My Ode Collection: Ode to Energy

Sun. There's sunlight scratching the window. Is five in the morning and the sun is already trying to play with me. However, the sun isn't playing with me. At least not today. Nonetheless, I still like the sun. Shine and shine, light me up with new ideas for my future master piece. Most of the kids think that the sun is yellow. Does that mean that, from a kid's view, the sun is a coward? If we think in retrospective, the colour yellow represents cowardice. Haven't you heard that expression of "stop being yellow"? Well, now you know it. Ahhh yes. The sun. The sun is yellow. But I don't think kids think the sun is a coward. Just imagine, is it possible for a kid to think so deeply? I'm still retrieving ideas from the sun. What does young people think about the sun? Does the sun bother them? For me, it bothers me a lot. Sun equals to sweating. I don't like sweating. But, still, the sun is cool. The sun is beautiful. Whenever I go out and walk by the big stone structures in Asuka near by a strawberry spot I know from heart I feel renewed. Sweaty, but renewed. Let's keep talking about the sun for a little while. 

I start starring at the clear sight I have in front of me through this window. I am ready to open the window. I open the window. That refreshing but hot breeze hits my face. I hear the people preparing their establishments. There is a tourist agent in the place below me. Her name is Kasai Cho. If I'm not mistaken, her first name means "butterfly". What a beautiful name. I've always enjoyed the extravagancy of butterflies. Their wings are so colourful. Some have plain colours. Others have an explosion of colours. I love them. I regret not telling her how much I like her name. She waves her hand to me. So full of energy. Her smile inspires me of keeping writing. Do not misunderstand me, what I feel isn't love. I just feel admiration. I think it's admiration. I wave back with a kindly forced smile. She notices it's pretty much forced. 

   Try to smile a little more! —she tells me with both fingers trying to make a big smile.

I smile back again, but this time showing a little more of my teeth. A small laugh scapes from my vocal cords. She laughs back.

   What are you laughing at, eh? —I tell here with a serious, but sarcastic, tone.

   Are you finished with your ode to the sun? Come down so you help me, like always! —she tells me.

   Just give me a second. I am getting a lot of ideas right now. I need to write them down.

   Ok! I'll be waiting you in that place! —she shouts back.

I'm new to this village. I arrived here five months ago. It was a really hard situation: I had escaped from Latin America. There's a lot of Japanese culture back there. I really liked watching anime. Anyway, I came here without a plan. That's when I met Cho. She was the only person in the airport that could speak and understand English perfectly. I was surprised. As far as I'm concerned —and as I observed in these past months— Japanese people aren't that good at English. That was a miracle. Does miracles exist? Does the sun make miracles? I have just realised I am not talking about the sun. I'll leave "my very first friend" story for later. I have to finish my reflexion to the sun. My ode to energy. Where was I?

Is there any difference on how men and women think about the sun? I've heard that men think about things in a more systematic way, whereas women consider more the emotions and people. I kinda get the point. That's why women are more stereotyped as fragile and men as strong. I'd like to disagree. There can be strong minded women and fragile men. That's also other story for other day. Let's continue with the thinking. Another breeze hits my face. This time I feel it a little bit more humid. That may be because yesterday had rained? No, I don't think so. The soil isn't that wet. I can say that my head is more wet than the soil. Maybe the sun already dried the soil? That's a possibility. The sun is interesting, you see. After a sad, grey day it can bring back the energy that was lost. If I could compare the sun and the rain with my relationship with Cho, I could say that Cho is the sun and I'm the rain. Indeed, she makes me disappear. But not disappear the person. She makes disappear my worries. The clouds are still there. But the rain is already dried. 

Ah, the sun. What beautiful thing to analyse. There's a lot to think, but I'll stop for today. It's seven already. I've to meet Cho at the shrine in an hour. I'll start to prepare to leave. Some white bread is ready in the oven. Golden crispy, just how I like it. A sunny-side fried egg with some sausages, the perfect balance of fat and health. A quick green tea, made out from tea leaves a neighbour gave to me yesterday. And some lettuce with cherry tomatoes. The very classic stereotyped Japanese breakfast. Balanced with the necessary calories to start the day. The sunny-side egg reminds me of my morning thinking session. Even if it is a rainy or cloudy morning, the sun is still in my breakfast. Ready to light my day up. After I finish eating, I quickly clean myself and change my clothes. I grab my keys, a handkerchief and my earphones, and I start my 30-minute walk to the shrine. The sun isn't that bright right now. There's no problem of sweating terribly. I shall now start my day.

