Takasaki, Gunma, A Rare Couple

Takasaki, Gunma * 高崎市, 群馬県
WWOOF Period: 6 June - 20 June

On the same day I left Asaba Art Square, I arrived at Takasaki Station, Gunma after about 2 and half hours of travelling in the train, up north of Kanto Region.

Upon reaching the station, I was feeling a little tired physically after standing in the crowded train during the first half of the ride, with my backpack on my pack. Found a public phone and contacted Tokko-san, my next WWOOF host in an organic farm in Takasaki. We arranged to wait for her at the East exit of the massive station.

Shortly, a lady got out from a small white Japanese car, in full farming attire waved to me and smiled. I mirrored her greeting and walked towards her.

Entering the car, I said, 'Finally, we meet.'
I was a little surprised with my spontaneous words. I had never said that to any of my other hosts. I think it's because Tokko-san and Kazu-san showed interest in my travel plan this year and the countries I have travelled. They often asked about it when I emailed them to notify them upon my arrival in Japan and a week before I was supposed to WWOOF in their farm. So, they strike a different impression through my correspondence in email with my hosts.

Tokko-san can speak some English. Her mild mannerism, warm smile and kind soft eyes resembles my dear friend, Shin's mother, Peck Har. I felt very comfortable with her instantly.

It was about 15mins car ride to her house in Takasaki. Takasaki is a regional transportation hub because its train station (Takasaki Station) is the junction of several rail lines as well as a Shinkansen ("bullet train") stop.

Takasaki is also a city of flat land, overseeing the few famous mountains like Mount Haruna lining its border. I saw lots of farm land with fully grown wheat plants and learned later that it is time for harvesting wheat.

Reaching the Otsuka household, I was impressed with the tidiness in their house.

Both Kazu-san and Tokko-san are in the late 50s. Kazu-san's elderly parents live in a seperate house just next to theirs, all within the same compound. A few years ago, they built a house for guests and WWOOFers just opposite their house . The whole interior is built with wood, which gives a nice faint natural aroma. Tokko-san and I lay out the futon mattresses, put on the bedsheets etc on the second level. I was reminded fondly of the time when I first arrived in Setsukei-an farm in Hiyoshi about 2 months ago, Setsu-san and I fitting the sheets for my futon mattresses and blanket.

At the gate of the Ostuka's houshold compound. Kazu-san and Tokko-san lives in a house on their own, Kazu-san's elderly parents live in another house just next to theirs. The compound also have small warehouses to store their produce and to pack the freshly harvested produce for delivery; one where the tractors and machineries are, another for seperating and drying of wheat and rice, and a small cosy house for guests and WWOOFers.

 

The wooden house built a few years ago for guest and WWOOFers... further right is where the farming tractors are parked in

 

 

 

The interior of where I stayed... to me, this is such a luxury and blessing.

 

One of the plots of farmland belonging to Kazu-san... Takasaki is really a flat land. This plot of land just had its wheat plant harvested....the 3 plots of land for planting wheat plants will be used to plant rice 2 weeks later. Kazu-san showed me where the water drainage system is and how it is channelled from the river. All padi fields in Takasaki will be able to recieve water during rice planting season.

Tokko-san prepared some ume juice from the feramented ume she made and baked potatoes. They have ume-trees in one of their farms. Like me, Tokko-san loves ume. It was nice chatting with Tokko-san as she is such a down to earth woman. She uses an electronic-dictionary to search for the English meaning when she encountered difficulty. Tokko-san shared something a former WWOOFer shared:

'It is useless teaching the Americans Peace education.
It is useless teaching the Chinese Moral education.
It is useless teaching the Japanese English education.'

That made me laugh at its sacarsm, yet ponder in its meaning.
I have shared with her what my first WWOOF host in Yufuin Country Road Hostel, Ryo-san explained to me why most Japanese cannot communicate well in English despite it being a language they learn in school since young. Beside lack of opportunity to use it and the Japanese rich culture and respect for their own language, it is also the other side of them being afraid of speaking poorly in the English language.

It was quiet and peaceful in the Otsuka's compound. Kazu-san was away to attend a meeting for organic farmers in Gunma prefecture and will be back only for dinner. Tokko-san was working in the packing room before she came to pick me at Takasaki Station. I offered to help her though she suggested for me to take a rest. Just like in Setsukei-an, with Kei-san and Setsu-san, when doing farming work, we put on our farming clothings but change into clean home clothings before we enter the house. Such is the expectations of cleanliness in most Japanese households.

