The Chronicles Rick: On The Meaning of Giri & Breaking Jordan's Legs

[30th April 2010--Kyoto] Arrived in Kyoto about 6.30, booked into a nice pre-booked hotel called Mitsui Garden Hotel in the centre of the city. We then took another taxi to my newly renovated, 100+ year old Kyoto style house. Unable to see much from the outside in the dark it still looked fabulous.  

Jordan, on a Auckland University judo scholarship, arrives from NZ and, despite being given explicit instructions when to turn south the west, managed to redefine which was west and south in Kyoto. Two hours later we manage to catch up as he had finally found a public telephone [a difficult task these days as most people cell phones]. 

Within 30 minutes he had a push bike and within 1 hour he had free accommodation for three months in a lovely big room, with sauna, shower, toilet, TV., and a prepaid cell phone with t.v. Let me explain how all this happened.

We went around to the company [which sold us our Machiya=Kyoto style house and did the renovations as well]. Standing outside was the president, a Mr. Nakagura. He invited us into his house for a cup of coffee, during which I causally asked him [as he had a wide face] if he knew where Jodan may stay for three months while learning judo. Nakagura san said he can stay here, in my house. Not quite sure if he was serious or not I asked if it would be ok? "No problem, No problem! Come and have a look" he said. So we did. Wow... very nice.

I then said "thank you" and "how much would that be" I asked?  "No! no! Don't worry. No Charge but the following conditions must apply" Nakagura said. "What would they be?" I quietly asked. "Drinking and smoking ok, but no women and no raiding the fridge!"

"Hmm..." I said. That should not be too hard I thought. "When can he move in ?" "Today's fine!" said Nakagura san. 

Why was he doing this? Well he said "I trust you therefore I trust Jordan." All this sounds very well for Jodan that is ,but it's not Jodan who is really staying there, because Jordan is my judo student, its me who will responsible should something goes wrong! Have you ever seen a young judoka from NZ with two broken legs? Watch this column closely for a picture of one ! Giri=dictionary meaning ;duty,sense of duty,honor, decency.

Also today Jodan found a nice room for Tim Brew from Gisborne in the centre of of Kyoto whose momma san speaks good English and which also has two English speaking university female graduates lodging as well. Jordan went to judo on Saturday at Kyoto Uni, but they had changed the time so he arrived just as they were finishing. Now it will Tuesday before he can do judo because of national holidays.

Tomorrow we drive a rental truck from Yonago with our household goods back to Kyoto.

to be continued...