Won't You Be My Neighbor

Longtime UNS Member, Sharon Meyers, is currently studying ceramics in Japan for several months. This is a glimpse into her world and journey.

Konichjwa!

I am at once an outsider, yet also a presence of my best self in Kyoto: curious, willing to get lost in the translation of words that crowd my mind, yet somehow (not always) emerge.

I do not hurry. I ponder. I reflect.

I watch slowly, look closely, and inhale the life of my street that
is now my life.

Mine is a mix of residences and shops, all low rise, mostly mid-century to end-century construction, some machiya townhouses built over a century ago. Machiya are entirely of wood, while newer buildings are designs of wood plus tile most often, along with elements of concrete – appealing in their simplicity.

While residences are small, the shops are tiny single room cubbies of antiques, bamboo baskets, groceries, handmade tools, sewing notions, shoes, and my favorite: nori wrapped crackers home kitchen made by a husband and wife duo.

Even after the first few days of settling in and exploring, I realized, “I know these faces!” – young kids setting off for school in their uniforms, matching hats and backpacks; the elderly gentleman who prunes and waters his flowering potted plants; his wife who sits in the walkway admiring their jade plant. “Ohayo!” she now greets me, in a friendly, casual Japanese way of saying “Hello.” We are now beyond formal Japanese connection and conversation.

I have become accustomed to their rhythms of daily life, from heading out for school of work, to opening and closing local places of business. This is a self-contained F&B community, from the coffee café to the fishmonger (who both catches and prepares his own), green grocer, ramen house and tea house, even a wagashi confectionary master, all in this small neighborhood.

From the new taste treats I have enjoyed through their efforts, and despite  sukoshi/ small common language between us, they have shared their “how to’s” with me: bento box fresh fish, hassaku/ orange marmalade, Hoji-cha ice cream, seaweed salad, tempura, yaki ino baked sweet potatoes, tempura, and the latest, Burnt Basque cheesecake. Such culinary delights! Their generosity of time lives on in the recipes that I try out, test out, then write up.

I am mindful that as humans, we often forget the actual gift another gives us, while we will long retain the feeling that each gift provides. I hold so much respect and gratitude for such hospitality, along with photos as my visual cue for future remembrance.

Living amidst temples and shrines adds a layer of the ethereal to my daily habits in this neighborhood. A monk pauses as I cross the street from my apartment. I bow in respect. He smells of sandalwood and burning incense as he passes. Easy access to public gardens and a park around the corner connect me with nature. I regularly spot a fallen sprig of berries, or even a blossom now, and take it home as my homage to the natural world in my own space. I am reunited once more.

This neighborhood offers all I need, especially the kindness of those who call this community home. “Won’t you be my neighbor?” Mister Rogers’ wisdom lives here. We are neighbors to each other as long as I live on this street.

Arigato,
Sharon

Images:

• Neighborhood shrine morning market.
• Tea house treat, now mine to share: Burnt Basque cheesecake.
• Neighborhood sacred camphor tree and shrine.
• Café staff, with warm welcome to son, Ryan, who visited for a week.
• Torri gates, neighborhood Toyokuni Shrine.
• Antiques shop, streetside wares.
• Freshly caught fish, every morning.
• Wagashi confectionary master.
• Ramen house special.
• Neighbor’s front garden.
• Seaweed salad, learned from green grocer.

P.S. Please click the download below to read Sharon's recipe from Garden Chat.