A Season of Change | Kaeko Yamashita (Dean, Faculty of Nursing and Medical Care)
2009.09.24
One day toward the end of summer, the trees at SFC, which until yesterday were a uniform green, began to turn brilliant shades of yellow and red. In some places, they were already shedding their leaves, while others were neatly trimming their shapes, seeming to announce the arrival of a new season. To my eyes, accustomed to the lush, uniform green, the change in the natural scenery as the colors began to turn was utterly fresh. My heart leaped as if opening a door to a new world, and I even felt a slight sense of wonder.
The concept of "Change" became widely known as Mr. Obama's keyword during last year's U.S. presidential election. Recently, Prime Minister Hatoyama, who has taken charge of the new administration, has gone so far as to say, "Thanks to President Obama's 'Change,' a change of government became possible in Japan as well...," showing its significant impact in various parts of the world.
"Change" involves shaking up, moving, and replacing things that have long continued and become fixed. It is necessary to escape the familiarity of daily life, and by changing, it brings freshness to people and can even inspire a sense of wonder.
Countries, universities, and institutions with long histories must strictly select what needs to be continued, such as "fostering leaders and cultivating independence and self-respect," and what needs to be newly established, like "gender equality," by discarding old concepts of male dominance. I believe that only when these selections are properly made can "change and development" appropriate for the era be achieved.
Recently, I attended the Japan Society of Nursing Education conference held in Hokkaido, and on my way back, I stopped by the Okhotsk Ryuhyo Museum in Abashiri to see the clione, known as the "sea angel." I was moved by the sight of the tiny, adorable clione, which I was seeing for the first time.
The clione is said to be a type of sea snail. What look like angel wings are actually feet called parapodia, and the transparent red heart is its digestive tract.
When faced with its prey, a sea snail called Limacina, the clione—contrary to its lovely angelic image—extends tentacles from its head, quickly captures its prey, brings it to its mouth, and takes one to two hours to eat it. I was moved by the life processes hidden within the clione's mysterious and lovely angelic form, and I stood mesmerized in front of the tank.
I have been moved by many things in my life. As long as I live, I want to continue to be surprised and to seek out things that move me. This is because being moved focuses our consciousness and drives us to explore. I intend to continue observing my surroundings closely.
Looking back, this is the final installment of my "Okashira's Diary." There were times when I didn't quite make the manuscript deadline, and I apologize for the trouble I caused the person in charge. For me, writing "Okashira's Diary" was both a challenge and a pleasure. When given a theme I had never considered, it was (to put it a bit dramatically) a "challenge into the unknown," which in turn led me to discover new aspects of myself. Conversely, when there was a topic I wanted to write about, I often found myself running out of time and in a great rush as I greedily pondered this and that, but now, even that has become a fond memory.
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has read this diary.
From October, a new "Okashira" will be appointed at the Faculty of Nursing and Medical Care, bringing new changes.
I hope you will look forward to what's to come. Thank you very much for the past two years.
(Date of publication: 2009/09/24)