School time-table じかんわり じかんひょう

どうとく　dōtoku  =  Moral Education

A standard time-table for a Japanese school is 6 periods a day: 

For quite a few years there were no classes on a Saturday morning, but these days more schools and also the Japanese Ministry of Education is beginning to make noises about that again. “Youngsters out on the street – up to no good” – that sort of thing. Schools used as a convenient baby-sitting service. Ouch! That’s a bit harsh, but you get the idea. Time will tell what any government will decide. 

Don’t forget that many parents pay for sending their children to juku anyway, so this would be a cheaper option. Also, most parents work on a Saturday, so there is no reason why children shouldn’t work. 

Perhaps a more reasonable motivation is that parents and governments have noticed a slipping of standards (or maybe a realisation that their standards are no longer good enough) and therefore there is a wish to raise those. 

What is also clear is that there is more outside competition for standards, so it isn’t perhaps up to the Education Ministry of Japan anymore. Japanese youngsters want and need to get jobs in America; they may work in Korea, they may need a job in France etc.etc.

Anyway, the jury is out, so to say, for now.

じかんわりを つくろう = Let’s make a time-table!

Draw up your own time-table frame; make cut-outs of your subjects and glue them on. You could even make a large one in a group for the classroom wall. 

The word じかんわり literally means time-divide(r).

Japanese household appliances

May I have one … , please?

Japanese house

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School subjects かもく

406 Places and location ところ

Butsudan 仏壇 ぶつだん Family Altar

仏壇　　ぶつだん     butsudan

The butsudan, or Family Altar, is a religion space in a house where earlier generations – immediate family members who have passed away – are remembered and honoured. This is a family’s personal cultural expression and therefore varies widely from family to family. The butsudan has its origins in the Buddhist religion. Another religious space that has its origins in the Japanese Shinto religion is called ‘Kamidana‘ (see kamidana page on this website). 

仏壇　　ぶつだん     butsudan

仏壇　　ぶつだん     butsudan

There are many different kinds of butsudan as this depends on the individual families. Often butsudan are built into a house and as several generations live in the same house, the butsudan gains antique status. In a butsudan family photos may be displayed, as may be ashes of those family members passed before, or small mementos. Of course, ashes may be more problematic, so they may also be kept at a local cemetery plot. Again this depends on the individual family. As you can see from the photos, flowers and fruits may be offered symbolically as a sign of respect and affection.

仏壇　　ぶつだん     butsudan

In a western household perhaps one does not find an altar-looking structure, but religious crosses, photos of family members passed away, flowers for those who are remembered and mementos are certainly more commonly displayed. Jewish families, Hindu families and Muslim families each have their own cultural ways of paying respect and remember those to whom they owe gratitude. This cultural expression is closely related to the family’s overall religious views and observances.

仏壇　　ぶつだん     butsudan

仏壇　　ぶつだん     butsudan

仏壇　　ぶつだん     butsudan

仏壇　　ぶつだん     butsudan

仏壇　　ぶつだん     butsudan

Sometimes western visitors have strong feelings regarding a butsudan. This is again a personal expression and should be kept to oneself. Overriding any cultural practices are the fundamental principles of personal choice and hospitality. You need not join in, but you should maintain decorum. 

In western households one also finds a range of religious observances and views that are as different and diverse as one can imagine. The overriding guiding principles for both sides: do not offend by intruding or insisting.

仏壇　　ぶつだん     butsudan

仏壇　　ぶつだん     butsudan