Days 78-79: Akira's visit

My friend Akira, who lives in Kanagawa Prefecture(near Tokyo), came to visit Nagasaki!! We know each other because she studied abroad at UCI for the whole school year two years ago ('09-'10, although I'm still tempted to say "last year.") She came because yesterday (August 9th) is a very historic day for Nagasaki--the anniversary of the day the atom bomb was dropped. So because of that, and because of the summer season, the town has been more abuzz than usual, and I was glad to show Akira my city.

On Monday we went to a museum I'd never been to before, the Museum of the 26 Martyrs. Back when Christianity was first introduced to Japan via missionaries in the 16th and 17th centuries, it was allowed, but not long after, it become outlawed and punishable by execution. These particular 26 Japanese Christians refused to renounce their faith and were executed in the very spot where the monument and museum now stands. Anyway, I don't know why I hadn't had any previous interest because it was so cool! Tons of artifacts from the 1500-1700s--actual bound books, Christian memorabilia such as prayer necklaces, small statues and Bibles (handwritten and translated into Japanese), a giant parasol/gong, and my two personal favorite items: 1. a giant book of old Gregorian-chant style music (just like the kind I had to translate for my project) and 2. old maps of Japan and Nagasaki, made by Dutch or French settlers, so the names were written according to Dutch/French orthography. For instance, the French map called Nagasaki "Nangasaki" and the Dutch called Yama "Jamma." SO COOL. I LOVE MAPS.

We spent a lot of time at the Peace Park area. On Monday night there was a beautiful candle service--thousands of luminarias made by local elementary schoolers lit the path and spelled out phrases in Japanese. On Tuesday morning was the BIG DEAL--the annual memorial event. At the actual moment of the bombing, 11:02 AM, a moment of silence was held. The Prime Minister, Naoto Kan, was there at the Peace Park, and he made a speech as Akira and I listened (but could not see 'cause we were too far back.) A chorus sang songs (to my delight) and a pack of doves was released. The most moving part of the day was once again visiting the Peace Memorial Hall. They have a room where you can listen to actual recordings survivors made of their testimonies of the bombing. Listening to the survivors' stories never fails to bring tears to my eyes.

We talked in a mix of Japanese and English. I found myself floundering in Japanese. Of course it's expected, since I've only studied for a year and a half, but still, I really want to get to the point where I can have a full conversation and say what I want to say without reverting to English. Still, I guess it took me 5-6 years of French to get to that level. I don't think my French and Japanese levels will ever equalize--French is just too similar to English and I started it from a younger age, so I'll always be better at it. But in some instances, I can express myself better in Japanese, because I have a better sense of their actual meaning of phrases and words. Especially slang. It's hard to explain, but because I've hung out around Japanese youth so much, I feel much more in tune with the culture and how it relates to their language.

Five more full days. I can taste the Mexican food already.



Some of the 26 martyrs.


The one sneaky-snake picture I took inside. God is Love.


Two kitttens sharing a rain puddle.


Chillin' at Seaside Park.


See that? It's a semi (cicada.) THEY ARE LOUD. (See cultural tidbit)


Inside Oura Catholic church.


Some of the luminarias drawn by elementary schoolers.


The crowd at one of the night memorials.


An old man praying using a Buddhist drum and chant.


Me and Akira with our ice creams.



TODAY'S CULTURAL TIDBITS

1. I have acclimated into sweat rag culture. What is a sweat rag you ask? A sweat rag is a small, sometimes wet washcloth that Japanese people like to carry around and pull out to wipe the sweat off of their faces and bodies. They also like to plop it on their heads or the back of their necks to keep cooler. To them it's indispensible, but I didn't see the point until I came here. It's so humid that it does help to have something to wipe off the sweat.

2. Ever since the conclusion of the rainy season, Semis, or cicadas, have been rampant everywhere in Japan. They are very large bugs which like to keep hidden in bushes and trees, thankfully. They are best recognized by their collective noise, a high-pitched shrieking/screaming/screeching not unlike a cricket's chirp, but MUCH louder and with no pauses. Just a solid buzz, like the buzz of a high-voltage fence, but worse. One needs only to walk outside by some trees in order to hear their welcoming scream. I am of the impression that cicadas exist naturally in the more humid Southern and Eastern areas of the United States but we don't have them in California.