Photos of Dirt

Okay, the previous blog was about how for some reason, Japanese schools have dirt playing fields. Most Japanese are convinced that there is some mystical reason for it, that is has something to do with the uniqueness of the Japanese archipelago etc but my theory is different. I think that after the war, the country embarked on a massive rebuilding project that included schools. School design is very standardized. I kind of like the design of most Japanese high schools. There are a lot of windows for example. It is also a modular design: a small school gets one concrete block, medium school two and so on. Sometimes schools expand by simply adding another block and connecting it with a bridge. Need another floor? Stick a block on top. They're very modular.

So, according to my theory, 60 years ago when dirt was still a soup ingredient in the impoverished land, they didn't bother planting grass. Quick, think of kids in the 3rd world playing soccer: do you have an image of them barefoot with a makeshift ball on a lush green carpet worthy of a golf tournament? No, you have them barefoot with a makeshift ball running around on dirt.

So i figure they just never bothered changing the plans that have worked so well for 60 years. In the meantime people convinced themselves that it is some kind of revered tradition. More so than other places I think Japan falls into this trap. okay, for example, lots of young Japanese brides demand a wedding with 3 Cinderella dress changes and a huge cake with smoke coming out of the bottom. They feel it's their birthright even though it's a variation of an imported custom that is maybe 30 or 40 years old. Try to change it and it's like spitting on the bible. (Americans for instance think the same about the words "In God we trust" on our currency even though that's only been there for about 50 years.)

So don't question the dirt, man!



Let's look at that photo again. This is actually a very nice school. Inside it has all the latest multimedia equipment. The entire top floor is a lounge/ cafeteria where students can enjoy the view. You'll see to the right the extracurricular buildings for sports and music. Even the sports ground itself has a nice running track going around it. What's that? You want grass? What are you nuts? It's too expensive.

I've played soccer on these fields on a dry autumn day and you can't even see where you're going, let alone breathe. Definitely don't fall down.

Here's another:


It's a tennis court across the street from the above school. That's right -- beaches are made of concrete and tennis courts are made of dirt. Because grass doesn't grow in Japan.