My Neighborhood
- At July 02, 2021
- By admin
- In Annes Letters
0
Dear Family and Friends,
Since the 2011 earthquake, however, Sendai has been getting a serious face-lift. So, many of the sweet narrow paths and traditional homes with open space, and maybe a few trees, are being replaced with “danchi”, or housing developments. House / parking lot / not a tree or garden in sight. It is depressing, needless to say. And sadly, only adds to fast-approaching, far-worse environmental extremes to come.
There are many small shops and businesses, even a family-run mental hospital, dotting this neighborhood. Most have been here for years. The buildings they are in may have seen better days, but the places themselves are alive and well. Here are just a few.
Several weeks ago, a friend, who lives overseas, said she thought my neighborhood sounded charming, thanks to the many small shops found here. To be honest, I do not find where I live particularly attractive, even though the people I know here are friendly and helpful. But after her comment, I started looking around with a fresh eye and began appreciating the character of what I see every day.
To start, I believe this section of the city was once rice paddies. The soil in neighbors’ yards is very dark brown and lush. Vegetables and flowers grow in abundance. Now, though, there is one ugly main road curving through it, with no side walk to speak of. People take turns going down it.
To start, I believe this section of the city was once rice paddies. The soil in neighbors’ yards is very dark brown and lush. Vegetables and flowers grow in abundance. Now, though, there is one ugly main road curving through it, with no side walk to speak of. People take turns going down it.
And folks live right on it. So, neighbors politely turn a blind eye to such personal things as laundry hanging out with no privacy whatsoever.
Side streets twist and turn, suggesting walking paths at one point. Many of the houses on those streets are humble and the neighbors like family.
Side streets twist and turn, suggesting walking paths at one point. Many of the houses on those streets are humble and the neighbors like family.
Since the 2011 earthquake, however, Sendai has been getting a serious face-lift. So, many of the sweet narrow paths and traditional homes with open space, and maybe a few trees, are being replaced with “danchi”, or housing developments. House / parking lot / not a tree or garden in sight. It is depressing, needless to say. And sadly, only adds to fast-approaching, far-worse environmental extremes to come.
But a rare few have impressive gardens.
The young families who buy the large trendy homes feel they must have enormous cars to match. It is quite an art to maneuver these monsters down narrow alleyways. Pedestrians have to lean against walls to let them pass, often getting their noses brushed by the wing-like side mirrors. But so far, we have stayed accepting and gracious neighbors.
The young families who buy the large trendy homes feel they must have enormous cars to match. It is quite an art to maneuver these monsters down narrow alleyways. Pedestrians have to lean against walls to let them pass, often getting their noses brushed by the wing-like side mirrors. But so far, we have stayed accepting and gracious neighbors.
Japan is curious. Next to ostentatious new homes, there are many abandoned ones, some staying untouched for years. There may even be clothes left hanging by the window, or plastic flowers on sills. These members of the neighborhood slowly become more shabby and feeble, but add a depth and mystery the brand-new places sorely lack.
There are many small shops and businesses, even a family-run mental hospital, dotting this neighborhood. Most have been here for years. The buildings they are in may have seen better days, but the places themselves are alive and well. Here are just a few.
(Propane gas shop)
(Car repair)
(Dressmaker)
(Barbershop)
(Family owned and run mental hospital)
The small neighborhood supermarket has a touch of something persona, tool. For the past four or five years, a mother swallow has made an eave her temporary home. She builds a nest high in a sheltered corner, and returns every year to lay her eggs. When she arrives, everyone becomes excited and feels proud we live in such a safe and welcoming neighborhood.
But surely it is the neighbors that make this place special. The old lady down the hill, for example, came here as a young bride well over 60 years ago. The front door of her shack no longer closes properly, but she does not care. She knows she is safe because everyone knows and loves her. They also always stop to chat, so she is well informed of the entire neighborhood’s gossip.
Another favorite is “The Barber Lady”, who lives in my small, family-owned apartment complex. She has her shop in the front building, where she lives upstairs. She, too, has been here a long time and knows everyone’s news. Periodically, she pops over with something she has cooked. “You live alone, so I worry about you,” she says. “Actually, I give food to five single people nearby. We have to take care of the vulnerable,” she adds. I have given up telling her I am fine, and she should focus on the others. She is insistent, so I simply accept her generous offer, and then get her something special in return. Recently, she gave me a wild vegetable and fish stew. The vegetables came from a forest-park nearby with signs saying not to collect any wild plants. She goes at the crack of dawn so as to keep her transgression a secret.
Another favorite is “The Barber Lady”, who lives in my small, family-owned apartment complex. She has her shop in the front building, where she lives upstairs. She, too, has been here a long time and knows everyone’s news. Periodically, she pops over with something she has cooked. “You live alone, so I worry about you,” she says. “Actually, I give food to five single people nearby. We have to take care of the vulnerable,” she adds. I have given up telling her I am fine, and she should focus on the others. She is insistent, so I simply accept her generous offer, and then get her something special in return. Recently, she gave me a wild vegetable and fish stew. The vegetables came from a forest-park nearby with signs saying not to collect any wild plants. She goes at the crack of dawn so as to keep her transgression a secret.
This little introduction lets you see that even though my neighborhood is far from charming in appearance, it is surely a wonderful place to live.
Love,
Anne
