Kimono Day

Four women and three men (which was all men in the program) in our 15-people program participated in the kimono event today. It really takes a long time and two to three people to help one put on kimono. We also learned how expensive they are. The one for wedding costs 5,000,000yen on average.

The ones we wore today are not for casual occasion but for when one attends a friend's wedding, or a match-making meeting.

The long sleeve and ribbon style we women wore today are for single women. Yes, I was the only married person in the group, but all the teachers said I am single while in Japan.

Belated Birthday Entry

Saikat and I hosted a birthday party together, having the same birthday, with him one year younger than I. We had it on the Friday before our birthday so our teachers could attend also. We invited our conversation partners' organization, and 11 of them registered while others also came.

It was a very big party, with at least 45 people attending. I scheduled food, a short game of charade, and then karaoke. Everyone said they had fun. I was just tired because I was running around taking care of people, and thus did not know if I could call myself relaxing. But it was so great seeing everyone's smile.

Unexpectedly (really), I got presents from many people, and everyone except for one person in my 15-people program. I was pleasantly surprised because I honestly just wanted to have this opportunity to have friends and teachers taste Taiwanese and American foods, and Saikat's Indian food also. I felt embarrassed to receive presents. But I definitely felt everyone's love and joy. I thank them.

I made too much foods, and ended up having to throw away some of the Taiwanese sushi the next day after we could not finish them. We also got together one more time when Saikat made Indian curry and Miyuki made Korean kimchi soup. But we had to throw away most of the white rice. I also threw away some fruit salad. I really hate to throw away foods.

Happy belated birthday to all my family and friends! I am sorry that I did not message or email you but you are in my thoughts, your birthday or not.

Nabe

Directly from the airport, I took train to the station near my conversation partner's house last night to have dinner. We had nabe (hot pot), sushi, fruits, and mochi. Apparently every Japanese was eating mochi yesterday for the special day. Supposedly they made them yesterday and then ate them.

My conversation partner was hosting 3 Argentinian musicians. Merce from my program was present as Spanish-Japanese translator. I was surprised at how much Spanish I still understood, but then sad at how I can no longer speak any word... Argentinian humor is interesting, but not easy to understand.

Asakusa

I stayed at a hotel near Shinagawa in Tokyo and went to the Shinagawa Historical Museum yesterday morning (Sunday, Nov. 8). I did not know until after I got there that it was the site of the famous Omori Shell Mounds discovery site. It was a nice place with a pretty garden too.

I then headed to Asakusa Temple and Shrine. Out of the temples and shrines I have been to in Japan thus far, Asakusa was the most crowded one. It did not help that it was a Sunday and a special holiday for Japanese to bring their 3, 5, or 7 year olds to the shrine. I was not impressed with the temple or shrine at all, except for the following:

1. Chrysanthemum festival/contest winners and participants. They were fabulous.
2. Japanese money performing special jumping and walking obstacle courses.
3. Kids performing kabuki on stage.

Temples and shrines in Kyoto, Nara, Koyasan, Kamakura are just way better than this Asakusa place.

Shiawase

I met with Professor Rob Eskildsen at Obirin University on Wednesday- his work is outside my field and time period, but he was helpful. He also gave me copies of his articles.

Then yesterday, Thursday, I finally met with Professor Hong Yu-ru at Hitotsubashi University whose research is closest to mine (probably in the world), and she was super nice! She is still young, has published many articles and her newest book won some award in Japan- and she gave me a copy! The book costs 9700 yen plus tax (right now $1=90yen). She also gave me a copy of one of her articles, gave me coffee from Tully(? Tulley?) right when I walked in (she had bought two cups).

After the nearly two-hour talk about research and ourselves (our personal life also), she took me out to lunch! I was so happy to eat with her, and then she would not let me pay for my share. I had Japanese spaghetti for the first time, it was very Japanese because the sauce is this pickled plum vegetable with fatty pork slices. Can you imagine it? The corn soup was salty, but pretty good even though the corn have been crushed to bites. The dessert was really good, I am not sure what it is called. We also had coffee/tea. It was so great.

The story did not end here. We took train together until I transferred to a faster line to get to Shinjuku. We kept on looking at each other and waving to each other until my train moved away. I already like her very much because of her personality and work. Her hospitality really make me feel as if I was floating in the clouds, and as if I was dreaming. It was so unreal.

On the same night as when I had this wonderful experience (yesterday for me), I had another wonderful experience. I met up with Kyoko whom I knew from when I lived in International House at the University of Chicago. We met up in Ginza, walked around and then had sandwich for dinner. She totally spoiled me because she would only go where I want to go. Her words, `if you are happy then I am happy` really warmed up my heart. She has always been sweet, but her hospitality was superb.

There were two other great parts, it is her birthday today but I did not know, yet she gave me presents and treated me dinner! I was so embarrassed when she told me her birthday was today, after she had given me presents and bought me dinner. The presents included yummy Japanese corn stick cookie rolls and a really cute barbie doll dressed up in yukata/kimono (I cannot differentiate clearly) and geta (shoes). The barbie doll is so adorable!

These experiences, and the meeting-up with Colin at Shinjuku and he also treated me wonderful absolutely delicious dinner, all make me wonder if I deserve all these wonderful people`s kindness and love. Of course not to mention how the Japan Foundation Kansai Institute, the program I am in right now studying Japanese, has spoiled me in Japan. I am too lucky! I wonder if I deserve all of these...

I do wonder after all these wonderful things if bad things are going to happen next... There is Chinese proverb and Japanese also use it, that says good things do not necessary lead to good things in the future, and bad things do not necessary lead to bad things next.

Japanese school system

I visited a professor at Obirin University today. While hopping onto the bus, I realized that the school has kindergarten through university. I think it is fairly common in Japan to have the through-system. I think they tend to be private schools too.

I wonder why and how it works.

School uniforms

Mariana from my program once said to me that `because the skirt is short, they must be high schoolers.` Ever since then, whenever I see students in uniforms, I try to figure out if they are junior high or high schoolers. I think the length of the skirt is fairely accurate. Junior high schoolers have skirts below their knees while high schoolers have skirts above their kness (some are really short, like mini-skirts).

For boys, junior high schoolers tend to have the all-buttoned-up one-piece top (dark blue or black) while high schoolers tend to have suit-like clothes with ties (girls would have bows instead, and skirts intead of pants).

Perhaps wearing uniforms, especially suit-sytle ones, is the training for future professional dress code. If they can get used to it at a young age, they would not mind wearing them for work.

Akihabara

I ended up spending 3.5 hours at Akihabara, in which I was lost for probably 30 minutes. Akihabara truly lives up to its reputation as the electronics town. The electronics stores are all over town. Besides electronics, many manga-anime-related stores also exist. To my surprise, I found myself sort of fitting into the place because I like anime (even though I am only following two at this point and have no plan to start to follow any new ones). I saw the coolest anime merchandize ever- the manga/anime Bleach`s character, Urahara`s hat! After I told Jason, he and I really wished I had bought it. Unless something brings me back there before I leave Tokyo this Sunday, I do not plan to spend train fares just to buy the hat.

Highlights:
* The town is mostly men in their teens and twenties, but also older than that. I have finally met otaku.
* You can build your own ideal female figurine by not only buying her clothes but her body parts also.
* You can put as many coins as many times as possible in at least hundreds of vending machines that sell anime-Tokyo related toys/keychains/cell phone straps.
* You can get many electronics for cheap here.
* A guy I do not know hugged me from behind (like a lover`s hug). Luckily I had my (big) backpack on and so I felt the least impact possible. He probably mistakened me for his girlfriend who was standing next to me.
* Anime-lovers must come to this place. You can find cool merchandize like I did (but did not buy).
*Second-hand electronics and toys are also for sale.
* After a while every electronics store looks the same... So were the anime stores...

Shinjuku, Okubo, Shibuya, Meiji Shrine, Harajuku

I was in Shinjuku for two hours with Colin on Thursday, Oct. 30. I then remember that it was the place I went to with Jason last year. The place I did not like because the big TV screen flashed at me right after we got off the train station last year. I am okay with it this time though.

Shinjuku has people from all age-groups and seems to have all types of shops everywhere. I was too tired to walk around though.

Okubo, where I stayed in the hotel, is a Korean area. It means you can eat Korean foods and buy Korean goods here. I only walked a bit near my hotel because I was too tired after doing research all day in Waseda University (6 hours the first day, then 10 hours the next day).

I wondered around in Shibuya for a bit, not knowing where I was going. This is supposed to be where young people hangout, and I guess it is true because I saw more young people than elsewhere. Shops also to be hip and expensive.

From Shibuya, I ended up in Meiji Shrine walkway, which have super-expensive shops! Armani, Gucci, etc.

I decided to walk to the Meiji Shrine, but stopped because my legs were too tired/hurt from the all-day walking. Instead, I end up in the Harajuku area, which has cheap shops. The stores also to be on the younger and hip side.

