Asahiko Kindergarten - Aichi, Japan
September 12, 2009Where the trade winds blow, Asahiko Kindergarten is located right by the ocean with a small and warm community setting. The children there were filled with so much energy and had that “childlike” purity about them. Some of the staff, students, and parents were already awaiting Jake at the train station and greeted him with gifts.
September is their “season of fruits” so they prepared a fruit platter called “Omotenashi”, which contained the sweetest local fruits. Additionally, the children gathered flowers that they grew around their school and prepared a beautiful flower arrangement just for Jake! We could feel the warm hospitality and the school’s appreciation for the music and arts as soon as we entered the building.
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When Jake arrived to the school, he met two other great musicians. They were known as Mr. “Zi” and Mr. “Ni.” Mr. Zi is a volunteer teacher who visits the school often to teach the students fun children’s songs with motions where they can dance, sing, and have fun. He has also mastered the art of Origami and even wrote a book on the various origami that can be made. He loves spending time with the children and helping them to explore and express their creativity.
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The other musician, Mr. Ni, was in an auto accident at the age of 15 and as a result had complete memory loss. He had to start his life all over again, however, this did not stop him from having a dream and goal for his life. Music allowed him to focus and express what he was feeling and made a huge impact on his life. After the accident, he used to perform on the streets and one day the principal of Asahiko Kindergarten noticed him and asked him if he would teach at his school. This was a life-changing experience for him where he could share his music and teach the younger children about his passion of music.
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Mr. Ni especially enjoys Spanish beat and sounds, therefore he and Jake performed “Let’s Dance” together; Jake on the uke Mr. Ni on the drums. Mr. Ni actually made the drum he was playing and explained to the students how he made it. Later Mr. Zi joined them as they all collaborated and performed for the students. When Mr. Zi was singing his interactive children songs, Jake sat with the students and joined in the activity.
Later Jake walked around the room, talking story with the kids, and showing them his ukulele up close and let them strum it. Jake also explained to the students the different sounds that can be produced on the ukulele and all his songs energized the whole room where everyone was enjoying themselves, smiling, and felt the medicine!
After this awesome visit where we got to meet great musicians, they escorted us back to the train station and waved goodbye until the train could no longer be seen. Thank you Asahiko Kindergarten for your wonderful community and much talent!