教 - しゅうきょう) which shows that it is build on freedom and harmony. For Shintoism the kanji letters are god and path (神道 - しんとう). Also a very interesting fact is that the Japanese word for mirror "Kagami" (鏡 - かがみ) contains the word for self "Ga" (我 - が) and the word for god "Kami" (神 - かみ).
In Shinto a written book, like the bible, does not exist. From the 6th century on Buddhism came from Korea to Japan. Because of no written guidelines, Shintoism was able to implement some parts of the Buddhism.
Every now and then Global Community has interesting conversations with him. You can read more about this interesting topic in every new edition of the Global Community free paper and my blog.
Donnerstag, 29. März 2012
Trip to Yanaka
Samstag, 17. März 2012
English Rakugo (落語) in Yanaka
Rakugo (落語) is a traditional and very famous way of storytelling in Japan. While performing, the storyteller sits on a on a small mattress called zabuton (座布団), dressed in his Kimono and acts out the whole story by himself. Therefore the performer has to slip into the role of many different characters. To make it easy for the audience to notice, the performer changes his voice and behavior. Usually the performers are equipped with a fan (sensu - 扇子) and a hand towel (tenugui - 手拭い). They need nothing more to express and act out the story. They use the fan to imitate chopsticks, scissors, cigarettes, pipes or pens. The towel is needed to imitate books, bills or actual towels. The stories are usually funny and amusing, but can be also serious and sorrowful.
The whole program was a big success. It is much to be hoped, that many other people will visit the following events to enjoy and understand a great part of the Japanese culture.
Here's a little view on the program:
Let’s try some short stories: Kanariya Eiraku
Dienstag, 13. März 2012
益子 - One weekend in Mashiko
The tour started on Saturday morning at 9 am. We were 36 people from six different countries and of all ages. After around three hours on the road we stopped at Ichigodanchi (イチゴ団地), a part of Mashiko, which is famous for the growing of strawberries. An experienced tour guide explained the characteristics of Ichigodanchi and how a really good strawberry has to look like. After the speech it was time to taste the delicious strawberries.
On Sunday we started with a traditional Japanese breakfast, before we went once again experienced the fine potteries arts of Mashiko. There were always new incredible potteries to see and so many ways to create them. Another highlight just waited for us, because we could take part in the production process and join the locals, while they kilned new potteries or just pace through the festival. We got the chance to buy some potteries, enjoying the delicious foods or tasting ice cream and cakes made out of soba. Something I haven’t tasted before.
At 14.30 pm we took part at the remembrance ceremony for the victims of the earthquake one year ago. At 14.47 pm (the time when the earthquake hit Japan one year ago) the monks chimed the bell of the temple. The ceremony was accompanied by a wind ensemble and a taiko group (太鼓). For me the first time to see a taiko group and I was really impressed by the accuracy and the devotion of this performance.