Culture Shock

Location:
Japan

Sport, Concentration, Discipline

By Belinda Lloyd

Culture Shock: the feeling of disorientation experienced when suddenly subjected to an unfamiliar culture or way of life.... Now, imagine: Jo is a 24 year old graduate student, traveling to Japan for the first time. Excited and knowing little about the culture or the language. Having lived in Japan myself for just over 18 months I understand that there is a lot to experience and learn about this amazing and unique culture and it can at times be overwhelming. As the world of English Language teaching becomes increasingly popular more and more people are visiting Japan to experience the many different things the culture has to offer - Kimono dressing, the different foods, an amazingly efficient transport system, along with different social attitudes and practices to name just a few standout elements of the culture. There are different ways of overcoming any initial overpowering feelings - taking up a new interest for example. From a modern day sporting perspective, Baseball and Soccer are becoming increasingly popular amongst people of all ages and gender, Hidenki Matsui being one of the most famous icons of baseball in Japan. Japan is an ancient culture with a richly layered background of history and beliefs that make the culture what it is today. The core values can be traced through the practices and history of martial arts such as aikido and kendo. Whilst most sports such as football, soccer, hockey, baseball and swimming are not strictly based on combining exercise with spiritual theories about energy as such, there are some that do. Martial arts is another example of an exercise activity that centers around channeling discipline and have various spiritual teachings relating to energy of the human body. Those who visit Japan and go to an onsen will understand that Japan is not a body conscious society. Energy of the human body is a concept that there are countless theories and teachings for. The Japanese sport Aikido is a prime example of an activity that implements spiritual energy as part of its teachings. The name Aikido itself means “the way of harmony of ki”. The concept of ‘ki’ is considered by sources to be controversial. But by definition, it is said to be primarily a particular mental and physical state – a sense of breath and energy. The aim of which is to balance and combine both states – through breathing techniques and particular movements. However, there are various arguments in the teachings as to weather or not ‘ki’ exists. In short, Aikido basically revolves around harmonizing spiritual energies of the body with physical movements. Since Aikido began, it has developed a huge following in Western cultures – throughout America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Africa and the Middle East. This is also exemplified by the rising interest shown by foreigners living in Japan. The following interviews give a Western interpretation of Japanese martial arts and individual experiences of the culture through sport. Dawn Gilmore - English Language Instructor. Yonezawa. From Pennsylvania, America. What inspired you to start learning Aikido? I was introduced to the sport by Evelyn and Denis. I couldn’t imagine sitting at home alone…..I had the schedule to take advantage of. Watching Aikido is amazing, It looks like people are floating and I thought “wow”, I want to do that. I also thought it would be a good way to meet people. {mospagebreak} How long have you been learning Aikido for? 11 months. What is your impression of the sport and Japanese culture so far? It is very important to the culture. It’s kind of like a work situation. You don’t get a lot of compliments. Nobody knows what the other person is doing and the higher person in the pair during training becomes the teacher. At the beginning, no one would come near me, but eventually people started coming up to me and helping me with different skills. In Japan you never know who’s being genuine at Aikido you can tell who doesn’t want to work with you. The people you meet in the martial art world are different to the people you meet on the street. It’s harder on the street because of the communication barrier. Now it is one of the things I do that makes me feel part of the culture. It is rewarding for the others because they get to help you. Everyone in the room is a teacher. I don’t think I would be getting as much out of Japan if I wasn’t learning aikido. Do you think being a woman made your initial experience easier or more difficult? Maybe at first people were a little intimidated – as I said, they didn’t want to pair with me at first, but now learning aikido is one of the things that keeps me going. I remember how good I feel when I am there. It makes me feel part of the culture. The name Aikido means the way of harmony of ki. What is your knowledge of ‘ki’? Only from training. It’s about focus, movement and breathing. I do want to find ‘ki’. In training you use each others energy to do all the movements. This also helps with concentration in daily life. What is your motivation to continue learning aikido? Do you have any ambitions/goals to pursue with the sport? At first I was ready to quit. It was difficult, when the teachers and other students speak no English and people didn’t want to pair with me. I want to pursue aikido as a lifelong sport. When I first arrived I didn’t know a thing about Japan. I would like to be able to teach Aikido because it’s rare. People at work love talking about it with me and it makes me feel part of the culture. It is part of the support network I have built up here. I would be lonely without it. Do you think Japanese martial arts such as Aikido would be useful in real life situations? As I travel and live in more dangerous countries, I think it will be good to have under my belt. You become more