Sekino Family

9/7/08-10/8/08

It has now been a full month since I moved in with a Japanese family. Here I would like to speak about the family, the house and the lifestyle.

I live with a semi-retired couple. Sekino-san, the father, is an electrical engineer and a strong golfer. He was born in a rural town of northern Japan in a family of 10 brothers and sisters. He spent five years away from the family, working in Abu Dabai. While he was away, his parents-in-law moved into the house and helped raise the children. Yumiko-san, the mother, was a domestic science teacher and is a great cook. Today she spends a lot of time helping out at her mother’s nursing home and supporting other charitable works.

Sekino-san and Yumiko-san have three children and two grandchildren. Their eldest daughter is married and has two children. She lives close and visits from time to time. Their eldest son lives far north, and comes home for New Years. Their youngest daughter lives in Yokohama and works at a bank. She visited the house three times in September.

The house itself is neat and well decorated. It has an orange tiled roof and well maintained Japanese style garden. The garden has stepping stones, trees, flowers and sculptures. In September a very special white flower bloomed. This flower, gekka bijin (which means beautiful lady below the moon), blooms only once a year; on the night of (or night before or after) a full moon. Inside, the house is filled with small origami crafts. The foldings are very intricate, and it is mind-boggling how it is possible for a human being to make such a work. Also, there are flowers in nearly every room and many small sculptures.

We spend most of our time together at meals. Each of which contains many different kinds of foods (often new or unknown to me), served on multiple plates and bowls. Yumiko-san handcrafts the placement of each food, creating a meal that is as pleasing to look at as it is to eat. During the meal we talk about differences in language and culture and learn a lot about each other. Sekino-san orders a daily English newspaper, and at meals he often reads the text and I help him understand the words and concepts that are new to him.

Since my arrival, Sekino-san and Yumiko-san have been very kind to me and have made me feel like a member of the family. They have taught me how the Japanese think, and have greatly enhanced the quality of my home life. I hope and plan to stay with them for at least two more months.