I saw the most foreigners in Tokyo compare to other parts of Japan. Yes, not even in Osaka or Kyoto are this many foreigners present.

Flea Market

I walked into the Yokohama Arena and found the flea market taking place today. I ended up spending a lot money, but only 300 yen on used stuff- one shirt, one scarf, and one umbrella.

I did not understand the event at first because merchants I encountered at first were all selling new stuff, and I did not realize I had bought second-hand shirt and scarf until much later when I began to see tons of places selling `100 yen-only` for shirts, pants, jackets, shoes, etc. This made me realize that Japanese are instead in a bad recession. But then I also remember reading the article in my Japanese textbook that says flea markets are getting more popular in Japan because Japanese are becoming more environmentally-conscious and they also like cheaper but good-quality goods.

Two complaints- the smell of second-hand goods was not that great and that most places have so much clothes piled on top of each other in big piles that it was difficult to select goods.

Japanese kids and Baseball

When I first got to Yokohama today, I walked to the park where games were taking place. I think all kids are elementary, maybe early junior high. They already have stronger arms than I do and can throw the balls really far and strong. I am impressed with their skills. I thought how everything really start when kids are young.

I also thought about how true Japanese say it costs a lot of money to raise kids. If a kid participate in baseball team activity at a young age, they have to buy all the equipment (uniform, socks, shoes, bags, cap, etc.) and probably pay some fees from then until they quit the activity. This is just one thing that costs money for Japanese parents.

Still, I see more kids in Japan than I thought. But I must say so far I see way more kids in the Kansai (west) area than the Kanto (east) area.

Yokohama`s Ramen Museum

I went to Yokohama on my first day off research-related activity. I did not go to the *real* Yokohama, but to the Shin (means `new`) Yokohama station area to visit the Ramen Museum. I thought I had wasted my 300 yen admission fee at first because I only saw the souvenir store and the display of ramen`s history in Japan, the various styles of ramen in Japan now, and the essential tools used at a ramen shop. But when I head downstairs to have lunch, I became happier because the set-up was a 1950s Japanese shop area. Police station, barbershop, salon, train station, tobacco shop, doctor`s office, residential places, hot bath place, motorcycles, and movie theaters. One can only see the outside of each place and not enter except for the policy station and the phone booth. One could also see the locker area of the hot bath place and the train station.

Besides the various ramen style restaurants, they actually sell drinks, snacks and games in the style of the 1950s Japan. There was also one shop where they sold all `traditional` Japanese toys and snacks. I wanted to buy this gel thing that you get to make a ball/balloon thing because I used to play with it as a kid in Taiwan. I did not buy it because I wanted to wait until I get to Taiwan- probably cheaper.

In summary, I think it is worth it to go visit this place once, especially if you like older things or/and ramen.

Bathroom-less, Internet-less Hotel

In a hurry, I booked a bathroom-less and internet-less hotel in the Okubo area to stay at while conducting research at Waseda University for the last two nights. Besides that, the hotel`s proximity to the train station (literally right next to the train track), and the slight tobacco smell, the room was actually nice. I reserved a Japanese style room, which means I got to sleep on comfortable futon (and interesting pillow) on tatami mats. It was fun sitting on tatami eating my dinners, and wearing yukata (Japanese bathrope) after taking a bath. The hotel has two bathrooms. The manager let me use the bigger one the first night, and the bathtube was heart-shaped. The second night I used the much smaller bathroom, it is the standard size if you have ever seen one (similar to Taiwan`s size).

Tokyo in general

I only spent four days in the Kansai (West Japan) area doing research before heading to Tokyo. I have been in Tokyo for five days now, and I think I am getting used to how there are more people and noise in Tokyo. Everything has a faster pace. Things start early and end late everyday.

I like the foods better this time because I am eating mostly onigiri (rice balls) with mandarin oranges or vegetables. They are not as salty as the bento (lunch box) I had most of the time the last research period when I was in Tokyo.

Research typing

Because it costs 50 yen (exchange rate is about 90 yen per dollar) per copy, I decided to type up research notes at Waseda University Library (instead of write because I got tired from hand-write research notes for 6 days almost straight, with one-day break after the fourth day). I spent two hours typing up two-page 12-point-font word doc file. The book was quite large but it was 2.5 pages. I wonder if it is worth it to type it up. I had thought about typing up all my handwritten notes at some point...

The good thing was that I got to learn how to read a 1919 Japanese government document, which means older Chinese characters (actually traditional Chinese format with meaning closer that Taiwan uses now) and older Japanese grammar. I got to learn how to read the kanji in Japanese.

Unlike the last research period (one-week at the end of August), I feel like I am actually doing research this time around (two-week period from Oct. 24 to Nov. 8). Rather than browsing through sources, I read through them and thus have more knowledge than before. I begin to feel excited about research again but I need to find my master thesis topic before I head back to the States.

Train conductors

I wonder if train conductors greet each other when they pass by one another while driving the trains... Is it possible for express train conductors? What about Shinkansen conductors?

Zoo, a Sad Place

I cannot look at zoos the same way anymore... I visited the third-most-famous zoo in Japan, Tennoji Zoo in Osaka, last Sunday, October 25. It was a great zoo with many different animals from all over the globe. I really enjoyed the place, including seeing many parents with their children there. Young couples and older women friends were also there.

Whenever I could tell, I swore that the animals were all sad. They all looked so lonely, as many of them live alone in the cage. There was one especially sad-looking primate, whose hands held onto the bars, and stared at us. I felt like crying, but I stared at him for a long time too...

I don`t think I can go to a zoo again unless I take my kids there for their sake. I much prefer to find animals in their natural habitat. It is much more fun that way also, to understand where they live.

Danjiri Matsuri

I went to two days of the famous Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri last month, and then to two local ones (Kumatori and Tajiri) this past weekend. I think the Danjiri (refers to the carriage that people move/pull around town) Matsuri (meaning festival) is a great activity to not only hold a community/town together, but make people closer to each other in the same town.

Danjiri participants start practicing for the festival two months before the event by running and shouting out slogans. The musicians (taiko and wind instruments) practice their instruments. Everyone, young (as in 3 years old) and old (in their 70s), male and female participate in this event. Although it seems that people in their 20s and 30s compose the majority of the participants. They run as hard as they could as sweats dripped down the sides of their faces. Their faces turn red after putting a lot of force into controlling and moving the danjiri.

The actual event takes place over two days- one day when they carry the danjiri to the local shrine, and one day when they parade around town. At the Kishiwada one, I only saw the parade over two days. But I saw the shrine version from both local ones.

Kid participants are especially cute in the habi (the special clothes they wear) and the shoes. Girls have great hairstyles.

I wish we had something like this at home.

I'm Back, with various issues

Sorry for the nearly two-month absence. It takes a friend's few words of encouragement to motivate me to blog again (thanks Chris Brooks!).

Maybe it's the weather, maybe it's my bodily condition, but I begin to feel anxious about various things. In general, I am becoming more anxious about my research because I must write my master's thesis when I start school next Winter Quarter. Before that, I need to improve my Japanese to a level comparable to my research materials. But for this second session, teachers have placed me in a lower level than the first session because only 15 of us are in the program, and they cannot divide us into too many levels. I end up being with the lowest level of students out of 3 levels. The teacher told me that I am right between level 1 and level 2. Although I finally talked to the teachers in my third week of the session, nothing has changed yet. Hopefully starting tomorrow I will see changes. I plan to talk to teachers more about it. The main problem is not the material itself but that the pace is too slow.

After the language issue, I have source problems. I want to research on female students' family background and their school life, but the materials available in Japan are mostly government regulations and documents. I also do not know my focus yet...

I also felt really exhausted today, as if all energy went elsewhere.

Many fun experiences and things have happened. I will talk about them later.

Chinese dumplings

Toki and Yu invited a few of us to their dumpling making session on Saturday, Aug. 8. I got there at 6pm when they were still make dumplings, so I helped out. Everyone said it was good, but I actually think my (my family or the Taiwanese family recipe) dumplings taste (way) better than theirs. Perhaps it is because I am used to a certain taste, but theirs did not have that type of flavor. We can do nothing about the dumpling wraps if we buy the cheapest one, but we can definitely control the flavoring in the stuffing. Nevertheless, I ate a lot.

The dumpling party was fun as we (women) all ended up making fun of Liang because of his obsession with anime, manga, and American superhero movies, and trying to help Liang (the only male present) with getting a girlfriend. I had lots of fun.

My Tennis Partner

Soo from Korea, first my badminton then my tennis partner, is leaving tomorrow morning (Aug. 11), one day before other people in the two month program leave. We played our last game today. It was very fun, and we stopped playing because I killed a mosquito after killing him unintentionally, and had to go wash off the blood on my leg. I got some mosquito bites today, and they are very itchy.