observant and can feel people before you see them. The movements would be helpful as I find my reactions and my posture are much better. I’ve also started riding a bike faster. What other sports are you interested in and how does aikido compare on the enjoyment/fitness/social…factors? I am also learning Kendo. I would like to do competitions with Kendo. Kendo has a better social atmosphere at the moment. There’s more encouragement as well. The uniform is tricky so they compliment you “good job, you’re getting better”. Will you continue learning Aikido when you go back to your home country (the sport has tremendous growth in western culture – America in particular)? Yes, I think when I leave here aikido will be easier to pursue. Evelyn Davies – ALT Kenori gakuen (Highschool). Yonezawa. From – Canberra, Australia. What inspired you to take up martial arts? When I first arrived I didn't know a lot about the culture. I was looking for a sport, but nothing interested me, and I knew I had to do something. My first impression of Kendo was ‘the armour is cool, but it’s just running around hitting someone with a stick’. But I thought it was something different, so I wanted to give it a go. What are the pro’s and con’s of learning Kendo? The pro’s are that it keeps you physically fit. It’s also good mental exercise – you have to think about your movements and what your opponent is going to do. The con’s are that I find it a little frustrating because I am not physically fit. Some of the movements are tricky, so when I can’t get something right I get frustrated as well. What do you know about the history of Kendo martial arts and the Japanese culture? Kendo is a traditional sport outlawed after WW2. To most, it is now considered an art form. It is part of the culture and history. I don’t think it is learned as a necessity. {mospagebreak} Do you think Japanese martial arts would be useful in a real life situation? Japan is the safest place in the world for women traveling alone. The movements would be useful though and they would probably just ‘kick in’ if I needed to use them. As an older woman, finding an activity is important. It is also good for improving posture and stance. Do you have any goals/ambitions to pursue whilst learning Kendo? In terms of competitions, not yet. I wouldn’t mind later but at the moment I am inexperienced. How long have you been learning Kendo for? 16 months What other sports/activities are you interested in and how do they compare in terms of enjoyment, social and fitness factors? I learnt taiko drumming up until two months ago. I also learn naginata and love tango. They are all pretty different. Naginata is easier and less frustrating than Kendo. It’s a little like dancing. Taiko was good in that Japan it encourages everyone to work together. What is your impression of the interest and following of these traditional sports in Western cultures? When I have asked a question like this to other foreigners, most people have tried the martial arts. The interest is probably due to being so unique and new. These are activities people have probably not tried before coming to Japan. Jason Coscia – Mighty Wellness Fitness Centre. Yonezawa. From – Connecticut, America. Who Introduced you to Aikido? Dawn introduced me to it. I wanted to study some form of martial arts while living in Aizuwakamatsu but because of my schedule at work, I didn’t have the time. With my new schedule at my new job in Yonezawa, I have the time, and I can make it twice a week for Aikido, and even a third night for kyokushin karate. I have always been interested in martial arts. Do you think it would prove useful in a real life situation where you had to defend yourself ? It could, but only if taken seriously and practiced enough. How long have you been learning Aikido for ? 6 months. Do you have any ambitions/goals to pursue – eg belts, competitions? To do my best. The name Aikido means the way of harmony of ki. What is your knowledge of ‘ki’? Only what I have read online and been explained to me by my foreign senpai (mentor). It is natural and involves little or no muscular strength. What do you know about the history /philosophy of Aikido? Only what I have read online. In the late 1800s a man by the name of (Morihei Ueshiba) had studied a few different forms of martial arts. He combined what he knew with other techniques and created what is known today as Aikido. The philosophy revolves around discipline. I see in aikido the ability to do things against strong force, utilizing little to no force at all. That, as far as I know, is a form of energy exerted from the body. What other sports are you interested in/ have you played and how does aikido compare on the enjoyment, fitness, social….factors? Within the last 8 years, I have played/participated in Kyokushin Karate, rugby, soccer, baseball, ski racing, basketball, swimming, and weight training. Aikido is a different experience completely. Aikido teaches us to be smooth, and gracious with our movements. It is more demanding on my mind than other sports. Most other sports are more physically demanding. Will you continue learning Aikido when /if you go back to your home country (the sport has had tremendous growth in western culture – America in particular) ? Yes, in America I would like to continue to study Aikido. Do you think learning a sport has enhanced your experience and understanding of Japanese culture? Dawn: Definitely. It's unique so people are interested. Jason: Yes, it’s something I wanted to do in Aizuwakumatsu. It is completely different to other sports I have played. Evelyn: It’s difficult, I learn with no English, but I feel like I am making some progress. It helps you appear to be confident within yourself. I even notice this with the kids at the high school. Even if the kids aren’t so bright it’s an achievement “gambate” – good luck, try hard.