My Koto Lesson

In the video clip below you will listen to the koto, Japan's national instrument. At one point in Japanese history this instrument was played by blind men. In honor of this fact listen to the video clip below with your eyes closed.


The koto has a distinctive sound that many people associate with Asian music. You can impress the adult members of your family by casually dropping the fact that that David Bowie, the band Queen and jazz legend John Coltrane have used the koto in their music recordings.

Click on the video clip again. This time keep your eyes open to watch how it is played. It sits on the floor. The right hand plucks the strings with the first three fingers of the right hand. The left hand presses down on the strings to "bend" the notes. It is sort of like a guitar on the ground. Look at the sheet music!


When I visited a middle school, not only did I have the chance to record the video above, but I also got a lesson from an eight grade student, Shuko. First I put the picks on my fingers. Shuko thought it was quite funny when I put the picks on my fingers covering my fingernails.

(So YOU won’t be embarrassed when YOU put on YOUR koto picks just know they go the other way - covering the pads on your fingers.)

Next, Shuko tried to show me how to pick and pluck the string properly. I did not master the picking. My fingers kept slipping through the strings. We both laughed at my efforts.

Finally, Shuko taught me to press the strings down to change the sound while I played. I could handle that one. She smiled when I showed her all the dents on my finger pads. She said something to me in Japanese but I think she told me that happened to her when she started too.

If you want to try to play the koto and earn KenYen, click here. A virtual koto is a lot easier to play than the real thing!

And the Winner is....

Right before I left my host city, Takeo, I went to the vending machine to purchase a "Special". This beverage was voted number one in the poll. My plan was to drink it and report back to you.

Have you seen when the Coca Cola employee has the vending machine open? They empty the coins, restock the can supply and sometimes change the drinks offered? Guess what! They do that in Japan too! My "Special", which I found out later was ice tea, was GONE!

I did what any sensible teacher allowing students to choose what she should drink in a foreign country would do. I went with choice number two. I got a Pocari Sweat.

The thought of drinking sweat isn't too appealing. For you though, I was up to the challenge.

I did a bit of research and found that Pocari in Japanese means "like a cloud floating in the sky". This explains the blue and white bottle. Sweat means sweat. This is a sports drink meant to replace electrolyes lost during exercise. Come see me in the Library. I'll show you the bottle.

How does it taste? Ok. It is like a watered down Gatorade - Yellow Flavor.

Frankly, when I went to Japan I was on the lookout for this Coca Cola product in a vending machine.
Darn. I couldn't find it.

Ode to Ms. Allan

A Poem:
Ms. Allan you work so hard
You fix the pipes and mow the yard
You shovel show and mop the floor
If you lived in Japan you wouldn’t have to do it any ‘mo.

A Haiku (Japanese form of poetry with 5/7/5 syllable pattern):
Lunch duty, moves tables
Help! Emergency clean up!
Does it all smiling

Thank you for sitting through my very short career as a poet.

Spread the word. LPES students you have a task! I want every single one of you to find Ms. Allan, our capable and cheerful custodian. Give her a high-five, hug or say “arrigato.” If you lived in Japan you would be doing many of Ms. Allen’s responsibilities. The children do almost all the cleaning!

Every day after lunch student pull out the buckets, mops and rags. For about 20 minutes they give everything a good scrub. These first graders are scrubbing the floor.


This third grader is sweeping out his cubby.


Horray for second graders! Watch this video to see what they are doing. Love the rubber shoes....


These older boy are picking stone from between the grate outside.


The girl's hand is on the outside of the window working on a dirty spot.

Here is a fourth grade team vacuuming the hallway.


When they are finished they put their cleaning tools away.


They'll use them again tomorrow.

Kids, to earn KenYen today you need to do some cleaning. Ask mom or dad what you can do to help around the house. Parents, you’re welcome.

Some Things are the Same - Computer Version

In Japan, this is what it looks like when you log on to the computer.


In Japan, this is Google.


In Japan, this is the LPES website.


What can I say? I’m a Media Specialist!

Some Things are the Same

Yes, many things in Japan are different from what you may be used to. That doesn’t make it weird or strange. It simply means it is different – and, if you ask me, some of those differences are pretty cool!