In the packing room, which is like a small warehouse with piles of plastic crate containers, Tokko-san had arranged about 20 crate containers in rows on the floor. She categorised them in her own terms, Normal, Large, Small, Special Small, (once there is also a Special Special Small). Quantity of packing the vegetables or fruits harvested direct from their farms will be packed into each crate accordingly.

I saw that there were already some vegetables in each carton. I appreciate the way the vegetables are arranged to make sure that the weight is evenly distributed and that they will be in the best condition upon reaching their consumers' home.

After helping out with the packing of vegetables for early delivery the next morning, I had some free time to walk around the neighbourhood. The area is like a maze to me, with almost every household having some farmlands growing wheat and some vegetables.

I met Kazu-san before dinner. He is just like Tokko-san, very down to earth, humble and easy to talk to. He took some English lessons before but speaks less fluent English. However, both of them take such great effort to converse with me in English, using the electronic dictionary frequently, and I conversing in very basic Japanese mixed with English.

As I stayed on longer in the Ostuka household and WWOOFed in their farm, meal times or short tea breaks are times where much sharings of ideas, experiences, our cultures and beliefs, our individual perspective of the world, of politics in Japan and the world....with me asking them many questions too. I am so comfortable with Kazu-san and Tokko-san that I find myself sharing more about myself.  They are the second host I share photos of my familiy back in Singapore. The first was with Kei-san and Setsu-san in Setsukeian farm. They are the only 2 hosts which I took time to share the pictures with them and talking about my family.

Meal times are the time I cherish here as it is where we chat endlessly... sometimes on serious issues, sometimes just silly talks and topics and having much laughter over it. It again shows me that language is never a barrier to friendships build in a foreign land. It is about 'en', the connection between two person and also the sincerity and genuinity from both parties.

I find them very forward thinking, individualistic in their thoughts and at a level, I feel I lack, where they know what's truly important for themselves and the world. A rare breed of Japanese, in my personal opinion... like th

With Kazu-san and Tokko-san, we are like close friends. They become friends of mine who are about a decade older than me whom I respect for their wisdom but also the similar mindset about life. Kazu-san was a civil engeneer and Tokko-san a secretary before they quit their job and focused on organic farming 28 years ago. Kazu-san comes from a family with generations of farming. In the Japanese culture, the eldest son in the family will take over farming in his father's farm. Kazu-san is the eldest, with a younger sister and a brother. His father was not doing organic farming and when Kazu-san decided to switch to farming, he was very clear of what he wants. Natural farming and to adapt a substantial lifestyle. Tokko-san shares her husband's dream and convictions.

Tokko-san is a great cook and I help her in meal preparation. In the organic farm, they consume produce from their own farms, with regular online ordering of some ingredients or meat such as fish or pork from COOP, a large grocery market based in every part of Japan. As in natural farming, they consume seasonal vegetables. That means, as it is summer now, they grow and harvest summer vegetables that grows well during summer but not at all in other seasons. Each season has a range of vegetables that grow well in. Hence, during the months in summer, the vegetables from farm to table will be mainly cucumbers, zuchini, brinjals, potatoes, onions,lettuce, pumpkins and cherry tomatoes.

It takes a creative cook like Tokko-san to churn out delicious dishes with the same types of vegetables but in different way of cooking and preparation. I never find it boring and tiring eating cucumbers or zuchini in almost every meal.

The Ostsukas have ten farmlands, all in different locations and about 3 to 5 mins ride from their house. I got to do a variety of farming tasks among the consistent ones like harvesting vegetables at 5.30am in the morning and packing them later in the morning for delivery to their consumer families next day. We do 3 times of harvesting per week and 3 times of delivery to the 60 consumers (families) of their produce. Kazu-san and Tokko-san started this farm 28 years ago with a clear intention not to be reliant on a middleman to sell their produce. They want to have their produce harvested by themselves and delivered directly to a fixed number of families living in Takasaki city. Their farming ideology is to respect the way nature works, understanding it and working along it. This is the farm I got to understand deeper what natural farming is all about. Natural farming is more commonly known as organic farming.

Harvesting of wheat. Kazu-san and his 80 over year old father harvested wheat, with the help of the harvesting tractor. It effectively cut and seperate the grains from the straw, then gathers the straw in bundles. Machines do save much time in farming work.

