Ichigo Ichie

Editorial also gives you an insight into some of the traditional practices of Japan, the customs followed in Japan and of course the exotic food available in the Land of the Rising Sun.On 1st December, 2014, excitement drew on the This special issue is a ‘Thought Mirror’ of the 13 lucky faces 13 students of MA in Media and Com- students. munication Studies. There were the lucky cho-sen few who were selected to represent Christ Editorial TeamUniversity in Japan. As part of Jenesys 2.0, they werethe 7th Batch of Mass Media students from India. Lit- Editor - Skandashree Balitle did they know, that they were a part of the lucky Design - Janice Agnetha Vaz79 who were chosen to represent India in Japan, and Cover Design - Joseph Aantonythus became Indian Ambassadors to Japan. Photographs - Joseph Antony, Liza Rego, Janice Agnetha, Arjun Padmakumar, LalithaFor all of us it led to a number of firsts. For a few, the Ranjani, Anmi Elizabeth, Skandashree Bali,first time they sat in a plane, for few their first inter-national trip, for others their first time on a trip away Singam Basantfrom their parents and for all of them, their first timein Japan.This edition of the newsletter brings forth to you theemotions, memories and stories of these 13 studentsthrough words and photos. It becomes a memoir ofthe few days that they spent in Japan and the mo-ments they spent with their new and old friends! It



A Lasting Memory guest is significant as it shows the respect they have for the guests. As someone bows before you, you feel - John Sekar how much your presence is valued and treasured. Wherever we went, a hotel, a museum, a tourist cen-What an experience it has been! Days in Japan! Time tre, we saw people who welcomed us with politeness.spent in Japan! It is a memory that will last forever! Japanese is very hard to learn and the pronunciationWe were 13 students from Christ University who par- is difficult too. Many there do not converse in Englishtook in student exchange programme. I must say that fluently. But with their gesture of politeness, theywe were really lucky to get that rare chance. Through spoke thousands of words!this programme sponsored entirely by the govern-ment of Japan, we got to learn more about Japan. Japan has a deep reverence for the nature too. BesidesThere are various beautiful memories! the advancement in technology in all spheres of life, there is so much care for the nature. There is so muchThe people of Japan have utmost reverence for the of care for the ecosystem. The disposal of waste isfood. The way the food is prepared and serve on the something that Japan teaches to the rest of the world.table shows us how much deep and profound respect One is amazed at the number of containers for thethey have for the food. Everything from setting the waste because they segregate the waste in a very finetable to clearing it, everything is taken care of in a and acute manner. Cleanliness is what defines Japan.meticulous manner. Even though I found it difficult It is so spick and span everywhere.with the food, what I learned from being there was toenjoy the food with respect. Japan as a nation has a reverence for the rules too. We are used to a situation where breaking the rules is thePoliteness what defines Japan. The people are very norm but we witnessed in Japan how faithfully theykind and polite. The gesture of bowing before the followed the rules. There is no question of jumping the signals, crossing the speed limit and so on. When we were there we felt that we should follow the rules



too. So even when the road was empty and no vehicles \"Ichigo - Ichie : Onewere plying, we waited for the green signal to cross Opportunity, Onethe road, we did not just run across the road as we do Encounter\" - e tra-here.The days spent is Japan will remain a memory tocherish and relish forever! ditional Japanese Tea Ceremony - Skandashree Bali To gain an overall grasp of Japanese Culture, why not try \"tea ceremony\"? The tea house or tea room is a miniature museum of wa - all things Japanese. Tea ceremony includes various highlights that symbolize Japan, like the simple tea house made of bamboo, wood, and the washi paper. Each item is an expres- sion of the essence of traditional Japanese life. \"Ichigo - Ichie : One Opportunity, One Encounter\" -



