|
You can learn new things about Japan through the most mundane experiences.
Today, I met up with three of Yamanakasensei's students, Satoe, Sakiko and
Yuuki, to discuss the plans for going to that china festival. It seemed
that Yamanakasensei hadn't really input any organisation at all into the
trip; he'd made his students do all the research into costs etc. They
showed me the plan, and I was shocked; at the very least, transport was
going to cost over 4000 yen (£20!), not to mention extras like food and
shopping. I told them directly, "I didn't realise that it was going to be
so expensive; at that price, I don't think I can go." And they totally
agreed with me.
Suddenly, it all came into place. They didn't want to go just as much as
me. But, like me, they were bound by giri. I don't think I've ever felt
such a mutual empathy with fellow Japanese students before. Wherever you
go in the world, there is one constant fact: students are all poor!
So, we had to come up with a strategy of how to tell Yamanakasensei that
we couldn't go. Everything you've heard about the Japanese not being able
to refuse things directly is true; this was a serious problem for us. They
even all started rehearsing what they'd say to Yamanakasensei.
Well, as it was, sensei was in a meeting and said he'd come and meet us
all at 4.00. 15 minutes passed. No sensei. 30 minutes. No sensei. At this
point, Satoe and Yuuki had to leave as they had lessons, leaving just
Sakiko and me sitting there, twiddling our thumbs. At 4:45, we decided
that sensei must have forgotten all about it, so we got up to leave; only
to be met by Yamanakasensei who'd just come out of the meeting.
Being the gaijin, and thus being able to get away with far more than a
Japanese, I decided to break the news that it was a bit expensive, and
thus we wouldn't be able to go. He almost balked. He said, "that's not
expensive at all! That's a normal price!" and started going on about how
it'd be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, that about a million people would
be going etc etc. Eventually, however, he said "If it's impossible, you
don't have to go."
I couldn't believe it. Doesn't he remember being a student? Doesn't he
remember the days when, you seriously had to consider whether or not to
treat yourself to something you wanted costing 800 yen (£4.00), and
deciding that you couldn't get it, simply because that purchase would
significantly affect how well you could eat for the rest of the week? Or
when finding 100 yen (50p) lying on the road was actually exciting because
it meant being able to afford an extra bite to eat (you can buy a whole
budget lunch with that!)? Or when you had to go on a diet, not because of
your weight but because you couldn't afford to keep on eating as much as
you normally do?
Fortunately, I'm not struggling for money, but that's because I try to
keep a tight budget. But there's plenty of students to whom all of the
above is applicable every day.
He then went on to question just how much I earned, to demonstrate that I
really couldn't afford to spend around £50 or so on a day trip to a china
festival. I explained that the vast majority of my money is years' worth
of savings, although I do have a part-time job to earn a little bit of
pocket money. And then he said that it's best not to have a part-time job
while you're a student! Jesus, how does he think we students live??
I've never felt angry at Yamanakasensei before. But I did then; not
necessarily for me, but for his students. Here they were, trying to
organise a trip that was his idea that they couldn't afford, waiting for
him loyally when he was nearly an hour late, and he didn't sympathize with
their predicament whatsoever! He was quite happy to abuse the whole giri
concept to get his way. At least, that's how it felt.
However, what made me feel bad was that afterwards, he said he still
wanted to go out, to somewhere that was really Japanese. And then I
realized; this was all for my benefit. In true Japanese fashion,
Yamanakasensei wanted to show me, the gaijin, more Japan and Japanese
culture; the students were all obliged into spending their money because
of me. And for something I didn't necessarily want to do. God. It's made
me feel pretty ungrateful. But, I can't help the way I feel.
I don't think Yamanakasensei's a bad guy at all; I just wish he'd
understand his student's needs more.
So, after my Durham exam, we're probably going to go to a restaurant in
Aso all together, as according to sensei it's much cheaper. I agree; this
is a pretty good idea. I still feel bad though about all his poor
students, so full of giri that they have to spend their money because of
me.
|
