Day 3

Day 3 Entry 5:
When travelling a long distance you tend to remember the little necessities that we take for granted. All this walking and carrying of large luggage, taking brief naps in the very same clothes has left me smelling rather.... Well, rather travelled if I am to put it kindly.
So I am sure you understand when I landed in Tokyo in the second night of my travels. A burning red sun setting in the horizon as if to imitate some form of dramatic painting, normally I would have watched a bit longer but my feet directed me to my reservation at 9Hours. A lovely place that puts class, comfort and convenience first. As the name suggests, you can only stay for a maximum of 9 hours, but it will be a blissful 9 hours.
Already I am greeted with my own personal gown and slippers. A bag with 2 towels, a toothbrush and paste. As nice as I felt, the decision was quick, all my bags were stowed into my large locker, ample space and keys gifted to me. Then, it was the shower. A large room to myself with a soothing and powerful burst of water. Lastly, an assortment of products lined up on the shelf with each their own aromas and most importantly efficiency to turn me back into a gentleman as I step from the mist. A humble man I am not, my life is full of small indulgences.

Although I slept plenty in sky, dreaming amongst the stars. The comfort was like onto a bed of pins compared to sheets that I lay upon now. The soft sounds of the Ocean even play through holes on the wall. I drift as if on the beach, to dream some more. Before my final blink, a grumble is heard. It may well be, the master of my dreams this day will be my stomach, of which I have mistakenly neglected.

Day 3 Entry 6:
This is lovely. My body and mind rejuvenated, it was time I listened to the groans echoing from deep in my being. First, a brief stop to load my luggage, for I have not reached my destination yet, Tokyo was a mere passing dream I have enjoyed, and will still enjoy for the next few turns of the hand. Never the less I will return to this lovely city in the New Year to dream some more.

As if to prod for my attention, the warmness in my belly and the groans coming from within remind me of my pressing matter. With the loading done I conceded to begin the search for my last meal before my boarding and slung my small bag onto my back. This was no quick task, my indecision being as strong as it was in all things. Walking through corridors and halls my eyes were able to feast on plated food displayed outside windows so as to better understand the menus. My nose pulling me away from every shop to satisfy a curiosity that was as fickle a cat chasing a light, and as such I chased from restaurant to restaurant, window to window, taking in the smells and colours. As my senses did battle over who leads, it was my stomach that growled at both, angry and jealous, all my senses were being spoiled and fed handsomely except for my taste. The headache to endure such a battle, I stopped walking. I looked to my side. A small bar stood there. Still being told to go this way and that, the noises blocked out, I sat on the stool. Only one thing on this menu, Tokayaki, but in an assortment of flavoursome accompaniments. What a cosy little bar, I ordered a mixture of tastes and a melon soda drink. But once the plate arrived with these magical round balls, coloured a golden brown with specks of green herbs, thin wispy flakes dancing on top from the heat and a sauce on the side recommended for an even further enhancement of the taste. The smell hinting at a slight tang along with a soft caressing creamy sauce that all await to indulge my tongue. When this plate arrived, all were in unison, an agreement struck, I was no longer troubled by pushing and pulling. Grabbing these chopsticks I have learnt to use, my eagerness to discover the food led to a common downfall when encountering new food, burning my tongue, I was reminded to slow down and that the food will not escape me. Compliments were passed onto the chef by my belly as I enquired what was in that lovely dish. Octopus? A pleasant surprise, one I will remember when in the search to silence that which is deep within. The dish was finished, plate cleaned of all crumbs and flakes. Luckily a picture had been taken before the complete destruction, a reminder for when I attempt to make it myself at home.

Fully satisfied with myself, I bid thanks again and set out to explore this air-port. Moving further away from the smells and sights of the surrounding food lest another battle ensues. Thoughts still drifted back, but as I have told people ‘you must never be ruled by your thoughts, you are the ruler of your actions, they are but advisors that you must heed when needed and dismissed when otherwise' This was not a time to heed, but to dismiss, the sense of curiosity was stronger with me at this moment and so I left mastery of my body, to my eyes, to follow the path towards unexplored corridors. It was in this time that I found something I need, something I love and new friends.

Day 3 Entry 7:
Among all my travels, one of my most trusted items was a metal Thermos. I remember when the creation of this came about and how I marvelled. Never again would I be short of cold refreshing water, further more so, never would I run empty of boiling water, for you never know when a spontaneous urge to make tea takes over. These two essentials I can not do without and I challenge anyone to say otherwise on the matter. This is the item I need.

