Discovering Japan
Inzai City Kioroshi Elementary School
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Inzai City's most traditional homes have small plots with potted plants in their yards. At the top of a hill up one narrow street lined with such domiciles we come upon Kioroshi Elementary School.
Shumei Yachiyo University School
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
About two miles from Chiba New Town in a wooded environment lies the entrance to a Shumei Yachiyo University School. Our bus follows the winding dirt road to a wide parking area fronted by a Shinto
Journey to Mashiko
Saturday, November 18, 2006
Mashiko is a small town in Tochigi prefecture. It is located 25 km from Utsunomiya-city and is close to Nikko The journey from Tokyo requires about 2.5 travel hours to the north and west. There are
Tsujiki: Tokyo Fish Market
Friday, November 17, 2006
I rise at 3:45 a.m. and find the shower in a haze of dreams. Fifteen minutes later, I am in the hotel lobby where a half dozen of my colleagues are already milling about. What has gotten us all up
A chance encounter: pottery and survival tips
Monday, October 30, 2006
The approach of big journeys heightens the significance of all things, including chance. A few weeks ago I went to meet a friend’s flight at the Pittsburgh airport and ran into a familiar
The Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund Teacher Program provides educators from throughout the US with opportunities to visit schools and cultural centers throughout Japan. Meetings with students, families, teachers, and government officials initiate inter-cultural exchange and learning. Participants share their experiences through self-designed follow on plans. Back in 1980 when I was torn between future aspirations to be a pet or a painter, I would turn up the volume on my cassette player and listen to Graham Parker wail over careening guitars about the thrill of discovering Japan. On November 12, 2006, I departed San Francisco Airport as one of one among a cohort of 200 to experience this long-held aspiration myself.
