WWOOF Period: 6 June - 20 June
Kazu-san and Tokko-san's farm runs base on the Teikei System.
"TEIKEI" system is to build a face to face and mutual supporting relationship with custumors, not only to be tradiing partners.
28 years ago, they started their organic farm by just planting enough produce such as rice, wheat, seasonal vegetables and fruits for a fixed number of families in Takasaki city.
They used to have 100 families but have now reduced to 60 families.
These are families who are supportive and understand the goodness of natural farming and consuming food which are free from chemicals and pesticide. Kazu-san's father used to be more involved in the farming work, with his son and Tokko-san, his daughter-in-law. Since then, he has aged and so have both Kazu-san and Tokko-san. Hence, they decided to reduce the number of families they can provide with the energy level they have now at their present age.
Kazu-san stressed that his health is very important to him as farming relies heavily on physical work. He is learning guitar through you-tube and is able to play and sing some songs... especially for WWOOFers. He does not want to fall prey to dementia or become senile as he ages. So he picks up a new skill which requires him to use his fingers, as well as coordinating their movements with the brain.
When he quit his job as a civil engineer and took over his father's farm, he did it not out of the traditional obligation of a Japanese son. He has very strong convictions that the growing industralisation and capitalism during that time will do more harm to mankind. He wanted to do natural, or otherwise, widely known as organic farming.
While working on the farm towards the end of my stay, he shared that his father was not optimistic and supportive of his decision. He claimed that he would walk on his hands if Kazu-san would to succeed in organic farming. We laughed about how life can have such a unique sense of humour.
After a week WWOOFing, Kazu-san mentioned the baby ducks are coming soon. Every year, he will trade in ducks which are useful during the rice planting season. He takes care of the baby ducks till they grow larger. The ducks will then be let into the padi field daily and allowed to swim and paddle in the water among the young rice plant. By then, the rice seedling would have grown to a certain height.
Ducks love water naturally and the paddling movement from their webbed feet generate movements in the shallow water. Movements in water discourage weeds from growing. The ducks will also feed on the insects or young weeds which are growing in the soil.
The ducklings arrived. To my surprise they are not noisy. Kazu san build them a bath area as they like water. I call it their 'the ducks' onsen'. Despite of the tiredness in the work in the farm, he will still work on the 'onsen'. He knows I love the ducks and wants to finish the onsen as soon as possible and so that I can get to see the ducks swimming in it. Little gestures from Kazu-san and Tokko-san really touches me.
The ducks' 'onsen', not with hot water of course that Kazu-san finished building with cement, bricks and wood in 2 days, admist daily work in the farm. There is a entrance or door that he made from the duck's home behind to the water.
As the ducks grow bigger, they are led to the padi field with young rice plants where they can swim in the water. Movements in water discourage weeds from growing. The ducks will also feed on the insects or young weeds which are growing in the soil.
Unfortunately, as the ducks grow and the rice plant grow, the ducks were be stopped from entering the padi field. Towards Autumn, the rice plant would have grains which the ducks will feed on. I asked Kazu-san the fate of the ducks, though I sort of guessed their fate. The ducks will then become food on the table for the family and the 60 consumer families.
This is the first time for me to be so close to baby ducks and seeing the gradual change in their physical appearance in a short period of time. They are such adorable little creatures. I told Kazu-san I feel real sad about their fate but reckons that is how mankind survives through consuming animals.
WWOOFing in this farm, I experienced great care and concern from Tokko-san and Kazu-san, constantly giving me breaks and involving me in activites with their friends.
On my fist week, I joined them for a dinner invitation by their German consumer family. The dinner was in Takasaki main city area near the massive train station.
The Kaschek arrvied in Japan 3 and half years ago due to Mr Kaschek work commitment. They have lived in Hungary before coming to Japan. The family will be moving to Romania in a month's time.
Mr Kaschek and his family consumes mainly organic food and was introduced to Kazu-san when they arrived in Japan. Since then, they have become close friends. Mrs Kaschek asked if I find Kazu-san and Tokko-san different from most Japanese, I cant help but agree. She agrees that they are very forward thinking people.