Some things, however, are the same for kids in Japan and at LPES in Monument, Colorado. Come with me to Mifunegaoka Elementary School in my host city, Takeo. I’ll show you what I mean.


When a visitor enters the school they need to sign their name in the guest book and wear a name badge so everyone knows who they are.


There are maps hanging on the walls. Most of them have Japan placed in the middle. This is the United States on the right hand side of the map.


The younger kids do projects on School Helpers. Learn more about the Lunch Ladies.


I found lots of student art on the walls.



They go on field trips too!


I was there on the day they had eye exams.


Please notice the cubbies. Nothing on the floor! Wouldn't that make walking in the halls easier? Hint, hint.


In class, kids use “thinking maps” to keep their ideas organized.


Oooops. I found some messy desks.


I went into the library and I found two of my favorite books! Mrs. Waldmann has these in our library but you may have them at home too.



Here is the class pet.


I found first graders with their P.E. teacher doing stretches before a game.


Do you know what struck me as the biggest similarity between LPES and school in Japan?
Happy, friendly and welcoming children.

Halloween in Japan, Japan in Halloween

I returned back to Colorado the day before Halloween. Before I left I had to make sure my kids were set for the big day. We drove to a million stores looking for 'just the right' costume. Contrary to what you may think, the selection was not so great on October 2nd. J-Dude decided on the alien costume we saw at the first store so we went back to get it. Miss G, on the other hand, was just not finding a costume that "spoke" to her. (My suggestion of "How about you be the girl that answers the door and gives out candy to trick or treaters?" wasn't well received.) I left for Japan with a costume-less daughter.

I was suprised that in Japan I saw Halloween decorations for sale in the stores and beautiful Halloween window displays featuring orange, black and pumpkins. Check out my Japanese friend since childhood, Hello Kitty.

In light of the season, one of the things I brought to my host family were Halloween straws, pencils and trick or treat candies. The kids were a buzz of excitement because they had learned about Halloween at school! The girls told me they like the colors and characters. They wanted to know exactly how trick or treating works. If you have never tried to explain the concept of trick or treating to someone from another culture, believe me - it sounds very odd.

Check out Grandmother, "obaatyann" and Tomonari with their Halloween theme straws. Tomo quickly found out that when you blow into it it can double as a whistle.


This was a typical scene when I was at my wonderful host family's home. The girls, Koko and Shuko, using an electronic Japanese-English translator with BlowPops in their mouth.


Apparently Miss G's costume issue wasn't resolved while I was away. Miss G still had no costume when I returned. As I was unpacking my suitcase, however, she saw something that "spoke" to here. A Kennedy Kimono. My friend, Yukiko-san, just happens to be a kimono teacher. She created a book for me called Easy Way of Kimono Wrapping - Special Version for Melinda I followed it step by step. It was easy! Thank you Yukiko!

Feel the Beat

I dedicate this post to Mrs. Eversole, who loves taiko drumming.

Taiko drums are traditional japanese drums. In the olden days - and I mean old, Japan has been around for thousands of years longer than the United States - the edge of a village was marked by the furthest point from which the village taiko could be heard. During times of war, taiko drums were used to motivate troops, help set a marching pace and even communicate orders.

In my host city, Takeo, there were posters all over for a street festival. We went. I was excited because the main event was a taiko drum troop. This is what caught my attention first. The BIG drums.


There were two size drums in this group. These are littler snare drums.


As the men played they worked hard and were sweating. We were right up close. I could feel the sound in my chest! Can you?


For the last song the musicians wore a traditional japanese loin cloth called "fundoshi". Fundoshi may look odd to you, but it allowed the drummers to move around very easily as they preformed. The largest taiko drum was being played from both sides!


The next day I went to Takeo Middle School and got a taiko lesson. They teach many of traditional instruments at this middle school. First I played the snare drum.



Then I got a lesson on the big drum.


I'd like a taiko drum at my house. I could use it to let Miss G and J-Dude that it is dinner time...or if Mr. Jim is at the grocery store I could use it to let him know I forgot to put milk on the list. To earn KenYen check out how to make a modern day taiko drum.