Soo gave me a present, a memo/notebook from her work, The Academy of Korean Studies, in which there is a nice bookmark and Soo's kind words to me. I was so touched! I had nothing to give her except my thanks and photos. We say that since we both want to go to Korea and Taiwan that perhaps we can meet up at some point in the future and take the trip together. I hope to make it come true! Soo has been my classmate in the comprehensive/integrated Japanese and kanji classes. She has always been very quiet but always has interesting ideas. I really like her and hope to keep in touch.

Yummy cake

Jody from Canada invited a few of us over last night (Sunday, Aug. 9) for cake. We brought soft drinks and had the yummy canned fruit sponge cake. I had two pieces. Jody then gave away various of her belongings because she said she could not take it with her. I got various things, but liked the nice pants for the hot weather and vitamins the best.

Indian Party

Saigoto organized an Indian Party last Friday, Aug. 7. He asked and got many people's help with cooking (I think they might have cooked most of the foods with Saigoto's instructions). I left after one hour because he told me I have no brain (literally in Japanese, which actually doesn't make sense in Japanese), after I wanted to wash vegetables while he was rinsing cooked rice (this is a story I will have to tell in person).

I enjoyed the foods very much at the party, but left after one hour because of another incident. Julio Cesar told me that not ever take his pictures again. This happened after I meant to take pictures of two other ladies, but included him as he stood in the background. I felt very emotional after that (this is also because this was not my first photo incident. After the Russian Party more than one week ago, two girls asked me to take off pictures from My Picasaweb because they thought those pictures looked inappropriate, in which they were dancing with Julio Cesar). Anyhow, I called Mariana, my next door neighbor from Mexico, to talk to her about it. Then I got really emotional as she expressed empathy, and I cried in front of her. I felt bad but had no good control over it.

When I left the party, not many people were dancing. But I heard that people later danced fairly wildly. I missed out on some good photos.

Yukata

Last Friday, Aug. 7, we had the cultural experience of wearing yukata, which literally means bath clothes (bathrobe). It is the informal traditional Japanese clothing. I got there early and picked up a cream color yukata with red flowers on it, since I know I look good in red. The effect was fine. I think I look better in the red yukata I bought. You can see them in the pictures and judge for yourself.

We get to wear the formal clothing, kimono, in November. We are told that it is because it is more of a winter clothing since there are multiple layers. The kimono is also much more expensive. The yukata teacher showed us a used kimono used for brides at wedding ceremonies. That one kimono costs 2,000,000 yen ($20,000 US if you assume the exchange rate is 100 yen to $1 US) and it is not the most expensive kimono.

Bon Dance Practice

We had a 1.5-hour rehearsal (from 7:30pm to 9pm) for the traditional Japanese folk dance called the bon-otori (Bon dance). Yazawa-sensei tells us that the Bon Dance differs depending on what Japanese town you are in. We have the actual event next Friday, Aug. 14. It is a such a big holiday that all university libraries will be closed from at least Aug. 14 to Aug. 16. Some are even closed from Aug. 8 to Aug. 16. I know this because I had to revise my one-week intensive research plan to public libraries instead of university libraries.

Most people at the rehearsal tonight were young men, as in late teens to early twenties. Most women were elderly women. Many children came also. It was my first time being in this type of environment, especially around mostly young men in Japan- their hairstyles are interesting. They were the ones who sang and played the instruments as we danced.

The young men formed the circle outside while elderly women formed the circle inside. Dancers would chant/sing from times to times with the main singer and the music. I look forward to the real thing next Friday when everyone puts on yukata (men too?).

Ikebana

My Ikebana at the Receptionist desk.

Most of us in the program had our Ikebana lesson today (Aug. 5). Ikebana literally means "the way of flowers." It is flower arrangement. I thought my Ikebana looks funny until toward the end, I think I got used to how it looks. The instructor did not make much adjustments to my Ikebana, she said it was pretty. For most other people, she made more adjustments. I wonder if my pot was actually good or if she did not want to help me as much. I requested her help but she kept on going to other people without their request. Thus she did not come around until the very end, after a staff asked her for me.

We had to do a lottery drawing to decide where to put our vases. I ended up in the receptionist desk. Yes, it means everyone, including non-program participants such as guests can all see my Ikebana...

Russian Party 8-2-09

The Russian speakers and I.
I was in the Russian traditional clothes.

I had the best/wildest party thus far in my life on Sunday. The Russian speakers (Russians and former Soviet Union countries) organized a party where we had Russian speakers' snacks and alcohol with games and dances. I had the strong alcohol (not sure from Ukraine or Russia) and the yet-to-become wheat-based alcohol.

You can get an idea of how much fun and how wild the party was by looking at my picasa page (although as of yesterday I deleted some pictures that might be considered too "scandalous" by the persons in the picture at their request).

I won a beautiful plate by winning the first musical chair competition (did not know beforehand). I did not participate in the second competition. I also got to wear the traditional Russian clothes as you see in the picture.

I was busy taking pictures most of the time, especially toward the wild dancing part.

Japanization

I swore that the program is trying to turn us into Japanese. The Institute is turning us into Japanese planners.

For our incoming one-week intensive research period when we have no class, we have to create our research plan by ourselves, but we must obtain permission from our advisor in the Institute. So far so good. The time-consuming characteristic of this process is we have to write down our travel and accommodation plan. In particular, the travel plan is most time-consuming. We have to write down every station and the train company that we use (every transfer), along with the train fare for each transfer. The return trip must be written out one by one. This explains why it took me over 3 hours to make two separate plans (things happened). I am currently on my fourth/fifth research plan because of the train/bus and/or the library closing days (national Bon dance holiday). I hope I can finalize my plan by Monday so I can buy my Shinkansen (from Osaka to Tokyo) and bus (Tokyo to Osaka) tickets.

I heard a second-hand info that "Japanese love to make plans." I have always been in the habit of making plans to the last detail but with flexibility, and without much formality (as in typing out on an excel spreadsheet). The program provides the excel template, but we have to fill in each cell with care. We must submit the form next week in order to get travel and lodging money. After we return from the research period, we must submit the actual travel route (train company and station names with fare amount) and what we actually did in each library/archive.

Fushimi Inari shrine and Tofukuji Temple

I went to Kyoto by myself yesterday (Saturday). I left the Institute at 7:40am and biked to the Rinku Town train station. I arrived at the Fushimi Inari Shrine before 10am. I slowly walked toward the shrine and took many pictures. I had no idea how big the shrine was until I finished the walk. The shrine is famous for its multiple tori (gate) and the two foxes/dogs that guard the tori. The tori guides one where to go, like a road marker. I just had to follow where I see tori. The stores at various spots in the mountain are rest areas. They are also almost always near some group of smaller shrines (and possibly people's graves, I could not tell, although they all seem to say "dai kami"- "great god/spirit"). When I thought I had reached the top, more tori appeared and led me up higher and higher. I am pretty sure that for one to walk around all of the shrine is a special task, like a coming-of-the-age type of task. You become an adult once you walked around the whole shrine.

I finally began to go down the hill. I took a path where not many people appeared and ended up on the residential side next to the shrine. Yes, I was lost for a bit but it was fine because I found my way and asked someone for direction. The unfortunate thing was I did not return to the main shrine building to buy some shrine charms for souvenir. I also hesitated on buying more souvenir. I only bought a bamboo bookmark for myself while I was walking down the hill and saw a store within the hill/mountain. I took the train to Tofukuji Temple after 1pm.

I was confused at first because I only saw smaller buildings inside the Tofukuji compound. I spent a long time at this rock garden for my money's worth and to stay out of the rain. It was raining hard right after I arrived at the Tofukuji station. I also thought that there was no major building for this temple, and thus I could kill my time slowly at this garden. Little did I know, as I walked further out, I found the major buildings. The major site has three special showings. I did not want to spend more money, so I did not go into any. I wished I could go into this one, where you go up to the second/third floor of the building, you can see the god statues and the outside scenery. I left there after 2:30pm and headed toward the station to go to Osaka for the day 2 event of the Tenjin Matsuri Festival.

My legs and shoulders are sore today.

Hentai (means pervert)

My Tenjin Matsuri experience was perfect except for one thing. I was touched by a "chikan," the infamous Japanese term for those who touch other people's body parts without permission. I had thought my camera bag was pushing against my crouch as the crowd pushed on and I was being squeezed. Then I looked and it was the fist of the man next to me, and immediately put my camera bag in that spot.

I had no idea how long it had been going on. I also thought it was an accident until I thought about it more. Other Japanese I had been around had tried to keep distance from each other, and not touch each other in any way. While I was not paying attention (I was focusing on taking pictures), this man came and pushed me more and more to the side to the point where he was between me and the other guy who had been standing next to me the whole time before. At one point, I saw that there was a good amount of space between that chikan and the man originally standing next to me. But why was it that the chikan kept on pushing toward my side? He was so close that our arms stuck together a couple of times- the sweat glued our arms together. I tried to get away and finally was only able to do so by standing slightly behind him, but then that was when the fist on my crouch thing happened. It did not help that crowd behind me was pushing me forward.