The sun is still shining. There're some clouds that cover it, but some sunlight reaches to penetrate those cumulus of water. How strong can a sun ray be to get to penetrate a cloud? I don't know. Before heading to the shrine, I grab a cap from the first floor. I think I'll needed in my way. I put it on and proceed to leave the building. It isn't so important to lock the door: Asuka is a small village. Cho told me there're around 5500 people living in here. That is pretty much small. Also, I don't own many valuable objects yet. The most expensive thing I have is my computer, a 200-dollar laptop. It's my work tool. Every writer's work tool. It's the only thing I need, anyway. Luckily, all my work is uploaded in my personal cloud, so in case someone steals the computer, I could continue my work in the guest computer in the souvenir store. Or I may just ask for Cho's help in case the guest computer doesn't work. I'll figure it out when it happens. 

I look up to the sky. It's bright. My eyes aren't used to it yet. Back in Latin America most of the days were grey. I put on my cap and start walking. I stay almost next to a small Buddhist temple. It's rare seeing a foreigner like me staying in a Buddhist temple. I even think that it would be kind of disrespectful. Luckily, Cho's family isn't much serious about those "little details" —yes, the family said it was a small detail, but I think it's a big one. I greet the people near by, obviously in Japanese. "Konichiwa" I say. Of course, it is pronounced more like "Konichia". Cho used to yell at me whenever she tried to correct my pronunciation. I know it's important, but I'm still learning! The good thing is that I tend to absorb languages. Until last year, I could speak and understand Spanish, English, Portuguese, Swedish and some Norwegian, Finnish and Danish. Spanish is my mother tongue, then I learned English and Portuguese, and the nordic languages I learnt them in Sweden, when I was studying European Literature. You could say "but then you had escaped from Latin America already!". But that was no actually an escape: I had an objective right there. Here, I don't. But that's another story. Now, I can also speak and understand Japanese, thanks to the help of Cho and my ability to absorb languages. I still have a lot to understand, but here I am.

Now I pass by the large and green fields. There are some people already tilling the soil. I greet them with a quick but consistent bow. They greet me back waving their hand. One farmer approaches me.

   Already going to the shrine? —He says to me

   Yes. As every week, Cho-chan needs my help. The only thing I can do for now is help her. That's the only way I can repay the life debt I owe her. —I answer.

That's a fact. She was the person that helped me when I arrived here. Not a police man, not a public worker, not even a social worker. She was.

   Don't feel like that! You know you're always welcomed! I think that by just staying by her side is enough to repay her. —He says with a warm smile.

   Still, I don't feel as I'm repaying her. I need to do more. Not only for her, but for the village as well.

   Ohh, that's sweet! —He says laughing.— I miss your food. Pass by with Cho-chan next week! I will have the perfect ingredients for you.

   Thanks! I'll tell Cho-chan. I'll be looking forward for next week! Have a nice week!

   See you next week! Oh, and grab some of these. They came from a good harvest. —He hands me a small plastic bag with some edamame beans.

I wave to the farmer and bow. He bows back with a smile. These people are just way too warm. They give me the necessary energy to continue with my journey. I'll talk about them a little later. Anyway, I shall continue with my journey.

Seven minutes have passed already. I am entering the woods. It is all green. Birds fly all over the place. I see a little rock and start to softly kick it, just like a soccer ball. It's a custom I always had. Don't you remember when you were a kid you just start to do childish games like not to step on lines on the road or walking below the shadows? I still do it! It's a way of relaxing. I feel like that. 

17 minutes have passed already. Now I see that white hut. There's an old man over there. He always looks me with a cold sight. I always greet him by saying "Oo-san" and waving my hand. He is known as the "Roojin", which literally translates to "Old Man". He seems to be 89 years old or so.

   Ahh, it's just the foreigner. Are you still here? —He says to me with his cold sight.

I believe he is one of those people that do not accept foreigners in small and traditional villages. Most of the village is not like that, but there are some exceptions.

