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I'm Not Turning Japanese!

posted on Tuesday, July 17, 2007 02:23 PM

Yapparai, watashi wa nihon jin dewa nai - I am not Japanese! And my reason for coming to this conclusion... I fell asleep on the train home and missed my station. When I opened my eyes, the train doors had just shut, and my local station sign was staring at me in its elegant Hiragana written form. I pretended it wasn`t my stop and sank back into my seat, and then got off the next stop casually as if it were my intended destination - In true British style I may add.

Yes, I have analysed how Japanese people can sleep soundly like babies on the train, and somehow never miss their stop. This was not my intention - As for the first time since starting work in Japan, I decided to take my i-pod instead of reading a book. The result while listening to the dynamic sounds of Uehara Hiromi, were as mentioned above.

I decided to walk home in the drizzle, or as what many Japanese may state to be rain, as they always seems to have an umbrella at the sight of any water falling from the sky. Maybe it`s the stylish hair that takes time and delicacy to prepare, or is it the fashionable suites and clothes, or simply the tubs of make-up. To bring out an umbrella back in London for a light drizzle would be seen as a waste of time for three reasons. 1. It usually doesn`t rain for too long, 2. It is troublesome to carry around an umbrella - and some people including myself would rather get slightly wet, and 3. It`s just not British is it! Haha! (And yes, please banish those thoughts of every English gentlemen in suits walking dashingly down the street with an umbrella in his right hand - that is not modern London, just like it isn`t foggy in London either).

I for one enjoy the drizzle falling upon me. I found it very relaxing to walk home while listening to Sakamoto Ryuichi`s beautiful music. And I purposely decided not to take the bus because I wanted to stretch my legs. I believe that everybody should take a long, relaxing walk from time to time, and enjoy the various beautiful things that surround them. Like the raindrop sliding down the palm of a leaf, and the children playing baseball inside the local jinja (shrine) grounds, which can be found tucked away discreetly on a side street. I love to let my mind free and to discover the things I had never seen before.

My blog: Chouwa-bc In Japan

> P.s. Plans and ideas for my project website (uk-japan.net) are in its elementary stages and soon to be developed. So please check out my project, give your feedback, and spread the word. Thank you!

Comments

Tommy Hutchinson

Friday, July 27, 2007 06:13 PM

You left Britain just in time. It has rained all summer - oh for some Japanese drizzle....thanks for introducing me to Sakamoto Ryuich's music - very beautiful.

Barry Crisp

Sunday, July 29, 2007 06:21 AM

Hi Tommy! Yes, I have been reading the news via the internet. And yes, Sakamoto Ryuichi's music is simply breathtaking. I sent you an e-mail - and I look forward to hearing from you soon.