Three Black Boats: The Poignancy of Speaking Without Words

For centuries, the island nation of Japan was insulated from the outside world. On July 8,1853 four black ships commanded by Commodore Perry, anchored at Edo (Tokyo) Bay, thus opening Japan's door to the foreigners beyond the sea. The "black boats" still sail into Tokyo harbor today ... but, instead, they are "human boats" ... they are us, the foreigners who manage to stumble our way around Japan like deaf/mutes ... unable to understand or speak the language but still speaking all the same.

When I was asked by a friend about how I spend my time in Tokyo, I replied that it often consists of wandering around, while not being able to speak to anyone for days at a time. Their reply was that it sounds very lonely ... sometimes "yes" that is so, and sometimes "no" that is not so ... In some way, not speaking has made communication more meaningful. What follows are three modern "black boat" encounters. These brief events are moments when you know that something important has been said, albeit without words. Only later, in the afterlife, will we be able to see how these moments have rippled through the lives of the "black boats" and those that met them.

BOAT #1 Greg, the Pied Piper, meets the Track Coach, and the School Children

If you know my husband, Greg, you know that no matter where he is, he will find the local school track to get his daily workout. He had a layover in a remote Japanese city. When he arrived at the track, a male and female coach had lined the students up at both ends and were racing them two at a time, from one end of the field to the other. The students would line up with the female coach and run to the other end where the male coach was timing the run. As Greg jogged by, the students began to yell "Hel-lo" followed by "Bye, bye." Greg returned their greeting. This started a bit of an echo chamber as the students replied again with "Hel-lo" and "Bye-bye." Greg continued his workout and the students continued their racing. When the last two students had finished, Greg jogged up to the female track coach and gesticulated that now it was time for the two of them to race. She accepted the challenge, with the students cheering wildly, of course. They ran neck and neck. She won, just barely, due to Greg's sense of diplomacy and charm - in other words, he let her win. The students went crazy... they ran out to meet the two runners and swarmmed all over Greg shouting, "What's your name, where are you from, how old are you, what is your name, my name is...." Imagine Greg being surrounded by jumping beans and you will have an idea of the scenario. Little hands shot out from all directions as the students competed for his attention and a Western handshake. Meanwhile Greg attempted to answer their questions... "I'm from America, my name is Greg, I'm old, come to see me in America." It was all quite out of control, but yet so joyful. The teacher followed Greg, the Pied Piper of the Track, and his crowd of students, smiling as Greg repeated over and over "Sumimasen" (Excuse me, I'm sorry)for disrupting the class... but I think no one was sorry ... especially for the touching exuberance of the children ... "Hen na gaijin," come again ... "crazy foreigner," come again !?

Boat # 2 Edu, the Brazilian Boat

Edu is our Brazilian pilot friend. His wife is expecting their first child. If you know Brazilians, you know they are the most charming and expressive people that you will ever meet ... quite the opposite of the Japanese who, while just as charming, have perfected the art of self-control and the hidden face. Edu was sitting and eating lunch at a nearby shopping area, and noticed a woman with a child. The child was in a stroller and was disabled in some way. The mother's dedication and patience in caring for the child was quite touching. It was very crowded and there were no chairs so Edu gave the woman his table. I believe this can be an uncommon event in Japan. Sometimes it seems that when there are so many people, we do not see them quite so well and miss their needs. Later, as Edu finished his sandwich elsewhere, the woman with the child approached him. She handed him a cup containing a special blend of coffee - to thank him for his kindness. Looking into her eyes, he saw a depth of appreciation and emotion he had not expected. He was brought to tears, which in turn affected the woman even more. Until then, he had not thought of the impact of his small act. In a foreign country small acts of kindness can become very powerful words.

Black Boat #3 A silly moment and a bow at the baseball field

Baseball is very popular in Japan. Every neighborhood has it's local teams. While walking past the baseball field, I saw the batter hit a fowl ball that popped up over the high wire fence and into the bushes at my feet. I managed to locate the ball. By that time, the catcher was outside the gate, rummaging around through the flowers trying to locate the ball. With a quick yell, I tossed it to him. The team laughed. I laughed. They shouted "arrigato gozimus - thanks," and bowed to me. There's something about a bow - when someone bows to you, you feel honored. The physical act of bowing is so much louder than words...."black boats" are changed by their encounters also. I am different now for having lived in Japan.

Black Boat # 4 Still to come???? Maybe tomorrow you will be a black boat somewhere???