Kazu-san operates the tractor while his father gathers the bundled straws.

 

Tokko-san watching her husband, Kazu-san at work. Both of us were doing packing of that morning harvest and I expressed my interest to see how the harvesting of wheat is done. When we finished with the packing, she changed and asked me to hop onto her car and drove me out to the wheat land to see them harvesting. So sweet of her. Tokko-san and Kazu-san always try their best to meet my needs or teach me what I want to know about farming.

 

 

A few days after the harvest, we stacked up the bundled straws in interesting 'teepee' light way to let them dry. Straws are very useful in farming as they are used to cover the soil in the farms to protect it from being hardened by the sun or cold wind, and to discourage weeds from growing. Kazu-san has also been planting wheat grass seeds randomly on the soil surrounding the plantations of vegetables or fruits. Another method he is trying to protect the soil and keep it rich and fertile.

 

Morning harvest... Tokko-san in the common lady-farmer's attire. I am quite fascinated with it. I was digging and harvesting carrots from the soil a short distance away from the lecttuces garden. Took a shot of this quickly when my mobile phone camera.. ~_~

 

Kazu-san and I harvested so many onions...they filled up almost 20 cartons.

Transplanting leek plant seedlings. It is so interesting to watch how Kazu-san and Tokko-san work seamlessly together in preparing the rich, loose soil, digging holes with an aluminium tool in such speed. I planted the leek plant seedlings into the earth.

 

 

 

I will further write in the next blog about this couple's farming ways and small community of consumers which they call the Tekkei System. The system is based of their way of living a substantial life. I am so lucky to be WWOOFing in this farm to understand how a substantial lifestyle can be like.

 Tokko-san sewed these pair for me to cover the farming boots to prevent soil from entering into them

 

 

Soulful People in Asaba Art Square

ASABA ART SQUARE (Part 2)
WWOOF Period: 25th May - 6 June

 
Whenever I walked in the neighbourhood, to the nearest convenient store, to the ancient temple just a few minutes away from Asaba Art Square, to the train station, to the park during my rest time, I felt like I am living in Japan. Doing the things the locals do. Going back 'home' again after a leisure walk or getting some stuff from the convenience store. I truly relish these moments.

I am so fortunate to know Asaba-sensei and Kuma-san in Asaba Art Square.
Both are like bohemians living an alternative lifestyle in the middle of the suburbs in Kanazawa Bunko. Creating a lively artistic zeal and appreciation of organic food in the area.

Like Kei-san and Setsu-san in Setsukei-en, Asaba-sensei and Kuma-san believes everything in our life happens because of 'en', 缘. That is fate which according to Buddhist philosophy and belief, is a cause from our past lifes.
The people we met out of the millions, breif encounters or a deep one... we may have known each other in our past lifes.

Asaba-sensei inspires me with the respect she has for the children and the deep understanding of children's thinking and behaviour. There are times when both of us have our daily dinner in her house, sometimes in silence, watching tv programmes and commenting on the topic. There will be times when she's lively and chatted more. However, I have this deep respect for her.

Asaba-sensei, painint part of a Nepalese Mandala art in the adult art lesson with Depak-san, the Nepalese Mandala artist.

She has a very deep personal connection with the Hopi tribe, a federally recognised Native Americans in Arizona. When she was studying Art in Arizona as a young woman, she was introduced to the tribe. She has strong friendships with the tribe and often invites them to Asaba Art Square during the yearly Kanazawa Bunko/Yokohama Art Festival in Septemer.

Collections of art work by the Native Americans in Asaba-sensei's house and cafe

Asaba sensei once asked me if we use the brush in writing Chinese characters in school. I explained to her that Chinese is a language that the younger generations find much struggle in. Children born in the 80s onwards have educated English-speaking parents and most do not use our mother tongue daily. Children has phobia towards the language. Writing in brushes has grudually stopped since my time as a child in the 70s as English was becoming the first language in Singapore schools then.

She signed and shared that's when a culture will start loosing its roots and depth when language is lost. She compares it to the Native Americans in the States where the government tries to replace their native tribal language with English. The Hopi tribe is one tribe which stands resiliently against that as they are very proud of their culture and roots.

