Rajio Taiso (Radio Exercies)

Willem and Tai are back in school this week, but Xavier is still on summer holidays until the beginning of September.  But one thing I am discovering about the Japanese schools system is just because you are on summer break doesn't mean you don't go to school.

We didn't sign him up for summer school (which appears to put him in a minority.  Most kids go to summer classes at school), but his school did provide times when they could come and swim in the pool, which he did participate in.

And now, for the past three mornings, Xavier and I have rushed the 200 yards to his school to join other parents and kids in the traditional Japanese experience of rajio taiso, or radio exercises. This was not a required event from the school, so when I saw that it started at 7:00 am I wondered just how many people would be there.  It was less difficult for me because I was already up getting Willem and Tai ready to go to school.  I don't know if I would have crawled out of bed for it if they were still on their summer break. But sure enough, as Xavier and I arrived a minute or two after 7 (fashionably late?) there were already about 150 kids and parents spread out on the field in front of a raised platform and PA system. I guess the fact that everyone from the school lives within walking distance of the school probably was a factor in how many people came.

The familiar tinkling piano music that everyone in Japan knows as the rajio taiso music was just starting and one of the teachers was up on the platform leading everyone in the stretches and jumping.  After that song came the Shioryama taiso - (Shiroyama is the name of the elementary school).  This was the school's special taiso music and stretching routine. As an added bonus on the second day they had a special sports mascot visit and lead the kids in exercises, too.

As soon as the music was done all the kids rushed for the tables to the left of the platform.  There, parent volunteers were handing out stamp cards that the kids could bring each day to be stamped.  They also got a little gift each day, a piece of candy, some stickers or a pencil.

As the children and parents drifted off the field to their homes it was clear that everyone had enjoyed themselves, and now that everyone and done their exercises they were full of energy and ready for whatever they day would bring.

The Importance of Business Cards

In Japan, business cards are a big deal. There is a special protocol for giving and receiving business card. Business cards are treated with great respect. For example, always take the card with both hands. Never just put a card in your pocket. Examine the card carefully when it is given and try to ask a question about it. These are just a few of the etiquette rules.

Xavier, our youngest son, is attending first grade at the neighborhood elementary school. He enjoys it a lot but it has been an adjustment for Terence and me. Many parents complain about all the papers their kids bring home from school. It becomes even more challenging when you can't read 85% of what comes home. Another challenge is adjusting to the differences in education styles. One example is school on Saturday. Our neighborhood is lucky in that the kids only go to school on one Saturday a month.  Sometimes school on Saturday is for special events like sports day, but other times it is a regular teaching day. Parents are invited, well encouraged, OK actually expected to come and observe. There is an attendance sheet for parents to mark outside the class door.

I went to watch on one of the first Saturday school days. I was thankful to see what went on in the classroom and to see how Xavier was adjusting. I was surprised when the kids got out their business cards and did an activity where they walked around the room giving out their cards. They had made these huge, notebook paper sized cards the day before. The cards had their names and their school address (grade and class number).

At first I was a little dismissive. Why was it important for my six year old to learn business card etiquette? This was probably fuelled by my irritation that Xavier had to attend school on Saturday and my annoyance at having to attend school on Saturday as well. Then I realized it was actually a good way to use a social tradition to give the kids practice writing their names and meeting their new classmates.

In the last few weeks I have been thankful for my business cards. We made up cards that have my name and address and contact numbers on one side and information about the church on the other. It includes worship times and a map from the nearest train station. Due to city layout and the dependence on public transportation, maps are vital. Recently, I have met three people out in our area and had the opportunity to invite them to church. Two of them were new to the area and looking for a place to worship. Without the business cards it would have been hard to explain all the details to them. In a society where business cards are so important in daily life, it is good to be able to use that tool in evangelism.

Because of his practice writing his name at school, Xavier was able to write his name on this card he painted.