When I was a kid, I had an international stamp collection that included a Japanese stamp with a beautiful illustration of a Geisha. I became an obsessed 7-year old sacheting around the house in a kimono that was left over from a Geisha inspired Halloween costume (my mama was not going for the painted on white face). I unsuccessfully tried to master eating chicken Teriyaki takeout with chopsticks before eating sushi became a trend. Trading “playing house” for sitting in front of my Aunt’s mirror while pretending I was getting ready for “Kabuki” left me daydreaming about what it would be like to visit the homogeneous island covered with cherry trees.
I have always felt disconnected from perceptions that were rooted in only wanting to be surrounded by people who shared the same culture and spoke the same language as me. But I have to admit that I often find myself being drawn to similarities within other cultures. Even with our differences, we have these common threads that connect us and that intrigues me.
As a teenager, I read about the history behind Japan’s fierce women warriors. These fearless feudal females known as “onna bugeisha” were trained to protect entire communities. I felt a strong connection to the idea of women putting everything on the line for their communities because this is what I saw with the women in my life growing up. The women in my family participated in committees in their community, called for meetings with community leaders and went “toe-to-toe” for their families. The way these women banded together to protect their communities continues to inspire and drive me.
Tokyo is a far cry from being a cheap city, but when a last minute opportunity popped up earlier this year to visit the “land of the rising sun,” I knew I needed to jumped at the chance to finally have my time to bask in the sun while strolling beneath the world’s most coveted cherry blossoms.
Cherry Blossom Sake
Japan is admired for many things: Buddhist temples, gorgeous Geishas, cherry blossoms, bustling metropolises and let’s not forget Hello Kitty. I couldn’t wait to explore it all, but at the top of my list was the colorful street art and fashion scene in Tokyo’s Harajuku neighborhood.
Tokyo is a mecca for creativity when it comes to pairing contemporary trends with unconventional twists on vintage fashion. A simple stroll through the city is filled with unique color pairings that could easily upstage Billy Porter’s “Camp” themed MET Gala appearance.
Being a Black woman in a homogenous country like Tokyo, I not only stood out like a unicorn, but I sometimes became the street show. Respect, tradition and service is at the core of Japanese culture. I was there for all of it and I never felt disrespected in the way that people expressed their fascination with my complexion, hair and 6-foot frame.
Tea in Tokyo
Even the “way of tea” draws on ceremonial preparation that has been steeped in Japanese tradition since the 9th century. With tea being the most commonly drunk beverage and a vital part of Japanese food culture, a tea house visit was a must during my impromptu trip. The tea ceremony represents purity, tranquility, respect and harmony. Reserved solely for men at its inception, women have become the main conservators of the tradition and have used it as a way to assert their equality in modern Japanese culture.
My trip confirmed that Japanese women are fabulous and I do hope that one day they are allowed to reign like the emperors.
“The world can change us, one encounter at a time.”