Japan Society of Boston Meets Mac Gill (Kochi, 2021-2023)
In partnership with Japan Society of Boston, USJETAA is proud to share the JSB Meets JET Alumni interview series which explores the JET experience across Japan.
In November of 2024, Japan Society of Boston got to know Mac Gill (Kochi 2021-2023).
What are some of the things your prefecture is known for? e.g. food, hotspots, etc.
Kōchi Prefecture is pretty far off the beaten path, but that's one of the reasons I loved it! Nahari is sandwiched right between the ocean and the mountains, so it was very beautiful. Kōchi is known for Sakamoto Ryōma, Makino Tomitarō (a famous botanist), katsuo-no-tataki (seared bonito cooked over a straw fire), and a history of whaling.
Did you pick up any of the regional dialects? What are some of your favorite words or phrases?
Yes, Kōchi has two dialects, Tosa Dialect in the east and Hakata Dialect in the west. Since I was in the east I pretty much only heard Tosa Dialect. It's very distinctive, and there were two phrases I heard a lot! One, often from kids and students, was 何しゆうが？ which means "Whatcha doin'?" and the second was かまん which is a shortening of 構わない which means "I don't mind" or "no problem."
