Katie's Adventures in Japan!
Friday, 15 April 2011
Leaving Japan...
On March 29, 2011, I decided to come home to the U.S. after an amazing 8 months in Japan. My time working, living, and learning in Takasaki, Japan was such an incredible experience, that I will never forget my life there. I met amazing people, learned some important Japanese phrases and words, and taught at two exceptional schools (one middle school and one elementary). I also learned how to play the koto instrument, joined the community orchestra, took Japanese classes, and joined the Takasaki French club for monthly meetings in French.
I will never forget the people nor the intricate and beautiful Japanese culture that I experienced. Each day was so exciting and each memory will be with me forever. After the horrible earthquake, tsunami, and destruction at the Fukushima Power Plant, my family and friends urged me to return home, much to my stubborn response of "No!" But quickly I realized that the situation was unstable and that the best thing was to go home to calm the nerves of my family and friends. While my city, Takasaki, is not close to the power plant, people were concerned about radiation leaking into the water, food, and other important resources for humans. It is definitely a good idea not to expose oneself to radiation if one can help it...
I feel lucky that my boyfriend and family could visit me in Japan before my departure. Beat and I were able to see the beautiful cities of Kyoto, Nara, and Osaka before flying back to the U.S. Japan is a unique country: weaving tradition with modernity. In Kyoto, we saw beautiful geisha walking next to businessman. The two seem to live and co-exist quite beautifully in Japan. The Japanese are proud of their heritage and culture; I am truly blessed to have been able to live in Japan for 8 months and experience daily life in Takasaki.
I wish all my JET friends who are still in Japan the best of luck and please stay safe. I am still posting pictures on facebook of my amazing trips in Japan, but my blog about living in Japan must unfortunately come to an end.
Thank you to my friends and family for reading it and commenting. My experiences in Japan are truly unforgettable and I look forward to the day when I can return to Takasaki and meet my friends again.
All the best!
Love,
Katie
Friday, 25 February 2011
Monkey Onsen UPDATED: CNN Video Clip 2/25/11
Check out this CNN video!
A few us were interviewed by CNN while we visited the Monkey Onsen in Nagano on February 11th.
Saturday, 12 February 2011
A Day in Kusatsu
The beautiful resort town of Kusatsu is located about two hours from Takasaki. My JET friend, Angela and I drove from Takasaki to Kusatsu, using the scenic slower roads. The drive was beautiful: the trees were covered in freshly fallen snow and the mountains were gorgeous snow covered peaks on the horizon. After reaching Kusatsu around lunch time, we walked around the main plaza of town. In the middle of Kusatsu is a giant natural hot spring (and you can definitely smell it!) The water is said to have healing powers for your body, washing away the toxins and helping the skin. Even though it was smelly, the water was a beautiful aqua color.
Monkey Onsen in Nagano: Feb 11, 2011
If you want to see me and other JET English teachers on CNN News, check out this link:
Saturday, 5 February 2011
Lost in Translation
Music in Japan
Dear Readers,
Originally, when the so, or koto, was imported to Japan, the word koto was a generic term for any and all Japanese stringed instruments. Over time the definition of koto could not describe the wide variety of these stringed instruments and the names were changed. The Azuma goto or yamatogoto became the wagon, the kin no koto became the kin, and the sau no koto was changed to the so or koto.
The modern koto originates from the so, or gakuso, used in Japanese court music. It was a popular instrument among the wealthy; the instrument koto was considered a romantic one. Some literary and historical records solo pieces for koto existed centuries before sokyoku or the music of the solo koto genre was established. According to Japanese literature, the koto was used as imagery and other extra music significance. In one part of "The Tales of Genji (Genji monogatari)", Genji falls deeply in love with a mysterious woman, who he has never seen before, after he hears her playing koto from a distance.
The history of the koto, or so, in Japan, dates back to the 16th Century. At this time a Buddhist priest by the name of Kenjun (1547–1636), who lived in northern Kyūshū, began to compose for the koto, calling the style "tsukushi goto".
Perhaps the most important influence on the development of koto was Yatsuhashi Kengyo (1614–1685). He was a gifted blind musician from Kyoto who changed the limited selection of six songs to a brand new style of koto music which he called kumi uta. Yatsuhashi changed the Tsukushi goto tunings, which were based on gagaku ways of tuning; and with this change, a new style of koto was born. Yatsuhashi Kengyo is now known as the "Father of Modern Koto".
Music is transformative and spiritual. As I have witnessed, it can transcend cultural boundaries and bring people together, despite their personal backgrounds. I am excited to live in Takasaki, home of Gunma's beautiful concert hall, the daruma figure, and music (both traditional and western).
Saturday, 29 January 2011
Shibukawa Festival: January 29, 2011
Today, I explored the small city of Shibukawa. It is about 25 minutes by JR Train from Takasaki. The thing I love about Japanese trains are that the slower trains are affordable and it is easy to hop from one town to the next. The shinkansen (bullet train) is a whole other story! ;)