it is a term that was mentioned by Yamanoue Soji, an Trying the sweetsapprentice of Sen Rikyu and Ii Naosuke, a high rank- The temae (tea ceremony) procedures begin when theing government official of the Edo period. Ichigo - guests have taken their seats on the tatami mat.Ichie means : \"This tea ceremony held this day of the Sweets are served during this process, and sweets areyear, is an irreplaceable moment that will never again to be finished before tea is served. The Japanese con-be repeated. Tea Ceremony can be a success when the fections for tea ceremony are healthy sweets made ofminds of both the person serving and those being ingredients such as red beans which are crafted to en-served come together as one\". hance the flavor of matcha (high quality green tea).Entering the Tea House Essentials in a Tea CeremonyAs the tea house is a special venue and not a part of · Chakin - a small rectangular linen cloth which isdaily life, there are no furniture's. The tea house is al- used to clean the tea bowlways decorated with flowers which belong to the four · Chawan - tea bowls which are used to drink teaseasons of Japan. Guests must first wash their hands · Natsume - a small lidded container where the teaand rinse their mouths at a basin called tsukubai (tra- powder is keptditional basin of the Japanese culture) before contin- · Chashaku - tea spoons which are carved out of a sin-uing on to the tea house or the tea room, symbolizing gle piece of bamboothat it is a sacred place. Before stepping in, visitors · Chasen - tea whisks which are used to mix the teashould relax themselves and enter in a state of tran- powder with hot waterquility. Once inside, visitors should sit on the tatamimat (traditional Japanese mat) with their hands in Preparation of Teafront of them and their legs folded underneath their One tea spoon of the matcha (green tea powder) isthighs. This is popularly known as seiza style of sit- mixed with hot water in a tea bowl using Chasen.ting. Once the mixture is mixed into a fine liquid, the tea is ready to be consumed.



How to drink tea? Learning a littleWhen the tea is brought to the guest, you should place Japanese!the bowl on the mat and say, \"Osaki ni\" (excuse mefor going before you). When lifting the tea bowl, it Good morning - Ohayo gozaimasushould come up to the height of about your navel. The Hello - Konnichiwatea bowl will have a striking design turned toward Good evening - Konbanwayou. Each design on each bowl is different and these Good night - Oyasuminasaidesigns tell a Japanese folk tale. While drinking the Yes - Haitea, turn the bowl slightly to the left, the bowl should No - Iebe held in your left hand, with the right hand support- How are you? - O-genki desu ka?ing the bowl. I’m fine. - Hai, genki desu. Thank you very much - Arigato goza-Leaving the Tea House imasuBefore leaving the tea house, you should thank your You’re Welcome - Do itashimashitehost \"Arigato Gozaimas\" (thank you) give your feed- I’m sorry - Sumimasenback and exit the tea house. What is your name? - O-namae wa? I am __N__ - __N___ desu



Ten ings I no- There were disturbing rumours that the Japanese toi- lets would pose a serious problem for us. And so, weticed about Japan carried wet wipes. Better to be safe than sorry. I went to Japan with a lot of pre conceived notions - Liza Rego and very limited knowledge. But as the days went by I began to see Japan in a different light. I was pleas-Recently I got the chance to go to Japan, the Land of antly surprised at what I found and now I want tothe Rising Sun. I was one of the 79 Media students se- share them with you. I have listed out 10 things thatlected from the various universities invited to experi- I’ve noticed about Japan.ence the culture of this country. The program knownas Jenesys 2.0 was the brainchild of Japan’s Prime 1. They smile all the time:Minister Shinzo Abe who wished that more people The one thing that I noticed everywhere I went waswould know about the country. that the Japanese people liked to smile and bow toThe name Japan triggers a lot of images in our minds. each other a lot. It was how they acknowledged andSome of the most common things that people on the showed respect to each other. Of course this doesn’toutside are aware of are the samurai, kimono, Mt. mean that random people walking on the road wouldFuji, green tea, sushi, animation and gadgets. Japan smile at you. But if you flashed them a smile, theyis also known for the Tohoku earthquake, nuclear would respond to you in kind. The reason why I findpower plant breakdown and volcanoes. I did a lot of this greeting interesting is because it seems to comeresearch to be prepared for the trip. I had friends wor- very easily to the Japanese people. This endearingrying whether the food would be edible or not. We quality of the Japanese makes you feel all warm in-carried MTR Ready to eat packets and cup noodles for side. On the other hand, as an Indian, I don’t think Ithe times we would skip out on the Japanese meals. have ever considered folding my hands and greeting strangers, with a ‘Namaste’ or a ‘Hi’ as readily as the Japanese do.



