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| Google Meet with Japan in session. |
Today we connected online with students of Fukoaka University, Japan. Though they did not speak much English the session was animated by their instructor Dr. Ms. Saoko Funada, Associate Professor, Department of English, Fukoaka University, Japan. Dr. Funada is a Dickens expert and has published widely. She spoke most of the time in Japanese encouraging her students to face the camera. They began by introducing themselves by their names. Some of them helpfully held up placards with their names written on them.
Our students had much to share with them. Some of them joined even though they had an exam in a few hours. Anannaya who is pursuing a course in World Literature asked if they had read the work of Meiko Kawakami. They shared their interest in anime and Doraemon showing pics on their phones on Google Meet. Fashion was also discussed including which were the preferred platforms for online shopping of apparel.
Ann who greeted them in Japanese looked forward to eating some original Sushi. Joselyn asked whether there were apps like Tik Tok in Japan. Sohni described the festival of Diwali which was approaching. Senifa was keen to know whether Yokai (mysterious spirits) existed. Ayeesha spoke about the ceremonial gate at Chowgule college modelled on a traditional Japanese gate (Torii). A student texted from Japan that it is the border (Between the mundane and the sacred).
I asked about their views about Ms. Sanae Takaichi - the first female Prime Minister in Japanese history. The way she has been forthright about protecting Japanese sovereignty is admirable. I was wishing I had a book of Japanese haiku poems with me. Rochelle Potkar had done a Haibun workshop for students years back. The students spoke about Basho who we studied in class. I shared his poem:
In Kyoto
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