   Sorry for that, sir. But I don't have anywhere else to go. Once I get back to track, I will leave the village. I promise.

Ah, yes. Promises. I have a whole story for that. How complicated are them, the promises. 

   I don't like people like you, that takes advantage of others' good intentions. Hope you leave soon, young man. 

   I can assure you that I don't have bad intentions. And I promise I'll leave as soon as I get my problems solved.

   Let's hope you aren't just lying. —He says with a cold sight.

   Here! —I hand some of the beans the farmer gave me— Try these. Yoshi-san gave me these some while ago. He says they are from a good harvest.

   Just continue your travel. Don't make Cho-chan wait too  long. —He says without looking at me.

I bow to him as I walk away from the hut. He may sound a lot grumpy, but I know he isn't bad intentioned. In his past he was a social server for immigrants and refugees. He knows about this stuff. I believe he's doing this for my well. Do not judge a book by its cover, people says.

22 minutes have passed already. I'm nearby the entrance to the deeper woods. There are some dirt bags near the road. From here I can see a lot of trees. I can see how the sun light cannot reach these unknown lands. They can penetrate dense cumulus of water, but not some thin leaves. Does this have relation with personalities? A person can seem strong from the outside, but can be really fragile on the inside and vice versa. I see that little girl sitting on the ground. She has a sheet underneath, so she doesn't mess her skirt. I say "Yo-!". She doesn't seem to listen me. She seems really focused on the tree top. What would she be thinking on? Does children have deep thoughts? I'm interested. Now I have to ask. I feel sorry for disturbing her attention, but I have to. It will be fast. I don't have much time, though. I shout "Yoohoo-!", which is more like a "Ya- ho-!".

   AHHH! —She shouts back.

I have scared her. What was I thinking? I know is a girlish and somewhat childish way to say "hello". How a grown-up man could ever say that. Even shout it.

   Sorry, sorry! I didn't mean to scare you, Reiko-han. —I say with a kind of Kansai accent. 

Her favourite idol group is located in Kansai prefecture, and, like every other kid, she copies some customs from there. She always tries to speak using the Kansai dialect, but most of the times she forgets to use it. It is funny to mess around with it.

   Ahhh onii-sa... onii-han! Stop messing around with me! —She pulls a face, showing some angriness.

   Here, grab some edamame. Yashi-jihan gave it to me some minutes ago. —I extend my hand with the bag open.

   Well, I think I will have to forgive you, then. —She suddenly changes her mood and grab some beans— But don't think I'll forgive you next time, nii-sa... nii-han!

I think it's true that people are pretty much different in rural areas. I mean, how a kid likes eating edamame beans as a snack? Even in the urban city children love sweets. But she rather eating an adult snack. I mean, I know edamame beans can be somewhat sweet and have a soft flavour. But still, from my view it is weird.

   Reiko-han. —She ignores me.

   Reiko-han... —She keeps ignoring me.

   A squirrel! —I shout while pointing a tree.

   Where, nii-san!? —Finally I get her attention. She even forgot to correct herself.

   It is in your imagination. Your mind is more powerful than you believe. —I tell her.

   Stupid, nii-han! —She yells at me. I did not expect to receive a calmed answer, anyway.

   Hey, Reiko-han. Can you answer a question?

   Hum... —She extends her arm.

   Here... —I give her some more beans.

   Just one question. Only one! If you ask two, I won't answer any. —She exclaims, like if she were a princess answering the demands of her people.

   Yes... only one. —I sigh. I believed I could get her to answer me two questions.— Why are you starring at that tree?

   Is that your question? Uh, I believed it would be something more serious, but is kind of childish. —She says.

I laugh a little. A kid telling me that I've asked something childish. That same kid lose her focus because of an inexistent squirrel.

   What are you laughing at? I won't answer your question, ah. —She exclaims.

   Sorry, sorry. I just remembered a joke. Just continue.

   Ok, then. —She now has a serious face while starring at the tree.— Do you know that trees are the oldest organisms in Earth? Not birds. Not fishes. Not even bacterias. Trees. And they don't die because of old age. Other living creatures kill them. It's sad. While trees can live as long as they want, some living creatures like us, humans, just cut them down. They also help us by cleaning our air, but in many places humans just cut them down. Would you like to be killed for resources without a say? I wouldn't. I know that sometimes it is necessary to reduce the population of trees. But I don't think it's fair to cut down so many trees. So I stare to the trees and try to understand them. I try hard to understand their feelings. Why do they have to suffer because of our ambitions? They are also living creatures! They can't make sounds, but they can communicate through their roots and mushrooms. Do you know what I mean?  —She finishes with a long and loud sigh, aiming her sight to the edamame bean.