2. The traffic rules: meal I had was accompanied with a glass of green tea.Driving on the roads of Japan is a quiet affair. There And so, I decided to taste this green tea that theis no honking and no yelling. The Japanese follow the Japanese loved so much and was pleasantly surprised.traffic rules quiet seriously. Seat belts are a must. No It wasn’t bitter nor was it unpleasant in any way.peeking out of the window. Green tea is a very important part of their culture. InWhile in Japan, we were reprimanded several times fact, there are restaurants specifically dedicated tofor opening the windows of the bus we were travelling drinking green tea. Women wearing kimonos servein to take pictures of the passing sites. We were in a you green tea while you sit in front of nature, watchingbeautiful country; we couldn’t help it. the leaves fall and the listen to the birds sing.Their adherence to the traffic rules could also be con-sidered as an example for the high level of patience 4. At the cash countersthat they have. I have seen on numerous occasions We saw a lot of supermarkets wherever we went - 7that a car would wait until the red light turned green Eleven, Lawson, and Family Mart. We would visiteven if there were no pedestrians in sight. The cars them often to see if we could buy any souvenirs. Onewould always maintain a specific distance between thing you notice right off the bat is the store clerkthemselves. No one cut lines. loudly greeting you with “Irasshaimase”, meaning welcome. At the billing section, the clerk would say3. Green tea the amount to be paid out loud. If he/she owes youI remember a friend of mine saying it took her a whole change, the amount is said out loud again to makeyear to get used to drinking green tea. One day as she sure there has been no mistake.sat drinking Brooke Bond’s Taj Mahal Green Tea be- Most of the times, the money is to be kept in a con-fore me, I decided to give it a try. It was as horrible as tainer placed in the front. The clerk picks up thethe bitter medicine that my parents forced me to have money from there and places the change back into it.back home. Never again would I drink green tea, I There is a lot of bowing and smiling in the process. Inthought. some supermarkets after billing the customer mustBut in Japan, I couldn’t escape it. Every Japanese put all the items into a plastic bag himself.



5. Toilets example, onions, fish and shrimps. I also had a lot ofRemember when I said we were worried about the toi- miso soup. It is prepared using fish and sea weedlets in Japan. Well, Japanese toilets were perfectly us- stock and is part of an everyday Japanese breakfast.able and not at all confusing. Japan being the land of sushi offered a variety for theThere are two types of toilets that the Japanese use. first timers. I had the opportunity of tasting a few. IOne is the traditional one and the other is the western learnt the way sushi was meant to be eaten. Sushi isone. The traditional toilets are like our Indian toilets, first dipped into soy sauce and wasabi, an extremelyexcept here we need to squat facing the opposite di- spicy paste made out of a root, and then eaten. Sushirection. might not be for everyone but I would recommend itThe western toilets are very comfortable. Not only do to anyone who wants to experience the Japanese cul-these toilets have seat warmers, but they also come ture.with a water projectile that has an accurate aim.Meaning, you can do your business and wash up af- 7. Punctualityterwards without having to use your hands. All you The Japanese take punctuality very seriously. Theyneed is to use the buttons namely ‘shower’, ‘bidet’ and prefer being half an hour early than being 5 minutes‘stop’ on the side and your work is done for you. late. The organisers for the Jenesys 2.0 program had created a very detailed schedule for us. They expected6. Japanese food that we keep to the schedule as best as possible. Un-Personally, I don’t think Japan is a country for vege- fortunately for them, we were young and loved beingtarians. They love meat and most of the dishes they late. Be it waking up in the morning to eat breakfastprepare use fish stock and oils extracted from meat. or regrouping at a chosen location after shopping, weThankfully, I loved seafood and could eat anything made it very difficult for our Japanese supervisors tothey offered. I had a lot of fish, shrimps and chicken. make a head count. There was always someone miss-Tofu and egg were common ingredients in their ing.dishes. I had Tempura, the Japanese equivalent of ourIndian podis. Tempura is anything fried in batter, for 8. Japanese houses



