Changing Impression

　　　　It has been already almost 4 months since I started to take this Visual Anthropology class. This is the last blog post for the class but I would like to continue posting about Japan after I finish this course.

The theme of the last post is “Changing Impression”. It would be easier to write about it if I am an international student who is about to finish their first 4 months experience of living in Japan. But there is still a thing that I want to write as my change of impression about Japan.

The event that changed my impression is the earthquake happened on March 11^th. 

 

Photo borrowed from Japan Times Online

　　　　I distinctly remember that I felt that the classroom shook a little when I just finished my class. But I have experienced bigger one before I thought nothing serious happened at that time. So I went to eat Korean Barbeque with my friends after school and Karaoke at night. When we got to Karaoke the TV there usually showing music channels was showing news and some people were standing in front of it. Then I finally realized that how terrible the situation was. 

 

Photo borrowed from Mail Online

　　　　First of all I could not believe what I was seeing was in Japan. Then the next thing came up in my mind first was about my relatives live in Fukushima prefecture. I did not call them because I knew it could not change anything about the situation. Fortunately nothing serious happened to them and I could see them when they came to Osaka as a family trip. 

　　　　I was shocked about the chaotic situation for a while but soon after the earthquake, large number of people started to help each other. I used to watch a lot of news talking about bad economy or political issues of Japan everyday on TV but after the earthquake, I more often heard the story such as people going to Tohoku to bring food or supplies. I am simply touched by those stories and feels glad to live in this country. The earthquake is a memorable disaster that must not happen again but this earthquake definitely changed my view towards Japan.

Kodomo Day

　　　Last Thursday, May 5^th was Kodomono-hi (Children’s day) in Japan. Kodomono-hi is a national holiday to celebrate children’s happinesss. Even though the name of the holiday is “Children’s day”, this holiday is actually for only boys. There is a day to celebrate for girls on Hinamatsuri on March 3^rd but it is not a national holiday.

　　　Around May 5^th some households start to decorate Koinobori outside their house. 

 

 "Koinobori"

Picture borrowed from http://www.ryugetsu.net/shop/?c=koi

　　　The word Koinobori itself consists of two words “Koi” (a carp, or Koi fish) and “Nobori” (rising). Koinobori is basically a wind stock shaped like a Koi fish. The origin of Children’s day has been started since Nara period (710~784) and Koinobori is from Edo period (1603~1868). The idea of Koinobori is related to the Chinese old saying of “climbing up a strong stream”. People wish for their children to grow up in good health and be strong like a Koi fish climbing up a strong stream so that they can spend better life in the future. (information is from here)

　　　Since it was Golden Week last week I went back to my hometown Saga prefecture in Kyusyu and went to the event “Kawakamikyo Spring Festival (川上峡春祭り)” with my family to see many Koinobori swimming in the winds. The sightseeing organization of the city organizes to decorate about 300 Koinobori across the river as an event for Children’s day every year.

　　　　I remember when I was there for a school trip as an elementary school student my teacher told me that many of Koinoboris are donated by local companies or organizations in the prefecture. There are more events and decoration of Koinobori in many places in Japan around May 5^th and people enjoy seeing Koinobori as a seasonal event.