Everyday, I saw Asaba-sensei waking up real early in the morning at 5am, cycling to the beach or the neighbourhood, preparing breakfast, learning Spanish, meeting with artists and individuals to discuss on the coming Art Festival in Kanazawa Bunko and Yokohama, exuding an air of leadership. Afternoons are where I see her joyful and patient with the children during her lessons. She is always on the go and full of energy. I salute her for that zeal and patience, teaching children for the past 45 years. She plans to write a book about her life and perspective on working with children in 5 years time. It is like a 50th anniversary of her teaching life.

Asaba-sensei seems like a mother and mentor to Kuma-san to me. Kuma-san is younger and hippie but I respect her for maturity and wisdom. Having conversations with her, I felt like I learn much from her. Her openess in listening and being objective at some times, rather than judgemental. She will also do her best to take care of WWOOFers' needs. Beneath her aloof and cold exterior, she is really a warm-hearted and caring woman with deep convictions. She studied art in England and after working with Asaba-sensei for a few years, she manages the cafe and prepares organic dishes for the customers. She reminds me that anyone can be an artist. I need not be neccessarily taking up degrees in art to know how to paint or do art. She realised that when learning under Asaba-sensei.

While Asaba-sensei has deep connections with the Hopi tribe, Kuma-san found deep connections with the Tibetians. She is involved in organising and bringing Tibetians artists to Asaba Art Square for sharing and performances. Through that, she has build friendships with them.

 

Kuma-san, a deep soul and very individualistic, quite similar to Asaba-sensei. I cherish all the conversations we share. Beneath her aloof facade, she is really a warm-hearted and caring lady. I feel very comfortable talking and sharing with her and have much respect for her knowledge and wisdom.

 

Kuma-san cooks really well and fast... her organice recipie and dishes for the customers in the cafe

During my last week WWOOFing at Asaba Art Square, two former WWOOFers contacted them at the same time, expressing their interest to return for a short stay before leaving Japan. Asling, from England WWOOFed here a about 2 months ago before moving on to WWOOF in 2 different organic farms. She is only 23 years old, very easy going and to talk with.

Ana, from Finland, WWOOFed here 3 years ago and returned to Japan this year, to go through the traditional Japanese Buddhist prigrimege walking from temples to temples. I have heard Kuma-san shared about Ana before. 3 years ago, Ana had spent one year travelling, WWOOFing mainly in different countries. That was when she also experienced WWOOFing in Japan. She is an editor with a Finnish publishing firm. This year, she took a break to do this prigrimege and will be writing her experience and reflections for her company. She spent 43 days, walking from one temple to another, in silence or occassionally with some Japanese who are on the same spritual journey.

Kuma-san brought the 3 of us to a very cosy cafe just a short walking distance away from Asaba Art Square. It is a place where the owner will hold ceramic workshops too. It was a lazy afternoon with the three ladies. Kuma-san shares a lot about the Japanese politics, her belief in 'en' 缘 and about their culture.

Kuma-san, brought Ana (back facing), Asling and myself to this quiet cosy cafe near Asaba Art Square... we have much sharing of thoughts and ideas here.

Kuma-san spoke openly about her disappointment in the Japanese government and her stand against use of nuclear power in Japan.Nuclear energy has been a national strategic priority since 1973.  Japan uses nuclear power as part of a way to generate electricity. Most Japanese are displeased with how the government has handled the Fukushima nuclear accident . The governement has been shifting the responsiblity to the nuclear reactor company and trying to fade itself from the picture. Now, Japan is planning to export its nuclear energy technology and expertise to  Brazil and some Eastern European countries. Prime Minister Abe is of the view that Japan should promote better nuclear safety by sharing the lessons it had learned from the Fukushima accident. Most Japanese oppose to the government's plan.

I have been asked when in Taiwan, and also in Japan, how does Singapore generate electricity. I have never been asked about that, neither do most Singaporeans think about it. All I can explain is that we do not use nuclear energy to generate electricity but natural gas such as fosil fuel imported from the Middle East. They were often curious why we do not use hydro-power or solar-power as one of electricity generators in our island. I never think much of this as a Singaporean but my travelling days in Taiwan and Japan has made me ponder deeper into this.

Kuma-san also mentioned something which strikes me. I was expressing my initial experience WWOOFing in Japan in the beginning of my journey her. My difficulties in understanding the real Japanese. When I free myself of the apprehension and prior sharings from other WWOOFers I met who share that they never will totally understand what's the Japanese are really thinking, I find buidling deep friendship with them not that difficult. I believe, with sincerity and trust, friendships can be build beyong all barriers.