I had the opportunity of living with a Japanese family gown. It is imperative that one washes himself fromfor a day and a half. It was a way of understanding and head to toe with soap and shampoo before enteringexperiencing how a common Japanese family lived. I the bath. Shower and soap is usually provided next toabsolutely loved the experience. I lived with the Tak- the bath. One cannot enter these baths with any formenaka family in the Saiki city of Oita. Their house was of clothes on; not even the towel.made of wood and had sliding doors that took you For the brave hearted, public baths could be an expe-from one room to another. The living room had a sofa rience of a lifetime. The water is really hot and veryas well as a low table where you sat at by placing pil- relaxing. It is a must try for anybody visiting Japan.lows under you. The shoes were to be replaced by slip-pers before entering the house. These slippers could 10. Kit Katnot be worn in the rooms having tatami mats. Their Apart from the usual chocolate flavour that we all arehouse was a mixture of the traditional and the modern familiar with Japan offers a variety of flavors in Kitand absolutely beautiful. Kat. For those who haven’t heard about them before, I suggest you check them out on the net. They make9. Public Bath for some good souvenirs. Some of the flavors that IThe Japanese love bathing in the hot springs, also have bought home are green tea flavor, cherry blos-known as onsen, and they have no qualms about being som flavor, red bean flavour and chilli flavor. Kit Katnaked in front of strangers. This is something I can’t also offers chocolates that need to be baked beforequite accept still. These hot springs can be found nat- eating.urally everywhere in Japan. Oita, the place we visited This list is by no means exhaustive. As a tourist expe-is a very popular spot for them. riencing a different culture, I was constantly evaluat-In hotels, one can find two kinds of public baths. One ing and comparing India and Japan. I am grateful foris indoor and the other outdoor. Of course, these the chance to go there and I will forever remember thebaths cannot be accessed from the outside. Men and Japanese hospitality and warmth.women must bathe separately. Each hotel room isprovided with a spare towel and a Japanese style



A Walk to of a restaurant after a sumptuous Italian dinner. Gig- gles and bullies turned us forgetful of time and the remember big group broke into pieces and headed to explore the locality in different directions. It was then when - Lalitha Ranjani Ammu Nair and I decided to walk back to the hotel all by ourselves.Let us visualize this scene now. Two young foreigners.Two young foreign women. Two young foreign As the first few yards seemed very familiar, withwomen in India. Two young foreign women in India, glove-capped hands buried in our overcoat pockets,completely lost. Two young foreign women in India, we continued to tread further with utmost confidence.completely lost at night. The next connecting picture Our mindless conversation came to a pause as weto this scene could be men ogling at them or someone stood at a junction not knowing whether to take a leftwho picks up more courage to grope any of the lassies or a right.or a group of men cackling at their own lewd com-ments about the young tourists or the least being the I must agree, I soon realized that we were lost. Ammu,women fearing any of these to happen next. who was pretty convinced of her innate GPS naviga- tion abilities insisted that we take a right. I followedOf course it does not happen to everyone, but this is her, not saying a word of my realization. Few lefts andwhat one can ever anticipate, if not the tourists, rights made Ammu eventually and officially declareatleast the young Indian women. I could not help but that we lost our way.bring this age-old India - Abroad comparison on anight while in Japan. It was not the cold breeze but the fact that neither of us could recollect the name of our hotel that gave usIt was 8 degrees biting cold when all of us stepped out the chills. “We cannot remember the hotel name, we do not speak Japanese, our phones would not work in international roaming and we are doomed now,” said



to ourselves. The random conversations somehow led to Ammu asking me if I had the itinerary booklet in my bag.But, soon did we realize how liberating it is to be lost Viola! There came our Eureka moment. Only then itin an unknown land. The next few minutes were fol- dawned upon me that I had been carrying the itiner-lowed by not-so-serious conversations that drove us ary booklet all along and it contained the name of ourto let go of the tensive mood within. It took us not so hotel. Screams of joy, happy dance and peels of laugh-long to start loving the promenade. It was a walk ter followed suit right in the middle of the road toworth lifelong remembrance. I say this not because which again no other person on the road reactedwe were lost in Japan but because we felt carefree, se- weird and showed surprise.cure, blissful all throughout despite being lost. With the ‘printed saviour’ to our rescue and with ourAs we strolled along the less-crowded streets laughing dumb-charade skills in our ‘hands’, we finally figuredour hearts out, no man who walked past us gave even our way back to ‘Hotel Kemenoi’. Having made oura slight disturbing stare which could have possibly pinky pact to remain mum on this whole adventure,made us uncomfortable. This momentarily put us we entered the hotel heaving a great sigh of relief.back in India where a woman would get unnecessary There stood our friends whom we promised to meetand often troublesome attention even if she saunders at the hotel lobby to go for a walk together.in silence. “Both of you! Where have you been? We had beenOh! Did I mention the white bike? It was when we knocking all the doors in your floor not knowing yourreached a juncture where a white bike was parked that room number and clueless of your whereabouts.” Allwe said, “Oh yeah, Earth indeed is round. Look where we did was to chuckle and break our pinky pact tellingwe have come! Didn’t we see this white bike when we them, “We lost our way guys.”started our walk?” We could not help but burst intolaughter.



