Life in Japan and fine art of using chopsticks

“In this life … there are no quick fixes towards success. We all have to go through a weeding and pruning process … in order to bring forth fruit.” This quote is a perfect summary of a pivotal period in T.A. Hyman’s life that is detailed in her book, How Do You Use Those Darn Chopsticks?!: A Memoir of a Jamaican Woman who Lived and Studied in Japan. Hyman uses wit and humour to give a first-hand account of her experiences grappling with the culture shock of living in Japan for two years, and how these experiences changed her life for the better.

She introduces her story by sharing briefly about life in Jamaica before deciding to study in Japan. Fortunately, uncertainty with her then job was the catalyst she needed to push her to further her studies by pursuing a master’s degree. Although she was not successful with the scholarship of her first choice that would take her to Europe (her childhood dream), she took advantage of an opportunity to apply for the MEXT Scholarship from the government of Japan to study at the University of Tokyo, and she was successful. Despite not being able to speak the language, she embarked on her new journey, nervous yet determined.

EVENTFUL

Her time in Japan was definitely an eventful one. From having to quickly adjust to a very different way of life – using chopsticks instead of forks, bowing instead of shaking hands, sleeping on a futon on the floor, bathing in a tub – to becoming an entrepreneur and singing in a band, to experiencing a 9.0 magnitude earthquake that shook her, Hyman definitely lived through it all. In her book, she recounts how she made lifelong friends from different backgrounds (her classmates were from different countries), she learned a lot from academic involvements, explored the country that she briefly called home, and even fulfilled her dream of going to Europe (as a presenter at an academic conference).

Most notable in Hyman’s story is her inclusion of life lessons for every chapter or turning point. She expressed the view, towards the end of her book, that her experience using chopsticks aptly summarises her time in Japan. At first, there was the shock of trying something new, then learning to adapt bit by bit, and finally, mastering the chopsticks and realising that faith and determination can make one achieve the seemingly impossible. She even coined ‘The Darn Chopsticks Philosophy’, which is a fusion of the experiences and lessons learned from her times in Japan and Jamaica; a philosophy/set of principles that can prove valuable to anyone’s life.

Overall, Hyman’s memoir is a poignant story about a woman who stepped into the unknown and learnt not only about a new culture but also about herself and what she can achieve – once she has faith and believes in herself.

How Do You Use Those Darn Chopsticks?!: A Memoir of a Jamaican Woman who lived and studied in Japan

Author: T.A. Hyman

Published by: Skolastik Oasis Caribbean (SOC)

ISBN: 978-9769362325

Nicole Watson is a communicator, content creator, and a blogger. Follow her on Instagram @nicolesbookishbits