Aug. 6 - Sometimes when my wife Ann and I are too tired to cook dinner, we visit a neighborhood fish restaurant. My favorite item on their menu is the grilled mackerel set (saba no shioyaki teishoku). In addition to the delicious grilled fish, this complete dinner comes with white rice, miso soup, pickles, and a side dish that differs every day, such as asari clams with black "hijiki" seaweed.
On a recent visit, we enjoyed observing the families and a few couples listening to the background music of Billie Holiday singing jazz classics. The young waitress, in tight jeans and a bandana around her head, busied herself bringing cold mugs of draft beer to a table of office workers watching a Yomiuri Giants baseball game on television. The atmosphere was friendly and boisterous.
I thought that something about this experience seemed quite different from typical Japanese restaurants in the United States. The food was quite delicious, but I can find tasty grilled mackerel in America too. Suddenly I realized that a Japanese restaurant in the U.S. would not have a television broadcasting a baseball game. Its music would likely be something Americans considered Japanese, such as koto or shamisen, rather than Billie Holiday. And the waitress might wear something Americans could recognize as uniquely Japanese, such as a cotton yukata or "happi" coat, rather than stylish jeans and a bandana.
A typical Japanese restaurant in the United States would make a self-conscious effort to be "authentically" Japanese. In contrast, this restaurant and its patrons in Tokyo seemed quite comfortable with their own culture and its borrowed elements. They could savor excellent Japanese food, while simultaneously enjoying imported elements such as jazz, jeans and baseball.
Until next time,
Jim
I always enjoy reading your blog. This is my first time posting a comment here.
Your blog usually has quite different prospective about Japanese culture from what I usually hear from non-Japanese people. I'm sure you are one of the experts of Japanese culture as we all can see from your background. What I see in your blog always makes me realize something new about my own culture and very much inspired how non-Japanese people can see such things and I cannot. lol
The best part is that I am learning more about Japanese culture from you. Interesting scenes (places) throughout Japan with your comments is also enjoyable.
I have studied and worked in the U.S. for 7 years, and had quite a few great experiences such as people, culture, food, nature and the politics, etc. I also appreciate the people like you who can adopt and enjoy diversity!
I know U.S. goverment keeps you very busy, but thank you for keeping this blog! I am looking forward to seeing your next blog.