Their two daughters, Francisca 22 years old and Louie 18 years old are very sensible, friendly and intelligent ladies. They showed interest in knowing me, speaking in fluent English and also asked many good questions about Singapore. I enjoyed talking to them. I can see why they are such sensible young ladies from how their parents show much respect to Kazu-san and Tokko-san, and always involving me in their conversations and presence. I really appreciate that.
With the Kaschek family and close friends having dinner at a Japanese eatery at Takasaki Main City. I enjoyed talking and knowing these genuine and warm people. The daughters and Mrs Kaschek can speak Japanese quite well after living here for more than 3 years.
And they adapt the Japanese way of life seamlessly too. Mr Kaschek, belted out several oldies and rock songs. Both he and his daughters have great vocal. I was real tense as everyone gets to sing at least one song. However, after singing 1 Chinese song, they all clapped and cheered for me ....~_~
In very typical traditional Japanese way, Mr Kaschek suggested going to the karaoke after dinner. This is one leisure activity I am most uncomfortable and awkard in. The Kascheks are very sporty family and not shy at all singing with the mike. They simply enjoy laughing and having fun over each other's off key moment. But father and daughters have great vocals, though. Kazu-san and Tokko-san sang a few Japanese songs too. I only managed to choose 1 chinese song and sang it. They sensed my tenseness throughout the night and after I finished singing, all of them clapped and cheered. Well, goodness and positivity in people around you just warm your heart and strengthen your faith in people.
A week later, the German sisters came to help in the farm before they leave Japan. It was so much fun having them around. They helped with harvesting of potatoes and alter in stacking the straws into 'teepee' to dry in the field. Tokko-san naturally spent her morning preparing healthy and delicious dishes for lunch. The sisters are very talented artists based on the artwork they did for the Ostuka. Yet they are so humble and down to earth. Francisca passed me her email and her mum's and hoped I will go to Romania. As they all claim, Romania is rich in nature.
After which, Kazu-san took out his guitar and sang a song, "Kaze no mori", music written by his friend, words written by himself. Kazu-san does not have a strong vocal but he has sincerity in his voice when he sings. It was a real simple yet memorable time with the German sisters.
I got to know Tokko-san's good friend, Mami-chan during one of the Sundays. She came to help sort out the donated clothings and toys to be shipped to the Phillipines for a home for children with special needs. Mami-chan is an English teacher and speaks very good English. She is fun and humourous. Interestingly, she asked me the moment I was introduced by Tokko-san, if I find the Ostuka 'rare' people. I agreed as that was really how I feel about them.
Mami-san and Tokko-san sorting out the large collections of clothings contributed by their consumers and friends. For a Special Needs school which they can put on sale to raise fund.
Kazu-san and Tokko-san also brought me for onsen (hotsprings) a few days before my last day there. I have grown so close and comfortable with Tokko-san that I was not shy at all being all naked and in the onzen, chit-chatting with her.
I will really miss this amazing couple. We shared so much funny moments, and serious moments talking about politics and ideas in the world, about Stenier, about autism, about consumerism and capitalism, about their stand against nuclear power... Most of the time, our meal time sharing is filled with laughters and funny moments with teasing of Kazu-san from us or just mis-interpretation of our languages. On the night before I left, Kazu-san played on his guitar and sang John Lennon's Imagine, in both English and later Japanese. He also sang an oldie from the 70's Japanese folk group KAZE. I had shared with them I like the songs from this folk group. Later, they gave me a gift which is an indigo-dyed banner with painting of a ume tree under the moonlight.
Some samples of the creative and thoughtfulness put in preparing the meals by Tokko-san. I only help by following what she asks me to do.
Tokko-san will make desert, ume-juice, serves chilli paste during our daily meals... Because she knows I like them. So thoughtful and sweet of her.
On the eve of my departure from the Ostuka's household, Tokko-san taught me how to make ume-jam....
Kazu-san passed me this book when he sees my interest in understanding natural farming and substantial living. I finished it in a few days before I left. Very inspiring sharing by Yoshinori Kaneko....
Arigatou... till we meet again.... Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
Hi Irene thanks for sharing the wonderful experiences in Japan.. Enjoyed reading it..
ReplyDeleteHi Irene hope your family issues are serious n it's settled.. U take k!!
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