Dear Japan

I’ve always loved books, however, I scarcely read Japanese novels except for those my friends gave me.
My next visit to Japan will be in October next year, so I’m planning to bring my books to Melbourne.

In my childhood, me, my auntie and my grandma used to all gathered around Hori-Gotatsu (even during summer) and watched the series of Samurai drams that were broadcasted by Channel 4 (Nihon Terebi)
I loved things from old days – like ancient Japanese literature and novels from pre-60s.

It was my grandma’s house where I spent most of my time in my early life, which was separated from my house by a fixed door. It was a small house with a very old-style lounge, sliding doors with paper and wooden frame, and something really traditional which name I cannot remember.

There was this Butsudan (family alter) next to TV, and on the other wall by the corner was a miniature Shinto shrine. And in the family alter was a black-and-white photo of an old man in formal Samurai clothing (Haori and Hakama) and hairstyle.

When told that he was my great grand-father, I was quite fascinated as well as excited.
Gee, he was a samurai. But the greater surprise was the fact that he was a Karou (chief retainer) in the Uesugi clan.

There are some really brainy people in my extended family who are specialized in Japanese literature. Despite the fact that I obviously didn’t have their brain, it explains why I was more into traditional literature and Samurai dramas as a child, unlike other kids of my generation: It came naturally to me.

Now it makes me feel somewhat ashamed and small.

But how strange is it that only 3 generations prior to me lived in Samurai era that has intrigued me all these years...and that I, a descendant of Samurai, is no one but an epileptic who lives in Australia.

How embarrassing is it come to think about it?

It’ll soon be autumn in Japan. Dear dear, how I miss Japan. I’m getting nostalgic.
Winter is also beautiful.

The elementary school I went to situated on the top of the hill, and from the top of the 6-story building, I could see snow-capped Mt. Fuji in the clear, shivering winter morning, and Bay of Sagami in the opposite direction.
In the dawn, I heard the whistles of the ships echoing from Port Yokohama.
Really, just 30 minutes from the center of Yokohama was a town with many old-style wooden houses, the family renowned for tea ceremony and old stores that still sell traditional musical instruments, Japanese garments, etc. Simply amazing.

...I also remember visiting Kanazawa in Ishikawa prefecture in the middle of winter. It was like 15 years ago and a heavy snow-storm hit the place on the day I arrived. The next day when the storm ceased, I stopped on the bridge where I saw men in traditional workmen’s clothes stepping into the freezing river and spread the kimono fabric over the surface of the water. Later I was explained that the process makes the color (dye) stay.

After that I purchased a calligraphy brush and some ink for my auntie who passed away over a decade ago. And I bought some exquisite Washi papers for myself to make some paper dolls.

That particular auntie was a strong, beautiful and smart woman, who was good at whatever she did. She was good at sport, the job she did at work, and taught flower arrangement and tea ceremony, plus was excellent at calligraphy. In my eyes she looked like a super woman and I was kind of scared of her as well as awed by her.

When I was little, she tried very hard to get me into learning calligraphy but I didn’t stick to the lessons...because I knew I wouldn't be able to get to her standard however hard I had've tried. What a pity it is.

In the future if I have a chance to visit Japan for a longer period of time, I would like to visit the remnant of Kurotaki castle (with my hubby) where my ancestor possessed for a few generations. It might be meaningless but it’s a romantic thought isn’t it…hmmm

Note: Horigotatsu is a sort of table covered by a quilt. It has a cavity where you can drop and relax your legs, and at the center of the cavity is another deeper cavity to place a portable charcoal brazier that keeps you warm in winter.