I find surprising her way of thinking. She's only nine and she sees the world from an elder's view. I started to analyse and reflect on simple things of life two years ago. I believe she has a bright mind. She's clearly not the same as a normal elementary-school girl. I wonder how her friends are. I wonder how popular she is. I wonder how she is in reality. When I was a kid, I was nothing like her. Maybe is something cultural. Something Japanese. Maybe it's just my imagination. I'll never know. I wish I know. I wish I was like her in my school days.

   I don't have words for that. —I said surprised.— I haven't think in that way about trees.

   I imagine. All adults are like that. They just think about stupid things like paying taxes or their work.

From that statement, I'd say that she doesn't have a really lovely family. Well, I cannot judge without knowing the full story. I'll just shut myself about that. I won't ask about that.

   Do you want to read my book when I publish it? You can be the lucky person to receive the very first copy! I'll be glad if you read it and give me your opinion, Reiko-han. —I tell her.

   Hum. I think I'll have to read it. 

   Thanks, Reiko-han! I have to go now. See you another day, OK? —I say while walking away, with a smile in my face.— Don't stay for too long alone!

   Wai...! Nevermind. See ya, nii-sa... nii-han! Be careful, I think! —She says while looking away.

I wonder what she wanted to tell me. Anyway, I was happy to talk with her. I could see her giggle after I left. She tries hard to show herself as strong and impenetrable. I think they call that kind of person "tsundere"? Or was it "yandere"? I don't remember. It's kind of confusing. She is only she. That's what matters.

Exactly 30 minutes have passed. I arrived at the Kitsuwaki shrine, although probably I will have to go to the souvenir store. Cho didn't tell me which was the place. Well, it's also my fault for not asking her where exactly. Anyway. About this shrine. If I am correct, "Kitsuwaki" has relation with "fox". I believe is something like "apart from the fox" or "fox's part". I am not sure. I don't remember well. Putting that aside, it's somewhat appealing that the shrine is inside the woods. As far as I am concerned, it's normal to see shrines and temples inside the woods. Cho told me it's due to the fact that the surroundings of the shrines and temples are considered as sacred. She told me a story about this some weeks ago: 

On the stairway to heaven, known as Ama-no-hashidate, gods Izanami and Izanagi stirred the ocean with a special spear, incrusted with jewellery, creating islands when withdrawing the spear with salt crystallised into drops. Onogoro-shima was the first island created. It was used for the wedding of  Izanami and Izanagi. The thing is that Izanami kind of misspelled some words when doing the wedding ritual, and as a consequence their first child was a miscarriage. This first child name was Hiruko. The second child was the island of Awa, but the mistake what the same. When they asked to the Seven Invisible Gods the reason of this, they revealed that some words where misspelled, so they proceeded to do the ritual again. After this, they continue creating more islands and gods. The islands of Awaji, Shikoku, Oki, Tsukushi, Iki, Tsu, Sado and Oyamato, as well as oho-wata-tsu-mi, Kuku-no-shi, oho-mama-tsu-mi and Kagutsuchi were created. This continued as for many gods and islands exists in the present.

I suppose that is the reason why forests and shrines' surroundings are well protected. But I still ask myself why there're some other shrines that aren't that well protected. If gods are that important here, why don't try to please all gods? I mean, it's part of their culture. If I look for an answer, I would say that society is changing. Is part of life: changes. But it's a shame that they are being forgotten through the pass of the years. These stories are really interesting. They make you think a lot, reflect about minor details. I would like to call the sun again: the sun light can't reach strongly where I'm standing. It cannot reach me directly. No sweat, no tiredness. But yet it revives me. Revives. It gives me energy. I decided to go ahead to the store. It's only five minutes from here, so there is no much problem. She is always late, anyway.

Once I arrived to the store, I see Cho from the distance. She's running towards me, waving her hand with a big smile. I believe it's time to finish my ode to energy.