Publisher's Synopsis
Volume One of the series, An American Family in Japan. First released in 1985, this is the third edition with additional photos and updated introduction, and fresh layout. In 1977 Kenneth and Lora Fenter resigned from their teaching jobs in Springfield, Oregon to take teaching positions at a small junior college in Isahaya, Japan about 15 miles from Nagasaki in southern Kyushu, Japan. Their children, Philip and Janelle were 12 and 9 respectively and were enrolled in the public schools of Isahaya. The book Gaijin! Gaijin! which means Foreigner! Foreigner! chronicles the first year of what became a two year sojourn. They went understanding that the Japanese studied English from middle school on and that their duties were to teach in English. What they found was that most people could not understand the English language. However, over time and with patience the family learns to adapt and make friends. The community adopts them and introduces each member of the family to the local customs, arts, music, foods, and invites them into their homes. Fortunately Kenneth keeps a journal and from that journal is able to present a glimpse into the life of the Japanese culture away from the hustle of the modern Japanese metropolitan centers that are more well know.
