I think you'll all get a kick out of this. Muahahahaha!

QUOTE

... Let me introduce you to a game Japanese kids like to play called "Kancho." Actually, it's not so much a "game" as it is kids clasping their hands together, sticking out their first fingers, and shoving them up your butt. I'm really not joking. You know, before we come to Japan, they tell us a lot of ultimately useless stuff. What kind of computer to bring, if our DVD's will work, clothing sizes, that kind of nonsense. Nowhere, and I mean nowhere, in the 3-4 months of orientations did anyone ever mention that at some point, a Japanese kid may try to stick their fingers up our butt. That's something I would have liked to know, personally. It's called Kancho, and just about any kid can be a Kancho Assassin. ...

some might consider that a vacation perk . there are some japanesse students at the wife's school. perhaps they would be interested in a rousing game of Kancho!!!? but no smello!!!

My nephew called me from Japan on Wednesday looking for some information.

He's teaching English in a college over there. When I reply with the information he wants, I need to ask him if he's troubled with Kancho AND Bigu-Dikku........

Ken

i should add that my wife teaches at a private school. upper school is all female. day and boarding school. there are quite a few international students. many from the land of that favorite, funtime game of Kancho.

k

Thanks for screwing up my whole day, I just can't stop reading it. Almost done now. It give a whole new insight into their culture. I'm no longer afraid of Japanese world domination. I have GAIJIN POWER, so it's ok.

QUOTE

Just about any kid can be a Kancho Assassin.

It was interesting to hear that Japanese kids can do basically anything (or nothing) in class but still move on. All I've ever heard about Japanese school is that it is very intense and most kids study all of the time and many commit suicide because of the pressure. This guy's description sounds very different.

QUOTE (BMartin914 @ Mar 19 2005, 12:14 PM)

QUOTE Just about any kid can be a Kancho Assassin. It was interesting to hear that Japanese kids can do basically anything (or nothing) in class but still move on. All I've ever heard about Japanese school is that it is very intense and most kids study all of the time and many commit suicide because of the pressure. This guy's description sounds very different.

The one school that this person teachs at doesnt sound too typical. From my extended trips to Japan I have seen the intense social/family pressure most kids are under.

Reminds me of this Japanese video game I saw:

Web Page Talking about it

QUOTE (grantsfo @ Mar 19 2005, 04:07 PM)

The one school that this person teachs at doesnt sound too typical. From my extended trips to Japan I have seen the intense social/family pressure most kids are under.

Well the thing about the JET program, and the ALT position (which is the job the webpage author has), is that it's a program run by the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. As such the teachers are placed at public schools, often in rural locations. While certainly there are diligent and intelligent students at public schools, there are also quite a few who are on a slower or lower academic track. For the most part, those with money, or drive, or intelligence have been attending private school since at least Jr. High possibly since kindergarten.

Additionally, while I've only browsed the index of the webpage in question, from what I've read here, the authors views sound pretty typical of the ALT experience. English, while an academic mandate of the government, is for the most part useless to the average student. Also, the teaching methods are pretty ineffective, and rather frustrating to the students. Ineffective teaching, coupled with the unimportance of the curriculum leads to a classroom environment that clashes rather dramatically with our imaginings of Japanese schooling.

the Kancho bit was funny this am and it had more possibilities. it's interesting to watch a light hearted thread get all sinister...

k

I asked my japanese girlfriend about kancho, she knew exactly what I was talking about. it's a two handed move where you interweave your fingers and make a point with your two index fingers.

Favorite quotes:

"GAIJIN SMASH!!!"

and

"PREPARE FOR ONE THOUSAND YEARS' PAIN!!!"