Land of Trust came back and I found my things were safe & secure just as I left. - Anmi Elizabeth Sabu I just imagined a similar situation happening in India, even if there was only a pair of paragon slippers left in the car, it would have been vanished in a fraction of fews minutes if the car is left unlocked.Can you ever imagine leaving your car unlocked whenyou are busy shopping or attending a function,Orimagine, big malls with all these branded shops nothaving a shutter?. A very hypothetical situation right.Well, there is a land faraway where they this happens.Japan known as the land of rising sun can also benamed as the ‘Land of Trust’. Where people believe ineach other that one does not steal anything from another.I suppose Buddhism is the main reason for the trust.During my stay in Japan, we were sent to a Japanesefamily for homestay. One day, Father, whom we calledPappa took us to the museum. I noticed that Papa did-n't lock the car, which had all my belongings includingmy passport. I was worried and asked him to lock thecar but he refused to lock and told me that it is okay.During the entire museum visit I was totally tensedabout my precious passport and money.Finally we



A Letter to my be like. We had no itinerary of the one and a half days Mama we were to stay there. In the meantime we were also informed that there would be no internet access and we only worried about how would we contact our friends and parents. - Janice Agnetha Vaz When we reached your place, we saw that our beds were already laid there. The house was all for our-Dearest Eriko-San selves and it was peaceful. You knew we were cold,, very cold and you made us sit comfortably under theI was very apprehensive when I heard that none of my blanket and try to converse with the help of transla-friends would be staying with me during the homestay tion books. We were introduced to your friend Setcha,that was planned as a part of the Jenesys 2.0 India who was simply a darling to us all. She knew a littleMass Media Batch. The emotions were clearly seen on English and her excitement and enthusiasm when sheall our faces as we were split and put into different greeted us, touched my heart dearly.groups. However, we took it up as a challenge andwith smiling faces we were greeted by papa, Ogi-San. Once we settled into the house, we all exchanged ourWhen we met you, we were scared, really scared, be- gifts that flew with us all the way from India. The lookcause that was when we realised that neither did you on your face when you opened each and every gift, pa-know English, nor did we know Japanese. We sat tiently trying to understand what exactly did we give,there just smiling at each other and finally introduced while we tried to explain, once again with translationourselves with the help of one of the volunteers. books, is something that I can remember even now. The moment you opened my gift and wore the shawlTensed but with a brave face we sat in the car, the six over your neck, I felt happy and at ease.of us, quietly discussing what our stay would probably Mama, the food you gave us at home, was something that I do not think none of the six of us will ever for-



get. The food was served so neatly that our hungry it must look even more prettier while it is time for thestomachs were full at the mere sight of the food. Sakura flowers to bloom.The next day, our poor tired bodies did not wake up When we came back home, all tired, and we know youin time to go fishing with papa, but you didn’t say a were tired as well. But yet, you did not give up. Youword. You quietly and patiently waited for us, while sat us at the table and we helped you in cooking. Andwe all woke up and freshened up and then you sat then, you cooked us the Japanese dish, Okonomiyaki.with us for a delicious and hearty breakfast. Once we It was a dish with bacon, prawn, and octopus and wewere finished with breakfast, we went back to sleep all enjoyed it dearly.again, and yet again you did not say a word, insteadyou started making us sweets to take back home. Finally as the day came to an end, we started sharing our family lives with you and papa. You then dressedWe, then, took over the kitchen and started preparing us up in your traditional Japanese attire, the Kimono.Indian food. The interest that both you and Setcha And then, we dressed you up with the Indian sari andshowed really motivated us to cook an even tastier you looked very excited at that moment. We can def-meal. While we sat down for lunch, you tasted the In- initely not forget the fact that you looked pretty too.dian food and complimented us on the food. You were The stay at your place, Mama, had gotten over tooexcited and that transferred on to our faces as well. soon. But the memories that we formed there are nu-The spiciness did get to you, but you did not give up. merous. There is not a single thing that I can forgetInstead, you took more servings. And then, you did about the stay.something that shocked us all, in a good way. You kept There might not be a chance or a time when I can everyour spoon down, and asked us to teach you how to meet you again, Mama and Papa, but do remembereat with hands, the typical Indian way. This made us that you and Papa are always in my heart. I hope weall fell very happy. can meet once again.You then took us all out on a ride around the city ofSaiki. It is a beautiful city that you live in, Mama. And



