The cherry blossoms and flowers of Japan

Let me just start by saying that I can't believe I am writing a blog post about trees and flowers.  BUT, it's happening. Since these living things that I never seemed to have paid too much attention to before have gotten me through these seasons, I believe I owe them a shout out.

Living in Japan has given me MORE than enough time to notice and really appreciate the trees and flowers of this country.   When spring arrives, this place is hoppin.  It's not like I've never appreciated flowers or trees before, but my appreciation over this past year has soared to a whole new level.   I have literally, and I mean LITERALLY watched these trees and flowers bloom... day by day by day....by day...i think u get the point. 

In the beginning of March the plum trees began to bloom and the flowers come in all different shades of red, pink, and white.  The plum tree festival that I went to had a park that consisted of over 3,000 plum trees that were blooming all at once!  It really was beautiful and I especially liked these trees because they had a such a strong scent that could be smelled throughout the entire park.  :)

Perhaps the most iconic place to see cherry blossoms, Japan is renowned for its show-stopping blooms. The sakura (cherry blossom) is the unofficial national flower of Japan. The Japanese see the trees’ brief bloom as a symbol of the impermanence of life. They pay homage to the flower at hanami – blossom-watching parties – where they eat, drink and dance beneath the branches.  The trees are only in bloom for about 2 weeks, but it is ABSOLUTELY beautiful.

clearly this is winter

cute little buds

I HEART cherry blossoms

Cherry blossoms everywhere

Cherry blossom tree after the flowers fall off...

 In June, the hydrangeas begin blooming.  One of the temples has a beautiful walkway that is full of hydrangeas of all different sorts.  On the other side of the walkway are fields with some of the greenest rice paddies in the area.  I really loved this place.  :)

Hydrangeas

Needless to say, Japan has really opened my eyes to the beauty of the life of a flower.  From seeing the bare trees in winter, to the small buds beginning to form, to the trees blooming, it's been beautiful. I cant believe I just said that....but it's true.  :)

I even like willows

The design on the these flowers....

Japan Unmasked

My blog today is actually from some parts of a book that I've been reading called "Japan Unmasked." I believe it will help to explain a bit more about the Japanese culture and what I am experiencing here on a daily basis.  Although I have been here for 9 months now,  there are many things I have yet to learn about the "Japanese way."  And quite honestly, by the time I leave here, my knowledge of this culture still won't have even scratched the surface.  I have many "why"questions about certain things here and in order to get my answers to those questions, my only hope is in the books that I've found.  So to the book we go. :)

 Japan Unmasked
"All of the primary attributes for which the Japanese are known-their strengths as well as their weaknesses, have their genesis in the cultural molds referred to as kata, "form/way," or shikata, "way of doing things."  The way of doing things provides the ultimate answer for what makes the Japanese Japanese.  It refers to the way things are supposed to be done, both the form and the order, as a means of expressing and maintaining wa, "harmony," in society and the universe.  The absence of shikata is virtually unthinkable to the Japanese, for that refers to an unreal world, without order or form.  Japan has no genuine philosophy as such, only form.  Doing things the right way was often more important than doing the right things."

It didn't take me long to learn that there are certain ways of doing things here.  But my question is, do they continue to do these things in the "right way/form" because they want to, or because they have to?  I mean does everyone in Japan really want the same exact bike and wire basket?  Or deep down do the girls really want a fun pink bike?  :)

Dude, where's my bike?

I mean....

"Just as there was only one acceptable way to perform all the various actions of life in pre-industrial Japan, from using chopsticks to wrapping a package, there was naturally only one right way of thinking- the "Japanese" way.  Cultural conditioning based on the kata system made the Japanese extremely sensitive  to any thought, manner, or action that did not conform perfectly to the appropriate kata.  In formal as well as most daily situations every action was either right or wrong, natural or unnatural.  There were no shades of gray that accommodated individualistic thought, preferences, or idiosyncrasies."

Because everything is so conditioned here, even thoughts, this is why it is a little difficult for me to ask the question "why?"  There sometimes aren't even answers for the "why"questions...except that it's just the "Japanese way."

