Photographs from a small group of islands
On my way down to the train station yesterday, I was fortunate enough to run into a small local festival. An event that mostly involved the men folk carrying a mikoshi — a (not so) portable shrine — up the street.
Their progress was as slow and unsteady as you would imagine, but the accompanying beat of a huge drum seemed to help spur them on.
But the cheeky chap sat atop the drum undoubtedly had the best job of the day.
Admittedly this is an extreme case, but from what I’ve seen myself, unpaid overtime is very common and generally unchallenged. Plus with the economy still in a slump, and the Japanese tradition of a job for life becoming a thing of the past, it isn’t going to go away any time soon.
Now whilst I haven’t really suffered culture shock in my time here, experiencing the Japanese attitude to work is certainly a shock of sorts. With this working for free business being a prime example. Coming from Britain, overtime itself is a dirty word. As for unpaid overtime, well…
Not just urinating in general though, but actually doing it away from a lavatorial environment.
Now in Tokyo there are many things that you are expected not to do in public, as for whatever reasons they are deemed socially unacceptable. So blowing your nose is out. As is eating on the train. Likewise kissing in the open is simply not the done thing.
Urinating wherever you please however is just fine. Of course I’m not saying that people are pissing here there and everywhere, but at the same time it’s not unusual to see a barely concealed gentleman emptying the contents of his bladder for all to see.
Still, as long as he isn’t blowing his nose or eating at the same time, I guess it’s ok…
For such a reserved, and quite often shy race, when it comes to formal occasions it’s seemingly impossible to shut the Japanese up. Whether it be a meal, sporting event, or anything else for that matter, the proceedings are always started (and quite often ended) with a long, tedious, and generally humourless speech.
Perhaps the epitome of this is the school graduation ceremony, when the kids potentially high spirits are ground down by numerous lengthy and soul-destroying speeches. Ideally preparing the youngsters for the long hours and tedious existence of Japanese corporate life.
Perhaps.
Ah, Kyoto. The cultural heart of Japan. A city full of temples, the rarified atmosphere of Gion, and the home of the geisha.
Or at least that is what we are led to believe. Not that I’m saying it isn’t true, but it’s also a bustling city, and perhaps what people expect and what they get to see are two very different things. To a certain extent that was the case for me anyway.
But there are some quiet spots, and during my visit I fortuitously found myself in the right spot at the right time. Perfectly positioned to see an immaculately turned out and stunningly beautiful Maiko walk past me and then continue along the street. Presumably heading to her first appointment of the night.
