Day 4: 紹介する (Making introductions)

I had the best day today. My host mother is just great, my lodgings are very nice, and I'm beginning to feel at home. In the morning (after breakfast – see the last post), the opening ceremony featured several speakers from the program and the community. I understood very little. At the end, they had all the students turn our chairs around to face the host families seated behind us. Then, they called each host family-student pair one by one, to meet and take a picture. My grouping was the first one to be called – Yoneuchi-san, my host mother, Nick, my roommate, and me. And I could tell immediately that she would be very pleasant to live with!

What I didn't know is that she is a grandmother, with 3 children and 3 grandchildren. She lives alone (and we are staying with her), her husband lives elsewhere in Hakodate with one of her sons, and her other two children live in their own homes, with their children. Apparently it is not uncommon in Japan for spouses to live apart, due to commuting demands for work. Anyhoo, after the ceremony, Yoneuchi-san drove us while her daughter, Mariko, drove our luggage. In the car ride we made our introductions, then went to eat an absolutely delicious sushi lunch.

"IRASSYAIMASE!" is the enthusiastic greeting one receives when entering a restaurant here. This restaurant had a little conveyor belt with different items that you could pick out à la carte, as well as larger meals. At the table there also was a small container of matcha powder and a sink for you to prepare your own tea. Pretty cool.

Yoneuchi-san making tea

Nick and I both got a great selection of sushi, which was just delicious. This is the food I came here to eat! Also included was some tempura, miso soup, and an egg-custard-thing (the only thing I didn't quite finish… gelatinous texture is not my favorite). And afterwards, we were treated to a yummy dessert.

Green tea ice cream with sesame sauce, mochi-like stuff, red beans

Following lunch, we got settled in to our rooms at Yoneuchi-san's house (a cute yellow building). Upon entering, as is customary in Japanese households, we removed our shoes in the foyer before stepping into the hallway proper (shoes are not worn inside). She said that one of us would have to choose the "small" bedroom, and I said I would take it, but it turned out to be far from small. She went over the house rules/protocol with us, and then we presented her with our おみやげ – small tokens of gratitude that are all but mandatory in Japanese culture in exchange for hospitality. Pressed for time when I left, I got her a couple of my favorite Lindt chocolate bars, but I now fear it was not enough. Oh well.

Yoneuchi-san's home

My "small" room

Having moved in, we went for a walk around the area. The weather was nice and cool. On our way, we passed her grandson's high school, and stopped by a 100-yen shop – or a dollar store. I was amazed by the variety of stuffs available for only a dollar; aisles and aisles worth of pretty useful things. I bought some pencils, since I didn't really bring any school supplies with me.

Back at home, we soon got to meet Kento, Yoneuchi-san's 17-year old grandson (Mariko's son). His main interests, according to them, are basketball and his girlfriend – ha! But he's a very nice guy, and it was great to converse with him, using the style reserved for casual situations (yet not appropriate for showing respect or speaking with superiors). Japanese speech styles vary widely according to the social situation, and you have to tailor your speech according to who you are talking to and how you rank compared to them.

Yoneuchi-san, Kento-kun, and Nick in the living room

After a short naptime, Yoneuchi-san prepared dinner for us. It was quite good, though I had some anxiety because it impolite to refuse any prepared food – so, in the stew for instance, I chewed a lot more of the meat fat than I ever would normally, for risk of appearing ungrateful. Now I'm pretty sure Yoneuchi-san would be understanding if I were unable to stomach something, but it's hard to tell where the line is between acceptable and rude. At any rate, early on in the meal it became clear that my chopstick skills were abysmal (sorry, Mrs. Leong!), and I was demoted to Mickey Mouse trainer chopsticks that hardly fit my fingers. Another skill I'll have to pick up…

My trainer chopsticks...

In the evening, we went together to the local onsen, as Nick had not been to an onsen yet. (My fuller reflections on the onsen experience still forthcoming!). Afterwards, we enjoyed a slushy, Yoneuchi-san's treat. I wasn't expecting her to cover so many expenses for us, but I also didn't know if it would be rude to refuse. If I seem over-worried about this politeness thing, understand that Japanese society is highly structured around levels politeness and propriety!

Overall, though, what a day. I'm looking forward to this homestay experience developing over the next eight weeks!