Adventures in English, part 2

Charcoal gray is the color of the season judging by today's five elegant English conversationalists. Only the Composer, always the latecomer, broke the mold with her signature look: Headband and matching blouse (sea green). From conversations past we know that she has been making obento for her grown daughters and husband since 5 AM. Her youngest daughter, the same age as mine, is applying to university this year as well.

A newspaper clipping provided an easy subject: Hina Matsuri (Girls' Day), March 3rd. This month Japanese families and shops set out elaborate displays of dolls to represent the Emperor, Empress and their retinue. Not that their Imperial Highnesses are the happiest of families. (Emperor Akihito has been poorly, and his daughter-in-law's nervous condition is well-known although a recent bulletin reported that Princess Masako will return to her public duties soon.) On March4th hina dolls are promptly packed away to insure the appearance of Mr. Right; wait another day and you jinx your girl's chance to walk down the aisle. What of women without daughters? The clipping suggested that there might be a market for unused dolls among gaijin. Sacrilege! "They represent our spirit and that of our mothers,"explained S-san, who has two grown sons, "so we bring our dolls to a temple for a memorial service." Vigorous nods from the others.

Mr. A. A. Milne might be tickled to know that during the reading aloud of Winnie-the-Pooh the group spent a full 20 minutes on the three-letter exclamation: Aha. In Tokyo the sound of recognition is aaaah followed by sososo. Then Pooh frowned. To explain the results of frowning I referred to crow's feet.

"We say the same thing!" S-san said, pointing to a smooth, footprint free complexion.

In discussing the word accompany, Composer revealed that tonight she has a concert: The premiere of her husband's piece. She will pluck piano strings like a koto rather than strike the keys in the traditional way. Mr. Milne uses pluck as an adjective a few minutes later, provoking much discussion. Everyone admired Composer's pluck at her ability to pluck the inside of a piano in public.

Mention of Kanga and Roo reminded everyone that S-san flies to Australia next week with her son. "Can everyone attend next week?" I asked. The response is automatic: Hai. But, as it turned out, everyone is going out of town. At the door I presented each one with a small box of Valentine's Day chocolates, which is now a national holiday. Prettily packaged Giri Choco (obligation candy) is sold all over Tokyo just for this purpose. No luck in my search for conversation hearts candy, however.