Yuki Torii

     Hai, The Manor sits on a zaka (hill) in the Mita district within sight of Tokyo Tower, the jumbo orange replica of its distant cousin, Eiffel. When asked where we live,however,  we answer: "Azabu Ju-ban" (ju=10, ban= district).  What Woody Allen could do with a neighborhood called Ju-ban! Down the hill and across the avenue a blend of boutiques and bakeries, the Ju-ban is a hybrid of New York's SoHo meets Cairo:  The ancient Inari Shrine (AD 712) sits alongside the fictional home of manga heroine, Sera Mun (Sailor Moon). As you recall Sera-chan's cat Luna-chan reveals her owner's supergirl powers disguised beneath a nautical school uniform. Sera Mun decoys spill out of the Juban subway station everyday.

     Across the street from the high-end supa (supermarket), Naniwaya, I window-shop in the Ju-ban at a small boutique called Yuki Torii. Thanks to the Ju-ban I discovered this well-established nihon label founded after the war by Torii-san's obaasan (grandma). An award-winning designer who has worked with Lacroix and Liberty of London, I am mesmerized by Torii-san's windows. Food shopping becomes more tempting when passing Torii's shop to see what she envisions for spring (tiered skirts) as I stop for avocados and tomatoes at the vegetable shop next door.

     I promised to participate in today's fire drill at The Manor. What better time to think about disaster than the day after the 8.8 Chile earthquake? The building managers look after us with the care and attentiveness of two grandfathers. We practice with using the fire extinguisher. "Remember to dial 119 in the event of fire," the charming O-san reminds us. "If there is a fire, evacuate after 3 minutes." Note to self.

    The Library advises me we have more than 50 sign ups for the Room to Read event. With the Olympics and Tokyo Marathon behind us, it's time to think about the written word.