Heat Wave

As the weather heats up in osaka, a new amusing culture begins to emerge. Because pale skin is beauty in this country, woman go to great lengths to shield themselves. 

For the minority cautious we have the wide brim hat and sunblock. Normal protection and many of the hats a super cute. 

For medium protection the ladies add sunglasses and a parasol. Also cute but a little 1940s pinup girl. 

Then finally we have the overly cautious. The vampires afraid of bursting into dust should one ray of sunshine hit their bodies. The UV phobic prefer to cover themselves like a leper. 

I've seen hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, full length gloves going from finger tips to shoulders, and finally long skirts and parasol all on the same person. 

Overly cautious???? It's a wonder. What good is beautiful pale skin if an already miserable 80% humidity and 90 degree weather becomes even more uncomfortable to bare? 

Well I suppose I can't judge them because the 80 year old woman still look 27. 

I, however am looming forward to a good day at the beach and a nice tan.        

Traditional Japanese Music Lessons. (HEADACHE)

This week I visited a place called The International House, looking for some information. This International House is a place for foreigners living in Japan to get anything from free Japanese lessons to legal advice.

I, myself was looking to find some Shamisen lessons. The Shamisen is a kind of traditional Japanese instrument that looks very much like a long-necked banjo. It has three strings and sounds just like a banjo too. I thought that learning to play it would be a fun way too pick up more language and experience the culture.

Thanks to the information I received, I was able to attend a sample lesson.

Here is what happened...

I was able to find the registration counter ok and even asked in Japanese where the classroom was and whether I could observe the class today. Then the lady behind the counter began to speak faster than the bullet train. I caught a few words here and there. Something about a signup pass and work sheets and 3:30. Needless to say I put on my, (I'm confused) face and we spent about 30 seconds just staring at each other. She wanted me to answer but I had no idea what the question was.

Lucky for me an elderly knight in shining armor slowly stepped in. He introduced himself in English and asked if i needed help. I told him I was too confused to know. The nice old man helped me get signed up and even escorted me to the classroom.

An old woman wearing a traditional Japanese Kimono greeted us at the door. She was very shocked to see me. My English interpreter introduced us and explained that I was interested in taking lessons. She asked if I spoke Japanese, to which I replied, only a little and I'm learning.

She invited me in, sat me down and placed a shamisen in my hands. I looked up at her and asked if I was to play today? She said no and a bunch of other things that I didn't catch.

She was telling me that there were three kinds of Shamisen music and that she teaches the kind that accompanies Enka singers.

Very slow and traditional music. I was more interested to play the more modern stuff. We strummed along but five minutes into the lesson she started using vocabulary that I had never heard of.

The entire experience was both fun and frustrating.

Long story short, I know too late, I thanked her for the lesson and told her that now might not be a good time for me to learn. To which she replied, you should learn more Japanese first and then come back.

I thanked her again and left.

Maybe in a few more months I will know enough Japanese to give it another shot. Until then I have decided that learning the Language must be priority one. The more Japanese I speak, the more options I will have.

A Modern Samurai Sport

The way of the Warrior

KENDO

Kendo is the Japanese style of sword fighting that the Samurai used back in the day. Now it is an Olympic sport and and a great challenge for any Martial Arts enthusiast.

I, myself have given it a go for four years back in California along with some of my closest friends.

The other week I was fortunate enough to see the best of the best in Kendo practice. My friend and I journeyed to Osaka Castle, a mere six stops away by the Tanimachi subway line, and found the dojo.

A dojo is the Japanese word for "a hall used for martial arts training". I was told about this place from a teacher of mine who originally came to Japan on a Kendo scholarship.

At the dojo in front of the castle we were able to watch advanced olympic champions practice. I was so impressed. They did all of the basic moves that I was taught in California but at a level I could never had imagined.

The class started with everyone putting on armor and loosening up. Then the assistant sensei pounded the huge drum in the back of the dojo. As soon as the drum sounded, everyone became serious and lined up at attention.

They all sat on their knees and meditated for a few minutes and then began warmups together.

I was surprised to find that there were just as many woman as men and that they were an equal match in most cases.

Later they practiced sparring and some strikes by the bamboo swords were strong enough to bend around the opponent's helmet.

Even the basic exercises were executed with such speed and accuracy that many of their strikes could not be seen by the naked eye.

These were truly skilled fighters and through it all they were relaxed and smiling. There was never a tense moment in the entire class. When mistakes were made they were addressed and not repeated.

There was an aura of joy in the room. These fighters were not there for any reason other than to improve their skills in the sport they love.

I plan on joining them in that class maybe a few months down the road when my Japanese and my wallet is up for the challenge. I know that I will certainly be the weakest link but the amount of respect I have for them all will ensure my enthusiasm for failing and growing.