Japan, my second - Cutting edge #TECHONOLOGY Inspection actually home made me aware about how innovative and advanced is the technology in Japan and how the same has been integrated in the lives of Japanese People for the con- venience of their living. - Singam Basant - #NATURE Experience was the best experience as I presume I visited Japan at the right time, meaningVisiting Japan was the best thing I could ask for in my when it was winter. More so, I was completely aston-travel plans abroad. Right from the moment I landed ished by the retention of the nature despite the tech-in Japan, I was touched by the hospitality I received, nology being advanced and how it hasn't affected thewhich continued getting intense throughout my stay. ecosystem and also the measure taken by the Japan-When Rabindranath Tagore visited Japan in 1916, he ese people in preserving the nature and one such ex-expressed “the welcome which flowed towards me, ample is methods implemented for Garbage Disposal.with such outburst of sincerity, was owing to the factthat Japan felt nearness of India to herself.” And re- - #HOMESTAY, staying with the Japanese families,cently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi too echoed was a complete different experience altogether as itTagore during his first official visit as Prime Minister gave us the opportunity to explore the Japanese cul-to Tokyo in September 2014 - “I am touched by the ture in regards to their living standards, food and thewarmth and enthusiasm that I have experienced in infrastructure blended with cutting edge technology.meeting a wide cross section of people here”, he said.The Japanese spirit is strong, warm and incrediblywelcoming.Besides hospitality, I was entranced by,



Five men, the sea San in serving us the best food with an incredibly spe- cial green tea. The hopes still remained damp as it was and Yuki San only the food that was in store for many hours to come. As we slept in the big hall with all the windows - Arjun Padmakumar closed, the eyes of expectation were shut too and all of us wanted to soon get back to our base.Memories are like sea, they ripple and dance to thetunes of wind, and when they are made on the sea its The morning came as quite a surprise as I heard aabsolutely an elating experience. This very feeling was loud howl from one of teammate who stayed along,understood by us during the homestay programme of sensing danger and prepared to fight whatever, IJenesys and the same happened to be with one of the slowly got up and observed that he was standing be-hundred flourishing business families of Japan. hind the door. I slowly moved toward the door taking hold of the small flask they gave for storing green teaThe expectations, to be frank, were not sky high, the as protection. As I reached the door and slowlyold car and the drive to the countryside didn't add opened it, I saw something that I have never ever seenmuch colour to our hopes. As we reached the Yuki San in my life.house after around one hour’s drive into the forests,five of us were already thinking of how to sleep and The majestic sight was the roaring sea just a step awaywhile away the proposed twenty four hours to be from our room and the scene was added in aestheticsspent there. The place was gloomy, dark and showed were the flock of birds and the distant mountain sil-absolutely no signs of anything interesting. The one houette with a tint of fog on its outline. There was athing that initially kindled the ray of hope in us was second howl and indeed it was me and in less than athe hospitality and love shown by the mother Yuki minute everyone joined in to see the sea. As Yuki San came in with break fast we were all at the small platform enjoying the beauty and human sense of happiness doesn’t need any medium to convey and



any language to speak. She called all of us with the Home stay - an un-wave of hand and got us down to their factory sidewhere they processed and exported fish, shrimp and explainableother marine products. He slowly opened one of thelarge drawers and handed over to each one of us a life experiencejacket. She also instructed her son to take us for theride of a lifetime in the speed boat. - Skandashree BaliThe sea was roaring in a language unknown to us and All of us were super excited that we were heading tothe sense of excitement and joy grew beyond the uni- Japan. We had gone through our schedules numberverse. The five of us were taken to a deserted island in of times and we knew that we had something calledthe sea and the pristine place was free of any human the Home stay. We didnt exactly know what it was.impurity. The trees were huge, the corals were beau- We only knew we had to stay with a few Japanesetiful and the sand had a deep glow as if it was smiling families. But this was planned a little on the itinerary.at our arrival. The experience of a lifetime and we bow We were enjoying our first few days in Japan withdown to say ‘Konicheewa’ to life. friends. We visited historical places, few tourist places, few universities etc. After these things came to an end, we headed for home stay. We were six of us from different parts of India who were grouped together for the home stay. I was very upset because none of my friends were with



