10 Days a Japanese.
Maki Tsuyami a True example of Japanese Kyosei
The world is an oyster and without limits, we can travel to its very depth.
One of the most amazing experiences I have had as a globe trotter is my experience with Japan. The sights and sounds, the purity of its water bodies and its prefectures was an epitome of a heaven on earth. Where flora and fauna was respected and man co existed without disrespecting and intruding in the habitation of nature.
Tachikawa is a city located in the western portion of Tokyo metropolis, in the central Kanto region of Japan.
From Tokyo, to Yokohama, through Osaka, Fuji and Kyoto was a great experience with the people. This triggered my curiosity to probe more after my unique encounter with two individuals in different towns. The first in Osaka and the other at the Hakihabara in Tokyo.
At the traffic light after I had had a great experience in Den Den town, a technology market place in Osaka, I lost my route after arriving a few distance from my address. While I brought out my map and tried to find my bearing from the pedestrian crossing at the traffic light, a middle aged woman who introduced her self as Maki, walked up to me with a smile and said, “lost?”
I responded the affirmative and after trying to no end finding the address, she decided to help me. We walked to the police station to request help and after trying, they had shown us how to find my address. Maki insisted to accompany me. While enroute, she made a call and spoke in Japanese and ended by saying arigato-goziamastas! (thank you) to the other person.
I found out later after introducing my self that Maki was a university professor and the call she had made was to get her students busy reading and that she was going to be a few minutes late. Our conversation was enriching and very motivational as we learned about each other’s culture and it was interesting to know that Maki had heard the country Ghana because of a brand of chocolate in Japan called Ghana chocolate. With out exchanging contact information, Maki thanked me for engaging her through our 10minutes walk to my address ,with her hands clapped together, she took a bow, got on her bicycle and left.
I was very thankful and grateful and narrated the story to the front desk gentleman, another awesome individual.
So, my great experience in Osaka was about to get even better when upon returning from a series of meetings, I was told by the front desk that I had a parcel, stunned as you, I was wondering who knew me in the town to bear me gifts. It was Maki, she had delivered a set of ivory chop sticks and a few souvenirs to remember her town and country.
I didn’t get to thank Maki personally because she didn’t leave a contact address, just her name, Maki Tsuyami.
I remember her saying that if our paths were meant to cross, we would find each other again, if not in this life time, the next. But after five years, Maki and I reunited via the social media platform Facebook.
I had looked for her every where and found no trace of her, her demeanor showed that she was a very private person so on that day when I eventually saw three people bearing her name, I was inclined to send a message to the Maki that was faceless and explained the circumstance through which we met and said, “Maki, if this is you, show me a sign”
I remember that in the package that she had sent me, she also included a typed letter with a red autumn background with text in white. Her message to me was kind. It was the best sign she could send and we had reunited again.
The Japanese culture of Kyosei, symbiotic relationship was shown not only by Maki but by a gentleman close to the tube station in Tokyo, who locked his bicycle and walked me to the platform and showed me where to connect my train. “ This is my contact, if you ever return to the Hakihabara and need anything at all, please do not hesitate to contact me” He said with a smile and dashed off.
I realize that although we may not call it Kizuna (bonds) in Ghana, the bonds that the people of Japan built with each other was so strong
