九州ルーテル学院

Luther Gakuin is located on a hill and tucked into a neighborhood twenty minutes or so by foot from downtown Kumamoto. Like many things in Japan, it has a feeling both of history and hypermodernity to it, being built in 1926 from decadeless dark gray concrete. The school’s calendar is punctuated by numerous commemorations and rituals, which add substance to the intangible feeling of tradition around the place. Students wear uniforms and the male teachers wear either suits or sweaters over collared shirts: the garb of academic Inkling coziness. Only the classrooms are heated and the doors to the outside are often left open, so the hallways feel more like covered walkways than parts of the building. Students have most of their classes in the same room all day, with teachers going to the students’ homerooms to teach. The teachers’ office is sacred ground, so students must ask permission in their politest Japanese before entering. Japanese teachers, like seemingly all Japanese workers, are incredibly professional, and while many of them have fun and joke with their students at times, there is always a respectful distance. Equally hallowed is the staff lounge, where these ultra-professional men and women can be seen chatting, lunching, reading newspapers, and even relaxing so far as to slouch slightly in their chairs or cross their legs. A corner of the lounge is walled off to quarantine smokers, and a small fan lazily pushes the hazy air outside. I’ve been eating lunch in the lounge for the past couple of weeks, and it’s been the best way to get to know the other teachers. They get to talk with the new foreigner, I get to practice Japanese, we all get to know each other better, and everyone wins.


Until the new semester begins in April I only teach two classes: first year presentation English and second year debate English. Students at Luther can choose one of five tracks to study: the general course, the math and science course, the sports course, the arts course, or the English course. Students in every course have to take all subjects, but if they have a specialization they take more classes or specialized classes to fit their focus. In addition to classes, there is chapel every morning and a homeroom chapel service every afternoon. Although it’s a Christian school, most of the students and staff are not Christians. I’m hoping that I’ll get to know some of them well enough (and learn enough Japanese) to ask what it’s like doing all of those Christian things each day. Is it just another mindless task to check off the schedule? Is it bothersome, enjoyable, interesting, repulsive? Is God working through it, or in spite of it?

"Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High." Genesis 14:18

Maybe in two and a half years I won't be able to tell you. Or maybe I will. In the meantime, keep feeding the koi. They've probably gotten hungry since the last post.

Luther Gakuin from the front.

Luther Gakuin from the back, including the tree of knowledge.

The view outside my back window. Yes, there is usually a cat there.

Maybe if teaching doesn't work out I can get this guy's job.

Looking down from the top of the castle.

Nagasaki Prefecture is across the water.