Dr Jim Hardin Matt Wilce gets to know ASIJ’s new head of school Dr Jim Hardin.
The smell of camellia oil hangs in the humid, early-morning August air and there’s a bang as several hundred pounds of sumo hits the wooden wall at the side of the dohyo. A semi-circle of perspiring wrestlers stand facing the ring as one of their junior members hits the dirt and lies panting for breath. This is head of school Jim Hardin’s dramatic introduction to sumo and one of his first forays into understanding the culture of his new home—Tokyo. Jim watches the young rikishi train while Kyoko Takano from ASIJ’s Japan Center whispers an explanation in his ear. When the time comes to leave, the Oyakata gets out of the battered recliner that he’s been observing training from and comes to the entrance to greet Jim. Nobuyoshi Hakkaku, a former yokozuna and current chairman of the Japan Sumo Association, is a man of few words, but with interpretation pleasantries are exchanged and the formal request for the sumo stable’s participation in ASIJ’s Spirit Day is made. An invitation to eat chanko nabe together is even proffered. After the early start at the Hakkaku-beya sumo stable, Jim heads across town to the PTA Welcome Coffee at Tokyo American Club, where a roomful of over 300 ASIJ parents gather to kickoff the new school year. The room is filled with chatter as old and new friends catch up on what the summer brought before talk turns to the start of school. For many it will be their first meeting with Jim and their first opportunity to hear him speak at length. In his speech, he talks about his personal experience, welcoming the other newcomers to the community, and highlights some of the changes ahead this school year. Lunch with the Chofu PTA executive board and a meeting at the US Embassy with the regional security officer follow his remarks and then it’s back to the Chofu campus. It’s a busy day, but then so many are when you are head of school at ASIJ.
THE AMBASSADOR \\ FALL/WINTER 2017
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