Chorus Mini Concert

Eiko was a former music teacher and still has a very wonderful chorus that she works with. These students are mostly in their thirties and she asked them to come and perform a "mini concert" for me. It was such a sweet gesture and I enjoyed it immensely.They were very good as well.

Sunday's Activities

We started with an elaborate Japanese breakfast of miso soup, rice, salmon, yogurt, fruit and pastries.I can't figure out why the Japanese peope are so slim. They eat sooooo much food. Perhaps it is because there is very little sugar and there are no processed foods?

Then Eiko conducted a traditional tea ceremony for me.

Cosmos

On the way to burial mounds we passed many fields of glorious cosmos flowers.

Touring With My Host Family

After our delicious lunch we visited ancient burial mounds. These date back to 200 BC and although hard to tell they are quite high. This was very impressive.

Traditional Japanese lunch

We had a wonderful lunch at a beautiful restaurant. These are pictures of the garden at the restaurant and the first course (there were at least three courses!)

Cars and TV's

Believe it or not, cars often have a tv on the dashboard of the car next to the driver.

My bedroom

This is the traditional tea ceremony room and it is where I slept. The floor is made of tatami mats and I slept on a futon.

How Welcoming!

Here is the sign that greeted me upon entering Eiko's home. We had a big sukiyaki party that night. Four generations were there; Eiko's mother, Eiko, Eiko's daughter Akiko,and granddaughter Sakura. Great grandmother, mother and daughter are all educators. Sakura wants to be a pediatrician.

Eiko's Home

Here are various pictures of Eiko's home. I am putting all the relevant pictures on this page.Yes..that is an elevator! Eiko's mom has difficulty with stairs and to be sure she is able to eat dinner with the family they put in the elevator!The concept of "family" goes very deep into Japanese culture.

My Host Family

I was fortunate to have been "picked" by Eiko Kugita and her husband, daughter,granddaughter and mother for my host stay in Miyazaki. Eiko and her husband Muneharu,were the first husband/ wife pricipals in all of Miyazaki.They retired, but Eiko now works as a teacher in-service coordinator for the City of Miyazaki Board of Education. What an exciting and whirlwind thiry hours we spent together!

Final Posts

I have many more items to add to my blog but I will be without internet for at least a day. i will finish up when I return to Petalluma on Thursday evening. This trip has been an opportunity for me to meet not only Japanese educators, children and families but also to meet educators from all over this country. I am so honored! More to follow....

Kim

Trip to Sake Brewery and Glass Blowing Factory

Sake is a very important industry in Japan. Many poeple love it and drink it every night. It is very stong and the fermentation smell is strong as well. Sake is made from rice, barley and sweet potatoes.

Aya Castle

This castle was built in the early 14th century but was ordered to be cosed during the 17th century when teh Edo shogunate ordered that there could ony be one castle per shogunate. It is built with Japanese cedar.

Miyazaki Shrine

Here is the shrine and an emblem of the twelve petaled chysanthamum of the Imperial family.

Our Tour Guides

Toshi was our interpreter for meetings with important city officials and educational representatives. Keiko was our tour guide. They were incredible!!!

Travels Around Miyazaki

Here is a couple that owns a shop in the city. They sell tea and tea cups. They were very nice.

Kendo..Ancient martial art

Students in Japan go to school from 8-4:45 and then they do club activities until 7:30. Kendo is one of the many choices a student may make for club.

Art work everywhere

Here a re someof the MANY pieces of art that are found in the hallways!

English text

Here is a page from an English text with Japanese on one side and English on the other.There is also a picture of how they diagram sentences for translation.

High school visit

Sorry I am so late with this entry but I have not had internet access for the last few days as I have been with my host family. I will be entering information from October 23 through the 28th over the next twenty four hours. Here is the beginning of our high school visit. This is a typical classroom...40 students and no room to move! And, yes they even have cleaning time!

Good Bye Gakuenkibanadai Elementary!

I had such a good time here. What a wonderful group of children and adults!!!

Sixth Grade PenPals!!!

We have penpals for our school. The sixth graders and their teacher,Mr. Hatada are very excited to be able to communicate with our 6th grade!!! The children do not speak English, but they can write a bit. Here they are!!

My interpreter, Yuki

Here is a picture of Yuki. she was my interpreter in the 6th Grade. She lived in Minnesota when she was three. Look at her great artwork!

Here's the Image

Image Scanner

This 2nd Gade teacher used the image scanner to show the students how to use their fingering correctly .

Wind Powered Pianos!

These instruments are so clever! No batteries are needed. The kids blow through the pipe and they make music! THe keyboard is perfect for the kids to learn basic keyboard skills.

Putting Everything Back

The students move all the desks to one side of the room, then move them to the other to clean, and then put them all back. This process takes 15 minutes!

And More

More

Cleaning

At about 1:00 everyone leans their classroom and the school grounds. Here are some shots of what the kids actually do.

Teeth Brushing

After lunch the students put the dishes on the hallway floor. They then brush their teeth!

School Field

This is the view of the school playground. We played dodgeball and I got "pegged". The kids are allowed to hit from the neck down and they play hard. The students can switch their caps to be either red or white for opposite teams.It was interesting to ee that nobody got mad when they got hit and nobody ever questioned the rules.