CLS NEWSLETTER Harima Kawaraban

July 2014 Issue 4, Final

Reflecting on the CLS Program

With August approaching, the CLS program will soon come to an end. Before the program is over, I wanted to interview CLS students about their summer experience here in Himeji, . Specifically, I asked students about the most challenging part of their summer, as well as the best part. Mackenzie Tyler from the Suzugumi class explained that "because we were challenged to speak only in Japanese, the program was difficult, but now I can speak to the other CLS students and Himeji Dokkyo University students in Japanese." Cory Mackenzie from the Takegumi class felt that "the hardest part was memorizing conversations for class. Yet, because of the constant repetition I can now speak Japanese naturally." Alexander Estrella from the Momogumi class said, "becoming friends with other CLS students and the Himeji Dokkyo University language buddies was really difficult, but I was able to become good friends with everyone!" Although the CLS students' language levels range from intermediate to advanced, everyone who was interviewed claimed that skillfully speaking in Japanese was the hardest part of the program. Despite the challenges, because students had many opportunities to converse in Japanese with other CLS students in addition to Himeji Dokkyo University students, all the CLS students' Japanese has improved greatly. We want to express our gratitude to Himeji Dokkyo University by saying thank you so much for giving us this incredible experience -Laura Berg

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Reflections on Hiroshima representation of the emptiness the is in this space that you can begin to ! bombs left in their wake. understand the experience of the The phrase “atomic bomb” The compact Hiroshima Peace bomb victims, and the effect it had brings to mind the tragedies of Memorial Museum contains upon the people of the surrounding Nagasaki, Hiroshima, and the exhibitions that provide a thorough area. connection that every American history of Hiroshima, atomic Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial inherently has to those events. As an weaponry, the tragedy, and Japan’s Park is located in the middle of the American who has resided and studied commitment to eliminating nuclear bustling city, providing a glimpse of in Japan for two years and has had the weapons. The museum is a reminder the bomb’s impact on a the city as a chance to go to both Nagasaki and of the transformative effect the United whole. The Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Hiroshima, I feel that it is our duty as States’ decision to bomb the two cities Museum touches on the death, Americans to visit both the Nagasaki had on Japan. sickness, and pain of the impacted Atomic Bomb Museum and the On the other hand, Nagasaki’s innocent. Although I will never be Park. larger museum focuses moreso on the able to fully understand the pain and Hiroshima’s Peace Park is tragedy itself than the information. tragedy of these two bombings, more widely known than Nagasaki’s After crossing the threshold into the visiting both museums has provided Atomic Bomb Museum and visitors museum, you are met with a desolate me with a glimpse of the situation. from around the world come to see dark space. The exhibits are spread Without visiting both cities, it is sites such as the Atomic Bomb Dome out with individual spotlights, serving impossible to begin to understand the and the Children’s Peace Memorial. to highlight their importance. In this scope of the bombings and the lasting The Peace Park, with its vast space seemingly never-ending maze, time impact these events had on the and spread out memorials, serves as a feels as though it has stopped and country of Japan. there is no world outside the walls. It -Phillip Bachman

Stopping to Ask for… an Interview? who hail from other prefectures. Ms. Kiuchi also said that ! many of Himeji’s visitors young adults or senior citizens. It all started with a question: Even considering the In order to better meet the needs of tourists who might renown of Himeji Castle, why does it seem like there are need help, staff members who speak Chinese or English always so many people sightseeing in Himeji? In order to can almost always be found at the Himeji Tourist investigate this question I went to the Himeji Kanko Navi Information Center. Port (Tourist Information Center), where a staff member For what kinds of reasons do these travelers stop (Ms. Mami Kiuchi) kindly allowed me to interview her. to inquire at the Himeji Tourist Information Center? Ms. I first asked Ms. Kiuchi “how important is Kiuchi’s answer to this question surprised me quite a bit. tourism to the economy in Himeji?” Ms. Kiuchi replied According to Ms. Kiuchi, although Himeji Castle is that the profits generated by tourists’ purchases are very clearly visible from the Himeji Tourist Information important to Himeji’s shops and restaurants. When I next Center, every day people who do not know how to reach asked her about the typical duration of a tourist’s stay in the castle come to the Center and ask for directions. Himeji, she explained that “because the bullet train stops When I asked her why—excluding Himeji Castle, of at Himeji, people who are going on to Hiroshima or course—people are interested in visiting Himeji, she will often spend a day in Himeji.” Many of these answered, “it’s because Mt. Shosha is also very famous.” sightseers are Chinese, while other frequently represented The Shoshazan Engyo-ji Temple, built in the year 966, is groups include people coming from Europe and Japanese associated with the Tendai sect of Buddhism.

