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ukuto
and Reiko Anan, our hosts and hostess in Taketa City, selected for the dinner
that was ours a traditional-style restaurant that featured tempura and sushi.
As we entered, there were five stools at a wooden counter on the left. The
first one was occupied by a well-dressed gentleman who was dining. We took
the other stools. In the course of events, we discovered that the gentleman
was a friend of the Anans and that his English was quite good. The
wooden counter was just deep enough to hold the array of dishes, cups, and
glasses that we proceeded to accumulate. At the rear of the counter was
a glass case containing a variety of raw fish. Behind the case was the chef,
whose look would have been saturnine, but for a frequent smile when he greeted
customers or took a moment to chat. Our
first course was a variety of tempura-cooked vegetables served one at a
time so that the one before you was fresh and hot. Sake and beer were on
the counter. Then came sushi of great variety. Bea balked at raw fish, but
Duncan tried and enjoyed everything offered. Then more sake and beer. Them
miso soup, rice, and there—naturally—was tea. We
felt that there was more sake and beer than we had ordered; indeed there
was. The man at the other stool was ordering. In a conversation with him,
he said that he was rich and wanted to treat us to dinner. We said, "No,
thanks" ( in perfect Japanese, of course). We learned later that he owned
several electronics stores and was indeed rich. Finally
we were ready to leave and asked for the check. But there was no check.
Our new friend had paid. |