Since I was on the wrong bridge and could not see the boats well, and could only hear but not see the fireworks, I left after I thought out the chikan thing. I figured out that he was a chikan and I left. I did not know what the appropriate Japanese reaction was. Could I yell at him? What should I say then? I have never been good with reacting cleverly to situations.

Tenjin Matsuri (Festival)

I went to the Tenjin Matsuri on Friday and Saturday. After the Bunraku event on Friday, Anya and I went to the Tenjin Matsuri. We walked along the street vendor path but could not find the shrine at first. We finally found it and took many pictures. Drum playing with women dancing, taiko practice, and mini-dragon dance were noteworthy. You can see them on my picasa.

The main event was on Saturday. I was by myself because I could not find someone who would go with me to Kyoto in the morning and early afternoon and come back for the festival. The parade began at 4pm from the shrine. I spent some time on finding the shrine. People dressed up in various types of older Japanese clothes from various eras (I could not tell which). People dressed up in royal or government official clothes rode on horses. They performed traditional Japanese wind and percussion instruments, danced, and chanted some traditional phrase. Perhaps the most labor-intensive performance was the lifting of the god (kami-sama)'s altar/"house." Performers ranged from infants to people who looked like they were in their 70s and maybe 80s.

After the parade on the street, performers and specialists in transportation/boat transported god stuff and themselves onto the boat for the parade on water. Unfortunately I stood at the wrong bridge where the loading dock was located, but not where the boats gathered. Therefore I could not see much, and also missed the firework.

The street vendors not only sold foods (yaki meat, cold drinks, ice cream or shaved ice, yakisoba, okonomiyaki, cotton candy, and sugar-coated strawberry and apple) but also provided games for mainly kids to play- like catching fish, turtle, and toys from the water. I also saw marble, shooting and dart games. I felt as if I was a child again in Taiwan.

Bunraku Theatre

Anya and I went to a Bunraku theatre performance at the National Bunraku Theater in Osaka today, July 24. Bunraku is the Japanese puppet show that began in the 17th century. The puppets weigh 15 kg each and are 2/3 my height (about 100cm). Each puppet is handled by three puppet masters: the main one handles the head, body and right hand, the second master handles the left hand, and the third master handles the feet. The feet is considered the easiest part, and it takes 10 years to master. It takes another 10 years to master the left hand, another 10 years for the main master. It means the main master has at least 30 years of training. You can find out more by googling.

The performance was four-hour long, only 1/3 the length of the original play. The part we saw was the love story of a samurai and a samurai-class woman in love, who got separated. The woman went search for him and became a blind begger. At the end of the play, her lover's awesome medicine cured her blindness, but they were still parted.

The puppetry is accompanied by a narrator who chants like he sings, and shamisen (an musical instrument) player. There were many narrators and shamisen players who alternated throughout the play. They were really amazing also! For this play, we also head a goto (Chinese "piano") performance because the woman character performed a piece on her goto. Because we sat on the second row in the center of the theatre, we actually saw how each tiny finger moved on the instrument. It was totally amazing! The body movement of each character was also amazing. Sometimes the movements are exaggeration, as in if real humans acted them out, they were look awkward. Other movements were superior to if real humans performed them because I could not see how real humans could perform bodily movements that convey the emotions that the puppets were able to convey.

I rented an English guide that translated the main plots and provided basic information on the music and puppet movements as well as historical facts when relevant. My headphone's volume was accidentally turned off during the first 30 minutes (when the two lovers met), so I had no idea what they were saying. Luckily I checked with Anya and found out that there was supposed to be some translations as I watched the show. The performance became more fun once I can understand the basic story plot.

I finally got used to not looking at the puppet masters and began to focus mostly on the puppets in the final hour of the performance. I wish I could watch another performance because I think I can appreciate the puppets much more now. Too bad i will not because I do not think I can afford it. This performance will be reimbursed by the Institute as part of the cultural program they fund. Yes, I know I am so lucky here! My ticket and train ride will be reimbursed.

Sending Mail in Japan

I sent a mail for the first time in Japan yesterday, Thursday, July 23. Yes, I mean an actual letter, the old fashion way. Because Japanese are strict with their information, no professor's phone number or email are provided on the university website. The Japanese language instructor who studies Native Taiwanese literature (Uozumi) found this Taiwanese scholar in Hitotsubashi University in Tokyo whose research interest is similar to my or the Taiwan part of my research (at this point, probably the main part).

Because I do not have her email address, my advisor here (Yazawa) suggested that I write a letter. Although Yazawa-sensei suggests that a letter in English will probably be fine, I thought I should write it in Chinese. I had not written any letter in Chinese since early high school, and have never written a professional or academic letter before. I spend a total of two hours on writing the letter.I asked another participant from China to proofread for me, and I also asked my godfather/uncle/daddy (all the same person) to proofread for me. I was short on time, and was unable to incorporate both comments. I ended up printing out my daddy's version. It sounded very sophisticated.

Anyhow, I then asked my speech teacher here (Nohata) on how to write information on a Japanese mail envelope. After learning how, I went to the Institute's store, bought an envelope and stamp. I wrote the cover and asked the store person to check to see if everything looked fine. I had one mistake- the "zip-code" was in the wrong place.

It was a good experience. Now I know how to mail a letter in Japan. The price differs depending on where you send it, the size of the envelope, and of course the weight.

Flowing Somen Noodle

On Wednesday, July 22, the Men's Cooking Club from the Tajiri International Exchange Circle prepared the flowing somen noodle event for us the participants at the Kansai Institute. You can see pictures on my picasa.

One gets a bowl with soy sauce, green onion, wasabi, and ginger. Then one goes to the noodle flowing site. The noodles are pre-cooked. Someone then put some noodle flowing down the half-chopped bamboo tree. Water are running down the bamboo. At the end, there are colandar and pot that catch noodles that did not get caught by people down the bamboo tree. What you are supposed to do is to put your chopsticks perpendicular to the bamboo tree and wait for the noodle to flow past your chopsticks. You then pick up the noodles, dip them in the sauce and eat them.

Not only did we get the play the role of the noodle eater, we also got to be the "noodle-dropper." It was so much fun! The noodles tasted refreshing, the perfect food for the summer.

Umi no Hi (Day of the Sea)

Today (Monday, July 20, 2009) is Umi no Hi (Day of the Sea). Japanese are all supposed to go to the sea and do something there. I signed up for a beach cleaning followed by a yacht sailing event. Because of the rain, the beach cleaning was canceled. I found out when I went to the meeting place at 6:40am. I could not go back to sleep, so I stayed up until after 8am when I was able to eat breakfast.

We met at 8:45am for the sailing event and then walked to the harbor. Michael and his wife Neda also came! I was so surprised but very happy to see them. We were not on the same yacht though. Each yacht had 6 to 7 passengers plus two drivers/sailors. I was in the boat with Julio Cesar and Miyuki from my six month program, two Japanese elementary students, one Japanese older woman (her husband was one of the drivers) and a middle-age man. I sailed the boat at some point, even though I still do not know for sure how to drive it. We sailed for over one hour.

I asked the Japanese passengers when and why the Day of the Sea began, but I did not understand the reason (or that no one knew the reason) but I learned that it began 13 years ago. I mostly asked the elementary students about their school life. I could not find questions for the adults at this point. But it was my first time talking extensively with Japanese people.

After the yacht ride, we gathered to have free cold drinks for cheers (kambai) and photography. The exchange circle also gave each participant a set of lucky stones according to one's Chinese animal astrology sign. I made more conversation- I talked to the woman with a newborn whom I saw last month at my very first exchange event. I exchanged contact info with her. I also took picture with her and her newborn in my arms. You can see it on my picasa. I had so much fun!

Spanish food and Karaoke Birthday Party

Julio Cesar from Spain was born 34 years ago today. He and Anna (also from Spain) made Spanish salad (potato, pepper, tomato, etc.) and pan fried chicken drumsticks for everyone. We congregated before 8:30pm, and then moved to the karaoke room about 20 minutes later. Yazawa-sensei and Nohata-sensei came with a box of snacks as a gift for Julio Cesar, but in reality for everyone to eat. Noborizato-sensei came later (probably around 9:10 or 9:15pm), after the other two teachers had left (at 9pm), because she went to have Korean food with four Korean from our six-month program. It means all three teachers from our six-month program came! I think it was amazing for these teachers to stay so late to come to a participant's birthday party. It definitely shows Julio Cesar's charm. He is popular with everyone with his boyish, boshy yet very "gentleman" manners.

We karaoked like crazy and group-sang two or three songs. The funnies one was Celine Dion's "My Heart will go on" because most of us who sang along also acted out each word. Two other songs were "Can't take my eyes off of you" and "Dancing Queen." I had originally reserved the karaoke room to sing by myself from 7pm to 9pm, without knowing the birthday party. After I found out today, I still began to sing at 7pm and invited some others.

