Moving into Kyoto

Walking up the street toward school, I was committing a cardinal sin in Japan: walking and drinking.  This time, I actually felt a little bad about it though.  For some reason, this neighborhood resting in a nook between a temple and a busy thoroughfare seemed venerable.  As I sipped on my CC Lemon (packed with more than enough Vitamin C than one needs in a day), I took in my surroundings.  Every time I went up this street before, I rode my bike zipping past pedestrians and stopped cars full of goods to deliver to the local restaurants.

Now it's not uncommon in Japan to fail to recognize small shops on the side of the road; they look indistinguishable from residences in some cases.  Honestly, I don't know how some of them stay in business since they are so poorly marked and usually offer similar food products as the next poorly-marked bum a couple doors down.  When talking about perishable food products, this is not the type of place you will find me chowing down on local Kyoto delights.  You'll find me at the other, well-marked restaurant with people visibly going and coming from their doors.

So, as I sipped on my CC Lemon and all of its vitamin C goodness, I gazed down a little side street nestled between a row of shops and a large building (probably a temple) with a large wall around it.  Down the street were two maiko-san (like geisha) gazing back at me as I looked like the dumb American sloppily gulping down one of Japan's fine beverages (and all of its vitamin C goodness).  Slightly embarrassed, I put the drink down by my side as I continued on my way.

I had no clue at the time because this is Kyoto on a holiday (yesterday was a day off for the beginning of Fall...don't be jealous fellow Americans, school is not yet in service).  In fact, I soon passed another gentleman dressed in "traditional" Japanese clothing as he headed toward the temple I mentioned.  Also, this neighborhood is similar to most in Japan with political posters plastered on walls and gates.  As my new friend Hitoshi told me, Kyoto is known to vote Communist in local elections to break up the LDP's monopoly of power in Japan.  Voting Communist is like voting Green in California where Green Party officials actually make it into office.  The posters in this neighborhood struck a cord with me since the slogan appeals to the same peace clause in the Japanese Constitution I've been slaving over this summer.

However, as I returned that way at night.  My guide and new friend Hitoshi told me that this street is one of the last remaining streets where you go and have tea while maiko-san come and visit you.  If you ever saw the movie Memoirs of a Geisha, you know that they bounce from place to place not just entertaining at one teahouse.  It may interest you to know that the 21st century preferred means of transportation is the taxi.  I usually see empty cabs driving up and down that street (I had thought for no reason), but I have yet to see one with a maiko-san in it.  I will try to take a picture and post it if I can.

Tomorrow, I will go to the "Entrance Ceremony" and then meet my future thesis advisor.  Wish me luck.