cazalea
[Seiko Moderator]
17049
VISIT TO SEIKO PART 8: Thoughts prompted by Japan
(An imaginary journey)
I am trying to understand a tiny bit of Japan. How did it come to be as it is today?
Click here to go to Part 9 of the Report, which will end at Part 10.
This message has been edited by cazalea on 2014-10-21 20:47:17 This message has been edited by cazalea on 2015-01-21 18:44:06
I've been home in California for a few days, sleeping little, and pondering much. Last night we had friends over, ate lots of sushi, drank our souvenir bottles of Japan's brew and had a great time. It's now the morning after and I am wondering, How could Japanese culture have started??
Much, much later, #1 wearily opens his eyes and says, Could we just build a nice peaceful room and let this headache fade?
Ok, let's do it. While we are resting, do you suppose we can find a way to keep track of the time?
Dream with me:
We go back thousands of years ago when two of the earliest occupants of these islands were walking around, discovering their new world, and wondering at the sights... Like this beautiful waterfall.
Those white things on the branch are curious, Japan ancestor #1 says.
Yes, but I'm hungry. I wonder if we could eat them , replies Japan person #2. It turned out the fungus was edible, and tasty.
They came to the edge of the ocean and looked into the water.
Wow! What's that amazing thing? #1 pondered.
I'm not sure, but I'll bet we can eat it, said #2. So they chopped it up, added seaweed, and ate it. Nice! they exclaimed in unison.
Coming upon these giant crabs, they, grabbed a leg (the most inedible looking thing) and found sweet meat inside.
As they were wandering along, #1 noted Wow, see those lovely autumn leaves falling into a pool of water?
Yes, I do. And I wonder what it would taste like if we sipped some of that water? They tasted the first tea, nodded in satisfaction, and kept strolling along.
They found some other substances in the woods. Citizen #1 ground his plant's stem into a paste while #2 shaved flakes from a root into a pot of vinegar.
They tried what they've made. Number 1 said Whoa! Wah (tears running from eyes, sinuses clearing) while #2 said Yumm. Try this cooling, crunchy, sweet/hot ginger,
They spotted some other early Japanese people.
Hey, those beautiful maidens are chewing rice kernels and then spitting them into a bucket! That's unusual, observed #1.
Perhaps, but if we let it stew overnight, throw left-over rice into the bucket, mix it up and leave it alone all winter, could something good result?
They try it. Several times. Finally they get to work and brew up a batch that will last them a long time. They drink, they sing. They invent karaoke.
Much, much later, #1 wearily opens his eyes and says, Could we just build a nice peaceful room and let this headache fade?
Ok, let's do it. While we are resting, do you suppose we can find a way to keep track of the time?
I think so ... and with a bell we can remind ourselves of important things. And so they invent a clock.
Suddenly the centuries flash by, and now we are back in the present. Japan is now a bit more crowded, but some things haven't changed.
The love of nature, the incredibly creative foods, the ingenuity with technology -- it's great. we loved our visit to Japan. What a great place, with nice people.
I think the whiskey is nice too!
Cazalea, The Pondering Purist (learning Japanese language with the help of a quick-lesson sheet)
VISIT TO SEIKO PART 8: Thoughts prompted by Japan
(An imaginary journey) I am trying to understand a tiny bit of Japan. How did it come to be as it is today? I've been home in California for a few days, sleeping little, and pondering much. Last night we had friends over, ate lots of sushi, drank our souv...
Interesting imagination/ story!
... I am just glad that there is another couple who has come to like this country. Learning Japanese? Ask me anything! Stop by anytime, Mr. and Mrs. Cazalea. You know you have good friends here. Best, Ken
