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 Alice Gordenker

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Alice Gordenker
Alice Gordenker writes the "So, What the Heck is That?" column, providing in-depth, carefully researched explanations of the things foreigners find so puzzling about Japan. Her work has been modified as a textbook for Japanese university students called "Surprising Japan" (Shohakusha, 2012).
LIFE / Lifestyle / MATTER OF COURSE
Jan 11, 2002
Getting into the rat race in middle school
My children are back in school after two weeks of winter vacation. We went skiing and took a few day trips around Tokyo, but the boys spent most of their vacation playing, reading and relaxing. Some of their school chums, however, had no break at all. They spent the entire "holiday" studying for middle-school...
LIFE / Language
Jan 6, 2002
Kids: They've got it figured out
The year's end is a natural time for reflection. Every December, I take a break from the hectic activity of the season and sit down for a quiet cup of tea. I look back at the year passed and reflect on the year to come.
LIFE / Lifestyle / MATTER OF COURSE
Dec 28, 2001
Practice perfects New Year's calligraphy
Pencils and computers haven't replaced brushes at schools -- brush work is alive and well.
LIFE / Lifestyle / MATTER OF COURSE
Dec 14, 2001
Every child gets to be a musician here
My 7-year-old is learning to play a uniquely Japanese instrument. The shamisen? No. The koto? No. Like virtually every other first-grader here, my son is learning to play the kenban hamonika (keyboard harmonica).
LIFE / Lifestyle / MATTER OF COURSE
Nov 30, 2001
Kids get down to classroom clean-ups
A few weeks before my son started first grade, I asked my friend Nagako to help me read the list of school supplies I needed to buy.
LIFE / Lifestyle / MATTER OF COURSE
Nov 16, 2001
Sewing and cookery aren't just for the girls
On a recent observation day at the Japanese public elementary school that my children attend, I wandered into unfamiliar territory. I saw a mother entering a classroom I had never noticed. I followed her in and got quite a surprise.
LIFE / Lifestyle / MATTER OF COURSE
Nov 2, 2001
No fundraisers or bake sales? Sign me up!
I agreed to serve on the PTA of the Japanese elementary school my children attend, but on one condition: that I didn't have to do any fundraising.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY
Sep 28, 2001
Sesame Street for better English learning
The creators of "Sesame Street" are developing new content and materials to make the highly successful children's television program more useful for Japanese children learning English.
COMMUNITY / THE PARENT TRIP
Apr 27, 2001
Being completely fair
When I brought my children to Japan a year ago, I expected they'd pick up on certain things faster than me. I did not, however, anticipate that they'd so quickly succumb to the Japanese national obsession with janken.

Longform

Wozme, founded by dancer and choreographer Wakaba Kohei, is composed of Kana Kitty, Ami Ishii, Akane Watanabe and Natsuki. Its aim is to inject elegance and beauty, traits traditionally associated with femininity, into the sometimes grotesque art form of butoh dance.
Wozme, an all-women dance troupe, wants to move the needle in butoh