Kitchen Drinkers

     True confessions at English conversation group this week: Composer-san admitted that her doctor had put her on a diet last year when she hit 70 kilos (155 lbs). "Twice my weight almost!" gasped the Obaasan (grandmother) of the group. By filling up on cabbage soup everyday and avoiding alcohol, Composer-san reached her goal of 62 kilos. At long last she is allowing red wine into her diet "for medicinal purposes," of course. In English all the ladies agreed how well red wine goes with Italian food. Consequently, they indulge in a glass once or twice a week with a bowlful of pasta. Sake, meanwhile, is for holidays, and white wine for summer parties.

     For the many bottles I've shared with women friends over meals, toasting birthdays and other happy occasions, never have I indulged with female friends in Tokyo. Only at cherry blossom time, Ohanami, do rules fall by the wayside. This year predictions put the beginning of the season at March 24, a mere two weeks from now. Picnickers camp out in the big parks like Shinjuku Koen and smaller ones, like my special favorite, Sheba Koen.  Even in the local playground, a small crowd always gathers beneath the single, gloriously pink cherry. Everyone is giddy and possibly tipsy, dropping the inhibitions and formality that rule the other 11 months of the year. Spring fever takes on a new meaning in Japan.

    "Do you have 'kitchen drinkers' in America?" Obaasan asked. She explained that this syndrome strikes women who claim to cook with wine, but actually swig the stuff. Apparently, it is a growing issue. Familiar situation in my country but not a problem, I assured the ladies. "Then what do you call people who drink too much?" Comparing a Bowery bum with a woman enjoying un verre in the comfort of her kitchen just doesn't jibe. Certainly, the culture of salarymen in Tokyo allows serious drinking for the male of species. Shujin (husband) has paid the price with a bad headache on a few occasions. "After passing un certain age, isn't the reward an increase in alcohol intake for us?" I posed. "Hai, it is healthy," was the consensus, confirming my evening indulgence.

     As the ladies prepared to leave they presented me with a box of luscious macaroons for White Day, March 14th, the counterpart to Valentine's Day.  February 14th is the day to gift men, while women receive their sweets a month later. The sexes conduct parallel lives in Japan, which reminds me that Hans will be faced with a room full of women next week when he presents his talk to our social club. I look forward to watching him in action.