Japan

Hi Everyone!
Actually, this is part B of the last letter...I forgot to mention a couple of things... probably not very relavent, but here it is.

Let's start with the supertoilets. I remember reading about them in the 90's. Maybe you do too. How the Japanese have invented these amazing toilets that do just about everything but make you breakfast in the morning. Well, apparently, they like to play tricks as well. Back in Hiroshima, my hotel had one that played music, warmed the seat, had several types of flushes and bidets.

Well, I asked for the bidet and nearly leapt off the seat with indignation. For a moment I had thought something had bitten me in the arse! Upon closer inspection I realized that the water pressure was set on very high and very cold! - Quite the shock when you aren't really expecting it. I could just hear the toilet laughing to itself thinking 'ahhh...you vant beeeeddaaayy? I veeel geeve you bidet! mua ha ha ha ha.....!!'

And..... the birth control issue..  Apparently, the pill has only recently become legal. That would not have been so bad except for the fact that condoms are frowned upon. Most people won't use them - apparently there is this idea that it's not 'samurai' (or natural) (whatever?!) - so one reason why statistically Japanese have a very low HIV count is twofold. One, people don't get tested, and two, those that do, and find themselves positive end up comitting suicide within the first year (80%) - to keep their family from the shame. Can you imagine, all this to 'save face?' Why not 'save your life' instead?

I have to agree that the only people I've seen buying condoms are the foreigners. I'm not usually one to judge, but get with the program!

Many of the young women and girls walk in very peculiar manner.  Such that all I can think of when I see this is how much damage they are doing to themselves. Turning the feet in at an extreme angle while walking so as to appear coy. I can only imagine the extra pressure they are putting on all the wrong joints. Watching this makes me feel like seeing someone scratch their fingernails down the chalkboard. 

I guess it is the doctor in me who is thinking of how much joint and back pain this will cause them in later years. Proper posture really is worth the effort in later years.

I went to visit some of my friend Elsa's students yesterday. (she teaches English) One of her students knows someone who teaches Iai-do. It was completely unexpected but his son actually came to her place to meet us! How wonderful! This is a totally different style from the one we practice in Toronto and the fact that he was willing to spend so much time talking with me was great. (Let me say that it was all through a translator - so it wasn't exactly the easiest chat -but worth it) He called his father and together we arranged a special class for me to come out and view, possibly even take part in. Excellent, excellent!!!

The reason this is so amazing is also because the day we are getting together is a national holiday, the Japanese rarely get holidays, and its practically unheard of to spend it with a total stranger. Also, for those of you that know of Oshita Sensei, there is a possibility that I may get a formal introduction next week....so things are definately looking up in that regard as well.

Coming back from our meeting with the iai instructor's son last night, we ran into some 'young men' at the station. Elsa knew one of them through her boyfriend. Turns out they are male prostitutes. This guy married his wife twice (they divorced, then married again!) and now they have a baby.

Intereseted in becoming a male prostitute in Japan? So the way it works is that there are about 10 young, well dressed, good looking chaps who each get a chopstickwith a number on it. Whoever picks the chopstick with the designated number on it for that hour has to go back to the bar they were assigned to that night and try to get 'lonely housewives, foreign women, and single girls out for 'fun' to come to the bar and drink while they chat them up. (I'll never look at chopsticks the same again.)

Somewhere (waaaayyy past my bedtime!) in a hidden alleyway outside the regular network of streets downtown.

Usually it ends there (according to them) but if they want more, then they don't or can't? refuse...) Anyhow, it was obvious they weren't enamoured with their professions, and they asked us not to mention it to anyone. Frankly, we were surprised they were so open with us.

One of them tried for quite some time to pick me up, apparently he wanted us to date, but I didn't get the impression that we'd be compatible. You know, when people think of the sex trade, they immediately think of the women. For a female to have sex for money, is illegal, however, if a male is a prostitute, it is looked upon as him servicing a 'lonely housewife' and nothing more, now isn't that interesting?

Interesting how some of the shops only seem to open at night. What a sensual experience, candle flames and lanterns, fresh sushi and incence wafting through the air and the sound of running water from a nearby canal make for a quintessential moment in Japan.  The sound of water is never far away in this country. It is soothing and very Zen.

Twice now as I have been walking through the streets (especially in the downtown area) I've had some lovely lads come up to me and give me a small magazine filled with very sexy drawings and pictures of women. At first I thought they were advertising female prostitutes, this turned out not to be the case. It is a special magazine for the 'lonely housewife' who can choose from a wide selection of 'products' provided by young men. Totally legal. Well then, I guess it's a good thing I'm not a lonely woman! lol

The Yakuza dress overtly well, but I wonder though with all their tattoos where they go for their 'onsen' hot spring baths? Then again, they are Yakuza, they can probably take a lot of liberties in areas most of the rest of us cannot. I can't get in anywhere because they all think I am married to someone in the mob. (My left leg, right arm, neck and head DO NOT have vines tattooed on to them. All other areas however, do.)  Oh, the stares I get when someone realizes that that tiny little thing peeking out of my shirt sleeve isn't a stain! When I went swimming, it was like Moses parting the red sea, people made space for me, let me tell you. Ah well, I'll go to the hot springs in Europe, they are more open about such things there.

The top three questions Japanese ask you is: Are you married? Do you have kids? What is your blood type. Be prepared. The correct answers are: Yes, three (or ONLY two/one and you must say this while shaking your head in shame) and A/B/O or whatever your blood happens to be.

I noticed for a long time that every morning I would wake up covered in bites. For those of you who don't like bugs, arachnids or the like, this may not be the best place for you. (Good thing such things don't bother me .) Those who came to China with me saw the cocharoaches in the trains...well, they were nothing. The roaches here are about 2-3 inches (not centimeters, inches!) long and fly. The spiders that eat them (must be big, huh...? ) are huge! They are like tarantulas but the legs are skinnier. Imagine living with that. Sweet dreams folks! No wonder I'm covered in bites every morning!

great qi to all. Yvette

ps. To view more photos, click here.