Resolving Conflict, Japanese Style (or “Scissors, Paper, Stone”)

It makes no sense, but my Japanese wife Noriko is very hard to beat at “scissors, paper, stone”. When we have conflicts which we can’t resolve, she will suddenly say “Okay – ’scissuh, papuh, stone!’”, ready instantly to throw down her hand.
“No thanks…”
“Come on! Be a man!”
“It’s got nothing to do with [...]

Japanese Philosophy (Ying and Yang)

While Noriko and I were watching a movie one evening, the topic of “yin and yang” came up in the story line. In a restless mood, I seized upon it as a theme for verbal maneuvering.
“Honey, that is a great example of Japanese wisdom – the philosophy of yin and yang…”
“Yin and yang Chinese, not [...]

Driving While Japanese (or “Maximum Minimum”)

This past spring Noriko and I spent a month in Los Angeles, just to get a break from the Santa Fe winter.  One morning she finally forced me to go clothes shopping with her, requiring us to go from downtown LA over to West Hollywood.  First we drove through the density all the way there.   [...]

Japanese School Girls

As I came in the front door, I heard a commotion going on.  “Billy, you don’t do dat!  Don’t you do dat!”  Noriko was scolding our little poodle Billy who was slinking uncomfortably about the living room.   “Honey, what’s up?”  I asked as I took in the human-canine encounter.  Billy gave me a glance of relief and slipped under the sofa, [...]

Submissive Japanese Housewives?

As discussed in previous posts, Japanese women are thought by many Americans to be submissive or non-assertive.  This notion has become so popular  that some American men fancy taking  a Japanese bride, thinking that doing so will grant them domestic control.  But cultural reality is more complex than this perspective suggests.  For example, here is Noriko’s take [...]

“At a Japanese restaurant”

We took some friends to our favorite local Japanese.  “Who expect good sushi in New Mexico?  Too far from ocean.”  Noriko wrinked her nose with disapproval.  “But dis joint have good sushi, I must say….”
Drinks and sushi appetizers had arrived and we were discussing what else to order.  I decided to have a little fun.  [...]

“Intimate Japanese Hygiene”

One evening Noriko said “Uh, don’t you sink it’s time to clean your eahuh?” Huh? I was disoriented. Why would she be concerned about my cleaning my ears? “I clean your eahuh for you!” Noriko said eagerly, quickly producing a number of Q-tips. She was obviously prepared. Uh, no thanks. I will clean my own [...]

“A Lesson in Japanese”

I was going to travel to Japan with Noriko and had decided to learn some Japanese. I began this project with  confidence, since I had recently learned the basics of Spanish by using a program called the Pimsleur Method. I knew how to learn languages, and a few months of study would have me ready to [...]

Japanese Pillow Talk (The Sense of Smell)

One evening we were lounging around on the futon, Noriko, me, and our the three little dogs – Junior, Lulu, and Billy. It was a pleasant, lazy moment, until I said “Oh, honey – was that YOUR fart?” It was a real stinker.
“No, dat not me. Dat Junyuh.”
“How do you know it was Junior?” Hearing [...]