The hallmark of Japan's kata-ized culture from earliest times has been the promotion and maintenance of wa, or harmony.  Personal behavior as well as all relationships, private and public, were based on strictly controlled harmony in the  proper inferior-superior context of Japanese society.

A not surprising characteristic of the Japanese that derives from their emphasis on correct form and harmony is their tendency to avoid doing things altogether if they are uncertain about how to do them."

The harmony that is found in this culture is quite extraordinary and I have NEVER seen anything like it anywhere else.  It really is amazing that there is SO much harmony found throughout the entire country.  Unfortunately, this harmony sometimes comes at the expense of people losing their individuality and not being able to express themselves.  But with every culture, there are pros and cons with everything.

 "The significant difference between the "Japanese way" and the customs that developed in most other societies was that the Japanese kata-ized their whole existence.  Practically nothing was left to chance or personal inclinations.  The kata factor was applied down to everything- down to the arrangement of food on a tray.  Further, the Japanese goal was not just the minimum acceptable standard of behavior, action, or work- it was absolute perfection."

Think of a perfectionist you know.  Then imagine an entire country...millions of people acting, behaving, and thinking in the same manner! I can already see the signs of perfectionists in my little 4 and 5 year old students who organize the slippers outside the door if they aren't lined up correctly.   At a very early age, children are already being taught the "rules" and the "Japanese way" to do literally everything.  By the time they reach adulthood, everything is already so conditioned that nothing is left to chance or for their personal preferences. 

"Some of Japan's traditional kata based practices and skills that remain in place today include the tea ceremony, flower arranging, kendo, judo, and sumo.  Even the imported sport of baseball has been kata-ized.  There is a Japanese way to organize furniture and office desks, for learning how to drive, for treating guests, for buying and presenting gifts, for virtually everything in life."

Everything, and I mean EVERYTHING has a certain way of being done here.  Fortunately for me, I don't and won't ever have to know all of these ways.  :)

"Because of ongoing exclusivity of Japanese culture, the Japanese are unable to accept foreigners as they do other Japanese and tend to be comfortable with them only when they are in Japan as temporary visitors.  As long as foreigners can be treated as guests, the Japanese are able to exempt them from the demands of Japanese culture and can extend extraordinary courtesies and privileges to them.  Non-guest foreigners in Japan inevitably encounter the cultural dichotomy that prevents the Japanese from fully accepting them.  They must therefore continuously be aware that as tolerant and hospitable as their Japanese hosts are to short-term visitors -who are not expected to know or practice their kata-ized etiquette- they are still offended when anyone, foreigners included, behaves "incorrectly." "
  
Although I do try to be myself here, there are many times where I find that I am just trying to do things that are "correct."  There are too many right and wrong ways of doing things here that I am often times too focused on this to truly express myself.

"Few non-Asian residents of Japan complain very much about being excluded from Japanese society.  The weight of the society on a person who is Japanese is very heavy.  The truth of the matter is that life in Japan is only tolerable for most non-Asian residents because they are excluded from the society and treated differently.

 "The close-knittedness and security provided by Japan's web of kata have also made the Japanese exquisitely sensitive to anything unexpected.  They cannot stand for things to be unpredictable- which is one of the reasons why those who are un-Westernized are so uncomfortable when dealing with foreigners.  Because they cannot predict what foreigners are going to do or say, such Japanese are under constant stress when in their presence."

"Kata have, in fact, traditionally been used to replace honest human relationships.  The social etiquette the Japanese developed to support the shikata system doesn't fit in the modern world but that without kata the Japanese are lost and do not know how to behave."

Besides the couple of Japanese friends I have made, I believe this is one of the biggest reasons why foreigners aren't able to develop many strong relationships with people here.  Many of the Japanese might be more concerned with doing or saying the right thing....which leads to friendships and relationships taking much longer to develop.