The Real Research Begins

I met with Uozumi-sensei today to discuss my research. She is a Japanese language teacher at the Institute who researches on Taiwanese aborigines during the Japanese colonial period. Yazawa-sensei, my official advisor at the Institute, suggests that I speak to Uozumi-sensei about my research. Uozumi-sensei spent one hour and 40 minutes with me, starting with a short self-introduction and a discussion of my research background. She then spent a lot of time on the internet, showing me various sites I can use to look up articles and researcher names. She says I should have about three or four days of research work now. I really need to start to research, be active. I am worried about my master's paper, but am limited by either my Japanese proficiency or the location of my sources (Taiwan). I will have to take one step at a time and see what happens. But I need to start to work and focus on Taiwan, for now.

Badminton

I played badminton with Carla, Anya, Julio Cesar, and Toki today. Toki came later, after Julio Cesar had left for a while. Carla left early. I played for about one hour. I think I got better as time went on. It was fun! I had not really played since I left Taiwan more than 16 years ago.

Colorful sugar candies

I saw a lot of colorful sugar candies in the supermarket on Sunday, July 12. Carla says they are for a certain holiday in Japan. This picture shows my favorite one.

The Osaka Sea

I finally walked to the sea/beach along the Institute with two colleagues on Monday, July 13. The weather after 7pm was fairly cool, but slight sweating was still unavoidable. I enjoyed the view, but my pictures came out much darker than what I saw.

Mongolian Music Concert and Tanabata Kazari Making

This is my tree.

The Kumatori International Friendship Club sponsored a small concert of Mongolian music and a session of Tanabata kazari making yesterday, Saturday, July 11, 2009. The event took place in this old Japanese house. I got to sit on tatami.

The concert was amazing with the Mongolian musician who not only played the traditional Mongolian instrument (it can play music like a violin and viola), but he sang amazingly. He made sounds that did not sound like a human voice, but a music instrument.

We then made Tanabata kazari- decorations for the tree during the Tanabata celebration/festival. One ties his/her wish to the tree. We had home-made cakes that tasted like store-bought!

This was an intimate setting, mainly because ten people from the Instituted signed up but did not show up. The Kumatori club members who sad. I felt very bad because it was rude.

So far the events I have been to have not been the same. I enjoyed each one of them very much. I need to start to think about questions that I would like to ask ordinary Japanese. Maybe not so ordinary because they willingly joined the international exchange club to interact with foreigners. But these are as close to "ordinary Japanese" as I can get.

I just love my program. Everything is set up, and all these events are free with door-to-door pick-up and drop-off. I am so happy that I am in the Japan Foundation Kansai program!

Kyoto the Former Japanese Capital

The picture is I and the bowl thing at the Kiyomizu Temple.

The two-month program participants left for Tokyo on Wednesday morning, and will not be back until Saturday or Sunday. We the six-month program participants spent all day on Wednesday (July 8) to prepare for our trip to Kyoto yesterday (July 9). Our teachers divided 15 of us into 5 groups of two to four people. Most groups have one place in Kyoto they must go to. My group members were Rimi and Julio Cesar. The teachers assigned my group to go to the famous Kiyomizu Temple. Each of us chose a place we wanted to go.

We caught the shuttle to the train station at 7:31am. We changed train twice, and unfortunately caught second to the slowest train on our last transfer. Instead of 10am, we arrived at 10:30am. On the brighter side, an origami old lady gave Julio Cesar an origami bird, and soon proceeded to teach us how to make it on the train.

We went to Sanjusangendo where 1000 buddhisattvas were housed, 500 on each side of this gigantic buddhisattva in the long wooden structure. The presence of all 1000 together took my breath away.

I will not want to walk more than 15 minutes to get to a different location in the summer heat and humidity in Japan. We walked for about 30 minutes without any good scenery to get to the Kiyomizu Temple from before noon to after. Kiyomizu has many old buildings, including a three-story pagoda. I also enjoyed this big bowl thing that makes great ringing sound after you hit it. One can see the city of Kyoto from Kiyomizu, which is on the top of the mountain. We can also see Kyoto Tower.

I paid 100 yen each time to get my fortune told on a piece of paper at Sanjusangendo and Kiyomizudera. I got "luck" in the former and "small luck" in the latter place. At Sanjusangendo, I put money in this place and drew a piece of paper on the tray. At Kiyomizudera, I shook this wooden cylindrical container and make one wooden stick to come out of the container. I then got the paper fortune that corresponded to the number on the wooden stick.

We had very bad udon (Japanese noodle) for lunch, except for Rimi who had yummy soba noodle.

We walked for about 40 minutes to get to the Kyoto National Modern Art Museum. We saw the special late-19th century-early-20th century special Japanese exhibit, and then the usual gallery which has some Japanese and Western art. The museum also hosted a Soviet Union silent movie posters from the 1920s and 1930s. Overall, the museum was very small, especially in comparison to any museum I had been to in the U.S.

We did not make it to Nanzenji Temple, and just walked around near the famous Gion area (where many maiko resided, maiko in the old days were called geisha). I bought a lot of souvenirs for people at the temples and around Kyoto.

We had 15 minute to finish our dinner in order to catch the train to get back to the train station near the Institute, in order to catch the last shuttle back to the Institute. I did not know I could not pack leftovers at this place, and thus left the egg-over-rice dish almost untouched at the restaurant. I was mad that I was forced to waste food! We caught all the trains fine except the last transfer, when we missed the train by 1 or 2 minutes (we did not pay attention to the time). We had to wait for about 25 or 30 minutes for the next one.

We arrived at the station at 9:30pm, and walked back to the Institute on the strong windy dark road.

I felt great to return to Kyoto after my trip last year. Although the places I visited yesterday were new to me, I still have so many places I want to visit in Kyoto. I plan to visit one every time I go to Kyoto for research (at least 5 times before this program ends). I just love Kyoto.

Kansai Institute's Library

I got my first four books ordered from ILL (Interlibrary Loan) on Wednesday, July 8. The librarian allowed me to check out two books, but I had to read the other two inside the library. One document was from the 1930s, and the other one was from the early 1950s.

Today I returned to the library and checked out another book. I had to browse through five or six other books/sources inside the library. Following Yu and Carla's idea, I photographed pages that I think I need. With my Japanese level right now, I cannot read through them quick or without a dictionary. Also I did not, and will not have enough time to read carefully in the library.

My problem now is to learn how to convert JPEG files into DOC. or PDF.

Everyone feels the same, that we are exhausted from the all-day language courses that we do not have the energy, even when we have time, to do research. I am going to try to see what I can do. I actually did more source searching on Wednesday night, the night before our Kyoto trip yesterday (Thursday).

Karaoke Party

The two-month program sponsored a karaoke party on Tuesday, July 7 (Tanabata Day) where the six-month participants were invited also (actually the six-month program teacher-advisors were present and assisted with the set-up and clean-up). The party actually turned into a cultural show. We saw two guitar playing with singing performances, one Bali dance, piano-playing with singing, two former Soviet Union countries' dances, and a singing (opera-voice) performance by another former Soviet Union country participant. We the students then made all the teachers karaoke. The four (two-month program) teachers sang one song, and the two six-month program teachers sang together (the third one was not feeling well). Saigoto sang Enrique Iglesia's "Bailamos" and "Hero," which got the professional dancers dancing while he sang. During "Bailamos," about one-half to two-third of everyone made a dancing train(?). You can see pictures on my picasa.

Three more of us karaoked. I sang a Taiwanese song after more than half of people already left, because it was past time. I think I did fine then. I was not bad like when I tried an anime song at the beginning of the karaoke party (it was before everyone was there and before anyone began to perform).

Tanabata Festival

In this picture, you see Carla and I by the wishing tree.

The Tanabata Festival (with a Chinese myth that was originally celebrated on July 7 of the lunar calendar, but the Japanese changed it to Western Calendar on July 7 with their version of the story), Sunday, July 5, 2009

This festival took place in the Institute's auditorium. The Hannan City International Exchange Circle sponsored this event. They set up the place. Unlike the Summer Festival that was more of a one-group event from the day before, this festival was more like how I imagined Japanese festival to be based on Japanese anime stories. Various booths were set up for participants to visit. Balloon-animal making booth, Japanese traditional toy playing booth, Japanese fan making booth, wish making booth with two trees available for hanging the wishes, and a children story-telling booth. The event sponsor also gave each participant ten or so tickets to get various Japanese snacks at the snack area. One can do a drawing game to get the big prize or the small prize/candy at two places in the snack area. I made a balloon puppy, played two Japanese toys, and made a Japanese fan. I pretty much preferred this type of festival, but I also enjoyed the Summer Festival very much, especially since the sponsor provided door-to-door service.

With Carla's gracious help, I wore yukata to the Tanabata festival. It means many of my colleagues took pictures with me.

Summer Festival

In this picture, Lindsey Sasaki and I at the Summer Festival.