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In addition, various sciences in the Hollywood file The Last were filmed at this temple. !

! Finally, when I then asked her for “Himeji recommendations,” Ms. Kiuchi suggested one of Himeji’s specialties: Oden, a kind of hodgepodge stew that features boiled eggs, fish cakes, daikon radish, and so on. I had no idea that the subject of tourism in Himeji would be so interesting. I learned so much talking with Ms. Kiuchi!! -Helen Hope Rolfe

Castle Cleanup Unfortunately, it rained the whole time, On July 13th, I volunteered along with other drenching everyone. It was raining so hard that even the students from the CLS Program to help clean the cats living around the castle took shelter under trees. I grounds of Himeji Castle. I’ve always been intrigued by definitely felt a little sorry for the cats that desperately the castle because everyday I see it on the way to class. sought out shelter from the rain. Himeji Castle is such a beautiful and majestic-looking After the cleaning, everyone ate breakfast building rich with history that I couldn’t help but be together and played some games. I particularly enjoyed intrigued by it. a game translated as “Best Friend.” The way the game In America, I often do volunteer work, so I was works is that everyone stands up, while one person is really looking forward to doing some volunteer work in asked various questions about what that person prefers. Japan. I really enjoyed having the opportunity to help The others who share the same sentiment remain clean the castle and talk with members of the Himeji standing, while those who do not must sit down. This community. As a matter of fact, going around collecting continues until one person remains standing. Overall, I trash felt somewhat like a treasure hunt. In many ways, had a great time, and despite getting wet it turned out to the treasure hunting aspect in addition to the actual be a truly memorable experience. items-- bottle caps, cans, wrappers, etc.--reminded me of -Erich Schuler the Nintendo game “Pikmin.”

Christianity in Himeji about one percent, so I felt like my wish mostly elderly people, but there were of joining a community in Japan would be some young members as well. Because the When I first came to Japan, I difficult to achieve. But when I was just sermon was given in Japanese, I was knew living here was going to be difficult. about to give up, I heard a group of people assisted by Natsuki, a young girl who It was the first time I had left America to singing familiar Christian songs as I was spoke English and was currently attending come to a foreign country and there was walking through Himeji Station one day. I a Japanese international school. After the so much I did not know about Japan. I did stopped and asked about their church – a sermon, Natsuki’s mother gave me an not even know whether Japan resembled church called Onnuri Church located on explanation of the church’s mission in America in any way. the outskirts of Himeji. I wanted to learn Himeji and how she was able to come to Being able to belong to a more about so I went Christ. community is quite important to me. to their church the following Sunday. When I lived in Boston, my community Because I assumed that Himeji was a The questions are as follows: was my local church. Since I am studying small city, I had originally thought there abroad in Japan for a while, I wanted to How did you find out about this would not be a church in the area. find a church and my own community to church? However, I finally found one, although it which I can belong. However, the was a little far from the counter of town. population of Christians in Japan is only Answer: I was born in Korea but moved The church was small and it consisted of to Himeji when I married my Japanese

3 Issue 4 HARIMA KAWARABAN husband. However, when I first came to Japan’s population is only about one experience as I did when I first came to Japan, I was always lonely. I did not have percent Christian. How were you able Japan. Therefore, we were all able to many friends and I could not speak to bring people to the church? become friends rather quickly. Everyone Japanese so I would cry almost every day. was very kind and welcomed me quite Up until then, I felt like nobody loved me, Answer: It is very hard, but every day at warmly. At that moment, I was able to feel but then one day, by chance, I stumbled the station we would go sing Christian the strength of the ties of the Christian across this church. After coming to this songs and invite people who stop by to community in Japan. church for some time, I came to believe listen. that God loved me, and although it took -Elizabeth Murillo Since the members of the church are some time, I found happiness. mostly foreigners, they all shared a similar

