Starting in September, I started attending a new church. It's located in the city of Suwa, about 20 minutes (by train or car) southeast of my current residence. All of the churches I have visited have a communal atmosphere, which can be attributed in part to how small they are--no larger than fifty people, I would say. The church in Suwa has this atmosphere, but it also gives me the feeling that life revolves around the church, rather than vice versa. Unlike in the other churches, there are many young families, and most of the children are homeschooled. They do this at least partially because in junior high school and high school, students typically have regular events on Sunday. In order to make attending church a priority, the families feel that they have to homeschool.
While talking to the people at church, I realized a peculiar cultural difference. People kept asking me if this or that famous American is really a Christian. In America, I can't imagine this being a topic of conversation concerning anyone that wasn't known to me personally with more than a passing acquaintance. However, I realized that in Japan, there is no value, and indeed it's probably slightly detrimental, to proclaim oneself a Christian. (I'm not saying that there's persecution, but making such a claim is unusual for Japanese, and thus can create social distance). Therefore if someone says they are a Christian, Japanese people tend to take their words at face value. If an American says that they're a Christian though, I wouldn't put a lot of weight in their words unless I saw evidence beyond going to church.
It's mostly unrelated, but I really like Suwa, the city where the church is. It's quaint in a way similar to Vietnam without being too touristy, and it's also more developed obviously. It's really naturally beautiful too, surrounded by mountains with a large lake in the middle. Coming down from the mountain pass from Shiojiri offers many wonderful views.
In other news, I'm enjoying bouldering even more lately, and I really want to improve. Also, Shiojiri had a large halloween event this past weekend, so I dressed up as a (gentlemanly) pirate and walked around, and was able to see many of my students. I might be enjoying life more lately, but I can't really express why.
While talking to the people at church, I realized a peculiar cultural difference. People kept asking me if this or that famous American is really a Christian. In America, I can't imagine this being a topic of conversation concerning anyone that wasn't known to me personally with more than a passing acquaintance. However, I realized that in Japan, there is no value, and indeed it's probably slightly detrimental, to proclaim oneself a Christian. (I'm not saying that there's persecution, but making such a claim is unusual for Japanese, and thus can create social distance). Therefore if someone says they are a Christian, Japanese people tend to take their words at face value. If an American says that they're a Christian though, I wouldn't put a lot of weight in their words unless I saw evidence beyond going to church.
It's mostly unrelated, but I really like Suwa, the city where the church is. It's quaint in a way similar to Vietnam without being too touristy, and it's also more developed obviously. It's really naturally beautiful too, surrounded by mountains with a large lake in the middle. Coming down from the mountain pass from Shiojiri offers many wonderful views.
In other news, I'm enjoying bouldering even more lately, and I really want to improve. Also, Shiojiri had a large halloween event this past weekend, so I dressed up as a (gentlemanly) pirate and walked around, and was able to see many of my students. I might be enjoying life more lately, but I can't really express why.
I am excited to visit Suwa! It is really interesting that this church has so many homeschoolers.And I am glad that you seem to be enjoying life more lately!
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