"Welcome, Mrs. B," the doorlady bowed and greeted me by name in perfect English at the Four Seasons Marunouchi, a sleek low building between Tokyo Station (think: Paddington) and Ginza (think: Oxford Circus). Hai, this neko (cat) friendly hotel recognizes a neko owner on sight. Are we the only guests here, this welcome made me wonder. (Sumimassen, a few other gaijin appeared later.) A cage large enough to accommodate a leopard graced a corner of the well appointed room, complete with food, bowls and the pee pads so popular among the lapdog set. Suki-chan made a graceful entrance, curling up in the obedient manner of Japanese pets. Tokyo dog grooming parlors never cease to amuse as furry, slutty clients allow themselves to be publicly rubbed and scrubbed.
Decamping from the Manor means moving into a hotel for a brief stay, which allows for exploring Chiyoda, the part of town within sight of the Imperial Palace. For nearly a century Tokyo Eki has served as commuter central, and despite the firebombing of 1945 service has continued uninterrupted. Currently the east wing is undergoing a major facelift behind a white facade that will be removed in time to celebrate its centennial in 2013. On the other side of the tracks 10 minutes by foot leads to Muji Riushi; all chain stores including this fashionable no-label brand slash prices in July. A nice selection of lightweight cardigans fits gaijin shapes at a deep discount. Sugoi!
NHK evening news covered the stabbing death in Osaka of a 15 year old grandson by his irate 66 year old obaasan (granny) who allegedly was not happy with his test results. Next a report on the sumo scandal; wrestlers have been gambling and must make a collective bow of apology. Nihonjin viewers prefer baseball and golf nowadays, perhaps due to the fact that sumo yokozuno (champions) are gaijin. Finally, the news turns to politics: Prime Minister Kan ("Yes we Kan") remains in place, the sixth prime minister in the four years of our residence, but his party has lost seats in the upper house. Popularity is growing for Renho Murata, the half Taiwanese 42 year old Minister for Administrative Reform who could potentially be the first woman candidate for PM. Tomorrow's plan is a final visit to Harajuku, 25 minutes from the Four Seasons via the Yamanote (Circle Line), for a visit to Hokusai exhibit at the Ota Museum.
Showing posts with label Four Seasons Marunouchi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Four Seasons Marunouchi. Show all posts
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Friday, July 16, 2010
Sayonara to the Manor
In a country where recycling is serious business and the market for secondhand goods is limited, unloading used furniture is a challenge. Does it surprise you that Japan is the largest exporter of used cars? Neighbors at the Manor kindly adopted plants, while the Filippina housekeeper was pleased to have Wanda's TV along with the answering machine that spoke nihongo. Bank folks snapped up tables and chairs, which were priced for quick sale. "Please accept my grandmother's fukuro obi," said one shopper in bidding for the flat screen TV. She made an excuse for no longer needing the hand-embroidered sash with built in bag, wrapped in a furoshiki (cloth wrap) and ordered the takubin (delivery service) to carry off the TV.
Double checking how Manor residents bag refuse is the Sanitation Specialist who sorts through the bin bags. Upon first noticing empty cat food tins thanks to Suki-chan, he pulled out his keitai (cell phone): "This is my family." He flicked through photos of three stray cats who adopted him and his wife. A former salaryman, he switched jobs in order to look after his elderly mother. Over time he posted photos of his feline family around the gomi (garbage) room and for three years we exchanged remarks typical of cat people. How gratifying that he accepted the chair with a round seat, perfect for a curled up cat. He promised to email photos of the chair with its new users, we bowed to each other, and exchanged an emotional sayonara.
Resident grandfather, the building manager Okutsu-san, retrieved a camera and nvited us to step outside for a group shot. "Please come back soon," he said, adding that the young man who visits musume (daughter) each week is polite and nice looking. When asked about culture shock in Japan I have observed that it has been an adjustment to live among people who are polite, pretty and punctual. Promising to return a second emotional bow exchanged, time to pack up neko-chan and musume for the move to pet friendly Four Seasons Marunouchi as we contemplate surrendering our gaijin cards. Mata ne (later).
Double checking how Manor residents bag refuse is the Sanitation Specialist who sorts through the bin bags. Upon first noticing empty cat food tins thanks to Suki-chan, he pulled out his keitai (cell phone): "This is my family." He flicked through photos of three stray cats who adopted him and his wife. A former salaryman, he switched jobs in order to look after his elderly mother. Over time he posted photos of his feline family around the gomi (garbage) room and for three years we exchanged remarks typical of cat people. How gratifying that he accepted the chair with a round seat, perfect for a curled up cat. He promised to email photos of the chair with its new users, we bowed to each other, and exchanged an emotional sayonara.
Resident grandfather, the building manager Okutsu-san, retrieved a camera and nvited us to step outside for a group shot. "Please come back soon," he said, adding that the young man who visits musume (daughter) each week is polite and nice looking. When asked about culture shock in Japan I have observed that it has been an adjustment to live among people who are polite, pretty and punctual. Promising to return a second emotional bow exchanged, time to pack up neko-chan and musume for the move to pet friendly Four Seasons Marunouchi as we contemplate surrendering our gaijin cards. Mata ne (later).
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