Wednesday, November 29, 2006

The Church Bazaar

November 19, 2006
Koishikawa Lutheran Church, Tokyo

The Bazaar: A play in three acts.

Prologue: Every church in Tokyo has a bazaar. In October, I was invited to attend three in one weekend. I had plans already for that weekend, so I couldn't attend any of the three, but I didn't think I was missing anything new.

Act 1: The beginning of November
Preparations were on for the Big Day (Nov. 19). I agreed to help set up on the Saturday before, since I wasn't able to make anything for the bazaar. Too late, I found out there was also a collection area set aside for rice. The women of the congregation would be making lunch the day of the bazaar, and they asked for people to bring in donations. Oops, that announcement had too much new Japanese in it.

Act 2: Saturday: The Day Before
I walked into a completely transformed fellowship area. The tables were piled high with stuff. Stuff. There was a table for dishes and kitchenware. An area for shoes, purses, knicknacks, jewelry. My job was to put prices on shoes: 100 ~ 300 yen (about 75 cents ~ $2.50). It took me a moment to realize the shoes were lined up under a pew. Hmmm...that isn't usually in the fellowship area...oh.

I looked past the shoes into the sanctuary, which seemed to be missing half the pews. The clothes were in the back of the sanctuary, on the pulpit side, and the baked goods table was set up on the lectern side. The pews were pushed close to the front, and still ready to be used on Sunday morning for church. This bazaar was turning out to be nothing like I expected.

Act 3: The Big Day
Sunday: bazaar time. I must admit worship was a bit crowded on Sunday morning. Not because we had so many extra people, but because we were all crowded into half as many pews (not such a hardship considering usually 2-3 people share one pew on any other Sunday!). After worship, I was assigned to the hot drinks/soup table. It was cold and rainy outside, so we expected a crowd. The table was set up under the big windows facing the front door of the building. About 20 minutes before we opened, I looked out the window and saw a line. Yes, a line. Of people. Waiting to get in. I grabbed the only other American in the place and bombarded her with stunned silence. She's lived in Japan for about 20 years, so she laughed at me. Church bazaars are about the only place to find second-hand goods, she explained. You might see a resale clothing store in Tokyo, but not very often. And prices in Tokyo are very expensive. Church bazaars are the way to go when looking for bargains. Wow. Who knew?

Epilogue: In Tokyo, a bazaar is a rummage sale with a side dish of rice. I was able to buy my fair share of things at the bazaar: a few new dishes and a video in Japanese and English for my students. I even managed to buy some cookies (it was the very last pack!). The baked goods didn't surprise me. They sold out within the first hour, or possible even less. I understand how exciting this time is...I am already looking forward to next year's bazaar season!

Thursday, November 16, 2006

Ring, ring! Do you know where your newspaper is?

One night I was teaching a class here at the dormitory when the classroom phone rang. The phone in the classroom only rings for one reason: one of my students is not coming. So, I thought I had better answer it to find out who it would be.

I always say use the Japanese greeting when I answer the phone at work, simply because I work with Japanese people. It seems the right thing to do (I only say English at home, so if you want to hear me speaking Japanese, you have to call me at work!). Perhaps if I were being more ... truthful, let's say ... about my Japanese ability, the following scene would not have happened.

Here's a replay of the conversation:
(ring ring)
Me: Hello!
Front desk worker: Excuse me usdhjsbdnsdbo* newspaper ropxczvcnmjkhfhfjfjksnjkn this morning uey8qwdjasd034^^\ mailbox jvc:]c,cae2ijkljdid --

*All Japanese is phoenetically spelled, of course -- Exactly as I understood it.

Me: I'm sorry. One more time, please [repeating slowly and carefully to make sure I have understood correctly]:mailbox -- this morning -- newspaper?

[Meanwhile, what is running through my head is this: There was no newspaper in my mailbox this morning, at least not at school. And I didn't bring one for anyone else. And my newspaper comes to my house just fine...these days. Newspaper? What, not again!]

Front desk worker: Oh! uypkue84ghhnvlx: Is this the English classroom? poikezftr fjdjfhdj0w9u I'm Sorry!

(He hangs up. A beat later I realize what has just transpired; then I hang up, also.)

Me, to my student: Next time, if I just begin with "Hello," no one will confuse me for a Japanese student!


It's 7:00. Do you know where your newspaper is?

Monday, November 06, 2006

November 3, Culture Day

Welcome to Culture Day in Tokyo!

This holiday commemmorates the birthday of a former emperor, Emperor Meiji. Celebrations involve historical displays and competitions. At Meiji Shrine in Tokyo (the shrine was built for the remembrance of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Emperess Shoken) the "Grand Autumn Festival" takes place every year on Nov. 3. The activities include martial arts demostrations, samurai re-enactements, and my favorite, Yabusame. Yabusame is an archery contest, but it takes places while sitting on a moving horse!




There were 10 archers in the contest.



After the contest,
each archer drinks a
saucerful of sake (photo at right)