Why Japan?

People frequently ask me this question.

One of the biggest influences on me was the TV mini-series Shogun. How many of you remember that? Mr Colanino, my 7th grade social studies teacher, taught a section on Japan when the show aired. We learned a few facts about the country during the day and at night we watched the episodes. In retrospect these weren’t the most authentic images of Japan. However, that 5-day drama played a strong part of fueling my desire to go to Japan. Besides, at the series conclusion Mr Colanino took the class to Benihana Steak House for some “Japanese” food.

Other factors that influenced me during this time were the cartoon shows Starblazers and Force 5, along with old reruns of Speed Racer.

Of course, there were the songs about Japan that helped form the soundtrack.

The Vapors – Turning Japanese
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEmJ-VWPDM4

Alphaville - Big In Japan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c98qdFQF7sw

YMO – Firecracker
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7oa5A2LRj4&feature=related

YMO - Tighten Up
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPqBfESmgek

By the time I reached high school I had an interest in going to Japan. I remember having a conversation with a friend while on a backpacking trip. He said, “Philip, you’ll get there someday.” I was 17 at the time and had no idea how.

In my sophomore year at Williams College I took a class in Japanese because I thought it would be fun. That was the toughest class I took during my whole time there. The irony is that my professors were two petite Japanese women, no taller than about 5 ft 3 inches. In my memory, though, they may as well have been the size of professional linebackers. Each and every one of my classmates was terrified of them.

I took only 2 years of the language but that was excellent preparation for what was to come. In August 1990 my “someday” finally arrived. I got a job with a company called Overseas Training Center as an English teacher. 

That’s where it all began and the start of my 9 years total time inthe country. I’ll save more of my adventures on the ground for later entries.

Philip