Saturday, October 25, 2008
On Saturday morning I met my host family – Mikiko Matsuyama, a music teacher, and her husband Nadio Matsuyama, a technical (woodshop) teacher. They picked me up at the hotel – I was surprised to see that they drove a Chrysler, and they made sure to point out their American car. They were very nice – they didn’t speak a lot of English, and I know about 10 phrases in Japanese, so we used a lot of sign language. When we got to their house, I gave them a book on Missouri that I had bought for them, and they got the world atlas out and looked up exactly where I’m from. I showed them pictures of where I live and they couldn’t believe the space and the cows. In Japan, land is sold by Tatami mat – about 2 square meters for $2,000 each. It is very expensive, so most houses are right next to each other, and they build on a 2nd story. Nadio and Mikiko’s house was brand new, only 3 monthes old, plus, they had a small yard. It was very nice. When you walk in, you immediately take off your shoes. There is little furniture – no couches or chairs, only a low table on the floor and rugs. Everyone sits on the floor . The kitchen dining area is more similar to ours in America. After struggling through an hour of charades, Mikiko invited her colleague at school, Richard, to come over and interpret for us. I thought we were doing fine, but anyway, he was very nice, and ended up staying all day and evening until 8:00. This allowed us to talk much more freely . Richard is a JET from Iowa.
Saturday morning we went to their daughter, Tomoka’s preschool for a performance. The 5 year olds were in a drum corp. They did a great job! I couldn’t believe they were only 5 as they were able to keep time, and even march while drumming out a rhythm. We then checked out the preschool. I wish I had video footage of it to show you. After that, they treated me to a lunch at a traditional Japanese restaurant. We sat on the floor around a table - noodles again – but this time we were supposed to break a raw quail egg over the noodles – then add some kind of sauce. I did it because I didn’t want to seem rude – and ate it, brave, huh?
We picked up their daughters and went to the grocery store to prepare for dinner, as Mikiko’s brother and sister in law and their two daughters were coming over for the evening. They made sushi for dinner – the raw salmon and tuna was actually very good. We rolled our own sushi in seaweed. It was better than the sushi that I’ve had in the states. We spent most of the afternoon/evening talking with the help of Richard. Everyone was very kind, continually apologizing when they didn’t know an English word. Mikiko’s brother and family spent the night as well.
Then I slept on a futon in my own room. In the morning Mikiko had me make the Miso soup for breakfast. We also had fish, eggs, sunny side up, rice, and salad. At the end of every meal they serve fruit, usually cantelope, asian pears, or grapes (large ones that you don’t eat the peels).
On Saturday morning I met my host family – Mikiko Matsuyama, a music teacher, and her husband Nadio Matsuyama, a technical (woodshop) teacher. They picked me up at the hotel – I was surprised to see that they drove a Chrysler, and they made sure to point out their American car. They were very nice – they didn’t speak a lot of English, and I know about 10 phrases in Japanese, so we used a lot of sign language. When we got to their house, I gave them a book on Missouri that I had bought for them, and they got the world atlas out and looked up exactly where I’m from. I showed them pictures of where I live and they couldn’t believe the space and the cows. In Japan, land is sold by Tatami mat – about 2 square meters for $2,000 each. It is very expensive, so most houses are right next to each other, and they build on a 2nd story. Nadio and Mikiko’s house was brand new, only 3 monthes old, plus, they had a small yard. It was very nice. When you walk in, you immediately take off your shoes. There is little furniture – no couches or chairs, only a low table on the floor and rugs. Everyone sits on the floor . The kitchen dining area is more similar to ours in America. After struggling through an hour of charades, Mikiko invited her colleague at school, Richard, to come over and interpret for us. I thought we were doing fine, but anyway, he was very nice, and ended up staying all day and evening until 8:00. This allowed us to talk much more freely . Richard is a JET from Iowa.
Saturday morning we went to their daughter, Tomoka’s preschool for a performance. The 5 year olds were in a drum corp. They did a great job! I couldn’t believe they were only 5 as they were able to keep time, and even march while drumming out a rhythm. We then checked out the preschool. I wish I had video footage of it to show you. After that, they treated me to a lunch at a traditional Japanese restaurant. We sat on the floor around a table - noodles again – but this time we were supposed to break a raw quail egg over the noodles – then add some kind of sauce. I did it because I didn’t want to seem rude – and ate it, brave, huh?
We picked up their daughters and went to the grocery store to prepare for dinner, as Mikiko’s brother and sister in law and their two daughters were coming over for the evening. They made sushi for dinner – the raw salmon and tuna was actually very good. We rolled our own sushi in seaweed. It was better than the sushi that I’ve had in the states. We spent most of the afternoon/evening talking with the help of Richard. Everyone was very kind, continually apologizing when they didn’t know an English word. Mikiko’s brother and family spent the night as well.
Then I slept on a futon in my own room. In the morning Mikiko had me make the Miso soup for breakfast. We also had fish, eggs, sunny side up, rice, and salad. At the end of every meal they serve fruit, usually cantelope, asian pears, or grapes (large ones that you don’t eat the peels).
After breakfast we went to Mikiko's school. Their brass band was practicing, so we went in to observe, and I talked to the students for a brief few minutes. Most of the kids understand a little english. The arts are considered 'clubs' and practice on school off hours - after school, or on weekends. Also, there were only girls in their brass band. As children get older, the boys are encouraged to take what they consider 'serious studies' - math and science - so only girls were in the art classes, choirs, and bands. I think that's really sad. They played a piece called 'sing, sing, sing' it is a big band era song - American, I believe. I recognized it, and they were doing really well.
We then went for a long car ride to a japanese garden where the wild cosmos were growing - it was very beautiful, but very cold and started to rain, so we went back home. They prepared 'japanese pizza' for lunch. It is kind of like a pancake with cabbage, shrimp, pork, etc in the batter. They fry it like a pancake, then afterwards they put dried fish powder on top, then a sauce that is a little similar to barbque sauce and mayonaisse on top, no cheese. It was unusual, and I'd have to say I prefer st. louis style.... but the food they prepared was much better than any I'd had in Japan.
We spent the rest of the afternoon talking - and at 4:00 they drove me backt to city hall where we met my group. Mikiko and Nadio gave me a set of chop sticks and little ceramic chopstick holders. Mikiko cried, we exchanged e-mails, and they promised they would brush up on their english and come over to Missouri to see me. I hope they do.
I was surprised over all by how similar their family life style is to mine. They are very liberal with their children, I don't know if that was because they had a guest (my kids know they can nearly get away with murder when we have company)... The girls were very sweet, though. Hamura was so shy that she wouldn't let me hold her the entire weekend, Tomoka and I started getting acquainted on Sunday.
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