Each of the JMFM teachers had their own secret worries about the upcoming home-stay with a Japanese family. Some of us were worried about the food, some about the traditional family bath, and some about not being able to communicate with a family that didn’t speak English. I was in the communication worry cohort. My anxiety about spending two days using only smiles and hand gestures to communicate began to rise to the surface of my consciousness when we JMFM’ers gathered in the hotel lobby waiting for our host families to collect us. The tension mounted as each of us hoped we would not be the last to be fetched. It reminded me of being in grade school again; waiting to be picked for the team, and hoping our undesirableness wasn’t as obvious to others as it was to those of us that were being picked. As it turned out my anxiety about communication barriers was a complete waste of energy. Serendipity once again landed me in the best of worlds. My Japanese host family, who spoke very little English, was extraordinarily kind and sensitive to my needs. In addition, my host family was assisted by their very good friends who happened to be an Englishman, Ben, who was employed as a translator and his gracious, world-traveled, English speaking, wife, Kazumi. Ben and Kazumi had volunteered to act as translator for me and from the very beginning of this alliance everyone demonstrated a devotion to friendship.
My host family included a young couple Aki and Sayura and their two young children, Hayato a boy of three and Yui, a girl of 7. Yui had made me a welcome sign on which she had drawn a picture of each of the family members including the dog and five cats! Each drawing had a name written in English under it. The welcome sign was laminated so it will survive the test of time and I can put it next to my desk to remind me about the open hearts of the Japanese people. My JFMF guide, Nitta-san helped me express to my host family my earnest interest in visiting the recycle museum before we headed out of town. I found out about this museum’s existence while searching the Osaki-Miyagi city website. It turned out, nobody knew this museum or where it was located – not even the Mayor’s able assistant, Mr. Handa. But no effort was spared and find it Mr. Handa did and Aki delivered me to it. And what a museum! Everything I could have hoped for. It was in this museum where I began to realize just how lucky I am. I made paper with Yui, met Ben and Kazuma and was given a book (second hand-book of course – Ben translated the title for me) – called “How to Scientifically Improve Your LUCK”! After the recycling museum, we met up with none other than Daniel-san, one of my JFMF colleagues at a wonderful old style Noodle House. Daniel’s host family were also good friends of my host family. Together all three families and the two American teachers laughed and smiled as we slurped large bowls of udon noodles while sitting on traditional tatami mats and cushions. After lunch, we headed off to the Yubikan, a traditional Daimo's manor converted into a museum. As we strolled the grounds, we fed coy as they chased after us begging for more, and Kazumi taught me about traditonal life in ancient Japan. The highlight of the afternoon however was the Kanaku Sensory Museum, (more on that later) In the evening all three families, Daniel-san and I gathered together to share our evening meal. Sayura and Kazumi taught me how to prepare Japanese pot-stickers while we sipped Japanese Beer and chatted. With stories and video footage of David Bowie’s Live Aid band in the background we gorged on edamame, sushi, rice, vegetable hot pot and the fabulous pot-stickers that I helped to make. Cold saki and more beer continued to flow throughout dinner. I got to hold Kazumi’s 3 month old baby to sleep – I felt like the fairy godmother. Tired and full we left for Aki and Sayura’s home where I slept well for the first time since I had been in Japan. The next morning, I lounged around the beautiful house and yard while Yui taught me to fold origami, weave crowns out of dandelions, and sew little dolls. Yui brought me back to my childhood. Hayato the three year old boy, we named Danger Boy. I am not sure I have ever met a child who so aptly resembled the Tasmanian Devil. From the first moment I met him he was climbing over the back seat while we were driving, running out into the street without a care and whacking poor Daniel in the privates, not once but twice. The amazing thing was that the child was still intact, though I am not sure of Daniel. My hosts seemed to understand my profound exhaustion and filled my day with quiet and gentleness. Tea was shared while Kazumi and Sayura translated a desert recipe for me into English. Danger Boy had a nap – much to everyone’s relief and Yui made up games with the Jelly Beans I had given her. When my time with the family was over, they drove me to the Ryokan where I was to meet up with the other JFMF teachers. On the way we stopped at the Kokeshi museum to pick up the prize winning Kokeshi dolls that Yui had painted. Yui handed me the princess kokeshi, and gave it as a presento! I have it by my bedside table to remind of this most beautiful and gentle friend.
Words cannot express my appreciation for all of these people who helped me glimpse into the life of a Japanese family and share the common bonds of food, family and friends.
