MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- The child chuckled playfully as he extended his small ink-wet hand to guide a Marine’s hand across the thin-white parchment paper. Together, they carefully traced the kanji symbol for Yamaguchi Prefecture. Sgt. Alkedra M. Johnson, Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 heavy equipment maintenance chief and Elizabeth, N.C., native, looked at the child for approval. With the student’s help, she had completed her first print of Japanese calligraphy.
Marines, sailors and civilians with the MWSS-171 Community Relations Committee, traveled to Kono Elementary School in Otake City, to interact with children learning about American culture Thursday.
“There aren't a lot of Japanese children who can say they met U.S. Marines,” said Johnson. “We came to their school, they interacted with us, and we displayed American culture. This visit stays with them for the rest of their lives.”
The elementary school, surrounded by mountains, houses only 17 students of different grade levels.
For three hours, the small group of 19 Marines participated in activities in the Kono gymnasium. The day began with a student-led demonstration of games involving a kendama, a common toy in Japanese culture consisting of a swinging ball attached to a stick.
The children, gathered in formation with one student calling commands, executed calculated movements in unison using the kendama. When the demonstration ended, the children took their toys into the audience of Marines and allowed them to attempt the movements.
“The children have a newfound confidence and their shyness has left,” said Eiko Saiki, Kono Elementary School teacher and native of Otake. “They are very happy to tell of our country's culture and see for themselves what they have been taught about American culture.”
Immediately following the kendama demonstration, the children set up ink and parchment paper stations across the gymnasium floor. In small groups, the students demonstrated how to draw a few basic kanji symbols, such as those for Yamaguchi Prefecture and Iwakuni. Afterward, the children handed their brushes to Marines and guided them through the scripting.
“It's an interesting experience to see how different their public schools are from ours,” said Sgt. Brandon A. Nelson, MWSS-171 communication technician and Ricelake, Wash., native. “Growing up, they are going to have a positive image of not just Marines, but Americans. It’s going to be a good relationship between two cultures in the long run.”
Before saying goodbye, the students gave each Marine a card with the words “thank you” and the child’s own names. As the Marines were preparing to drive away, one student, Hiroki Kimura, ran outside in tears holding the card he made. Kimura was allowed to board the bus and give his card to a Marine.
“[Kimura] never got to give his card to us,” said Lance Cpl. Robert H. Fischetti, MWSS-171 bulk fuel specialist and native of Elizabeth, N.J. “They were so excited just to give us something back, and this whole time we thought they were doing us a favor letting us visit.”