Old and New Japan
- At August 17, 2018
- By admin
- In Annes Letters
0
Dear Family and Friends,
That evening after dinner my friend called her students together for a class. I was not involved, so headed directly to my futon. When the business discussion was over, my friend also went to bed. But not the girls. For them the evening was just beginning. They switched on the TV and yanked out packaged food. They took (soap-less) showers and washed their hair. They listened to music on their iPhones and chatted late into the night. The next morning, on minimal sleep, they spent hours putting on make-up, arranging their hair, and making sure their clothes were just right.
Murata is a small town south of Sendai. It is famous for its historic Merchant Street.
That short, but charming walk especially boasts a wealthy merchant’s home, now a museum. But there are other places as well. In fact, paralleling that string of commercial establishments is a former Samurai Street. The two together offer much for the imagination about the history of the area.
These days several festivals are held throughout the year, which bring in a gentle flow of visitors. But in general, Murata is a sleepy little town surrounded by rice paddies and blue hills.
Like many rural places in Japan, Murata’s population is dwindling. So, officials are seeking ways to keep it alive, and hopefully, to attract new inhabitants. There have been a few successes. Besides the merchant’s home, there are several places selling local crafts, a small restaurant with homemade, natural food, and a newly opened restaurant-bar. Also, several artists have shown interest in moving there. So, in the future there may be shops selling weavings, pottery, and stained glass.
With all this excitement about future possibilities, the town has begun to renovate some of its charming old buildings. One house in particular has recently been the focus of attention. In fact, the final touches of renewal are being made there now. When they are finished, the town officials hope to open it as a hotel.
Like many rural places in Japan, Murata’s population is dwindling. So, officials are seeking ways to keep it alive, and hopefully, to attract new inhabitants. There have been a few successes. Besides the merchant’s home, there are several places selling local crafts, a small restaurant with homemade, natural food, and a newly opened restaurant-bar. Also, several artists have shown interest in moving there. So, in the future there may be shops selling weavings, pottery, and stained glass.
With all this excitement about future possibilities, the town has begun to renovate some of its charming old buildings. One house in particular has recently been the focus of attention. In fact, the final touches of renewal are being made there now. When they are finished, the town officials hope to open it as a hotel.
Of course, there are many final logistics to be worked out. And that is where a teacher friend, three of her students, and I entered the picture.
My friend’s students are majoring in business. And this soon-to-be-hotel provided a perfect opportunity for a class project. From a business perspective they would evaluate their experience of spending the night in this newly renovated gem.
My friend’s students are majoring in business. And this soon-to-be-hotel provided a perfect opportunity for a class project. From a business perspective they would evaluate their experience of spending the night in this newly renovated gem.
That sounded like a perfect plan, but there was one catch. There were no sheets or pillow cases, no towels or soap. (So, we brought our own.) But there were futons, a small kitchen (with no pots or pans), and a bath, a large TV and an air conditioner. Also important for consideration, the layout was essentially one long tatami-mat room. That meant guests would have to share one sleeping space.
That evening after dinner my friend called her students together for a class. I was not involved, so headed directly to my futon. When the business discussion was over, my friend also went to bed. But not the girls. For them the evening was just beginning. They switched on the TV and yanked out packaged food. They took (soap-less) showers and washed their hair. They listened to music on their iPhones and chatted late into the night. The next morning, on minimal sleep, they spent hours putting on make-up, arranging their hair, and making sure their clothes were just right.
I smiled watching those lovely, bleary-eyed girls, stumbling around, making every effort to be more beautiful than they already were. They did not realize that while they were busy focusing on themselves, they were being cradled in the very subdued, historical atmosphere of their surroundings. For me that perfectly revealed Japan’s impressive ability to absorb everything and its opposite. In this case, the subtle and traditional quietly embracing the most vivid and new.
Love,
Anne
Love,
Anne
