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(Yes, I'm wearing the same shirt in all four of those pictures. I've done laundry, really.)
Tomorrow, I have an appointment with the venerable Mr. Yasmashita, Sr. Yamashita-san runs a barber shop in Kami-machi, 1-chome, and while he's not averse to using scissors, his specialty is the straight razor. The man is amazing and hugely experienced, and it's an honor to be able to sit down in his chair and put my throat (and life) in his hands. I've been visiting Mr. Yamashita since 1995; I would have used him for my wedding haircut, but he was out of town at the time.
There's a certain comfort in being able to visit a place years later and recognize people (and have them recognize me). I think a lot of people take this sort of thing for granted: in fact, for many people, that sense of familiarity can be a little suffocating, which is why so many people visit their hometowns only occasionally. I grew up moving around, however, so Kochi is as close to a hometown as I have; perhaps my fondness is greater for this place because I established my roots here as an adult.
Or perhaps I'm just waxing melodramatic because it's hot outside. Regardless, I've got a good haircut and shave on my horizon.
6 comments:
Since you're the only faintly Japanese person I currently sort-of know, any suggestions for beginner textbooks or children's book?
Thankee!
Wow, good question. Are you trying to learn on your own or practice? How much exposure do you have already?
On my own, though I'm going to take a class at UT's Informal Classes
No exposure, but it'll be my fifth language, so hey, I'm at least not totally clueless :)
Hello, Jinni, let's see: first off, get a hiragana primer and a katakana primer and a stack of Japanese-language manga. Don't worry about understanding any of it, but instead concentrate on recognizing and sounding out hiragana and katakana. I learned this by carrying around a pocket-size sheet with hiragana, katakana, and their roman counterparts wherever I went in Japan, and then I read every sign on every bus, train, or street I happened to be on. That only works if you're in Japan, of course, but flipping through a stack of J-manga should have the same effect. You'd be surprised how quickly you learn to read the 46 of each. Here's a good chart.
Next, I'm not sure where you are geographically, but if you can get to a Kinokuniya, they usually sell first-grade (5/6 yr-old) kanji primers; these are usually fun and will familiarize you with basic hundred or so kanji. Combine both of these with the basic conversation (and grammar) you learn at the informal classes, and you should be on your way.
Not in Bay Area anymore, I live in Austin now :) I picked up a 'learn Japanese with Manga!' book (not its actual title), though I'm not a Manga fan. Trying to memorize hiragana now...eek. 3 down, 43 to go.
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