Bill Gatton
(1979-83)
It was my good fortune to be introduced to Japan through LIOJ and residence in Odawara from 1979-83. As a poor graduate student, the opportunity was one I will never forget and, indeed, LIOJ became the gateway to my current career activity. Hired as the coordinator for the community program, my pleasure was to teach everybody, from kids through elders, from little monsters to a mellow gentleman whose senior emeritus position was as a tester of Hakone hot springs. I also taught in the business program, summer university programs, and teacher workshops-and will continue with the workshops as long as I am around and can help. This perspective on the entire range of learners as well as personality development was very interesting of course. The transition from carefree childhood to the yoke and collar of the junior high school student is an impression that remains.
LIOJ was always a lively place. The Christmas parties for kids were spectacular, the sugar served in excess required energy to be released. Running games pounded dust from the carpets. The poor teacher drafted to the Santa role often succumbed beneath an enthused rugby scrum. Community events held in Big Hall (now Main Hall) included dances and international events and lectures. I recall one visiting expert whose research base consisted of conversations with taxi drivers. Some teachers had to leave or erupt in offensive laughter. There was one afternoon when class was disrupted as a monkey visited and watched us through the windows of Edmonton (the largest of the basement classrooms was devoted to kids). Cross Currents was a ground-breaking publication and another aspect of LIOJ that set my course into publication.
Of Asia Center what does one remember? Hard work, of course, but everyone remembers that! The ping pong tables were prime stress relievers. These were established along the outer walkway, alongside of Big Hall. LIOJ introduced me to the VCR and camera, Wang (early version word processing), and the fax as modern appliances. There was Coffee Shop, the post community program adult hour given to free conversation. There was cafeteria mystery meat of course and, one of my personal coups that still enhances the experience of everyone who arrives at LIOJ by vehicle, the Asia Center driveway speed bumps. I successfully lobbied for these after seeing too many near accidents of my unheeding kids running out while taxis sped in to the courtyard. Of course taxis still speed, now bouncing occupants to the ceiling, but we trust that the drivers are made slightly more alert. Other LIOJ memories? The blessed air conditioning and washing machine. The free cheese on toast (always sprinkled with Tabasco). The very helpful and supportive staff. The walk home across Peace Park and the undeveloped area that went by a few names but where toads were an occasional hazard in season. The beach in summer with the strong undertow a good reason to exercise, the walk up sandy-toed the hill. The blessed air conditioning. Gal, the LIOJ annex where conversation never ceased. The beer machine, of course, and the views. There was an LIOJ hiking club, Sigaty, Battaglia, and Gatton the core members. Our scatological comments are scattered in the hut logs atop-well, not hundreds-but plenty of Japanese mountains. We also had an ongoing contest to determine the best walk back from Myogin to Asia Center with the least time on a paved surface. More than one mikan grower was surprised as we tumbled from the bush onto their property. Scars and bruises were our evidence and badge.
LIOJ was an excellent entry to Japan, of course. I often feel sorry for those who started in Tokyo, ruined as they became for the countryside life. Likewise, I pity those who came in mid-or post-Bubble, as values have been buffeted and an age of, in Ezra Vogel's hyperbole of the late '70s, "Japan as number one" will not be felt again, particularly as the past decade of denial leads to coping with senescence.
And such indeed is my memory of friends, colleagues, and students, the bright cheery faced youngsters, the long-suffering juniors, the stoic high schoolers, the curious and dedicated adults. Such are poor images of my time at LIOJ. Such is the way with all old-timers, of course, happy with the memory of their own golden age.
Probably best to ignore us, point us in the direction of the cheese toast, and suggest a video distraction, perhaps John Huston's version of "Night of the Iguana." Let's meet at 8:45 with your class at GAL. We can discuss projects, politics, and reminiscence where the slogan was "Have you been met?"
August 2002
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