“You sure study a lot.”
…Brother Shinta, it’s not like that. It’s the only thing I can do…
…Because of my parents, I had to transfer schools a lot. I thought, “I’ll just be transferring anyway,” so I avoided making friends and escaped into books and studying…
…That’s why I didn’t have a place in college either. Seeing people smarter and more capable than me made me feel miserable and pathetic…
Part 2
“Hey!! You’re reading a good book. Did you know that book is modeled after rakugo?”
…If I hadn’t discovered rakugo back then, I wonder what would have happened…
…Even now, after quitting college and becoming a rakugo storyteller, I’m still bad at socializing. My junior apprentice sister, who is ten years younger, worries about me, and I can’t even talk to my troubled junior apprentices. I rely on external confidence…
…Even if you want to change, people don’t change that easily. So at the very least, I want to say with pride that the knowledge I’ve accumulated is my weapon…
This is Akane Banashi, a reflection by Aragakawa Koguma.
[Akane Banashi] Is Aragakawa Koguma a theoretical rakugo storyteller? A detailed introduction to his profile! – Subculture World
Part 4
High “extraversion” and “agreeableness.”
In school, students who are liked by teachers and considered excellent always have these two characteristics.
In fact, to teachers who have never been in the real world and are “adult children,” these stereotypes are the only way they can assess a child’s characteristics.
Moreover, in Japan, which still conducts education like mass-producing soldiers, those with high extraversion and agreeableness are easier to control once they enter society and work as soldiers.
Part 5
Suppose you go to the zoo with your child.
When you return home, the children you remember seeing are mostly those with high extraversion, aren’t they?
Extraverted children enjoy communicating with strangers, so perhaps they approached your child or you.
At the zoo, children who are crying loudly or running around are often those with high extraversion.
However, isn’t it strange?
There aren’t only extraverted children in the world.
Since the ratio of extraverted to introverted people is 50%, half of the children should be introverted. Yet, no one remembers the introverted children.
Part 6
As someone who is more introverted than 95% of people, I want to shine a light on these unnoticed introverted children and provide a place where they can thrive.
Introverted children delve deeply into their inner world of thoughts, values, and emotions.
It might be hard for extraverts to believe, but introverted children enjoy their quiet alone time.
They prefer spending time in small groups rather than large ones. They dislike being the center of attention and take time to warm up to new people.
Extraverted children enjoy a wide social network and have diverse interests. In contrast, introverted children prefer close relationships with a few people and enjoy focusing on one thing.
Part 7
However, when they feel comfortable or passionate about a topic, they become very open and talkative. Parents of introverted children might feel a bit disappointed thinking, “Why do they become so quiet in front of others when they seem so happy?”
Every parent wants to show the world their child’s lively and charming side.
Introverted children like to observe before participating in new activities or groups. Parents need to acknowledge this observation and support them in expressing their opinions.
Part 8
While the advantages of high extraversion are often highlighted, there are many benefits to being introverted too.
Introverted children require less supervision compared to extraverted ones. They seldom cry or run around in public places, making it easier to take them to restaurants, museums, or libraries from an early age.
They also tend to respect others’ thoughts and values. In school, they don’t cling to others or make excessive noise. They are less influenced by peers or trends and strive to form their own thoughts and values. They make decisions and act only after deep consideration.
In contrast, extraverted children are more likely to get into or cause trouble as they grow older. While a sociable young child might seem endearing, their sociability can become a source of worry for parents as they age. They enjoy being with peers and are easily influenced by them. They also tend to care more about others’ opinions.
Part 9
“The monotony and solitude of a quiet life stimulates the creative mind.”
These words by Einstein, an introvert himself, highlight that introverts are often more creative, thoughtful, and aware. They prefer deep connections with a few people and value quality over quantity. They also tend to be more private and independent.
Part 10
To encourage an introverted child to try new things, persuasion is often needed. Introverted children like their comfort zones and get exhausted in unfamiliar places or with new people. Thus, parents need to gently push them to explore the unknown and meet new people. Social situations can be stressful for introverted children.
So, what should parents do?
Provide time for rest. Introverted children need ample rest after social interactions. Create time for them to be alone or spend time with just the family. If they don’t get enough rest, they can become irritable.
Part 11
Additionally, introverted children often get overlooked by adults because they are quiet. Unlike extraverted children, they don’t seek attention or speak up much. As a result, they have less interaction with parents and teachers, giving the impression that they don’t need adults much. But introverted children still need support and wish to build deep relationships with adults.
Part 12
Introverted children are independent and thoughtful, making them less susceptible to peer pressure. They value their own thoughts and perspectives over peer influence. This can lead to situations where they question directives if they find them baseless or see better ways to do things, even if the directives come from teachers.
I’ve experienced this myself countless times. While I see this as a strength of introverts, many teachers, who are “adult children” with no real-world experience, might see it as insubordination and label such students as difficult or defiant.
In Western countries, these strengths of introversion might be appreciated, but in Japan, they often lead to lower evaluations.
Part 13
To me, children who blindly follow teachers’ instructions seem unthinking, but in Japan’s educational system and later in the workplace or public service, such extraverted children might find it easier to navigate life. Consequently, introverted children might question why they can’t be like their peers and if something is wrong with them.
Part 14
This is where parental support becomes crucial. To nurture the talents of an introverted child, parental support is essential.
More to follow later.