Identity and Place

I recently returned from a trip home to visit my parents and introduce them to their grandchild. Airline troubles aside, it was very nice, thank you. And where exactly is my home, you ask? Well, that will take some explaining. I’ve been reflecting on the matter, and here is what I’ve realized.

Whenever Japanese ask me where I’m from, I’m at a bit of a loss. First there’s the bit about being American. Everyone knows the United States, expects it even, and I suppose that’s why this first part bothers me. Sure, confirming that I’m American usually brightens faces- a phenomenon quite unique to these islands. But sometimes I wish I could foil assumptions and avoid stereotypes by saying I’m from someplace else. I won’t dwell on the mixed blessings and curses of being an Americans though; we’re still far from finding my home.

Which part of the USA did I grow up in? I say the Northeast. America is pretty large, so this vague description rarely satisfies. I am reluctant, however, to volunteer the name of my state, as it leads to a lot of misconceptions. Revealing I’m from New York usually conjures images of glass and concrete canyons, rivers of yellow taxis, The Statue of Liberty (which is actually in New Jersey’s waters) Times Square and a host of other things, all metropolitan, cosmopolitan, and in my case, far from the truth. I am from New York, but not the one you might think.

You see, the above images fit New York City, emphasis on city. But above this city lies a vast and mostly rural land. New York State is nearly as large as all of Kanto and Tohoku combined. I doubt someone living in Nagano wants to be associated with a Tokyoite, and the same goes for me. My hometown is more than 200 kilometers north of New York City, but it might as well be a world apart.

So what city do I live in? Well, I don’t. The nearest Department store or train station is 45 minutes by car. The nearest bus stop or supermarket: 30 minutes. The nearest shop or traffic light is 15 minutes away. I can’t even see my next-door neighbor. My father pays property taxes to Stephentown. But, the post address is East Nassau. The school district is New Lebanon. So which is my hometown? I’m not sure.