Humans of MST: Chisa of the Many Hats

Like kintsugi, the Japanese art of pottery repair with lacquer and gold, Chisa Honda has woven herself into every seam of our community: joining, liaising, repairing, putting out fires, even literally preventing fires as one of our fire marshals. 

But sometimes she is the pottery itself, shepherding the yearlong yearbook-making process and just about any major school-organized event, from Back to School Night to concerts to camping trips. She often does the things no one else wants to do. Things that fall through the cracks. And she is a historical repository, remembering old passwords for phones or a name of a long gone child. In fact, she may be the one person who knows all the parents and children’s names. 

Chisa has also probably helped every single non-Japanese staff (and many parents) with functioning in a foreign country. Who among us has not asked for her help with the ward office, immigration, landlords, deliveries, clinics, utilities, travel and a host of other daily frictions?

Filling her shoes is an understatement. A whole tree will be transplanted away, leaving not just a sizable hole but also an extensive root system. But fortunately, the forest she helped create will continue her vibrant legacy.

The Ice Cream Scooper

Where are you from and what was your neighborhood like?

I’m from a pretty quiet neighborhood near Inokashira Park, surrounded by grandpas and grandmas. Now it’s popping, but back then it was much quieter. Then I lived in Kent in the UK from middle school. 

What did you want to be when you were a kid?

I wanted to be a teacher, or the ice cream scooping person at Baskin Robbins. A teacher because I liked kids and doted on my little siblings.

What were your favorite toys and games growing up?

I played with Polly Pockets with my sister and it was fun to imagine different roles. I collected Beanie Babies and played Nintendo, only thirty minutes a day because my mom didn’t want to fry my brain. My favorite games were Smash Brothers and Crash Bandicoot.

What’s your favorite place in Tokyo?

I love Inokashira Park. It's my home. That's where I have memories with my grandma, aunties and where I take my friends visiting from abroad. Hanako the elephant was my favorite at the zoo. And you can’t do it anymore but there was a spot where we fed the koi. 

How do you spend your weekends?

Hanging out with friends and snuggling with my dog. And recently I restarted playing golf.

What’s your biggest passion these days?

I want to travel more. Travel has always been my passion. I love seeing new places and meeting new people. 

Manatees and Montessori

How did you end up at MST?

My dad told me to get a job. I have a degree in education so I wanted to work at a school and became trained in Montessori 3-6 and was interested in the Montessori philosophy.

What would you choose as the mascot for the school?

My spirit animal is the manatee. It doesn’t do any harm, It just swims around and it’s cute and pleasant to look at. 

What did you used to do before working at MST?

I was working at a smaller international school in Ebisu. I had just left uni six months before.

Of the approximately 745 jobs you did at MST, what were your favorites?

I wouldn’t say I love it but making the yearbook is the most precious thing I did. I did the yearbook for 10 years. Sometimes, I drive the school car for errands or extra transportation, which I enjoy. 

What has been your favorite thing about working at MST?

The community, especially the parent community and the people I work with. 

K-Dramas and Multiple Personalities

What book do you recommend?

It’s dark but everyone should read The Minds of Billy Milligan, about a man with 24 multiple personalities. a real life story. It's interesting that one person could have so many personalities. And each one was so unique. 

What are you watching these days? 

Multiple K-dramas. I recommend Mr Sunshine about the history of the interaction between Koreans and Japanese during that time. 

What do you want to be remembered for when you leave MST?

I hope people remember Chisa is Chisa. Just remember me for who I am. For my laughter and approachability, like a member of a family. 

Any final words for the community?

Thank you for the last twelve years of a fun, challenging and loving time. I learned so much from working here. It helped me grow. I became mentally strong. It wasn’t just my journey; there was a community that grew with me.