"There are several reasons why few westerners, even today, speak Japanese with any real fluency.  The language is so intimately integrated with the thought processes and behavior of the Japanese that it is impossible to speak it correctly - from the Japanese viewpoint-without knowing how to think and behave like the Japanese do.    When someone speaks the language w/o following the dictates of Japanese customs, it strikes the Japanese as arrogant, as anti-Japanese, and as proof of the old belief that foreigners are incapable of learning how to speak the language properly."

Luckily I'm not fluent in Japanese hey?!  :)

I know that some of this stuff might be hard to read if you're not familiar with Japanese culture, but this is the best way I can sum up the majority of my existence here.  :)

South Korea!

Let me start by saying that Korea was nothing like I expected. The capitol, Seoul, is a huge international city where eastern traditions meet the modern west.  Many parts of the city are still full of Korean traditions and culture...and other parts of the city are super hip, trendy, and artsy.  Way more so than I ever imagined.  In many of the main parts of Seoul, they have tons of live music, crazy asian markets, and food stalls everywhere.  The city is beautiful and surrounded by mountains.

Changing of the Guards, Gyeongbokgung Palace

Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul

Walking the Suwon Fortress Wall

The people here are much more outgoing, outspoken, and more expressive than what I'm used to in Japan.  On the subway, people were actually talking, running to get seats...you know....like the normal. :)  I guess since I've been in Japan so long, I'm quite used to silence on the trains and everyone conforming to absolutely everything.  Although I do like Japan, South Korea was a MAJOR refresher.  :)

These food markets were HOPPIN  :)

I like to try new things, but I also know where to draw the line

I think I'll pass

My first night I went to a Korean professional baseball game....and let me tell you , I was pretty darn excited.  These games are NUTS!  Outside the stadium, they sell a bunch of different food and drinks that you can bring into the game.  Now you're probably thinking hotdogs and hamburgers...wrong.  Let's try more like fried octopus and I don't even know what the other things were.  But I did find the beer.  :)

This "tailgate" food honestly did NOT look appetizing

My high school friends for the game :)

Sunset at the game :)

The day I went for a hike to Bukhansen National Park it started raining right when I got off the subway.  I thought about not doing it, but then saw all of the other hikers (aka older Korean people) still going for it.  Mind you, they did have hiking shoes and rain gear...basically hardcore hiking clothes.  I had my little flimsy umbrella.  :)  Anyways, I decided why not...I had nothing else to do.
Let me just say, I had NO CLUE what I was getting myself into.  Especially since it was raining.
After a 4 hour hike, two guys who were totally watching out for me, one who even gave me a granola bar and carried my umbrella for me at a very crucial moment, I finally, somehow, made it to the top...for some stellar views of.....fog.  :)

The picture showing what my view should have been :)

At the beginning of the hike...in my "hiking gear"

It was about 5 minutes after this picture that I took a pretty hard fall :)

While traveling in South Korea, I didn't always know where I was or where I was going...but I always knew I was in the right place when I stumbled upon some pretty amazing views and sunsets.  :)

Sunset over the city of Seoul

Bukhansen Mountains surrounding the city

The Koreans, especially the kids, LOVE taking pictures with foreigners.  At times, I would ask someone to take a picture of me, and before I knew it, they pushed their entire family into the pic!!  :)

The kids here were pretty outgoing :)

Please note the small child in red

If you ever get the chance to visit Seoul, I would highly recommend it!  :)

March Madness in Japan! - Japanese Doll and Spring Festival

If you're wondering if March Madness happens in Japan, it does!  But just in a different way. :)  There are many different festivals and events unique to Japan....and some of them take place in March.
On March 3rd, families who have daughters celebrate The Doll's Festival.  At this time, they pray for the girls' growth and happiness.  In many houses, they will set up a beautiful display of dolls....many of which they make themselves.
The dolls are meant to take on any suffering, pain or sickness that the daughters might have.
Families will usually start to display the dolls in February and will then take them down immediately after the festival.  Superstition says that leaving the dolls up too long afterwards will result in a late marriage for their daughter.  So you can almost bet that here in Japan, ALL of the dolls are take down on March 4th...without a doubt. :)

