Now Gentlemen,[I dont think any Ladies are reading this thread] Impressed by your impeccable good manners,desire to hear all about my travels.Ive decided to let it all hang out.As they say.
"A Samurai may be named according to Feudal Alliance,Skills and Attributes"
Some 18 months into my tour.I'd been there, seen it and sampled all that Iwakuni Town had to offer.We had many opportunities for a flight to Tokyo,but rarely had more than one day off,so we could not travel far. A friend and I decided to explore the the immediate countryside,hired two little motorbikes and set off for a village about 25 miles down the coast to the West that we passed over on flights in and out of Iwakuni.
Dirt roads,hot and sunny,by time we arrived we were covered in dust and hot and thirsty.
In feudal Japan,War Lords travelled through their domain by sedan chair,accompanied by Samurai on horseback and foot soldiers.At strategic places were Inns,for the want of a better name,where his needs and accomodation could be catered for.This village contained what remained of one. We pulled up outside,Now Westerners were not commonly seen in these parts,we seemed to have slipped back a century.Peasants popped out from everywhere,bowing and hissing.[fortunately we were aware that when in the presence of someone to whom you consider yourself inferior,you suck in your breath,to indicate that you are not contaminating the air they breath,!! quaint eh?].
We asked for a drink and were ushered into the Inn and seated.Sake was offered,but politely declined.beer was proffered,two young ladies knelt by our side and topped up our glasses as we drank.I had acquired a smattering of Japanese by this time and as we were only allowed off base in uniform,they wanted to know what our brevets meant,we explained with suitable gestures we flew the aircraft that passed over their village daily.Lots of OOHS and AAHHS. The Owner/Manager had been summoned,appeared very flustered and spoke very rapidly,getting him to slow down,finally understood he wanted to know if we required to bathe! Now communal bath houses are not really our style,but what the heck! we were covered in dust and a long way from base! there is a first time for everything.
We were escorted to the Bath House,wherein our uniforms were deftly removed by two scantily clad nubile young maids,starkers, seated on a three legged stool,lathered all over,rinsed and repeated.Japanese do not consider nudity in this context at all embarassing.The girls actions were not at all suggestive.We were led to the bath,about 8ft.square and 3ft, deep in which several people were already soaking.Japanese giggle a lot and the sight of our tanned bodies and white backsides were too much for them.After all they are the same colour all over! Japanese can be very personal,although no offense is meant.One old crone passed a remark causing great hilarity.I caught the word "sword" which was obviously reference to the male appendage,commonly referred to as "The Sword of Pleasure"Japanese men apparantly are not particularly well endowed it would seem!We slowly tried to inch into the bath,but it was just too dammed hot. We were offered a steam room,Shed with benches,water poured onto hot rocks and left alone for 15 mins. The same two maidens reappeared ,rinsed us off with warm water and towelled off.They then produced our uniforms,which had been laundered and beautifully pressed,how this was accomplished in such a short space of time I dont know. Payment for all this was a pittance,no gratuities would be accepted.We were escorted to the front door,where it appeared the entire village had been assembled. The Manager gave a short speech,,received with much applause,he saw that we did not understand and motioned for us to wait.He reappeared with a piece of ricepaper on which were a string of Japanese characters.We thanked them and with much bowing and hissing we rode off.
Later I asked one of the Mess receptionists if she would translate for me.She read it,giggled,showed it to the other receptionist and upon regaining her composure,said "You have been given a Samurai name,Winged Warrior with a Mighty Sword" She paid me an inordinate amount of attention after that!! But Ive never really understood if that was Japanese humour.A compliment?,or was he taking the Piss.???
Now Ive told you chaps in confidence...Im sure you will keep my little,sorry big secret,won't you?