Final Reflections from Japan

Susan Brown
The Park School
July 17, 2010
Final Reflections from Japan
Throughout our travels in Japan I’ve been struck by cultural differences—little things that distinguish east from west, Japan from the United States.
I’ve been impressed with how gracious everyone is—but it is more than mere graciousness. Japan is a society that is oriented to service and people take care of you whether you are in a store, at Starbucks (where we’ve been often—a little bit of home), or lost on the street (we’ve been taken by the hand and led to the right bus stop or building as we’ve blundered along). Everything is done with patience, a smile and concern. People will attempt to speak English, particularly young people who have been abroad to English-speaking countries, but everyone is very appreciative of “arigotou” (thank-you) and “gozaimasu” (basically have a good day) in Japanese.
Like so many places, the geography has helped shape and define cities. Japan is a country roughly the size of California with a population 3 ½ times larger than of the Golden State. The terrain is much more mountainous than California so there is nowhere near the same amount of available land. Cities are compact, with space being vertical instead of horizontal. As we’ve traveled around by train I’ve been struck by the apartment houses that sit next to gardens that are in turn next to rice paddies that but up against a tiny parking lot, etc. All space is used.
Shinto Shrines and Buddhist Temple pepper the landscape: many old, some new, almost all with beautiful grounds. They are peaceful environments that seem to welcome all. It has been a real educational experience learning about both faiths and how they intertwine ceremonies and practices. Having seen the buildings and the grounds it is easier to understand the rites and practices.
The conversations I’ve had with my colleagues about Japanese culture, religion, philosophy and art and how we will bring what we have seen and learned back to our classrooms have been among the best experiences of trip. There is so much to think about, assimilate and translate into lessons.
While the trip has been exhausting, the sights, sounds, food and collegial exchanges have been well worth the exhaustion. It’s been a wonderful experience in so many ways.