Miki's mom and I in front of their doll display :)

The doll display that Miki's mom made  :)

My two new friends :)

March 9th is Japan's annual Spring Festival.  And let me just say....this thing was awesome! To sum it up, the Japanese dress up in some pretty funky outfits and parade down the streets singing, chanting, and smashing their sticks together to welcome spring.  I'm not gonna lie, it's the rowdiest I've ever seen the Japanese get...but that might be in part due to the fact that I saw one guy slam half a bottle of wine in between chants.  :)

 I somehow always forget that I am usually the only foreigner at events...or for that matter anywhere (I'm not really sure how that slips my mind) so I'm always surprised when everyone starts paying extra attention to me.
The people in the parade spotted me out in the crowd (I guess not too hard when ur the only white person and ur wearing a bright pink coat) and welcomed me to the festival and their city.  They then left the parade and asked if I wanted to take some pictures with them.  Sure, why not?!
This Spring Festival was THE COOLEST.  :)

I call him "Lion Face"

Winter Wonderland in Nikko!

Before heading to Nikko, the only thing I knew about the place was that it was a World Heritage area known for its shrines and temples.  For some reason, probably lack of research on my part, I had no clue this place was up in the mountains.  Stepping out from the train station, I was greeted with a stellar view of the mountains hovering over this cute little mountain town.  :)

Although my pictures won't do it justice, the temples of Nikko were spectacular and rightfully deserved World Heritage status. 

Toshogu Shrine

Buddha statues that filled the forest

The famous little red bridge of Japan is also located in Nikko....

Best little red bridge ever :)

My night in the guesthouse here made me really appreciate my apartment even MORE than I already do.  I guess that's what happens when you share a room with 4 other people, and one of them is a 70 year old man from El Paso,Texas who likes to snore. A Lot.  I think I slept about one wink.

The next morning I woke up and was greeted with a beautiful and unexpected winter wonderland!!  After exploring all of the temples and shrines on my first day with gorgeous, sunny weather.... to see everything covered in snow, gave the place a whole new atmosphere.  It was unbelievable really.

Futarasan Shrine area

On my way out of Nikko, I had about 45 minutes to kill before catching the train.  I walked into the tourist information center and was planning to just warm up and browse around for a bit.  Before I knew it, there were 3 Japanese women surrounding me and speaking, obviously, only Japanese.  I kept trying to explain to them that I had no clue what they were saying but apparently they didn't care because they just kept right on chatting.  :)   I was finally saved by one lady who spoke a tiny bit of English.  They then sat me down for some traditional Japanese green tea and sweets.  Don't mind if I do.  :)  One of the older women tried to teach me how to make the froth on the green tea using a whisk made of bamboo, although I'm not sure she was too happy with the results because she made me do it twice.  :)   Soon after I failed to froth the tea perfectly, I found myself trying on Japanese wedding kimonos.  Lesson learned, it pays to stop in the tourist information center on your way OUT of town.  :)

Lady who tried to teach me how to make froth...and my eyes aren't open :)

I don't know why I look so tall

More Japanese Culture!

 After talking with many of my students over the last few months, I've learned a little bit more about the Japanese school and work culture.  Get excited.  :)

The majority of the Japanese high schools have regulations that restrict their students from having a part-time job while attending school.  The only exception is if one of their parents has passed away and they have to help support the family.  Otherwise, there are very few high school students that have jobs.  They are expected to focus solely on their studies.  Quite honestly, after being here and seeing their daily routines, even if they wanted to, they wouldn't have a time for a part-time job.  After school, they usually attend a cram school, and then after that many students will go to an English school.  There are some days they are attending 3 different schools.  I don't know how they do it....and maybe that's why when they finally get to my class and I ask them how they're doing....they respond...."I'm sleepy."   :)

Some of you may have already heard the rumors that the Japanese people work like crazy.  I would like to clarify that.  The rumors are true.

