Selected quotes from Atheism for Lent 2018 study
8 years ago
On Sunday past much happened that was amusing, painful and tiring. The day started with Lok and I getting up to get ready to go to some Kimono trying on thing that she had agreed to go to. We were out by quarter to ten where we met the only other JET going (Kim from Miyazu) and got driven the short drive to the place where the event was to be held and stuff... happened.
It turned out that we were to meet with the Owner of a Kimono factory at his house and factory. We were taken to look around the factory at first, where we were shown much weaving equipment . His wife even demonstrated how some of the machines worked. If you've ever been taken around industrial revolution textile factories then you pretty much know what was there, except that these machine were for Kimono's so were somewhat more complex. It was okay I guess...... but I can only get so worked up about clothes.
After this we went into the main house and sat in the lounge (western style) to drink green tea and talk a bit. Lunch was soon laid out and consisted of tempura and sushi. It was pretty good stuff, pretty high quality Japanese food I think. In truth it wasn't really till we got shown around a few rooms of the house, got fed the fine food, and shown the Kimono worth £500,000 that I realised our host was kinda wealthy.
After a leisurely lunch it was Kimono time. To my surprise they were able to find me a male version, that after some confusion, I put on (well actually I stood there getting it put on me). It was a little short (and I later worked out that it belonged to the host) but it was a nice shade of green I guess. After a while we were all Kimono'd up and there were many pictures next to the previously mentioned expensive kimono.
Then to my dismay there was flower arranging......I perhaps could have covered up my general distaste for being forced to cooperate in this activity slightly better. But I have only so much tact and it isn't nearly enough to survive in polite Japanese society I fear.
Finally, out of the blue, we entered into a Japanese tea ceremony. It was a bit of a shock as it wasn't what we were expecting. All in all it pretty rounded out the holy trinity of traditional Japanese activities. Such a shame that like the previous activity things did not go so well. See.... I had to sit down, on a tatami mat, Japanese style. It wasn't pretty. I can't sit that way, legs tucked under, sitting on your feet. It wasn't working. They tried to wedge pillows in to ease things and I managed to get to a state where i could kinda sit. I was, however, in excruciating pain the entire time (even when my feet got kinda numb). Through this I was told to do this, and that, in broken English and poor translations. Much of it required me to bow and lean forward. Each maneuver sent more cascades of pain over me. Leaning forward to drink my tea caused so much anguish that I drank at a rate that made people think I didn't like it. I had heard a lot of things about the super bitter green tea of tea ceremonies. I'm not really sure what the fuss was all about, its not a bad cuppa but it did taste a little of vegetation. All of these problems paled into insignificance though when I remember what happened when I was told I could stand up again. It was really REALLY embarrassing, when, aided by my wife, I managed to fall upward (I can think of no better way of describing it). My feet really hated me after that little escapade.
Fortunately that was the last activity of the event and we were soon off home. In retrospect I did really enjoy most of it (the food and experiences) but it was so much to take in I am afraid my very confused demeanor most of the time made me look less that enthusiastic about the whole thing. And in Japan its all about looking enthusiastic even if you aren't. Again with the requiring more experience in Japanese Etiquette (that is if they ever let me try again).
It was about 4 in the afternoon and we still had to head off the the local DVD rental place to give back a copy of A Beautiful Mind (incidental quite a good film), and do some food shopping for the next few days. The weather wasn't that great though and when we arrived (after a 20 minute bike ride) the heavens opened. It didn't stop after we'd done all our shopping, and it was getting dark. We waited as long as we could but eventually we had to head out into the pouring rain to cycle home, not a waterproof in sight. And we did make it, were soaked to the bone, but we made it. It was fun though, there is something primal about getting that wet in the rain. It helps when it's not cold of course and you can have a nice hot shower when you're home.
PS. I have changed the comments laws and regulations of this blog to allow any Tom, Dick, or Harry to post on this blog. No User ID or google account required. Thus no excuse for not commenting (though thanks for those who braved the system in order to post). If I get any problems I might rethink the idea but I doubt I'll see much comment spam.
PPS. I realise there have not been many photo's uploaded yet. I have resolved to get a SD card this weekend that should solve the issue. So come rain or shine I should have an Album link with some pics up by next week. Thanks for bearing with this long post. But Sunday was a very long day.
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