Kendo through television or other media in opportunity to try Kendo. The On July 18, 2014 I attended a America, I always loved anime and members of the Kendo Club who special lecture on Kendo. I have fostered a great appreciation for helped teach us were all kind and very always been especially interested in Japanese culture. I discovered Kendo skilled Kendo Kendo since middle school. It was through the consumption of Japanese practitioners. Unfortunately I was not ultimately partially due to this media from other sources, such as the very good at Kendo, but I still had a persistent yet relatively unexplored internet and literature. lot of fun. I was so very happy to fascination that I took up the sport of I was surprised that I was able have finally learned Kendo. It truly fencing in the French style. Although I to understand all of Mr. Horiguchi was a once in a lifetime experience never received exposure to Kendo sensei’s special lecture, and also very that I will never forget. excited about finally having the -Hana Bushyhead

Great Journey: Shimanami Kaido reward for the day of hard work that began on that ! spot exactly 24 hours earlier. I recently bought a long-distance touring bike and ! thought I would test it out on the famous Shimanami ! Kaido Island Highway that stretches from Onomichi ! City in Hiroshima Prefecture to Imabari City in Ehime ! Prefecture. The trek began with night cycling at eight ! o’clock on a Friday evening from Onomichi City to In ! Island where I spent the night outdoors in the In ! Bridge Memorial Park. Early the next morning, I ! woke up to the sunrise. ! ! ! The journey was about 74 kilometers in total. On the A Lesson to Remember: way back I rode the ferry from Imabari City, from ! which I saw the sunset over the Rai Island Bridge. I met a pair of friends as I filled my tires on Ikikuchi After arriving back at In Island, I managed to catch Island. Shunji Funekoshi (28 years old from the last bus to Onomichi City. Just before reaching Hiroshima) and Daisuke Tanaka (28 years old from Onomichi Station, I saw the finale of the firework Okayama) were also trekking Shimanami Kaido festival from the bus window. It was my timely Island Highway for the first time and invited me to cycle with them. It was much more enjoyable

4 Issue 4 HARIMA KAWARABAN travelling with company rather than just travelling by myself. This was a trip where I felt the essence of travel through fateful encounters. ! Island Flavors In Island: Onomichi Ramen Ikikuchi Island: Fried Udon Hakata Island: Fresh Fish Donburi Oshima: Orange Juice and Raw Oyster ! The trip was just like the orange juice I drank on Oshima: think with memories and filled with 100% satisfaction. -Garrett Norris

Kurotori Final Installment! “Yes, there is a need to apologize. I am sorry. A frog with a crown stood before Kurotori And thank you. You left your country to help me. That Hanei and the White Heron. “I am Meadow. Who are sort of ally is irreplaceable. I’m sorry,” Kurotori said. these fools who enter my Marsh Kingdom?” he asked “It’s an honor, sire!” in a deep voice. “Go home, dear White Heron. Go protect your Kurotori and the White Heron were silent for a own kingdom. Thank you again.” spell. The frog did not say anything either. Looking at “Really? I meant to stick with you till the end.” the frog, Kurotori wondered, “Is he waiting, or is he Kurotori’s voice warmed. “I know. But you’ve sleeping?” He soon began giggling. “White Heron, you already done more than enough. On account of your fool! Do you really think this Meadow character has an friendship, our grandchildren’s grandchildren will be army? A little bit ago I was angry, but not anymore. allies, just like us.” This is just silly! What kind of a joke is this?” The White Heron cried. “I’m moved, sire. I “It is not a joke, sire,” the White Heron wish you the best of luck conquering your enemy, responded. Kozue.” And with a cordial bow, he took off to the Meadow simply said, “Ribbit, ribbit!” and East. countless frogs began popping out of the marsh one by Smiling, Kurotori turned to Meadow. “Shall we one. go?” he asked. Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! “Go?” Meadow said. Kurotori saw this and was amazed. The White “Yes, to take back my kingdom!” Heron cackled, “See! I told you! He has an army, this With that, Meadow opened his mouth wide and Lord Meadow!” swallowed Kurotori whole. “You’re right,” Kurotori muttered ! apologetically. “I’m sorry, White Heron. I’m sorry I The End doubted you.” ! “That’s alright! No need to apologize.” -Cory Mackenzie

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Introducing the Curriculum Committee

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