Kuma-san explained that Japan has very rich and deep culture. Among Japanese, they have this mentality that they need not speak about their thoughts but in their own ways, understand what each other is thinking. I find this a very profound and fascinating explanation of their way of thoughts.

The last 2 nights at Asaba Art Square are filled with dinners with friends of Asaba-sensei. There was an intimate small dinner gathering in the gallery, with invited parents and Depak-san, a Nepalese artist prepared and cooked for the guests. He is a close friend of Asaba-sensei and Kuma-san. Depak sensei speaks Japanese and teaches Culture Education in elementary schools here. He and his family are generations of mandela artists for the royal family in Nepal. I never expected myself to be having Nepalese food, cooked with secret mysterious spices which Depak-san says its family secret, by a Nepalese artist, right here in Japan. What a treat!

Depak-san, a Nepalese Mandala Artist and close friends to Asaba-sensei and Kuma-san, preparing chai and giving a thank-you speech to the small group of invited guests

The next evening, we are invited to Maki-san's home for dinner. She is such a great cook!

 

 The next evening, we are invited to a family dinner to one of the parents and I have the privilege to again savour delicious dishes prepared by the parent, Maki-san.

On another night, Asaba-sensei brought the 3 of us to Yokohama to watch the multi-media art by a Japanese artist on the red walls on the REDBrick Warehouse along the coast. Couldnt remember the name of the artist, who had done spectacular art projection on some famous sites around the world.

 

Multi-media art projection on the Redbrick Warehouse in Yokohama, near the coast. It was nice to be back here again, with Asaba-sensei, Ana, Asling and a carpenter-artist friend of Asaba-sensei. Forgetful me, I forgot his name but remember him as a very talented tree-house builder.

Impressive artwork projected on the red walls, as a changing background to the drummer's beat

 

Late supper at a Chinese restaurant near the Chinatown in Yokohama after the multi-media art

 

Kuma-san and Asaba-sensei welcome me back if I would to return to Japan. I wrote 2 cards of the artwork by the students from my school in Singapore, Pathlight School. I will cherish the free-spirited and bohemian ambience in Asaba Art Square and the interesting people I have met here.

After Asaba-sensei gave me a lift to the train station and bidding a temporary farewell with her, I took the JR train with 2 changes of lines to meet my last host in an organic farm of Gunma, in Kanto region. Gone is the feeling of some anxiety before meeting my hosts. For the pass 2 and half months in Japan, I have been lucky to be with hosts who are keen in cultural exchanges with WWOOFers rather than seeing us as workers.

I have never expected my next hosts to be such an inspiring couple for me in Japan...

 

Asaba Art School: Children's The Leaders

ASABA ART SQUARE
WWOOF Period: 25th May - 6 June

It is now begining of July. I have just left Japan. After 3 months in the country, I left with some sadness. But, first, I know I have a lot to share with my friends on later half of my journey in Japan....

After the days in Setsukei-en, arriving in Kyoto city again, I was in a daze. I have about 2 days before taking a night bus to Yokohama. I spent the day helping out Setsu-san at the flea market before bidding farewell to her, returning to K's House Kyoto Hostel.

I stayed in K's House Kyoto Hostel when I first arrived in Kyoto, before heading to Setsukei-en farm. The stay has been comfortable and I am quite pleased with the service of the staff and the information available. This time, I did not go anywhere except to stay in the hostel and update my blog... organising my thoughts and emotions before heading to WWOOF in Yokohma region.

My experience living with the Japanese, learning new skills and knowledge, understanding the real Japanese surpasses visiting sites of interest in the country. I am already very contented with where and what I have encountered thus far.

Upon arriving in Yokohama, as I booked the accomodation a little late, I could only settled with a hostel which was transformed from a workers' dormitory in the olden days. There is no common area and the corridors along the small rooms reminded me of the coldness in the night at a hospital. However, I was happy to be out in the sun, walking to various parks and finally settling at Yamashita Koen, a large park along the coast. The park was filled with lively vibe from school students, Japanese and tourists alike. I spent much time people watching, reading and writing or simply staring into the sea. The next day, I went back to the place again and walked towards the other areas where I can enjoy much breeze from the sea. The two days in Yokohama are simple pleasant days.

