Through it's coppice essence the antique bamboo Yumi whispers history by my ear. The bow sings as I liberate the arrow. A foreboding yelp signals my appalling aim. The accidental target, a small dog escaped unscathed. My Sensei found me hiding my embarrassment by the dojo’s garden pond.
“When you understand, you will hit the target. Douzo.”
He offers me a withered copy of Go Rin No Sho. Based on Godai; Japanese philosophy of the elements, a samurai enlightens me in the nature of Japan. A gong resonates signalling that I’m late.
Chi - Earth
The city meditates, purifying itself as I navigate the pristine roads of Nagoya. A sakura tree rooted in the concrete junction somehow seeps the nectar of purity. I bypass it; my geta’s wooden soles make a distinct clack, clack, clack called Karankoron. My kimono murmurs silk worm’s slavery as I endeavour to stride in its restricting girth. The weathered vermillion Torii gate marks the path to the Shinto shrine. Passing this sacred gateway I wonder, should a westerner, a “gaikokujin” really be here? My brother is here to marry Kaori, the Japanese way. As in answer one geta suddenly snaps; a traditional sign of bad luck. Both geta in hand, I shuffle over the pallid stones of the Zen pathway to the temple.
Sui- Water
My family and Kaori’s linger at the temple entrance. Kaori’s Okaasan casts her eyes on the broken geta. She nods her head to an inner agreement.
“If you perform Temizu, the water will carry away bad luck.” She says as cunning hands mend my borrowed geta. And so brandishing a metal spoon, I cleanse my impurities. I wash my left hand, then my right. As translucent water touches my lips I feel enlightened by a ritual, in which lies an aeon of tradition.
Ka – Fire
The shrine’s timber is unyielding under my bare feet. Yet my heart is kindled with affection; seeing my brother, regal in his black kimono. Respecting Shinto tradition, I sit behind my honoured parents, beside my elder sister. Our families mirror each other while the nuptials of drinking nine cups of sake are performed. Upon it’s end the families greet each other. United by the embers of an old world, meeting a new flame.
Kaze – Wind
The Shinto Goddess Amaterasu blessed warm rays on us as we entered the reception. The banquet was more precarious than appearances. Armed with chopsticks, I attack the potentially poisonous puffer fish, raw horse and green duck eggs. The couple receive blessings; shugi-bukuro, elegant envelopes containing money. An opportunistic wind slid through an open window, scattering the envelopes into various dishes, in particular the gaping mouth of a dissected tuna. Gathering wasabi coated shugi-bukuro and enjoying the laughter, I feel Hen na Gaijin - less of an outsider.
Sora - Spirit
My breathing is blessed by the elements, my passage through Godai complete. The giggles are shaded behind polite hands. The Yumi flexes as I draw. And I release the arrow.
