Category Archives: Mirai 1-109

03 JS 013 Classroom, Education, KD 1-065 Japanese Classroom, Mirai 1-065, Mirai 1-109, Obentō 01-091, Obentō 02-027

204 Inside a Japanese classroom 教室の中　きょうしつのなか

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Typical of a Japanese classroom is that the students face the blackboard (actually in Japan often the green-board) and that the teacher stands in front of the class. Also, notice in this photo: no uniform!



Most commonly students sit in single file.


This arrangement is acceptable only during lunch, but as soon as the gong goes, all desks are put in line again. Lots of smiley faces! Boys on the right, girls on the left. (That is more because of teenage ‘angst’, rather than a rule). The girls have their hands together, because they are waiting to say ‘いただきます。‘ itadakimasu, which means ‘for what we are about to receive…’　The boys on the right are totally distracted by the camera. The teacher seems to be waiting too.

Hey! Wait a minute… no uniform!

Uh, oh, a “wandering desk”.

Watch that good old chalk!
(The little bright green box in the front on the 
left-hand side is a little dust vacuum cleaner!)

This is what it looks like:


It took Panasonic to think of it. 





Green board, but no single file… Modern. Air-conditioning. Wow!


Thank goodness! Single file again!
You bring your bag to class. Periods are 50 minutes long.


International students “integrate” in a different way.
And back to single file again…


Materials are reasonably up to date, although everything is “set” by the Ministry of Education.


International teachers are brought into many schools. However, they tend to work more as talking tape-recorders.  Many schools are trying to vary this approach, but the Ministry prefers to be cautious. Of course, it can be a problem, if you don’t speak enough Japanese to explain English…

Aaahh, back to green-board and single file.

The two biggest shocks in a Japanese classroom for international students are that there can be up to 45 students in one class, so personal contact is absolutely minimal, and that the students sit in the hiragana-order (like alphabetically). Only a medical reason will get you shifted to the front. No personal whingeing about wanting to sit next to your friend!

As a postscript: 

There is one thing that needs to be said though: Japanese students have to work very hard. Yes, some students opt out, but the vast(est?) majority works very hard. Add to that an uncomfortable uniform, no air-conditioning in summer and lots of home work, travelling time, cram school for many; it sure is no fun. 

And this is the interesting thing we observed: there were so many kids who were so happy! Yes, they were serious when they worked, but they also had fun and their personality shone through! Maybe the difference comes from the fact that they have to work and they accept that fate, whereas our students feel too often that the world owes them a living. Maybe that is too harsh. Have we been lowering the resilience threshold? Maybe. Japanese students have to work very hard and they do it very well. You be the judge.



04 LA 095 Imperial Family, Customs Culture, KD 1-014 Bowing, Mirai 1-049, Mirai 1-109, Obentō 01-007

Bowing Ojigi　おじぎ

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This kanji, pronounced “rei”, signifies “respect” – respect for someone else. Not only is it a greeting, it is more: it is an acknowledgement of another person and their personal space. 


In Japan this idea is shown by not intruding on another person’s personal, physical or emotional space. One can bow from a distance, or from nearby, but distance and respect and decorum are maintained. The following photos clearly show what bowing or “ojigi” is all about: it is a formalised acknowledgement of any other person by lowering oneself. That is the way to show respect.

In plainer words one would say: know your place and show that you are only one of a group – and the group is more important than the one. It’s all about The Team. 



A criticism heard regularly about the West and particularly one hears it about the younger generation is the perception of “self”: it’s all about me. I want. Of course self is important, but group harmony is more important. The self cannot survive without the group. That is at times a conflicting idea between East and West.


The meeting will start with showing respect to the audience: the audience is acknowledged for making the effort to be present.


The staff is trained to acknowledge the customer: the customer could have gone to another shop, but didn’t.  

Thank you.


This Prime Minister acknowledges Parliament by whose existence he is able to do his office: thank you, that I am allowed to make a contribution. Do not be mistaken: the Prime Minister has real influence, but… he is one of a team – it is The Team that makes the decisions. The Team can and will replace him. (Actually, The Team has already)

 


“Thank you”. You have made it possible for me to make your journey safer and happier. This picture, indeed this man, shows he is part of the Soul of a Nation.


Thank you for coming.

 




In a most formal setting:







 






Thank you for fighting me.


 

Thank you in three ways.














Recently the media made much of a moment in history: the President of the United States meeting the Emperor of Japan. It was a momentous occasion and President Obama bowed. It is unusual for heads of state to show such deference as protocol does not require it from any heads of state. 

However, it would have been a momentous occasion even for Mr President. Having lived for many years as a teenager in Asia he would have almost instinctively fallen back into what he had learnt as a youngster. While in the presence of others one lowers oneself – it would have been an instinctive reaction of modesty. Of course Mr Obama is acutely aware of his own political power, but this meeting is not about power, it is about the moment.



Her Majesty the Empress recognises the moment and she acknowledges Mr President’s gesture, so she also breaks with protocol and shakes Mr Obama’s hand, as that would make him feel comfortable in his cultural environment; it is the grace of age, experience and kindness.

Thank you for acknowledging us, so let us acknowledge you in your dignity. Her Majesty speaks flawless English and she would have understood and appreciated the president’s gesture: Thank you.







Their Majesties receiving other guests. 



Skynews



Now compare this with the following behaviour:


Aiyaiyaiyai… The President of China would have thought Mr Bush had wanted to stop him from jumping off the platform. Either that, or maybe Mr Bush thought the President of China was his grandson. By the way, the President of China speaks fluent English.


rei – れい



Interesting:

The word for ’rude’, 失礼 or しつれい, 
or ‘shitsurei’, means ‘without respect’.





Now you understand the background to ojigi, you may amuse yourself:



Of course, this is nonsense, just in case you thought…  You did?!




The boy is fascinated!


Of course not! He loves and feeds the animals!