History is blotted with controversy and every nation that exists today has something that most people or some people dont agree with. Japan is not a stranger to them. The wars that it has been a part of over these years have left a few marks in doubt. Any war fought can be justified by all people who fight them. But the people who fight them cannot be judged for what they are fighting for - its more a national pride they are gaurding.
I firmly believe one should know how to read, write your mother tongue. Those are the roots to which you belong. I have been away from my hometown for over 6 years now - the rarity of seeing Tamil anywhere in Tokyo makes it even sweeter than what it would seem back home. Of all places, I accidentaly saw this in a restaurant in Tokyo and didn't take my eyes of it for about 10 minutes. After I came to Tokyo - even the dumbest of tamil flicks appear to be classic, insipid songs become inspiring, silliest of jokes evokes great laughter. Am sure it feels the same way for all foreigners when they see a thread from their own fabric. These are words in appreciation of the language from a poet called Bharathiyar - one of the greatest poets ever to have lived.
Like in London, New York where taxi's and other forms of private transport can cost a fortune - public transport is the nerve that keeps people alive. Tokyo is not an exception. The train system in Tokyo is complex but incredibly well connected. There are numerous lines and different rail systems. In fact they have differnt train cards to access different rail routes. Upon public uproar, it has been merged to one card system for all routes.
Its rather impossible for people to remember lines and change overs unless its a regular route. Even for local commuters map or any such help becomes essential. Here is where you see the sophistication here in Japan - mobile phones (all operate on 3G) has access to software that helps you determine the passage once you key in the source and destination. within seconds, it gives you route, time, next train etc.
Downside is that the Japanese people tend to resort to these sophisticated methods by default without making an effort to think.
In every country or culture, there are ways to narrow down choices with people for a specific team or to prove eligibility by chance. Inky-pinky... coin toss....many such forms are used to eliminate or choose opponents. For the first time I came across rock-paper-scissors here in japan in a train when two kids of less than 8 years old were playing - apparently this is widely popular (look for rock-paper-scissors in wiki). Normally, this is played between two people with 3 different possibilities:
rock v paper - paper wins as it can wrap the rock,
paper v scissors - scissors wins as it can cut the paper,
rock v scissors - rock wins as scissors cannot cut rock.
closed fist is rock.
spread fingers is paper
two fingers are scissors
This is one of my favourite restaurants in Tokyo. I normally go to the ebisu branch. the miyazaki chicken (smoked chicken) is their speciality. Its very near the ebisu station west exit. The website should have directions albeit in japanese.
APRIL - its that time of the year where you see refreshing change in the moods of japanese people. its when spring takes over. It is as though the trees and the sun are ruled by the bitter winter and when they are let go - they express themselves for the world to know that they are free now. if only humans can express in such style and beauty - the world will be beautiful.
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Quote of the week....
'I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice' - Abraham Lincoln
