Hair

I went to get a haircut a couple of days ago. My fourth or fifth since arriving in Shinji. Each time I have gone to the same guy. This one street, on which his shop is located, has 5 different hair cutting establishments. This is to imply that getting a hair cut in shinji (and japan in general) can be as difficult as figuring out what fast food joint to eat at back in america.

The hair cutting industry is huge here in Japan. I would say far larger than the states...but then again, haed fashion has never been my forte. My theory is that since everyone here is born with the same color hair, its one of the best ways to distinguish themselves from their peers at an early age. After kids graduate from highschool, and rarely before, you'll find dyed hair that can span the spectrum of rainbow. The kids usually go for different shades of brown. Should you turn on a television and watch a popular show, you'll mostly likely find some "blonde" girl or guy acting like a goofball.

On the theme of a different hair color, back home we have this phrase"Blue Hair's", that apply to older women who after using some kind of dye in the beauty shop to keep their hair white, will in addition give their hair a bluish tint. Since I've been in Japan, I've seen no blue hairs, but what I call "purple heads" several times instead. Difference between "purple heads" and "blue hairs" is that from what I understand the bluish hair is not done purposely, just an effect of chemicals. (I'm guessing here) The old purple headed women here couldn't possibly have changed their color on accident. Its loud and proudly displayed. I wish I had camera's around when I see these ladies, but for the moment you'll have to take my word for it. (If opportunity presents itself again I shall not fail , I promise you)

Back to my hair. The fella I get my hair cuts from has several pictures of dudes heads posted on his window. This is why I choose him. It was no more complicated than that. I was however very nervous the first time and drank a couple of beers before heading inside to let the man do his work. I don't care what anyone says, a little alcohol can help anyone when speaking a foreign language. It kills inhibition, removes pride from the equation and at the very lest and helps the patience factor when being asked a question where a "Yes/NO" answer doesn't seem to suffice. I learned this the hard way.

You see, back when I was in spain, I went to get a haircut the first month I was there. I figured at the time that a haircut was a haircut, especially in a barber shop. I planned to walk in nonchalantly, point to my head, say "cut it please" in broken spanish and be done with it. For some reason, I did not expect to be asked questions (silly i know), but to these questions I could give no answers. I therefore panicked, said "no gracias" and busted out of the little spanish barber shop to a barrage of old men laughing at my....ignorance. I determined not to have my haircut for the remainder or that semester abroad and came home looking like a chia-pet.

My first japanese haircut went off without a hitch. I managed to express my desired haircut through a combination of single words, ample gesticulating....and then a book of haircut styles the man offered to assist me in my explanation. Please understand that I'm not even picky when it comes to my hair, I just like to limit the amount of time strangers stand behind me holding sharp objects. Let's talk about that.

Much to my surprise, my barber used/uses no electrical devices when chopping off my hair....only a pair of scissors and a razor blade, and the blade far more than the scissors. I doubt this will impress anybody who is old, but I don't believe I've ever gone through a haircut without some kind of buzzing happening in the background.

That first time, as well as each haircut after, the man makes a good effort to chat me up as I sit there. Until recently, I hadn't been able to catch hardly anything he said. Then all off a sudden during this last visit, the clouds parted and I understood....and guess what we talked about. Politics, sports and the weather. Some things just don't change when you cross an ocean.

He made me aware that somewhere in America there is a 19-year old Japanese kid doing very well in tennis right now. This kid grew up in Matsue and is the talk of the town at the moment. I was also asked of my opinion of the american presidential race. I responded with a inquisition of Japan's current PM and got an answer I receive often. "He's ok, nothing special."

I think this barber likes it when I show up. Not because I'm incredibly interesting or have great hair, but because I come with a lot of it and usually all over my face. In the past, barbers have stayed away from anything on my face because I believe there's more of a liability if they sneezed and lopped off my chin on accident than there is here in Japan. After the barber finishes my head he spends 10 or so minutes fussing about my face. I welcome this, albeit he is using a razor the whole time, beard trimming and grooming is something I get frustrated with the longer those chin hairs become. My bearded brethren understand.

So anywho, what use to be a nerve wrecking half hour, has ben reduced to a relaxing and enjoyable evening. Fascinating I'm sure, but true it is.