The Japanese professionals here DO work like CRAZY.   They have vacation days to use, but guess what?  They don't use them.  Although they have the "choice"and the "free will" to take vacation, they really don't have that choice.  One of my students admitted that this is one of the negative parts of the Japanese culture.
Although they have the vacation days, there is ABSOLUTELY no way they will use them.  
When I asked my student what would happen if he used his vacation days, he laughed as though that would obviously never happen....but then said, NOTHING would happen.  He wouldn't get fired and he would still have his job.  But there's no way that he would ever take vacation because that's just the culture. If you take off of work, it makes it seem like something else is more important than your job (Ummm.....Am I missing something here?)

This is one of the reasons the Japanese government has actually made it mandatory for people to take off of work.  With certain companies, they have set vacation days, so everyone has off on the same day.  It's also one reason why Japan has a lot of public holidays... it forces people to take off of work.

My Japanese friend used to work in an office in Tokyo, and she explained that she wasn't allowed to leave the office until the boss left.  And yes, this is an actual  rule.  About 2 nights a week for a year, she said she would finish her work, and would have to sit there for an extra 2-3 hours until her boss left the office!  Sometimes he was even there for personal reasons.   Let's just say I'm sure as hek glad I'm not working in that office!!!

Exciting stuff hey?  :)

A Taste of Culture and Etiquette

WELL. I finally know what it's like to experience an earthquake.  As a matter of fact, I was "lucky" enough to have had two in the same week. Lucky me.  :)
Rather than my alarm clock waking me up one morning, it was a lovely little earthquake instead.  I sat on the edge of my bed to try and "evaluate" the whole situation.  Surprisingly enough, I actually felt pretty calm.  Either that, or I completely froze and didn't know what the hell to do.
The other one happened during one of my adult classes.  The building suddenly started to shake and I think my heart jumped out of my body for one whole second.  And then it was over. And on with class we went.  :)

After being here in Japan for about 5 months, here are a few of the things I have learned about some of the Japanese culture and etiquette. There are, however, so many different aspects and intricacies that make up this culture, this doesn't even scratch the surface.
But here are a few just to give you an idea...

There are often times many little gifts that are given here in Japan. After receiving a gift it is customary to say thank you at least 3 times.  You should obviously say thank you when you receive the gift, another thank you the next time you see the person so they know you remembered their gift, and the next time you see them, a nice little hand written note would be a nice touch.
It's also polite to give a gift after receiving one.
The other day I brought my manager a little item from the bakery that I visit.  Literally, no less than 60 seconds later, she came into my room and said she had cookies for me.
I also gave my Japanese friend a single piece of candy, like one little starburst. The next time I saw her, she gave me a WHOLE pack of Japanese candy.
 It's IMPOSSIBLE to give a gift here without getting a gift in return.  So what I've concluded is that I should give everyone here a gift.... because I'll probably get something even better back.  :)

When on a train or public transportation there are many unwritten "rules" to follow.  Always sit with your legs closed and have your bag neatly on your lap so it isn't in anybody's way.  If you're reading a newspaper it should be folded a certain way so as not to disturb the person next to you. And of course there's no talking, which they do out of respect for one another.  I do have to say there are times this is nice, especially if you're not in the mood to talk to people...but other times it can just be a little TOOOO quiet.  Although there could be hundreds of people on the train, you would still be able to hear a pin drop.

Always, ALWAYS, take off your shoes upon entering somebody's home.  And be sure to have a pair of socks with you....going barefoot isn't very polite.
NEVER wear the slippers for the toilet anywhere else except for in the bathroom.  And yes, there are special slippers for the toilet in not only people's homes, but in businesses and schools as well.

Here are a few things Not to do:
Dont talk with ur hands in ur pockets- it's considered very rude.
Dont stick ur chopsticks in ur rice -This display is only done at Buddhist funerals so it's seen as a very bad omen at the dinner table.
Don't eat while walking- it's seen as bad manners and "ugly."

I'm pretty sure I have accidentally broken almost all of these "rules" already.  So that's something I'm still working on.  :)