Summer Festival on Saturday, July 4, 2009

Note: I have been either too lazy or busy to update my blog.

The Misaki Town International Exchange Circle people picked up us after 4pm on Fourth of July to attend an indoor summer festival. I could not believe how most foods were home-made, at least they appeared to be (I did not ask). A school teacher began to talk to me right after I got some food, and thus I did not eat until most people finished their foods, and the introduction/game began. I was slightly sad because I was not full but did not get to have more foods.

Besides our program, four or so other international student/researcher groups were present. The sponsor asked each member from each group to introduce themselves. Lindsey Sasaki and I were the only Americans, and were put on the spot to listen to people humming half of "Star-Spangled Banner" before we had to express our "feelings" about our Independence Day. Neither of us knew what to say, and since my Japanese is better than Lindsey's, I held the microphone. But I have never been good with impromptu questions without at least five calm minutes to think about. Lindsey and my combined answer was beyond bad, but the crowd cheered anyways. I should say at least half of the crowd had attention elsewhere.

The sponsor requested those ladies who wished to wear yukata (literally "bath robe," but it is what most Japanese wear nowadays instead of the heavier and more complicated kimono) to do paper-scissors-rock to decide the two lucky ladies. Unfortunately I was the runner-up, third place.

Unexpectedly, we played many Japanese children's games for at least one hour, it might have been 1.5 hours.

Many children from all ages were present. From a few months old to middle schoolers. I saw who in my program love children. Of course there were old people also. I had lots of fun.

We returned to the Institute at 8:30pm.

I wore a red shirt with blue jeans, and tied my hair with blue and red hairbands for our Fourth of July. I have to thank Lindsey for wearing hers, and thus reminded me that I could do the same!

Unexpected Karaoke

The singing bug in me desired to karaoke yesterday (July 2). Since I thought most people would be at Lindsey's birthday dinner, I reserved the space thinking that I would karaoke by myself. During dinner time, I saw Su and invited her. Then Miyuki and Anna sat down and had dinner with us, so I invited them also. In the end, we all went into the karaoke room. Rony came in within 30 minutes after we started.

Anna said it was her first time in a karaoke "box" and did not sing at all. Miyuki sang three or four songs and only left 30 minutes before we finished. Su and I basically took turn singing. We sang roughly from 7pm to 9pm. This was the most I had ever sang in one setting, and I felt my throat was getting hurt. I wonder how professional singers (actual ones, not fake ones) perform at their concerts.

Su is a very quiet person, but I am most happy that she did not hesitate to sing as often as I did. I want to be better friends with her. I get a good vibe from her. She is in my grammar and Kanji classes. I sometimes ask her for help.

I was excited to find Sailor Moon songs! I just typed in three titles of the songs and they appeared! They were easiest to sing compare to the Japanese, English, Taiwanese, and Chinese Mandarin songs I did. I had so much fun!

Note: Su and Miyuki are Korean women; Anna is a Romanian woman; and Rony is a Bangladesh man.

Midnight surprise birthday cake

After getting soaked to get cake ingredients for Lindsey Sasaki, Shin and Mutia and I met in Mira's room to put fruits and ice cream with the plain sponge cake. I think Mira refrigerated the ice cream in stead of freezing it after returning from the store, because the ice cream had become milk shake.

Lindsey was surprised but very excited. We knocked on her door at midnight (0:00 hour) on July 2, 2009. Because of this surprise, I did not sleep until 1:30am. I woke up feeling disoriented rather than sleepy. I decided not to go to the group dinner for Lindsey's birthday. I was still exhausted, even after taking a bath.

Bath

After jogging/fast-walking for over 30 minutes and then showered yesterday (Thursday, July 2), I decided to take a bath, as in hot spring like. The tub is very deep. I stayed in the hot water for 15 minutes, maybe 20, before going to dinner. I felt good and warm after coming out. I cannot take too hot of a bath, but hotter than usual is good.

At one point, I wanted to blow dry my hair while sitting in the water, just to save some time. But after creating the image in my mind, I realized that I would probably kill myself that way. I did not want to do that, and so I did not dry my hair in the bathtub. I felt it was a good idea for a few seconds though.

Osaka Rain

I went to Rinku Town's shopping area today with Mira, Mutia, and Shin to buy a cake for Lindsey. We were surprised by the pouring rain when we were ready to return. I have not seen such rain since a young child in Taiwan. The ground began to be flooded. We bought umbrellas at the hyakuyen shop, but we still got soaked waist-down and all of my back while walking from the shopping center to the bus stop. I was so cold because of the wetness and the windiness. The strong wind helped the pouring rain with wetting us. Luckily we did not bike to the shopping center. I heard many people who biked to places at the same time also got rained on.

I took a shower after coming back. If I can help it, I will not go out in that kind of rain in the future. I hope that no rain comes when I have to go to the university libraries.

Treadmill

I exercised for the first time since arriving in Japan. I used the treadmill in the Institute's small gym. Since I have not had much experience with treadmills, I did not know how to operate it properly until five minutes after I begun. I only jogged/ran for 20 minutes, but at around the 10 or 15 minute mark, I felt my heart (straining) a bit. That is how I know my body was actually exercising. I plan to do it for 30 minutes tomorrow, but go faster each day (not indefinitely of course) until I feel like adding the time by another 10-minute increment. Perhaps eventually I would jog outside the Institute, by the ocean where it is beautiful.

I decided to begin exercising because my body has began to feel bad, especially my lower back. I hope exercises will help. Also, while still in the U.S., I had told myself to exercise in Japan.

Second Week of Class and Rain

Today marks the second week of class. I felt so tired. I studied elementary grammar for two hours last night (Sunday, June 28), and some more this morning for about 40 minutes. I think I know and understand more, but I am also getting more confused as teachers explain the nuances in the grammar.

We got our grammar textbook today (of course the Institute provided it for free of charge). It is for the first session. We go through about 2.5 lessons per week.

We had a guide to online library catalog search today after class. I need to start to look for books, especially primary sources to write my master's thesis and doctoral dissertation later.

Today also marks the second rain in Osaka since my arrival. The scenary outside my window is so mesmerizing... I wished I could hear the sound of the rain more clearly.

Osaka Namba

Carla, Yu and I went to Osaka's southern downtown area, Namba, yesterday, Sunday, June 28. We rode the train for 40 minutes and walked all around the Namba and Nipponbashi (Japanese Bridge) areas. I did not visit those areas when Jason and I were in Osaka last year. Last time I wanted to see historical sites. This time, at least in Osaka, I wanted to see contemporary people's lives and spaces.

The main shopping areas, Dotonbori, Sennichimae, and Shinsaibashi. We walked into electronics shop, saw restaurants, cloth shops, thrifty (cosmetics, snacks, drinks, etc) shops, among other types. We also went to Kuromon Market, where vendors sell fresh vegetables, meat, fish, and other things.

I bought some souvenir and one yukata set (Japanese bath rope that most people wear to festivals nowadays). I have the yukata, the cloth around the waist area, and the sandals. I apparently did not only got attention from men for my red shirt, but also at least one woman. While deciding which yukata to buy, Yu advised that I get a red one because she says I look good in red. She based her advice on seeing me in the red shirt the day before. I cannot help it but felt happy.

We shared 6 takoyaki and ate okonomiyaki for lunch. Okonomiyaki is another famous Osakan food. The batter is the same as takoyaki, but the "stuffing" are cabbages, seafood or meat, and egg. The original Osakan okonomiyaki is what I have described, but the "modern style" includes noodles. I ordered the modern version. Hiroshima is also famous for okonomiyaki, but it includes noodles. Jason and I had one last year but I do not remember it much. I know it was delicious.

We left at 8:30am and came back after 5:30pm.

Magokoro

Saigoto, Anya from Poland, and I went with the birthday lady Mai (Maria) from Spain to Magokoro, a Japanese grill-and-bar place on Saturday night, June 27, at 9:30pm. We biked there in the dark. My bike light never came on.

We talked a lot, none about our program. Anya asked me a lot about Jason and some about Taiwan. We all talked about marriage and kids (plans or lack of). We had fun.

The only downside was how much I paid for the celebration. I had apple juice and three small sticks of yakitori (yaki=grill, tori=bird, chicken). My order should have costed 700 yen and maybe plus tax, but I ended up paying 1600 yen. We split four-way and some people had two beers and order more food than I. Since I have no idea what the cultural practice of payment is in India, Poland and Spain, I did not say anything.

I realize that I should be asking people about their country of origin, and not always center the conversation on the program.

I ate the first raw egg in my life. I do not think I will desire to eat it again. I only ate it because I am poor, and it was included in the meal.

Tajiri International Club

The Institute allowed people from the Tajiri International Club (Tajiri is the name of this area that includes Rinku Town) to come to talk to those of us who want to have international exchange. They divided us into three groups where approximately three Japanese sat with six foreigners (non-Japanese). I thought the conversation was okay. I really wanted to ask "hard" questions such as if Japanese were aware of their prewar history, and to what extent. I want to ask about their lives. I did not end up asking any question because I thought it would be too abrupt and appear rude to them.