me and I was heading to a house where I knew no one. up in traditional Japanese attire and was taking us aOur Mama who is 80 years was in no way like a lady temple. Her friends who are 85 years old came andwho is 80! She was Kerai (beautiful and young). Her started dressing us up. They made us feel like dolls.energy levels were that of a 20 year old! When we met Slowly I started loving home stay. They were so ex-her, she had no clue what Wi Fi was and that's when cited and took keen interest in making us feel special.I started cursing the home stay. I was staying away We visited the temple came back, ate the yummyfrom my family for the first time and I could not sur- lunch that was waiting for us. We also cooked Indianvive without talking to my Mom every day. I was very Food and our host family simply loved it.upset that there was no Wi Fi and I could in no way Then the time came to say goodbye and I was cryingcontact my Mom. within. It was killing me to go away from my Mama and Papa. Within two days I had developed so muchIt was time to tell bye to my friends and go ahead to attachment that I found it extremely difficult to saymy Mama's house. What shocked me was, my host good bye. We went to the farewell party and when Imother who is 80 years old drives! She drives her car sang for my Mama, tears kept rolling down myat 100 kms per hour speed!! My god! I could not be- checks. I did not want to go away from her love, carelieve my eyes. We reached her house which is on a hill and affection. Within me, I was crying hard. Each parttop and we realized that a river flows right in front of of my body was killing to bid her farewell. I could nother house. We went inside and saw a beautiful Japan- complete the song, I ran into her arms and wept likeese house which was beyond wonders. She and al- a child. I wept like a child who has lost everything. Iready prepared our beds and had cooked dinner for wept wept and wept........us. She had prepared so many dishes! They were allextremely tasty was mouth watering. We ate dinner Dear Mama & Papa,and started conversing with her in Japanese as she The two days I spent in your house is something un-did not know English. We then headed to bed. Next explainable. I enjoyed each and every minute I spentday we woke up and we were shocked! Mama had with you! I had found new parents in the two of you.kept ready 7 Kimono's and she was going to dress us You took care of me like a baby and comforted me just



like my Mother. I did not miss my mom at all because, Visiting NHKMama, you took over her place with much ease. As Museum ofyou had told, I will get married soon and visit you Broadcastingonce again with my family. But Mama I just want totell you that You are the best! There are very few peo- - Janice Agnetha Vazple like you on planet Earth and You are indeed God'sgift. I will cherish the two days I spent with you till mylast breathe. Your affection and warmth to strangersinspires me. Mama, thank you soo much!! Thank youfor everything! I promise I'll come back running intoarms.With lots of love, The media has a powerful voice to play when it comesYour Kerai (As you fondly addressed me, \"Beautiful\") to the role of informing the public about its affairs and events. The thirteen of us had the wonderful oppor- tunity to visit the NHK Museum of Broadcasting in Japan where we gained a wonderful insight not only to the history and the humble beginnings of television in Japan, we also witnessed the path that is led by technology to bring about the advancements of the fu- ture, not only in Japan, but also in the world. NHK or Nippon Hōsō Kyōkai is the public national broadcasting organization in Japan and has taken broadcasting in Japan to greater heights. Through our journey into the broadcasting in NHK, we witnessed the evolution of the logo and the name



to where it has reached today, starting from TokyoBroadcasting Corporation as it was called in 1924,when it was first started till where it has reachedtoday.Indeed the experience that we had was a very insight-ful one where learning was met with greater curiosityand interest in the greater advancement of technol-ogy, right from the the looks of the first television (andwhat was first screened on television) to the comingof the 8k Ultra High Definition (UHD - 4320p), andwhat was even more exciting for us, the proud stu-dents of Media Studies was to actual link the class-room learning to what all we saw at the museum.



AcknowledgementsWe, the 13 chosen students. Ammu Nair, Anmi Elizabeth Sabu, Arjun In addition, we would also like to thank Japan In-Padmakumar, Janice Vaz, John Sekar, Joseph ternational Cooperation Centre (JICE) and Je-Antony, Lalitha Ranjani, Limson P., Liza Rego, nesys 2.0 for making our stay in Japan a comfortable and memorable one. Singam Basant, Shravana Kumar S, Skan- dashree Bali and Sukant Mukherjeewould like to extend our heartfelt gratitude toChrist University, especially Dr Fr Thomas CMathew, Vice Chancellor; Fr Abraham, the ProVice Chancellor; Fr Biju KC, the co-ordinator, De-partment of Media Studies; Prof Naresh Rao,Head of the Department, Media Studies and theentire faculty of the Department of Media Stud-ies, Christ University, for giving us this amazingopportunity to travel to Japan and experience thecountry in its glory.