My next 2 WWOOF hosts are both in Kanto Region. I travel mainly by trains. And travelling in the train in the morning, one has to be prepared to be standing most of the time, with working Japanese in suits and young high school students packed into most trains. I felt quite tired and strained on my back with my backpack but managed through.

Travelling to Kanazawa Bunko, about 40min JR train ride from Yokohama with a change of train, I finally met Asaba-sensei, the owner of Asaba Art Square. She is always smiling, nicely made-up and dressed in colourful clothes. I never got to ask her age, but she looks to be in her late 60s. Asaba Art Square has 3 adjoining houses; the art studio and gallery with Asaba-sensei's home above it, another house with 2 bedrooms for guests and then the house for the cafe, which serves organic meals. My room is within the cafe.

ASABA Art Square

It is within the suburbs in Kanazawa Bunko district.

The Art Studio

There is so much to look at, each day I find something new in Asaba Art Square.

Paper marche with stamps and newspapers by the children

 

Asaba-sensei has been teaching for the past 45 years. Kuma-san, who used to assist Asaba-sensei with the children, is her assistant now, managing the cafe. Entering into the compound, one is greeted with rich colours and endless collections of dolls, artworks, paintings, children's craft and books. It is a visual feast for me.

Asaba-sensei invited me to her house for a cup of tea and had a short chat with me. She showed interest in my plan for this year as I shared in my WWOOFer's profile. She is an avid traveller herself and had studied in the States (Arizona and New Mexico) for four years, majoring in Art and Art Therapy.

'Now you are in your 40s, it is an important period for you.... to be expereincing life away from your country.' That is what she expressed and later encourages me to look up for some schools when I am in Central Asia. I felt an immediate understanding from this worldly lady with a passion for the arts and the world.

The 2 weeks with the school, I got to assist her during her art lessons in the afternoon, at the studio. Aside from that, I will be helping Kuma-san in the cafe, serving the guests and washing the dishes. Tasks in Asaba Art Square is mainly domestic. It is more relaxing here but I do miss working in the farm. However, the opportunity to learn from how Asaba-sensei works with the children, and the many sharings from Kuma-san are what I really cherish.

Children's Mandala painting on the walls in the cafe.

In the cafe... Asaba-sensei's vast collections of ornaments from the countries she visited. She has a deep connection with the native Americans in New Mexico. The Hoppi tribe which she has build strong friendships with. Asaba-sensei goes back to New Mexico often.

 

 

the cafe... every corner in the cafe, in the studio, in Asaba-sensei's house are filled with paintings, ornaments or children's work.

A corner in Asaba-sensei's house.

 

colours and crafts from recycled materials are everywhere

There are art lessons for the children every afternoon from Wednesday to Saturday. This is the time I enjoy most, being with the children, most of all, seeing how Asaba-sensei interact and guide the children. During the 2 weeks, they are working on a sewing project, making a 2-sided puppet, with one side portraying their Otou-san (father) and on the other side, their Oka-san (mother). The children ages from 5 to 12 years old and even the youngest are doing threading and sewing. I see how much freedom was given to them, the space and time for them to choose and decide on the colours, the kind of materials or objects to be used on their puppet. The younger ones sew with rough and messy stiches while some older ones are capable of very neat and tidy sewing.

Imperfections and messiness is fine in art... in life too.

 



Focus ... art and craft cultivates a sense of focus and meaning to children... this is my thought.

Asaba-sensei discussing with a boy on how to attach the legs of the tiger puppet he is sewing... Some boys moved on to sewing animal puppets which they like.

 

So much effort from their little hands... this boy is sewing a whale stuffed with cotton. All the children have a sketch of the puppets they are doing. With that, Asaba-sensei guides them to refer to their sketch and bring their attention to the little details in their sketches.

Otou-san... little hands, big steps

 

A finished puppet, Okasan-side, with a collage card for Otousan and Okasan (father and mother)

 

 

The objective is not on the finished work, but the process of it. Asaba-sensei is one child-oriented teacher, always encouraging, positive and never directive. She is so full of energy during the lessons, talking so much with her students, joking with them and always patient. Once, a few older students came to the lesson and instead of proceeding with their puppet-sewing, started playing with the mosquito coils that was litted in the studio. Summer is approaching and the mosquitoes are emerging. Asaba-sensei did not intervene or stopped them. I kept a look out as I helped another child with the sewing. The older students started to use the lited coils to burn some of the plastic ornaments used for sewing. They seemed serious and focused in what they were doing. Later, one of them came and showed me some burned holes on the tiny plastic ornament. I smiled. They have created a face on it.

