Today we welcomed the students to Japan and to Tokyo. Their home for the next two weeks is the National Olympics Memorial Youth Center. The “NYC” was built for the 1964 Olympics and is the former site of the Athletes’ Village. Among its facilities, the complex has student dormitories, classrooms, cafes, and even a swimming pool. Located in Shibuya, the students will be close to Sangubashi station, Yoyogi Park, and the Meiji Shrine.
We (Davinder, Juliana, and the wonderful Miki) greeted the students as they arrived at various times between 3:00-7:00 p.m. All seemed cheerful (if a bit sweaty) from their Seattle to Tokyo journey. The students come from a wide range of backgrounds and academic disciplines, but all share an interest in Japan, stretching themselves to learn about the country and its history, people, cultural nuances, and art and literature as catalysts for understanding individual stories of the people and communities in Tokyo and Okinawa.
For the next four weeks we will be getting to know each other through the sharing of new experiences and personal insights that stretch and deepen our understanding of ourselves, Japan, and the U.S. We will spend two weeks in Tokyo and two weeks in Okinawa exploring histories of migration and Japanese identity formation influenced by politics, colonialism, war, and trauma. At the same time, we explore art and art practice as ways of healing, activism, and assertion of a complex cultural identity, unpacking the layers of social memory and its influence in shaping the future. Readings, excursions, guest speakers, critical writing reflections and group dialogue will be foundations for our learning.
After a short group meeting to share first impressions of Tokyo and to briefly discuss NYC rules such as the linen and towel schedule (8-12 p.m. – basically every day housekeeping!)--we said goodnight and sweet dreams.
The next day we met in our classroom on 4F of the Center Building. Room 415 is a standard classroom but its window overlooks trees that soften the harshness of the built environment. The huge metropolis that is Tokyo seems somehow smaller when the sun shines through a maple tree, crows caw overhead, and dragonflies flit around us. Back to the classroom! We did introductions, reviewed material from the day before, presented information about train culture, and distributed Welcome Suica cards. After reviewing the syllabus Juliana set the stage for students’ afternoon reflection assignment. Then Miki led a tour of NYC that included the (segregated) laundry facilities and the swimming pool. Next we explored Sangubashi, a sweet neighborhood with restaurants, convenience stores, a post office, park, and a good sized supermarket. After checking out amazing snacks on the second floor–dried squid, melon Kit Kat, seaweed flavored potato chips– we headed to Shinjuku station, which is HUGE! There, Miki led us out of the quietest of five exits, the New South, and we let the group loose for lunch and their reflection assignments. The looks on students’ faces before we walked away seemed to be a mix of surprise, confusion, excitement (maybe?), and a bit of fear. Everyone was a trooper–some ate, some rested, some reflected, and all got their work done before regrouping for our final outing of the day, dinner out on the town!
A six course meal with all you can drink (non alcoholic!) combined with an amazing view of the city, ended our day on a high note. The students were brave to try some unfamiliar flavors and practice their chopstick skills. The restaurant staff commented on the politeness of the group (gyougi ga yokatta). We left the restaurant with more than full stomachs. There were blossoming friendships and excitement for adventures to come as we headed back down to the streets of Shibuya, home of “the world's busiest crossing”.
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