After going to Awaji Island recently, where the founding gods of Japan are believed to have started creating the archipelago, our next trip was suitably to the Grand Shrines of Ise, which worship the Sun Goddess Amaterasu, also central to the national creation myth. The outer and inner shrines are 4 km apart, so this was the first time that I could enjoy the outer shrine for the first time as well. The founding gods were a male and female couple, as we found in various forms on Awaji Island. Our hotel was along the Ise Shima coast where there is a shrine with a sacred rope connecting husband and wife islets (third photo). Marriage on the rocks? This shrine is for you!
Water, Wood, and Wild Things: Learning Craft and Cultivation in a Japanese Mountain Town by Hannah Kirshner, 2021
An immersive journey through the culture and cuisine of one Japanese town, its forest, and its watershed—by an American writer and food stylist who spent years working alongside #artisans.
New publication: "English Education and Bilingual Education in Japan." Bilingual Japan, 33(1), 9-13.
The Japan Times quoted the author extensively in a recent article on bilingual education. The reporter agreed to share the full interview. Asked why the level of English in Japan remains low, the author goes well beyond the standard explanations to diagnose deep cultural barriers. Then the author defines bilingual education, cites a successful example in Japan, and suggests balancing the input and opportunities for communication in Japanese and English. Next, the author touches upon current trends stemming from parental and societal recognition of the value of becoming bilingual. Finally, the author tackles the populist slogan that the Japanese do not need foreign languages, presenting individuals with a choice of lesser or greater freedom.
My new article "English Education and Bilingual Education in Japan" is now a Research Spotlight article at ResearchGate, such that members may add comments or questions -- after reading the article -- at https://www.researchgate.net/spotlight/66797ca826fd1df03709c0d1
Shorter ABSTRACT: The Japan Times quoted the author extensively in a recent article on bilingual education. This full interview with references briefly defines bilingual education, cites a successful example in Japan, and gives deep insights into the changing society as well as cultural barriers to English education.