Pic 17: 根津 - Nezu, Tokyo

The Kizunas (part 5 - Final)

Mr. K. got a call from his old friend:

—— Oi, Kizuna! Don’t worry about it. What did you expect, to go on forever?

—— People don’t understand any more.

—— Yeah, but time changes, there are other things, people need something different.

—— It’s all right for you in your boring little coffee shop all day, but some of us are trying to do something for people, make them feel better, give them some purpose in life, try to make them think about the precious things, things we should cherish and respect, how to live with each other, cut out the nasty competition, from childhood, as soon as the kids start to walk, do this do that, be better than the others, it’s a pretence this false veneer of friendliness…………

—— Relax, Kizuna! Is your missus there?

—— Hello, Gimon, how are you?

—— Saw you the other day, you still look great.

—— You’re just saying that. The clothes don’t fit any more.

The Kizunas decided to drop in on Gimon. Because it had been such a long time since they had been there, they couldn’t remember the exact location of the coffee shop. As they were walking along trying their best to remember where it was, they recognized one of their T-shirts on a young man several metres ahead. It was one of a limited edition to mark their first appearance at the Truism Dome, the coveted venue that, like a Mecca for pilgrims, all entertainers seek to perform at as the pinnacle of their careers. They remembered the print on the T-shirt: KIZUNA IS FOR LIFE. But when the man came closer, they saw that some of the letters had been worn away, with the result that all they could see on the man’s chest was KIZU  IS LI  E. As they passed each other, the young man’s face betrayed the hint of a slight sneer as he wondered why this middle-aged couple was staring at him. The Kizunas in turn wondered whether the man knew the meaning of Kizuna and who they were, wondered whether the T-shirt had become scruffy because of a pride in wearing it often, with reverence for the words on it.

They soon found Gimon’s coffee shop and went in. There were a few customers in the shop, but nobody rushed for their autographs, as would have happened not so long ago. Two or three of them looked up from their drinks towards the Kizunas, but these were just the normal, casual glances nonchalantly directed at whoever walked in. Gimon said nothing. He picked up a record and put it on the turntable. It was an early recording of the Kizunas’ “We are one big happy Family.” After a few seconds, though, the record got stuck, repeating, “…..all together, help each other/all together, help each other/ all together, help each other…….” 

Gimon gave the turntable a slight nudge. The needle moved along smoothly. He smiled and said:

—— Wonderful things like Kizunas need a gentlle push now and again.

Pic 16: 銀座 - Ginza, Tokyo

From a Phrasebook (for budding lawmakers)

I apologize. My comments were inappropriate.

I don’t have any recollection.

I didn’t know that.

I cannot recall the details.

Ask my secretary.

My secretary takes care of everything.

Really? I wasn’t aware of that.

I will not resign.

The stocks were in my wife’s name.

I have no idea where the money came from.

I don’t want to pay taxes for poor people’s medical treatment.

*NB: For male lawmakers only. There are not enough female lawmakers 

at present to warrant equivalent expressions.

Pic 15: 高円寺 - Koenji, Tokyo

Pic 14: 代々木 - Yoyogi, Tokyo

Haiku pair

Not deserving

this metal fence

a dandelion

Not deserving

this field of poppies

a metal fence