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Phil
mong
my many memories of the recent trip to Japan, is an afternoon in which the
daughter of our host in Naori, took us through and around this mountain
village while her mother was attending the wedding of a family friend. They
both took us first to meet the bride at the place of the wedding, presenting
her with a bouquet of roses. But because we could not attend a Buddhist
wedding, we then got to see a Buddhist temple and meet the priest, see a
tofu factory, several shrines in mountain settings, a massive flower farm,
and other sights in this quaint Japanese mountain town. What
I realized later was that this family had made very special plans to accommodate
us in order that we not be left uncared for, since this was our first Saturday
afternoon in their country. The whole experience said very clearly that
we were entertained, but more than that, we were treated with respect and
courtesy. These were people who went out of their way to make sure that
our visit to their little village was memorable and welcoming, that that
nothing, even a community wedding, was going to keep them from that deep
commitment they had made to be our hosts. I will always remember this special
experience out of all the many fine moments.
Mary Ann
Japanese
friendships
Open, fascinating, new.
No ocean divide. Rising
sun for us-
Visions and thoughts forever.
Finest of arts shared. Japan
adventure.
Gentle, amazing, with heart.
Mind calligraphy.
hese
are just a few of my feeble attempts at haiku. A fine art of the Japanese
to say so much through so few syllables. Throughout
our experience in Japan the art of living the fine arts was music to my
soul. These very sincere new friends showered us with art. The art of seeing
nature more fully in the cherry blossoms, the flower arranging, the pine
tree symbols, the use of nature's materials such as bamboo for so many diverse
products and rice for rice paper products, and foods decorating our meals.
The art of hospitality as they focused on our Friendship Force members so
totally with generous actions and sincere bonding. The delight in visiting
a classroom and being instructed in the fine art of calligraphy with the
students and an expert teacher. The joy of hearing music revered for historical
sounds, to begin to understand the graceful movements of the dancers and
to hear music played on the harp with masterful strokes and on a Steinway
with hands and heart who promoted the arts for other townsfolk. The fine
art of using limited land to produce directly the bags of rice in the storage
shed for the next year's use by a family of three generations.
Then
there were the arts of design in the tall buildings and billboard lighting
and even the tiny cellular phones. The use of color on television sets,
in produce arrangements and at festivals. There was even an art to so many
people getting along most agreeable in small spaces. The art of the Buddhist
temple and the Shinto shrine held ancient mysteries. The shrines at home
with their flower arrangements and family pictures to honor ancestors were
touching. Craftsmen & women deftly created art you wanted for treasuring.
The art of nude hot springs bathing without embarrassment or stares showed
such sophistication. Whenever I saw the Japanese adopting western ideas
I mourned for the 'art' they might be losing. As I ate my sushi order with
hashi, they ate their steak and hamburger with knife and fork. One hopes
that this illustrates the shrinking planet our sincere interest in each
other. The
art of family bonds and great delight in interaction was most interesting
to observe. Care and honor was given in both of our host families for an
elder and lots of conversation with many laughs between the next two generations
seems so wholesome. Most of all the fine art of sharing friendship, asking
thoughtful questions, entertaining and toasting new bonds made for a most
memorable exposure to the fine arts of the Japanese people. My heart and
mind are so full. |