I wore this red shirt that Lindi gave me for my Bachelorette's party with a pair of black slacks because I ran out of non-T-shirt top (or I thought so, I later discovered I had one more). Two guys (Saigoto from India and Julio from Spain) in my program had interesting response to my shirt. Their faces brightened up when they saw me, "Oh, you are so beautiful today! You have become so pretty." They even took pictures with me. Saigoto-san said similar words to me again after the international exchange.

After the official round-table exchange, I talked to this Japanese college student. We had a good conversation. I felt fine until he asked if I was free then. Before that, he asked if I had been to the movie theatre in Japan. I took a chance to move away from him and got Carla and another colleague, Mutia, to leave and go to dinner. This was my first encounter with a potential asking-me-out type of situation... I felt weird...

I have four more international exchanges on my calendar. I will blog about them as they happen.

Takoyaki and Karaoke Party

We the six-month participants learned and enjoyed making and eating fresh-off-the-pot takoyaki on Friday after our oral test. Teachers bought ingredients and provided the recipe. Tako= octopus, yaki= grill. Takoyaki is an Osaka food. We made batter and put ingredients such as octopus, green onion, hot dog, and corn inside the takoyaki. I think our takoyaki tasted good, probably only because they were fresh off the pot.

Most people brought drinks, alcohol and soft drink. Teachers also brought some Japanese snacks.

At least half of us karaoked. The administrator in charge of our program has the best vocal. Aliza from Russia has a beautiful opera-like voice.

We made takoyaki from 4:30pm to perhaps 5:30pm, and most people stayed until 7pm. I stepped out to have dinner for half hour, but otherwise was in the room until 10:15pm. I did not sing that many songs, but I watched many people. I had fun.

First Oral Test

I had to explain my research topic in Japanese last Friday, June 26. Teachers provided interview questions beforehand, but they still asked questions not listed on the form. My advisor (Yazawa Riko) asked me:

1. What exactly are you researching within the history of women's education? Research questions.
2. What sources are you looking for?

I answered something with broken Japanese because I did not prepare for those two questions. We are supposed to get the same interview in 5 more weeks. We will see if I improve by then...

Teachers gave me two major pieces of advice:
1. Talk faster (I was talking at the rate of a banana slug).
2. Have pauses at appropriate places, i.e. particles.

Rinku Town

This Rinku Town is what I would call a small town, with some agricultural areas, residential area, temples and shrines within residential areas, small shops, supermarkets and a few bigger stores as well as shopping malls. I see many children around the town almost every time I go out. Rinku Town is located at the southernmost area of Osaka Prefecture.

I like this town because it is by the ocean and the bridge. Too bad I do not cook, otherwise I can buy and cook fresh seafood all the time. The view outside my window is always so beautiful to look at any time in the day and night. The town has at least two hyakuyen shops ("hyakuyen" means 100 yen, which is similar to U.S.'s 99 cents store). The residences are not too close to each other, and there are not many tall buildings (at the most probably six or seven, except for the Kansai Institute with 18 floors).

While we the six-month program participants walked to sign for alien registration today, Japanese students from all ages were walking back to their homes. Some (elementary boys) greeted us, well, they seemed to target the non-East-Asian looking participants.

Television

I watched one full episode of Pokemon on Monday, June 22. I am so used to English names that I felt too weird to hear "real Japanese" names for the characters.

I came across this Korean drama, "The King and I." I started to watch it because it took place during the kingdom period, and I wanted to learn more about Korean culture and their clothes. I was not sure if the show was every weekday or not, and thus missed it on Tuesday. I happened to see it yesterday, Wednesday, from 7:30pm to 10pm. Yes, you know it means I did not study much as a consequence.

The show has original Korean sounds with Japanese subtitles. This means I am probably going to learn a few Korean words, while reading the subtitles fast (knowing the kanji really helps).

Today I began to watch it at around 7pm (not sure when it starts because it was already in progress when I turned on the TV). I am not sure if it will go on for a long time again. I am trying to do some homework and studying in between. I have an important oral test tomorrow.

I hope to watch this Korean show when I return to the state or so. I missed the first 20 episodes or so and I do not know if the show will end by the time I return to the U.S.

I want to watch Japanese drama and shows, but I do not know when they are on...

Shiroi Neko

A white cat mom and her four kittens live in the Institute. They seem to live under these bushes right outside Class Room 1, where I am on weekday mornings. I just want to pet the kittens. They remind me of Lindi's little one.

The mom hissed at me two or three times when I took pictures of them today.

Note: Shiroi neko means white cat.

The Third or Fourth Twin

I discovered from our icebreaker today that Kaigan (he tells me to call him by his name's Japanese meaning, but his originally name is Saigoto) from India has the same birthday as me.

He is either the third or the fourth person with the same birthday as I. Kelly Chen (?) from UC Berkeley's Asian American Association has the exact same birthday (i.e. same year) as I. Jerry Kong (and his twin brother) from UCLA Graduate Division has the same birthday (not year). Kaigan is the third or fourth one (I remember there is someone else, but I am not sure...) I have yet to ask him the year. If you saw pictures on my picasa, he was the fisherman and cook for the fish this past Sunday. We karaoked together three times already.

Rain, Sleep, Studying

Last night, rain and strong wind passed through Osaka, the first time since my arrival. As I looked out my window at the ocean, harbor, city, and the bridge over the ocean and listened to the sound of the wind, the lights and rain drops created a out-of-the-body experience. I felt as if I was a movie character in a hotel room, lonely and lost, looking out the window and pondering about my life.

The rain is supposed to come all week, but it has not yet arrived today.

Also for the first time since arriving in Osaka, I got a "normal" sleep. I felt the same waking up as in the U.S. I would like to think the sound of the rain helped, but I could barely hear it. I love listening to the sound of rain as I sleep.

I was not motivated after class yesterday to do my homework or study. I forced myself to complete the homework last night. Today is much better- I finished my homework already. I plan to study (i.e. studying for new grammar and making flash cards for new vocabulary) either after posting here or after dinner.

Session One Class Schedule

Class began yesterday, Monday, June 22. I liked the teachers (different teachers for the same courses everyday) and the pace of the class. I learned mostly new grammar and vocabulary.

My schedule for the first session: (sometimes different events take place in different weeks)

9am to 10:50am: "Everything"- grammar, vocabulary, and reading comprehension from Mondays to Fridays.

11am to 11:50am, Conversation on Mondays and Tuesdays; Kanji (Chinese characters) on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

11:50am to 1:20pm: Lunch time.

1:20pm to 3:10pm: "Everything" review on Mondays; Computer and electronic resources class on Tuesdays; Japanese for Specialists on Wednesdays; Presentation/Speech Practice on Thursdays.

I have no class after 10:50am on Fridays. I should make it a study time, reading monographs in English and Chinese.

Japan Foundation Kansai

Sponsor: The Japan Foundation Japanese-Language Institute, Kansai

Program: Japanese-Language for Specialists in Cultural and Academic Field, 2 months or 6 months.

Duration:
June 17, 2009- August 14, 2009 (2 months)
June 17, 2009 - December 16, 2009 (6 months)- I am in this program.
Participants: graduate students, librarians, and researchers.
--- 6-month program participants: 15 people total = 6 Koreans, 2 Chinese, 2 Americans (Carla and I, both from UC Santa Cruz!), 2 Spaniards, 1 Indian, 1 Mexican, and 1 Polish.
--- 2-month program participants: 30 people, include American, Azerbaijan, Bangali, Bulgarian, Canadian, Chinese, Indian, Indonesian, Kazakh, Koreans, Russian, Ukranian, and Vietnamese.

Shelter: Provided by the Institute, free. Each person has their own room with a full bathroom, a refrigerator, hot water pot, plate, mug, drinking glass, spoon, fork, food tray, safety box, book shelf, clothes cabinets, television with video player, cassette tape-CD-radio player, alarm clock, phone, desk, chair, lamp, alarm clock, and mirrors.

Food: Provided by the Institute's cafeteria, free.

Kitchen: has everything you need to cook your own food- pots, pans, utensils, bowls, plates, etc. Free of charge.

Laundry: free wash and dry.

Study lounge: computers, language books in various languages, participant's mail box, movie and other videos, and manga.

Library: free with over 40,000 books. We can also obtain books from university and library books from all over Japan through inter-library loan.

Gym: small but sufficient; tennis and ping pong rackets for borrowing free of charge.

Lounge: sofa, table, and massage chair.

Karaoke room: big flat screen karaoke machine with multiple languages, tables, chairs, and massage chair.

Bicycle usage: free.

Shop: sell books, especially Japanese language books, at 10% off. Also sell other daily supplies, stamps and few souvenir. Fax and dry clean services are also provided.

Other: visa application free, alien registration free (professional photo included).

