Some commentary

Writing about this adventure will require a different technique. I do not feel comfortable writing about a country as complex and elusive as this one, especially after only being here for a few days. I cannot seem to unlock the intricate golden treasure chest that is Japan. I imagine that there are foreigners who study the Japanese culture their whole lives and still feel like a child looking through a glass window with awe, admiring an exquisitely crafted and beautiful antiquity.

So instead of my verbose and lengthy prose, I will just list the random notes I have hastily tucked away in my mind as I have wandered around Tokyo and Sendai since Saturday.

The cherry blossoms are amazing. It was past the peak time in Tokyo but hasn’t quite reached the peak here in Sendai, but all of it has been beautiful. Like someone went around with a paint brush and painted little dabs of pink everywhere. The cherry blossom season is a special time here, a celebration of sorts. People spread out large tarps and feast around and under the trees—drinking, eating, laughing.

When it is springtime in the states, people can’t wait to break out their new spring clothes and throw open the windows. It’s not that way here. Currently it is springtime in Japan, the flowers are blooming, but people are still dressed in their drab winter colors, still bundled up in their coats, scarves, and hats. Heaters are still running. Windows shut tight.

The varying fashions can be quite surprising. Those pictures I posted were of everyday dress for some of the kids in the city. I admire their ability to ditch conventionality for what they really want to do. I’m glad that if you really want to be Pikachu, in Tokyo you can.

If you saw Babel, yes, there are girls who wear their little plaid skirts that short. No pictures because I didn’t want anyone to think I was a lesbian pedophile.

The food. Lots of raw fish (but not many fish eyes over here—thank you God). Lots of vegetables. Cabbage that I always considered garnish is actually eaten over here. Everything is beautifully displayed on lots of little dishes. Tea several times a day. In Noriko’s house, the dining room table is one of the low ones where you sit on the floor. I tried sitting on my feet with my knees bent. Ha! That was funny. I sat Indian style for a while, then stretched my feel out, then sat with my feet to the side. All of this while I’m trying to eat. It’s kind of hard to get comfortable sitting on the floor if you aren’t used to it. The second day, Noriko’s mom removed part of the tatami mat floor that exposed a heated well area and set up a low square table over it, that way you have a place to put your legs and feet down into. Much better.

I have finally learned how to use chopsticks. It was that or go hungry.

Noriko’s mom is an amazing cook. Last night we had tempura—eggplant, scallops, onions and baby shrimp, sweet potato, a yellow flower and some greens—all lightly battered and fried. Along with that we had rice, salad with fresh vegetables from the garden, and soup. For breakfast we had eggs, toast, salad, and soup. Yes, salad and soup for breakfast. Oishi (that means yummy in Japanese).

Japan is pretty damn efficient and eco-friendly. Small cars everywhere. Many people ride bicycles to work in their suits. They ride bikes when it rains, carrying an umbrella. They cart their trash to the trash pick-up areas on their bikes. I saw several bike parking lots—not bike racks, whole lots for bikes. Recycling is everywhere. Public transportation is amazing. In Tokyo there is an extensive subway, train, monorail, and bus system. And I didn’t see any of the smog and plumes of smoke from buses that I see in Bangkok.

There is little noise pollution. Tokyo is a huge city; I was expecting lots of noise. Not so. Very quiet. Strangely quiet.

Kimonos are not a thing of the past. I wouldn’t say they are everywhere, but they are definitely around. I bought a cotton one, a yukata.

I think I might have to bring an Asian baby home with me when I decide to settle down in one place.

The trains are always on time.

Japanese television is really quite comical. Lots of comedians. The people on the streets seem very reserved and proper but on television, everyone seems so outgoing and friendly and funny as hell.

Kabuki theater was interesting. Only male performers. People shout from the audience at certain times which seemed odd to me.

I just experienced my first earthquake. A small tremor anyway. Level two or three. The house shook briefly.

Baseball is huge over here. Have you checked out Ichiro?

Tomorrow, we will go to the hot springs. Ooh la la...