My Life in Japan - Tell them we said "Sayonara"

In 1954 James A Michener published a book by the name of "Sayonara". It tells the story of a US Air Force Captain in the Korean War, stationed at Itami, the main military base near Osaka in western Japan. Itami per chance, is also close to the city of Takarazuka, home to the famous (still) Takarazuka Review, a theatre company renown for all the roles being played by (very beautiful) young women. And, within the story, it is only a matter time before the Captain is introduced, through a mutual friend, to the lead dancer of the review. This could have been the end of a beautiful story, except she spoke no English and he, no Japanese. And of course, in those days, inter-racial relationships were deeply frowned upon by the military...

I've simplified this telling, all beyond recognition, however one aspect of the story is something still prevalent today, the belief that you need to speak a common language to make a relationship work. Reality though, has a differing view point, when you find "that" person and you know you should be by their side for the rest of your life, "you figure it out". And somehow they figured it out. [An aside, if you do read "Sayonara" you'll find a world that I haven't included from both a Western and a Japanese perspective. And although elements remain, you realise Japan and the rest of the world are changing but that is for another day.]

I met my wife ~8.00pm, December 17th, 1993 (husbands get very nervous when I answer that at a dinner party). I was with friends in a bar that no longer exists (the building itself has long since departed this mortal coil) in Nishiazabu, central Tokyo. It wasn't an exciting night, that is, until the most beautiful girl in the world walked in. My two friend were having an argument and stormed outside to continue (sticking me with their check I might add) and I was left with the girl. And she spoke no English, and I, close to no Japanese (some things don't change...). You have to remember these were in the days before internet, texting, Line, mobile phones, basically anyway to communicate except payphone. But somehow we figured it out. And more than thirty years later, she's sitting next to me reading a book as I complete this post. Sayonara.