Danshiyaku

Les Sewing Sisters Japan Home Tour: Part 13

From our small business-like hotel room, we can hear the trains nearby from the Shin-Osaka station. They start up around six in the morning, and I’m so used to the Number 5 freeway back of our home in Silver Lake that it is all white noise to me. But there is something romantic about the sound of trains, and I do find them comforting. I’m grateful that we have some free time this morning, and I plan to stay in the hotel to catch up on some rest and do some of my writing work. I miss my writing schedule, and although it is interesting to write while traveling, I miss the writing table back home.

We did one show at Mon and Yuzo’s house and plan to do another for Mon herself. Their closet space is different, so Lun*na thought it would be interesting to do two shows there. And last night, we focused on Yuzo’s side of the world. Their home in Osaka is very interesting—four stories, but not a large house by any means, but perfect for two people. The staircase between the floors is almost ladder-like, and as you know, dear readers, I have a fear of staircases. But since they are so narrow, it is not that difficult for me to use. But when I do walk up, I have a hand on the rail and the step in front of me. I try not to think of the stairs, but I think I dreamt about them last night here in the hotel.

We’re staying in the Unizo Inn on floors two to the ninth floor. We are on the 7th floor. These places are confusing to me because you get a key card, which is not unusual, but one has to place the card in a charger once you enter the room, which then leads the lights and TV go on automatically. To even put on the bathroom light, we need the card in place on the wall. So much technology to replace the light switch!

As I write, or being in Japan, a major battle occurs in Israel and Palestine after the slaughter of Israeli citizens within their borders. Murder is murder, and there is no excuse for murder, but this can’t be a total surprise for the Israeli government. The misery in Gaza has to be unbearable for its citizens. It is like poking an angry bear with a stick; eventually, the bear will strike back. It is not only the violence that sickens me but the stupidity of Israel’s treatment of others. Palestine is an occupied space controlled by Israel. How is this going to be a benefit for the future of both cultures? Israel has every right to be a nation, but so does Palestine, and coming from a fellow like me, I don’t even like Nationalism. It is hard for me to define myself as an American. I think of myself as a human being, and that is that. Perhaps that is a privileged stance, but I’m what I am. I’m sort of like Popeye.

All of this is not good for my mental health, but not for others as well. I have avoided certain aspects of the social media world because the hatefulness is too much. So yeah, along with my party, I go to private homes in Japan, and I see nothing but the goodness from our various hosts.

This morning Lun*na and I went out of our hotel room to go by a coffee shop that is close to the hotel. Danshiyaku is very much a coffee shop from the 1960s or even the 1950s. They serve coffee with thick toast (butter only) and a side salad. This is standard Japanese style coffee shop food. I love it. And I love the decor of the cafe as well. The strange thing is the name. Danshiyaku refers to Japanese theatrical performances relating to the male actor, such as in Nō or Kabuki Theater. Why would a coffee shop near the train station take on such a name?