The item I so love comes as no surprise, the keeper of all stories themselves for centuries. Books. Its true that in truth I have three great loves, Travel, Food and Books, but having fulfilled the first two, my feet have shuffled to the nearest book store so that I may feed my addiction. Only a taste to keep me satiated... I promise myself. A most fun pastime, but a dangerous one in my poorer days, for a taste, I admit, is just a false pretence. I browsed the shelves and picked at books here and there, each time forcing my hand to return the book, telling myself it is but a taste. Like a thirsty deer in the winter I’m in, when I saw a book titled “The Japanese Monster Survival Guide” I lifted it from the shelf and could not put it back. Flicking page through page and seeing the beauty in its simplicity to convey information on these ‘Yokai' was a sweet dessert for the eyes and mind. It wasn’t filled like an encyclopaedia, devoid of emotion and care, but was full of humour as well as research to the origin of each Yokai, attempting to give logical explanations to these occurrences. I admire the stories within and have taken this book the desk where paid the nice young lady , a wonderful smile on my face, reflected on hers as she must have thought me like a child the way I hugged my new book.

So engrossed I was, nose in the pages, that I had accidently bumped into two Ronin travelling with a merchant. I apologised right away profusely, but the merchant had not a scowl, he had a smile. We talked and I decided to offer to buy him food as recompense. He refused as I predicted but did not decline the company. Surprising me with his humble decision to eat at small ramen bar, it now was three times he had put a smile on my face and I knew I must learn this mans story. He introduced himself as Toriyama, Hisen and I introduced myself, Farebrow, Taliesen. He thought it a strange and wonderful name, but I could only say the same about his, for it struck a familiar chord with me, as if I had met this man before. Hisen was an astounding man, he told me of his trade , making and selling lanterns. When I asked about the art depicted on them he looked down, not in sadness but in joyous embarrassment. There, that is the story I looked for and I dug in further. He recounted how he had grown up not knowing what to do with his life. Every trade he took up, he had failed. Looking for inspiration he turned to research his family history, finding in earnest something in his line that he could be good at it. This is when he discovered his great grandfather, the art he made with woodblock prints, how wonderful they were, even when depicting old folklore and creatures that were believed to have existed. My curiosity was rising ever higher with every sentence to flow from his mouth, who was this man I asked him? Toriyama , Sekien he told me. My eyes widened in recognition, the resemblance in this man was uncanny. I could see the same fire in his belly and passion behind his eyes. He wondered at my smile and I just recounted that I had known his ancestors art, even admired it for a long time. He didn’t believe me, but sometimes the truth is harder to believe than the lie. Diverting the conversation, I fed his fire and asked about his art, if he has any. It was almost strange seeing such great designs and colours. The line was strong and the skill has most assuredly been passed down. His two Ronin who I learned was Kunio and Enryo, had an interest in his art also, showing it was not just business that they travelled with him. The time went on as we shared more stories and Kunio and Enryo shared stories of their own, we ate and drank in merriment. It was in the last hour that I had slipped, a piece of art made by his great grandfather, different from the rest seemed to have depicted a creature found in the west. A colourful female figure as small as a flower amongst the autumn of falling leaves. I pointed it out as one of my favourite of his, in which he looked down in thought, I realised my error but it was too late. That piece was never known to the public he told me, it had only ever been kept amongst his family, a family story passed down of a traveller from the west with an abundance of stories as full as the sun has light. Hisen could not find any logic in this, he could not explain in his mind how what has come to light could be true, but he had no doubt now that I was connected to this man somehow. This westerner like unto the sun. The silence was unnerving so I recounted that I must have seen a similar one, I was mistaken to have thought I recognised it. He didn't believe me and knew what was true even if his mind rejected it, his eyes told me otherwise.

As if to bring back cheer, he offered to make me a print, one based on stories I had told him, of the creatures found in my land. We exchanged addresses, knowing it would still be a long while before we heard from one another, the curse of a traveller, letters were easy to send but hard to receive. I wished him luck, he took my picture with Kunio and Enryo and we embraced.

You would be proud of him Sekian, I wish I could tell you, but I am sure your watching even now from beyond the curtain of life.

Author's Note

First Draft. First story ever actually. Looking for advice and critique, even harsh critique.
The basis is my own actual journey, but instead of writing it through my eyes, I am writing it through the eyes of a character I created. His opinions and fantastical creatures and ghosts he would meet, based on stories and legends I hear on my actual travel.
Please enjoy and tell me anything and everything.