Grants: Some money on the move-in day; 40% of food money are in cash deposited in the bank; travel money for research is also available.

Everything is in this 18-floor building.

As an American Abroad

I had my first unfriendly encounter as an American abroad. Thus far, when I said I came from America, the Chinese would ask if I went to America to study because they always assumed I was Chinese studying in the U.S. Usually after I told the Chinese that I am an American, they would stop talking and approaching me. Non-Chinese would just react "normally" and continued to be friendly. Well, except this Russian girl I met at the karaoke after dinner. She appeared to be friendly toward me at first, at least until I told her that I am from America (aka U.S.A). Her face changed immediately, and said something like, "I do not see you" with an uncomfortable laughter. I told her that not everyone in the U.S. is the same. My words made no difference, she moved to another table. Another Russian girl I met, Duya, who has East Asian facial features (resemble Korean or Japanese features), is my friend. There are always people with different views everywhere we go.

Fear of Quarantine

I woke up with the biggest and most disoriented headache this morning. I had to dragged myself up to breakfast before the cafeteria closed. I napped from 9am until 1pm and rushed to lunch. After lunch, I had enough energy to do a bit of my Japanese homework before I napped again at 5pm. I set the alarm but it did not go off. I woke up at around 7:30pm.

Luckily we did not have to turn in this health check-up sheet for the weekend. Everyday from our first day to the tenth day after our arrival in Japan, we must measure our body temperature and record it, and check to see if we have any symptoms. Today I checked that I had headache for the morning. I hope to get well before Monday morning. Class starts then and I do not any quarantine.

If I do not feel well after waking up tomorrow morning, I will likely have similar agenda as today.

Happy Friday?

It looks like Fridays are going to be easy days. At least for the first session (we will have three sessions total), I only have class until 10:50am on Fridays.

I only had a 25-minute meeting with a teacher and a 30-minute library tour today. Yet it felt like the most stressful day, at least in the morning. Apparently, I did worse on the placement test than I thought. The teacher assigned a basic grammar homework for me over the weekend.

The Institute divides participants into seven levels. I am at level 2 for grammar, and level 3 for conversation and kanji (Chinese characters). I really hope to improve to level 4 or 5 (or higher)for everything by the end of the program.

With Yu, Chan, Anya, and Duya, we borrowed bikes from the Institute to bike to get money from the ATM machine and to Aeon mall today. Yes, the Institute even provides free bicycle rental until the evening. I liked the peaceful feeling as we biked in a line on the street. Sometimes we forgot to stay on the left side of the road. We biked through residential areas and saw men, women, old and young, cars, bikes, and motorcycles. We also saw agricultural land, train tracks and train, the ocean, and night lights. We biked up and down the road and road bridges. I did my exercise for the week.

Chan and I karaoked for about 30 minutes today because we thought someone else was using it aftewards. Anyhow, Chan, Anya, Duya and I are likely going to karaoke every night if possible. Chan has a beautiful voice and always supports me however I sound. :P

I had the same ramen bowl for lunch and dinner. I was too full to have the special combo (rice and tempura) for lunch, and came back too late to have the combo for dinner. I liked it but I probably should not have it in the same day.

I will likely gain weight in Japan, contrary to common beliefs. Breakfast is all-you-can-eat. Although we have to pay different prices depending on the food for lunch and dinner, two types of soup and at least two drinks are always free. Not only am I eating all of my food, I also tend to get both soups and two drinks for each meal. For today's breakfast, I had one bowl of miso soup, one bowl of vegetable soup, two glasses of milk, one glass of apple juice. In summary, I am consuming more liquid during my meals than ever before.

Orientation Day

Crazy day today~ the most Japanese exposure ever in my life! It will be this way until I leave on December 16th this year.

Orientation was long but okay. The placement test came as a surprise to me- I did not know! I knew I was not good, but I now think I am worse. I probably scored a 80% on the grammar part, followed by the listening section, then the reading/writing section, but the kanji (Chinese characters) section was by far the worst test I had ever taken (except for my first science quiz in sixth grade within one week after I started school in the U.S.). I estimate a 20% or below grade.

After dinner, I dragged Chan and Carla to karaoke- Yu was supposed to come back but she never did. Yes, the Institute has a karaoke room, equipped with Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, and other foreign language songs! The Chinese section includes Taiwanese songs. I am not sure if Cantonese songs are in there. I sang two Japanese, two Chinese, and two English songs. Three more people joined us (now my friends too?)- we had lots of fun. I imagine myself visiting this room often during my time here. :)

Efficiency of my program= High
Proof: We completed the ATM card application in the morning (10am or so), and received the bank card by 4:30pm, same day.

From Awaji to Kansai Institute

June 16-17, 2009

I rode in a comfortable bus shuttle from the Kansai airport to Osaka Umeda, then took the train to my colleague Michael Jin's place. Michael is a fifth year Ph.D. student in my department. I used a public phone for the first time in Japan (and my first time in probably 15 years) to call Michael. He then led me from the train station to his lovely apartment where I met his wife Neda. I enjoyed walking around residential areas because I felt as if I was one step closer to understanding Osaka (and perhaps Japanese) culture.

Michael and Neda treated me like royalty with nonstop tea, snacks and home cooking. Neda made this delicious Persian dinner (my first time!)and Michael made yummy breakfast. I also had my second cold alcoholic drink in my life (first was Southern Comfort ordered by Albert Tseng from the Formosa Foundation Ambassador Program I was in Summer 2006). Michael made the drink- vodka with cranberry juice and something else. Later, orange juice was added to dilute the vodka after I drank half of the glass tumbler. I became disoriented and had trouble concentrating. At one point Michael actually told me to stop drinking so fast. I did not finish the last one-fifth of the glass because I thought I should not. Because liquid was added to my one glass a couple of times, I should count that I had one full glass of some type of mix drink.

I fell fast asleep- within one minute after I laid down. The breeze from the outside made my sleep comfortable at Michael's. I work up after 5am, after falling asleep after 9pm.

After parting with Neda first and then Michael who sent me off in Umeda, I went back to the airport to meet up with my ride. She was not my ride, but she called a taxi for me and another program participant. Yes, it was my first time in a taxi in Japan! It will probably be my last time because it is too expensive.

My life in Osaka officially began with meeting my "ride." We talked for at least 20 minutes almost exclusively in Japanese (she use few English words when I could not understood her at all). I continued to listen to and speak Japanese with various people until I saw Carla Richardson, a colleague from the anthropology department at UC Santa Cruz. Even though I told Carla I would speak exclusively Japanese to her once I arrived at the Institute, I changed my plan. I had been exposed to the most Japanese continuously thus far in my life up until I saw her (7 hours). I would only speak Japanese to her when we are not alone.

My first new Friend is Yu (Xiong Ying in Chinese), a Chinese Ph.D. student at a university in Sydney. The next friend is Chan, a Vietnamese librarian from the national library in Vietnam. The next one is a strange one, and I have decided not to actively befriend her more. Her name is Shelly, but she is nothing like Shelly Chan in my department, who just finished her Ph. D. I introduced Carla to Yu and Chan.

I spent about $14 already on snacks and shampoo at this fairly cheap supermarket. I need to control myself and not buy everything I see the first month here.

En Route to Osaka

Recaps for before June 15th
Friday, June 12th- full day
- Jason had his major dental procedure.
- I processed some travel grant application for the Graduate Student Association.
- I attended Shelly Chan's graduation, my senpai (aka the person comes before me who learns under the same teacher) after her six years as a Ph.D. student. My ever-awesome adviser Gail Hershatter sponsored a wonderful party at her house afterwards.

Saturday, June 13th
- I drove from Santa Cruz to Los Angeles with only two toilet breaks (unusualy for me).
- Jason and I too off the 'tainted window thing' on our car front windows (I got a citation) and went to the Glendale police station only to be told they were not authorized to sign off on the form.
- Jason and I took my sister to Glendale Galleria to buy See's Candies for my host family in Japan; my sister bought a gift for her friend at Target.
- My mom talked to me until 2am, I was exhausted beyond words.

Sunday, June 14th
- (Early) Celebration of my father's 60th birthday.

June 14-June 16th, 2009 (from Pacific Standard Time to Japan's timezone)

I finally arrived at the airport at 11pm on June 14th for departure to Osaka at 1:15am. The line was long. I thought I wasn't going to make it.

For the first time, I felt very old because my knees and legs hurt while I was sleeping on the plane. Meals were acceptable, but the cup of noodle was the highlight, although I "stole" it from an old man. What happened was I asked for one, but this flight attendant told me that were going to eat breakfast in 10 minutes. It must had been over 15 minutes when I saw my flight attendant serving three cup noodles to others. After she told me there was none left, I simply told her what I was told earlier by another flight attendant. What did she do? She took the noodle from the last person she served to give to me.

Flight was about 13.5 hours from LA to Taipei. After a 2.5 hours wait, I hopped on the plane to Osaka. It took 2.5 hours.