you're kidding right?

Japan, like every other country frets over what its kids are learning in schools. Just like in the US, you see article after article chronicling the descent into mediocrity of the average Japanese student. Among a number of other responses to this problem, the government has decided to give more leeway to individual schools and school boards by leaving several hours a week open to study what each particular school finds most relevant and pressing.

Tokyo and Hyogo Ken have got the same idea. They're going to take 2 hours of class time every week to teach traditional Japanese culture. This way kids can learn that certain aspects of manga and anime come from traditional Japanese drawing styles (no mention whether the origin of the comic book format, and 95% of the drawing style is essentially adapted from the west). They'll also get to study why Noh and Kabuki are relevant to our daily lives.

Why? Well, the article I read isn't really clear on why. In fact the only concrete benefit it seems to document is that they intend on teaching some English phrases about Japanese culture so that when these kids grow up, they can tell foreigners about tea ceremony and Noh theater. Another benefit is suggested, to tell the truth. I'm not following the calculus myself, but it seems that if Japanese kids knew more about 600 year old pottery, they would have more self esteem.

So you know where I'm coming from, I don't really think especially much of traditional Japanese culture. Yet, I don't think it's a bad thing to teach in schools, IN ART CLASS. I really distrust these people so eager to force Japanese-ness into the schools, by hook or crook. Sacrificing time (more than 7% of weekly class time) that could be used on something more productive than say, how many times it's appropriate to turn a tea cup when presenting it, is stupid.

This addition to the curriculum mirrors a national debate, as to whether "愛国心" (love of country) should be taught in schools. Here's an over-zealous critique by a foreign press correspondent, and here's a little bit about it (buried inside a longer, but worthwhile article) from Marutei Tsurunen, the first diet member of foreign descent. Ooh, this is really good, if you read any of my links about this matter read that one.