Retirement celebration for Professor Yoshihiko Nakano

On March 1st, when the harsh winter cold was easing and signs of spring were in sight, Professor Yoshihiko Nakano's final lecture and retirement celebration was held at the Osaka University Nakanoshima Center. In addition to his students, alumni from his laboratory and people involved in the field survey in Kenya gathered to make it a very lively event. Please click here for details of the event (in Japanese).

In this article, I would like to take the opportunity to express my personal gratitude to Nakano-sensei (Professor Nokano in Japanese).

There is a saying, "Ask, and it shall be given to you." This is a passage from the New Testament, "Matthew," which means, "Ask God, and he will give you the right faith." In other words, it means that in order to achieve something, it is important to take the initiative and seek it yourself, rather than waiting for it to be given to you. As one of his students, looking back on my relationship with Nakano-sensei, I cannot think of any more appropriate words.

The educational policies of researchers are often divided into "laissez-faire" and "strict management", but as for the professor's, it is definitely the former. This is not something that others say on their own, but he himself also acknowledges. In fact, in the 10 years since I was assigned to the laboratory, I have never been told to "do this" or "do that" regarding research. When I entered graduate school, I remember being told just one thing: "Do it freely." Freedom is certainly a pleasant-sounding word, but behind it lies the word "responsibility." In other words, when the expected results are not achieved, or when plans fall apart, you are expected to take responsibility. The professor treated his students as "independent adults" and gave them great discretion in planning, formulating, and executing their research. When research did not go as expected, he asked his students to learn and grow by themselves, sometimes through trial and error, sometimes through seeking advice from predecessors, sometimes through setbacks, and sometimes through struggle. In that sense, his educational policy was very strict and did not allow any indulgence or shirking of responsibility.

However, he is kind and always lend me a helping hand. Just after I was assigned to a research lab for the second year in my undergraduate program, before the spring break, I visited his room and asked, "Do you have any introductory books on anthropology?" I remember that he kindly chose a new book for me and lent it to me, without a single frown, saying, "This is a good book, but it's in English... this one is too easy... how about this one?" Looking back, I think this was the moment I stepped onto the path of academic world. If I hadn't gone to borrow the book at that time, if I hadn't gone to "seek" knowledge, I might not have been attracted to anthropology or research, and I might have just graduated from undergraduate school and gotten a non-academic job. When I asked for something, it could be equipment, opinions, or an opportunity to present my research, and it could be anything, but Nakano-sensei always gave it to me. Looking back now, I feel that the fact that he prepared an environment where I could do research without any inconvenience is similar to the kind of parental love that protects and raises a child so that they can live a life without any inconvenience.

Nakano-sensei was strict but kind, patiently watching over and supporting the students as they grew. Being able to be in a place where I could realize the research design I imagined was an irreplaceable experience, and I am grateful for his loving guidance in creating and protecting such an environment. Thank you for your hard work over the years, Nakano-sensei. And thank you very much. Please continue to take care of yourself and stay healthy.

Tetsuya Shitara