Christmas in Japan

Many adults in America, including me, have precious memories of Christmas spend with their families, exchanging presents, eating turkey and getting that special gift from Santa. Christmas in America is a BIG event. Really BIG! From the neighborhood houses decorated with lights and plastic lawn ornaments to Christmas toilet paper. Christmas in America is everywhere! Compared to the “super-sized” Christmas in America, Christmas is Japan is “pocket-sized”. To find Christmas in Japan, you have to look for it. In fact, Christmas in Japan is NOT a holiday at all. Americans forget that Christmas is celebrated in different countries (if at all) in different ways. As in America, the Japanese malls are decorated with Christmas trees and lights, but with the subtle Japanese sense of simplicity. If you look, you can even find “Santa-san” with a child on his lap, asking for the latest computer game. Mainly, Christmas is celebrated by young couples, but has gained popularity with families with young children. Couples exchange presents and eat “Christmas cake”, which is a delicious strawberry short cake decorated with a Christmas theme. While the good boys and girls sleep, Santa leaves a present by their pillows to await them in the morning. Children in Japan have many questions about Santa Claus.” Where does Santa live?”,” If I don’t have a chimney how does he get into my house?” and the BIG question… Is Santa Claus real?” YES, Yuriko, there IS a Santa Claus! He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy! Merry Christmas and Peace, Bob.

Potato Man

There are many sounds to indicate the changing of the seasons in Japan. The noisy rattling of the cicadas is replaced by the gentle sounds of the crickets chirping, the calls of the migrating ducks returning to their winter homes. For some people these are all subtle sounds that the hot humid days of summer are giving way to the cooler days of autumn, but for me its the harking of the "Potato Man" that rings in the season. To children in America, the sound of the "ice cream man" is the ultimate sign that summer has come. "ICE CREAM MAN, STOP!!" shout sweaty American children, running into the street, gripping money that their mothers gave them. In Japan, there is no "Ice cream man". In Japan there is the "Potato man". To be more precise; "the grilled sweet potato man". During the beginning of autumn, the calls of the "Potato man" can be heard from all around the neighborhood. "Yaki-imo, Yaki-imo, oishii da yo" which translates to " grilled sweet potato, grilled sweet potato, delicious".The children in Japan, gripping Yen that their mother gave them, run into the streets shouting "POTATO MAN, STOP!. Autumn has finally arrived here in Japan! The potatoes come in two sizes and are hot and delicious. Sorry, only one flavor.

Magic in Japan

The last 2 months I have been preparing to do a Magic show at a Golf club in Japan. Why? Currently, Japan is experiencing a "Magic Boom". Magic is on the TV and has regain popularity again . Having done magic during my younger days, I was ask if I would perform at a golf club in my town. Knowing how much work, practice and time it takes to get a show together I reluctantly said "Yes". Finally months of honing my magic and Japanese skills I was ready to go! Most of the audience were older people in their sixties. I chose I man to help me with a card trick, that I had spent months mastering. Without going into details, this is how it went. "Please choose a card and remember it. Then show it to the audience" I requested. He selects a card and returns it to the deck. I shuffle the cards. "Is this top card your card?" "YES" he replied. "Really?" I asked. "not sure" he replied. "Is the BOTTOM card your Card?" I asked."YES" he replied. "Really?" I asked. "not sure" he replied again. " Do you remember your card?" I asked. "not sure" he replied once again. "lets do it again" Please take a card and REMEMBER it, and show it to the audience" He selects a card and returns it to the deck. I shuffle the cards again. In case of spectators with bad memory I had brought along a white board. "Please WRITE you card on this white board" I requested. " Spade? Club? I forget" he replied. Lucky, someone with long term memory reminded him of the card and the rest of the trick was a success. Anyway the rest of the show went well and I think the audience had a good time. But will they remember it?

The "Superstar" of Spring

Somewhere between the cold Siberian winds of winter, and the Amazon jungle -like humidity of summer, comes a pleasant time called "Haru", which is the Japanese word for "Spring". Around the middle of March, amongst the commuting business men, tired students and the cast of neighborhood characters, there is a certain look in their faces. All are anticipating the arrival of the "Superstar of Spring". The celebrity of which I speak is not a movie star, or even a rock star. The celebrity of whom I speak is... The Japanese Cherry blossom, and the show is about to begin! From early March to the end of April, the cherry blossoms bloom, transforming the landscape of Japan into a fantasy world of pink and white flowers. People take time from their busy lives to go "cherry blossom viewing" called " Hanami". To enjoy "Hanami", you will need a few things: a plastic sheet to sit on, food and alcohol. If you happen to be a new employee of a company ,you may be chosen to stake out the best spot to view the show until the "groupies" come. In the evening, there is even a light show and food stands in case you get the munchies. The performance only last for two weeks, when the blossoms are dispersed by the wind and are replaced by green leaves. Admission is free. Rock and Roll!!

Recycling Master

The land of "simple is best" philosophy, must have some of the most complicated recycling system in the the modern world. Requiring an advance degree in "Garbalogy" to understand. Garbage must be separated into no less then 14 categories of rubbish; Paper, Plastic bottles, Aluminum Cans, Glass Bottles, Harmful Garbage, Flammables, Burnable, Non-Burnable, Newspaper, Paper Cartons, Large garbage, Cardboard and Clothing. Being an armchair environmentalist , my wife and I have converted our spare room to a "Waste Management room", taking care to clean and rinse all items before placing then in specially produced recycling bags. The designated recycling area in our neighborhood is usually guarded by local senior citizens, who have taking an oath to protect and uphold the recycling rules. Each visit to the recycling area is usually accompanied by a lecture on "Rubbish 101" by one of the recycling masters. Having contemplated my past errors in meditation, I journeyed once more to the recycling area. The guards are waiting. " This is no good!" said one of the sentries in Japanese. " Cans with lids still attached, and cans without lids attached must be separated!". I apologized and returned home in shame.

A quick lesson in "Kanji" and an almost true story.

Before I tell you the story, lets have a quick lesson in "Kanji" first. Kanji are symbols that originate from China. Each symbol has a meaning. For example, the symbol for "Big" and the symbol for "Person" combined means "adult". The symbol for "small" and the symbol for "Person" combined means "child". Basic knowledge of "kanji" is essential for getting around Japan, as you will see in my story.
When I first visited Japan I had a basic knowledge of "Kanji" and could speak a little Japanese. I was visiting a friend in Tokyo, when I decided to venture out on my own in search of a "Sento". Which is the word for a public bath. When I found the public bath, I took my shoes off and entered. To my surprise, a elderly woman was sitting on a tall chair with a clear view of both the "Men's Locker Room" AND "Woman Locker Room"! Behind her was a sign in "Kanji". 300 Yen for "Adult" (big + person) and 100 Yen for "Child" (small + person). I paid her the 300 yen and reluctantly entered the locker room. As I was undressing, I noticed she was staring at me! I thought perhaps she doesn't see many naked Americans much. Suddenly, she gestured to me, indicating for me to come over to her. Have I done something wrong? As I approached her, she reached into the cash register and returned 200 Yen back!