Number 22

Japan 22


Well, Sunday was a very long day, but we had a nice time. We left our apartment at 4:30 am, drove to our friends in Ayase. This time it only took two hours instead of six when I went to get the turkey. Amazing what a little thing like a map will do! Anyway, we left the girls with Ginny, Vic, Axton and Vanessa while Dana and I ventured by train into Tokyo for the Sumo tournament!

Back in December when the tickets for this sumo tournament when on sale, we had one of the Japanese guys get us tickets. The tickets we got are very hard to get because the seats are held by tea houses and they usually only sell these tickets to members who have a history with their tea house. I’m still not sure how he did it, but we had box seats.

The box seats have a low rail around them and 4 cushions in them so your group can sit Japanese style. These tickets have to be purchased in blocks of four, so the person who made all the phone calls for them was going to go with us; however, a few weeks ago, he found out he would be going on his first business trip to America and not be here during that time. After he gave the tickets to another coworker, of course, his trip was postponed! The result was that we went with Tagowa-san and he was supposed to bring his girlfriend.

Here’s what actually happened; Tagowa-san ended up bringing his English instructor from Ibaraki University. Duane is an American who has been living in Japan for 12 years and has married a Japanese woman. Duane likes to drink beer. During the course of the afternoon, Duane drank at least 12 cans of beer and after he made friends with the people sitting behind us, he had a couple of glasses of sake. All I can say here is that I am glad that Duane is a happy drunk not a belligerent one.
As for the match, that was pretty cool. First of all, there are rikishi running around the hall. Okay, maybe running isn’t the best word; I probably should say wandering around. By the way, rikishi is the name for the guys who wrestle. You get to see the matches at the lower levels before the guys are actually paid. Skinny guys, for the most part and their hair isn’t long enough for a the fancy hairdo, nor have they earned it. We bought a couple of books on sumo before we went, so we had an easier time understanding what was going on. We knew who the better wrestlers were and could cheer for whomever we wanted.

The emperor and his wife even came to that days match. Dana made the comment that was the second time this month that we had seen them. I told him that if there were a third time, the emperor would have to introduce himself! It was neat to see the respect that was shown to them. Usually, at the end of the last match, people have their hands on their bags and leave as the wrestler hits the floor and don’t bother to stay for the closing ceremony, but because it would be rude to leave before the emperor, everyone stayed in their places and watched the closing. After the emperor left, the cattle drive started.

Seeing a sumo match in Japan is like seeing a baseball game in America. I guess you have to do it. I haven’t done the baseball game, but I enjoyed the sumo match. There is such a sense of tradition and respect within the sport that despite the fact that these huge guys are wrestling in virtually nothing, you know that this is a serious thing for them. They are not playing games when they step in the ring. One thing that particularly struck me is that once the match is over, the conflict is finished. They don’t parade around or lord their win over the opponent. If one has fallen, it is not unusual for the other to help them up. I even noticed that when they are pushing the other guy out of the ring, they stop as soon as they are sure they have gone far enough to win, they will back off, so as not to risk injuring the other rikishi by pushing him to the ground. Suppose American wrestlers could learn a lesson?

After the match, Dana and I got back on the train for Ayase, grabbed a bite to eat on the way and picked up the girls and drove home. We arrived home about midnight, very tired. The girls had a great time with the Lennon’s and are anxious to see them again. I hope that will happen soon too!

This week the classes we have been taking resumed. Monday, I took Christina to Etegame while the other girls and I went to the bank. Wednesday, it was back to Japanese class and Thursday was Ikebana. In between all of that, we were doing schoolwork. It was a busy week, but fun.

Thursday afternoon, my Ikebana teacher, Seki-san, brought her 10-year-old daughter over to play with Christina. They went to the park for a while and then we all sat at the table and folded origami. We learned a couple of new shapes and had a nice visit. Seki-san, speaks English pretty well, so that did make it a little easier.

Beginning next Tuesday, I am going to be teaching my Japanese teacher, Goto-san, English. Her English is also pretty good, but she would like to practice. Like many Japanese, she can read it much easier than she can speak it. I think it will be a good experience for us both.

I don’t think I have mentioned one other person before, but I wouldn’t want to leave her out of my memories of Japan. Her name is Goda-san. Our nickname for her is ‘the grandma’. Every time we see her, she has some little present for the girls. At first I was very uncomfortable with it, but I am learning that it is often just the Japanese way. During my Japanese lessons, she plays with Charlene and Catherine. Sometimes they fold origami or play Jenga (of course, it is a Hello Kitty set). I think she enjoys being with little ones. She is very quiet and very sweet. She always has a smile and a cute little laugh when she gets embarrassed.

The other person the girls have grown quite fond of is the gate guard at Dana’s office. We don’t even know his name, but the girls would salute him as we entered or left. They learned the saluting from the gate guard at the other site. Anyway, at first, he didn’t pay much attention, but then, he started saluting them back. Now, when I drive up and he recognizes us, he gets a big smile on his face and waves to us all. Every once in a while, he has tangerines for the girls and we have brought him some of our stash of American candy. The next time I get up there, I want to remember to get a picture of the girls with him.

Well, the installation for Dana’s work finished today. Starting Monday, he is on a normal schedule. I am really looking forward to that. Dana said things went well. They all went out for a celebratory dinner after work.

There have been a couple of changes back in Denver at Dana’s work, but we aren’t sure how it will affect Dana. For now, Dana is committed to training her through the end of March, but it is possible that we will actually be here until the end of April, with a different aspect of the job. We will deal with the rest later.

Well, I guess that is about all for now. My clock just changed to midnight and we all know what happens to princesses at midnight…

Blessings and prayers,
Marion