After they were done with their 'instaneous little project', they finally setteled down and continued with their puppet sewing.

I see young boys doing sewing, which is the first time for me. The younger children took a longer time to thread the needles but they managed after several trials. I am very impressed in the simple steps taught to them in tying a knot after threading and how to create a knot after sewing on the cloth.

Asaba-sensei later shared during dinner time that she does not really teach. She will show and demonstrate the technique but after which she lets the children have the space to express themeselves through the materials provided. And she has loads and loads of materials, from recyclable bottle caps, buttons, sequins to felt material, printed textile, cardboards, sweet wrappers, stamps....Her studio and house is filled with boxes of these. She shared that when a child is involved in a task, such as to sew on a button to create the eye, after she showed them how to do it, she leaves them to explore on their own. Most of the time, they will have difficulty. She will not jump in immediately to help. With time, the child is able to figure his or her own way to get the sewing done, though messy. The main thing is, each time they encounter some difficulty and there is no immediate adult interference, the child will have to think of how to solve the problem themselves. That process itself builds their self-confidence and resilence. It does not matter what the resulting puppet will look like. Asaba-sensei also believes in giving them lots of space to express through drawing, through creating things with their hands.

Everytime, during the lessons, when some children finished part of the sewing earlier, Asaba-sensei will pass them books of their interests; some on animals, dinosaurs, transports or artbooks with paintings from different artist. The child takes his time to look and choose the one he is interested in. Then he will sketch with a pencil on a recycled paper. Asaba-sensei will talk with him about his sketch and ask what medium he would like to use. The child will then go take the medium (poster colour, water colour, markers or crayons...) and paint what he has sketched onto the art paper.

The child flips through some books, decided on what she wants, sketched out her ideas, shows Asaba-sensei who gives some pointers and praises and later proceeds to painting it. The children are calm and happy in this studio.


Ryu-chan....on my last day at Asaba Art Square. My first meeting with him. He is often restless, moving about, easily distracted by his surroundings. But he is sweet for he asks about Singapore and attempts to strike a conversation with me. Asaba-sensei is able to redirect him from all the distractions and have him complete sewing part of his puppet, together with him.

 

Some children will be creating collage with recycled cardboard, platics etc with a message for their fathers and mothers. The studio is filled with such lively ambience of children engaging in the arts that they most enjoy. All within that one and half hour of lessons. I can understand why the children are happy and enjoy coming to the studio.

It is a time when they need not take instructions from adults, a time when they are free to express themselves and making things of their ideas, not the ideas or opinions of the adults. It is a time they see themselves encounter difficulities and making mistakes but feeling the sense of fufilment to overcome them. To top it up, with much positive words, smiles and claps from Asaba-sensei.

I reflected a lot after my experience in Aki-san's kindergarten and WWOOFing in Asaba Art Square. My way of teaching as a teacher with children with autism and as an aunt to my little nieces and nephews. Many times, as adults, we expect the children to follow our directions, with the belief that our ways are the best for them. We hasten them to get things done according to our intentions.

With time pressed on our side, children are expected to respond and act fast too. Many times, we failed to really listen to them, to give them the time and space to make mistakes and to learn from it. We focused so much on them doing a task correctly. It is ok if a young child learns to put on his or her shoes and have them put on the wrong sides. Left and right... Instead of an immediate response of 'Wrong!', maybe we can praise them for putting on the shoes so well, into their tiny feet. Then gradually show them the correct sides in a positive way.

We have to learn to change our way of responding and expecting from children.
We had grown up and brought up with much negative words on us.
To be positive with children is like a lesson to learn for most of us.
But it is possible, with practice and mindfulness ...~_~

I have much to learn and change in my ways of working with children.
Be humble and open-hearted, Irene... always, or you will not grow much.

 

 

For the handful of friends who follows my blog, thanks for your patience.
I am thankful for your support as I am beginning to realise reading takes up much time for most people now. So I am grateful you still ask about my blog. My last WWOOFing in the organic farm in Gunma, directly after Asaba Art Square has been a truly inspsiring and mind-opening one, which is out of my expectation. I am now back in Singapore for 2 weeks for some personal issue. Trying to organise my thoughts and update my blog... Will share more about the remaining journey in Japan.