At a Santa Fe Pizza Joint: Japanese Girls Are Dainty Eaters?

It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon in early fall, so much so that Noriko and I had decided to go to one of Santa Fe’s endless seasonal street festivals. Noriko was highly motivated to take in some of the local “culture” in the form of the local food street vendors. But by the time [...]

Noriko’s Cave: The Way of the Dragon?

Years ago, back in California, Noriko and I were preparing to live together for the first time. While looking at potential rentals she said to me “I must have my own room, my own space. It way of dragon.” I thought she must be kidding. “‘Way of dragon’? What is this, a [...]

A Japanese Repo Girl?

Noriko and I live in the mountains outside of Santa Fe, NM. I had taken our dogs for a walk and returned to find her diligently cleaning my car. “You see what good wife I am? You too lazy to clean your car, so I do for you!” Indeed, I am [...]

Novel Japanese Sayings (or “My Wife Tells Lies!)

As discussed in a previous Tale (“Submissive Japanese Housewives?”), it is customary for Japanese wives to handle all accounting and bill paying as a means of garnering power in the relationship. Thus Noriko has a small office off of our living room referred to as “the executive suite” to convey proper dignity to her role.  [...]

A Japanese Girl Learns English (or “Dat Word Mean DAT?”)

One evening I met Noriko for dinner at a local restaurant.  “Dis joint have best pizza in Santa Fe,” she informed me as we sat down.  We ordered our food and began to talk.  “Today, at check-out countuh at Whole Food, I chit-chat wit cashier,” Noriko said.
“Yes?”
“Just chatting, I tell him dat I little beavuh.  [...]

A Japanese Halloween: French Maids, Poodles, and Geisha Girls

It was unseasonably warm in Santa Fe, deceptively warm, given that it was time for Halloween.  “So honey, are you planning to wear a Halloween costume this year?  The big day is coming up,”  I asked as Noriko walked into the living room.  She wrinkled her nose.  “No, Halloween silly.  Just American ‘consumuh holiday’.  It [...]

Japanese Domestic Violence (or “Noriko’s Revenge”)

The fall weather in New Mexico continues – clear, cool, and beautiful.  And with it comes one peculiar feature: I don’t know exactly why, but it is the season of high wasp activity. And that includes their coming into our house…
“I hate wasp!” said Noriko, ducking with excessive drama as one wasp flew vaguely near [...]

Japanese Domestic Warfare: “Just the Two of Us”

Noriko and I were on our patio, overlooking the mountains outside of Santa Fe. I was feeling invigorated by the perfect fall weather.  “So please recall that the other day, when YOUR dogs were feasting on the chocolate, where was MY dog, Billy?”    Noriko was silent, and then said begrudgingly, “Okay, I admit, Billy not [...]