Father' Visit

10/10/08-10/13/08Recently, my father visited Japan and we spent a three day weekend together. The following is an account of the visit.

He arrived on a Friday afternoon and took a train directly to Tokyo. After work, I went to meet him and we met with a long embracing hug.

We picked up our bags and headed to the Chabad House for Shabbat. There we were met with the great warmth and hospitality of the Rabbi, Rebbetzin and there five children. We sat at the table and ate, but Father went to bed early to sleep off the jetlag.

The next morning, we walked to a nearby Starbucks (which had just opened the week before) and talked for hours. (Much has happened in the family and the world since I left America and I needed to catch up. It appears that it is a time of great intensity and distrust. I feel fortunate to be out of it.)

In the afternoon, we returned for a Kiddush meal and then parted. In the evening we met again near his hotel and went for a walk in the windy autumn night. Before sleep, I spoke about the challenges and learning experience of Japan and what I plan to do in the future.

The next morning we awoke early, took a set of trains and picked up the Matty’s mobile. The day’s plan was to take a scenic drive around the east, south and west coasts of the Miura Peninsula. Our first destination was Yokosuka city. We parked the car, walked around a rose garden pier, through the downtown area and to an Italian restaurant for lunch. (This was the first time that I ate-out for non-Japanese food since May. The food was delicious.) After, we took the car around the coastline. We saw magnificent views of the green seaside cliffs, small fishing villages, and large fields of farmland. Before sunset, we arrived in Zushi, sat on the pier and watched the clouds darken and a group of children fishing on a nearby dock.

After, we headed to the Sekino’s house for dinner. There, we were greeted with warmth, hot green tea and a sushi dinner. We spoke of many topics and laughed a lot. Afterward, Sekino-san drove us to the train station, shook our hands and said “Goodbye.”

The next morning, we awoke and headed to Okutama Park. We took a set of trains, a bus and a cable car and arrived on a mountaintop. When we arrived, we took a moment to gaze upon the distant mountains and cities and the first signs of fall foliage. Then we headed on a hike to a waterfall, passing massive trees and temples. The waterfall was serene and inspired the following haiku:

Yellow and brown leaves,
And a waterfall’s cool breath.
It is all alive.

After, we headed back to the Tokyo Chabad house to see the family and the Sukkah for a short visit. Then I walked Father back to the train station, and we parted with a long embracing hug. He went to prepare for the week’s business meetings and I returned to the Sukkah to celebrate the holiday.

Sekino Family

9/7/08-10/8/08

It has now been a full month since I moved in with a Japanese family. Here I would like to speak about the family, the house and the lifestyle.

I live with a semi-retired couple. Sekino-san, the father, is an electrical engineer and a strong golfer. He was born in a rural town of northern Japan in a family of 10 brothers and sisters. He spent five years away from the family, working in Abu Dabai. While he was away, his parents-in-law moved into the house and helped raise the children. Yumiko-san, the mother, was a domestic science teacher and is a great cook. Today she spends a lot of time helping out at her mother’s nursing home and supporting other charitable works.

Sekino-san and Yumiko-san have three children and two grandchildren. Their eldest daughter is married and has two children. She lives close and visits from time to time. Their eldest son lives far north, and comes home for New Years. Their youngest daughter lives in Yokohama and works at a bank. She visited the house three times in September.

The house itself is neat and well decorated. It has an orange tiled roof and well maintained Japanese style garden. The garden has stepping stones, trees, flowers and sculptures. In September a very special white flower bloomed. This flower, gekka bijin (which means beautiful lady below the moon), blooms only once a year; on the night of (or night before or after) a full moon. Inside, the house is filled with small origami crafts. The foldings are very intricate, and it is mind-boggling how it is possible for a human being to make such a work. Also, there are flowers in nearly every room and many small sculptures.

We spend most of our time together at meals. Each of which contains many different kinds of foods (often new or unknown to me), served on multiple plates and bowls. Yumiko-san handcrafts the placement of each food, creating a meal that is as pleasing to look at as it is to eat. During the meal we talk about differences in language and culture and learn a lot about each other. Sekino-san orders a daily English newspaper, and at meals he often reads the text and I help him understand the words and concepts that are new to him.

Since my arrival, Sekino-san and Yumiko-san have been very kind to me and have made me feel like a member of the family. They have taught me how the Japanese think, and have greatly enhanced the quality of my home life. I hope and plan to stay with them for at least two more months.