karaoke – Präriepost

Today from Taipei and Osaka

臺北市大阪市

October 27, 2019

November 10, 2019

It is warm, quite warm in the global city of the Republic of China, comfortable this time of the year. A surprise rain shower fell just one day, the blue sky was visible most other days. The comfortable weather provides a relaxed, busy atmosphere, no one appears to be in a hurry. Although a bit cooler back in Japan, the weather continues to be very pleasant. Sunshine, warm temperatures, no more rain in sight.

The red subway line in the global city brings you to the downtown area, and as soon as people leave the underground station, they see the towering 101 skyscraper. “Stacked moneyboxes,” they say, “so that the city will never be out of fortune.” Inside the shopping mall, the Guccis and Pradas make sure there is always money circulated in this building.

Back in the land of the rising sun, they celebrate the new emperor and empress – a new era has begun. The festivities are unpretentious, much like so many traditions in this colorful country. In the old capital, you can meet the 36 immortal poets who are patiently situated in the Eikan-do temple built in the year 855. Nakatukasa is one of the immortals reflecting on the season:

The autumnal wind

Blows but brings me no message –

Yet that listless breeze,

Where I, a beckoning reed, would whisper

In the rustling of my leaves.

There is rich history in the global city as well, with the Spanish coming in the 1600s, then the Dutch until they were booted out by Koxinga who asserted Chinese culture during the Ming dynasty. The Portuguese called the island “Formosa,” the beautiful island. The French, the British, and then the Japanese all landed with interest, and when the Nationalists fled Communist China, the Republic was born.

Beautiful mountains cover two thirds of the island. The goldmines have long been abandoned, up there in the mountains, but Jiufen, which housed all the miners, is well and alive. Even though it was a ghost town for many years, movies would make the “City of Sadness” famous again. Who would have thought that Hayao Mizayaki would help with the renewal of the city? Jiufen is spirted away.

The night markets are busy and energizing. And they offer unusual specialties that guests should not refuse: stomach, chicken feet with taro balls and tapioca for desert. Din Tai Fung is a must in the global city. Back in the kitchen of Japan, they retreat to comfort food, kushikatsu – 15 different foods, all on a stick with greetings to the Iowa fair.

They sing karaoke in both places. With much practice, any host can shine in their selection of Japanese, Chinese, or English tunes. Their real purpose, though, is to see the Western guest struggle through his turn. There is only one song appropriately coming to mind, “Help…” – the response on the screen – “try harder next time.”

Back in academic quarters, they continue work on blood pressure, weight, and cognitive function. They refine their model on cognitive reserve, highlighting the importance of education, occupational responsibility, engaged lifestyle, social engagement and activity. And they find the census data back from the eighth century, a fragment listing a 93-year old resident. And they learn from the Yoro codex that centenarians were entitled to five caregivers and could not be convicted for a crime.

Here and there, observations about older and disabled people abound. A daughter at the next table ordering two meals, one for herself, one for her mother. The daughter putting on an apron for her mother, preparing the meal with much patience, helping mother to enjoy eating in a public restaurant. In the onsen, a naked son wheeling his naked father into the bath. The father’s elated face. In the train, a woman in a wheelchair with a large bag in her left hand. How will she manage to get out of the train and move on? An official attendant, waiting for her at the station, wheeling her out to her next destination. A blind man in the subway, trying to hold on, helped by other passengers. How will he find his way when leaving the subway station? An official attendant is already waiting at the subway station to lead him out. Here and there, help is waiting in these two Asian towns, where autumn has arrived, where people assist when needed and where home-town people enjoy a trying karaoke vocalist.

Prairie Post

April 29, 2014

(Today from Okinawa)

Is it the rain, here, on this island of longevity, one downpour after the next, or is it the sunshine that comes after a day of steady precipitation? Is it the wind that blows in your face and tries to take you off your feet or is it the calm, humid climate that retells a story only narrated on subtropical islands? Is it the moderate climate that makes life just a little easier, just a little more comfortable every day of the year?

Perhaps it is the food that everybody yearns for here; perhaps they truly are what they eat. Perhaps the chanpuru, with eggs and goya, or the purple sweet potato substituting for raissu, here in this part of the world, or purple sweet potato ice-cream, or purple sweet potato cookies. And one must ask why, why no one discusses the connections between pork consumption and longevity – here, where pork ribs, pork feet, pork tongue, pork bacon, pork, pork, and pork is eaten. Perhaps people are correct in suggesting that pork fat strengthens coronary walls, boosts the cardiovascular system, the good fat, they call it… but perhaps it is simply moderation after all, hari hatchi bu must have been invented here, on this island. Dooshite, dooshite?

But then, it may be the lower stress, the easy-going mentality, “Okinawa time,” the island version of tranquility, or is it the music of the sanshin that projects cheerfulness and bliss, the dancing of notes, more a gliding of feet with an occasional stomp … with swirling “mini-hula-like” hands. Is it the creative minds that encourage the potters, textile weavers, and glassware makers to thrive? Perhaps the secret to longevity is that shisa simply protects from all evil by scaring the bad while keeping the good.

Or is it simply a historical fluke, the helpful side-effect of a foreign invader who first destroyed and then cultivated, improved hygiene and changed public health? Perhaps it is a geographic fluke, a crossroads mixing of the best of China, Korea, Japan and Southeast Asia?

And what would the oldest of the old say? That family is important, then health, then hobbies, and then social relations? That keeping active is important perhaps by folding origami, by weaving baskets or crafting small hats. That one can trust a daughter who always takes good care, even sleeps in the same room? Or that the national health care system, which pays for flexible stays at the day center, provides quality care and meaning for their lives and that 45 people in the day center support with friendship?

Is it that the oldest old do not fatigue easily here and that they appreciate company and that they like to give and receive small presents? Perhaps it is because they continue to speak Hogen and chant songs from the past or they continue to enjoy karaoke? Is it the cold water they wash themselves with or is it the fact they do not need and they do not take medication? Then, is it the strong handshake, strength in very old age that makes the difference, or is it a deep sense of spirituality, the sense that ancestors continue to guide through a very long life so long as one prays at the family shrine and visits the family tomb?

Perhaps it is simply the belief that a long life is given if a long life is strived for. Perhaps it is simply important to be kind and attentive, and that years are granted when years are enjoyed, here on this longevity island where everyone loves the temperate climate, the mouthwatering pork with sweet potatoes and where stress is not something people appear to come across very often.