We are in Yamaguchi Prefecture, 1000km from Ofunato. Today is Saturday, and we’re performing in a Dementia Care Conference in Yamaguchi for care workers from all over the prefecture.
Kesen Boke Ichiza are performing at 1pm. The morning is taken up with a welcome ceremony, awards to care staff for outstanding care,and a lecture by Minani Nobutaka.
Backstage Dr Uchide introduces me to Minani Nobutaka. He describes himself as a punk Japanese poet! He is giving a lecture this morning on his experience of caring for his wife who had dementia. He has given over 1,700 lectures!!
Below is a picture of Minani Nobutaka, Komiko San, Mrs Ozawa ( my interpreter ) and me.
I wanted to hear him speak, so Mrs Ozawa and I took our seats in the main hall.
I wasn’t disappointed. Minani has a powerful yet gentle presence , he's a gifted speaker, and has a no nonsense honesty that is rare.
He talked about the early days when his wife was first diagnosed with dementia. He was so depressed he took his wife to a cliff edge with the intention of killing them both. But his wife started singing to him, and smiling at him, and in that moment, on the cliff's edge, he realised he had to find ways of coping.
He started giving lectures to the local community, taking his wife with him. His wife's family were disapproving, ashamed of their mother's illness. But Minami believes there is NOTHING to be ashamed about. His wife was happy to be by Minami's side, and the people attending the lecture's were happy to see his wife too. The meetings would often end up with everyone singing. His wife's family could see the benefits, and they never looked back.
In difficult times Minami would whistle the song of the Japanese Warbler to his wife.The song would bring them close again, and the connection between them would feel strong. His wife would try and catch the bird by touching Minani's lips. Minani feels these moments are as important as medicine in helping people with dementia connect back to loved ones.
His wife passed away 12 years ago, but Minani continues to travel the country, and is still passionate about educating people especially children on dementia care. I loved listening to him speak, sing and whistle. He is an inspiration, has a wealth of first hand knowledge in the field, and is a great support to so many families.
Boke Ichiza’s performance went really well, I played Susan Boyle’s sister again.
Below is a photograph of everyone who played their part in the conference.
We all celebrate with an amazing Japanese meal in Yamaguchi. We’re having puffer fish as promised!
Below are some photographs of our evening meal. We’re eating the liver of an angler fish, raw trout with eggs, crab, sashimi, and puffer fish stew, all washed down with wine, beer and sake.
During the meal we all took it in turns to introduce ourselves, and say a little bit about the work we do.
After a few glasses of wine I introduced myself in Japanese, then Mrs Ozawa skilfully translated my little speech, I am so thankful for a translator, she's an amazing woman. Dr Uchide started shouting for me to sing a song, then everyone started chanting song! song! Being Susan Boyle's sister comes with a multi-million pound pressure.
The first song that popped into my head was ‘Sospan Fach’ a classic welsh folk song. Everyone joined in with the Oi! Oi! at the end of the verse. I love those moments in life when everyone feels connected and language is no barrier, a drink helps too!!
Then everyone go up to dance and sing traditional Japanese folk songs. What a night!
I've had a wonderful trip to Yamaguchi with Kesen Boke Ichiza. The work they do is intelligent, funny and inspiring. They work so hard!
Before we left the prefecture we spent Sunday morning in Dazaifu, the ancient city of culture. We visited Dazifu Tenmangu Shrine, which is sacred to the memory of Michizane Sugawara, also known as " the god of learning". Many thousands of young people visit this shrine every year to pray to Michizane Sugawara for good exam results.
The main hall was constructed in 1591 A.D and is registered as an important cultural site in Japan. Within the shrine are many plum trees that date back to this period. One of the plum trees is said to hold great significance as the tree that Michizane Sugawara at the tender age of five gazed upon and composed this celebrated Waka ( poem )
"How beautiful the red plum blossom,
I wish to color my cheek with it."
I wish to color my cheek with it."
The story goes that he uprooted the plum tree from his family home and brought it with him to Dazifu Tenmangu Shrine. Below is the celebrated plum tree, not red I'm afraid.
But here's some red...
Below is Taca Co San - she plays the mother in Boke Ichiza.
It was a beautiful place, with Cypress trees over 1000 years old....look at the roots of the one below!!
Back on the local train to Yamaguchi and our flight home.
I feel there is a genuine passion for sharing in this country. The conferences, the speakers, even the evenings meals are all about connecting people to each other. The group is bigger than the individual.
People working in this field place a great emphasis on the quality of life for older people, and how to maintain and improve it. They are passionate about providing people with dementia with the kind of support that enables them to live peacefully and in their own subjective worlds.
My next blog will concentrate on how this is achieved.
Chin chin everyone!
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