You might wonder what the word common-tao means. I am pretty sure most of you have read this word for the first time, and might not even care what it means or what role it has in the above title. But for me it means a lot as I am a part of this majority in our World Community today, unnoticed, taken for granted, and at times abused and exploited to keep the World go round and the Economic Machinery running.

　A common-tao is a Filipino Language word adaptation we use by combining the English word COMMON and the Filipino word TAO which means a common person, the ordinary working class, the man on the working fields, the lowly but honest, strong, and dignified working family man, practical, elegant in his own small way, and dignified standing firmly just like the very useful “TAKE” or Bamboo struggling and constantly swaying to withstand the oncoming onrush of the winds of change and the never ending problems and complexities of this World being as he is the backbone of the family, always giving his all and his best, only to be swept aside as a dry and a withered leaf when he becomes old, handicapped, and unproductive.

　I see a lot of the common-tao in the mainstream of the Japanese society, the vigor, the strength, and the main force of the second largest economy in the World today. It really amazes me and keeps me wondering how and where those Japanese common-tao get their strength and drive to be able to work the way they do, so diligently and I may say obsessively until the assigned work or job is done. When I take a glimpse of the latter part of my description and that of the “Withered Leaf” being swept aside scenario, ambiguity comes to my mind. My glimpse of this heritage might not have given me the numbers and figures or the percentage of how many are in this disdainful and pitiful situation, but it is glaringly obvious that they exist. I saw them in Ueno, Tokyo, in the parks of Sakae in Nagoya, and daily greet and inter-act with as my neighbors here in Nishinari-ku, Osaka. I’ve talked to them, befriended them and strongly feel for them, as they are victims of circumstance.

　I was a senior (4th year) college student then, taking up the course of Bachelor of Science in Business Administration or BSBA at the Ateneo de Davao University (a Jesuit run school) and that was July 7, 1977 barely a month since the new school year had opened. Being the captain ball of our College Soccer team, I was obliged to stay late in school that afternoon, to help out in the selection of that year’s College Soccer Varsity Team. Playing the full 1 hour and 45 minutes final try-out game and at the same time using my experience in sorting out the best 14 players out of the 23 aspirants was quite a draining task. Tired, and twilight setting-in in the horizon, I decided to take the short-cut path from the Jeepney-stop to our house. By the way, a Jeepney is a public transportation we use in the Philippines, which was fashioned out from the American G.I. Jeep converted with bench-typed seats at the rear portion to accommodate a total of 16 passengers excluding the driver.

　Tiringly negotiating the narrow path I caught a glimpse of Kimiko (my wife’s Japanese name) from beyond the trimmed bushes and Chinese bamboos, standing in front of their modest Japanese inspired house, comb-drying her long black straight hair, looking very fresh strikingly having that distinct oriental beauty in her. Being a distant neighbor, I knew all the while that her Mama was a Japanese from Okinawa and that three of the five children were born in Naha, Okinawa. Jointly their Filipino father and her Okinawan mother decided to stay for good in the Philippines with their future disposition in mind. I wondered what the real reason was, could have been the language barrier, the lifestyle, or maybe a more personal one and that of fear of discrimination. I really did not have a clear understanding of the latter reason but I could sense that implyingly through our family conversation that fear of “Ijimeru”, and the “Irete” (may I join your group) problem was a big factor. I never attempted to personally ask Mama Michang as we lovingly call her, about the real score or the reason of their staying in the Philippines partly because of ethics and because she modestly implied in her actions and words that distinct Japanese culture of personal privacy, and concern of not putting pressure or inconveniencing the other person especially on personal matters. And this, I respect and learned to be a part of me in my day-to-day life inter-action with others.

　It never occurred in my mind, that, that glimpse I had of a “Nisei” will lead me to a life that would bring me closer to a great Nation known to have never been colonized and had existed in seclusion from the outside world for almost 300 years. I could just imagine the purity of a heritage-culture the Japanese nurtured given that distinct history. My marriage to Kimiko (Carmen -her Filipino Christian name) has given me this chance and opportunity to take a closer glimpse of that Heritage, the distinct Japanese Culture, though, thru my imagined bamboo curtain (symbolizing my respect of personal privacy) as a spouse of a child of Japanese National.

My Mother-in-Law Mitsuko was an only child, and in all probability could have come from an old line of Buddhist practitioners, but surely, her upbringing was in a world of gentle contemplation where intellectual and personal attainment was revered. She was my footbridge in my humble quest for more knowledge about the Japanese Culture. She together with my wife initiated me and both acted as my “Sensei” into the now world famous Japanese food or shall I say exotic Japanese delicacy “Sashimi”. I could still hear her almost whispering, sympathetic half amused words of “Oishii desu ka” when I just mistakenly included the entire drip of the wasabi paste into the sliced “maguro” or tuna after dipping it slightly from the Kikkoman soy sauce and into my mouth as I started to chew it and instantly in a flash swallowed it because of the immediate “sugoi karai” burning sensation I began to feel inside my mouth not to mention the “hanabi” -like aftershock effect of the wasabi spirit inside my nostrils. Honestly, I really felt like a dragon spewing fire at that very moment, and maybe my facial expression showed everything I felt, so that they both were holding their breath with hands covering their mouth before they gave out that laughter of the century. Trying to be dignified as I could be, I regained my banker-trained composure (I was a bank employee for almost 14 years prior to taking my optional retirement.) and gently with dignity and finesse lifted the nearest glass of water on the table and almost gulped half of it in record time hoping to equalize the fire-spewing dragon feeling I had, unfortunately, that cute little glass was filled with “shochu” or the strongest variety of sake that made me feel now like the exploding Mt. Fuji and that brought the house down with more laughter.

　That “Sashimi incident” instilled in me a lesson and has given a direct insight of the Japanese culture. One is to observe the proper way of doing things, to be methodical and observant of rules inorder not to be put in an embarrassing situation. Eating for me then was just an ordinary activity of a person to satisfy his hunger for food. But with my insights of the Japanese culture, I began to think that there are other things to be considered in the act of eating. I began to see the fact that there are people who eat just to satisfy their hunger for food, but there are also those who eat because they enjoy eating. I have observed that the Japanese are of the latter group of persons who enjoy the act of eating and savor the taste of each food. For me I see it as near to a ceremony with the number of “chawan”, “sara”, and so many other eating utensils they use. I had a chance to work as a part-time kitchen assistant and washer in one of those resort hotels in Atami in Shizuoka-ken, and Hakone in Kanagawa-ken and there I have observed the minimum of utensils and plates used per guest when being served Japanese cuisine is at least 17 excluding the glasses. It is truly amazing one of a kind in this World. But as always I have observed the kind of ceremonial dignity, patience, almost solemnity in the way they do the act of eating, except, and I repeat except when they take their “misoshiru” or “ramen” soup or any soup for that matter with that slurping sound followed by a sincere “umai” or “saiko” expressing their appreciation of the taste. In the western influenced countries and maybe european too, this slurping sound of taking the soup is considered as bad manners, but for the Japanese it is feeling of the taste and appreciation of the cooks’ mettle in food preparation. Ending it with the ever present “Gochiso samadeshita” phrase that really emphasizes that distinct Japanese culture, of doing the act of eating on a different level compared to the other cultures of the world.

　In addition, the Japanese Tea ceremony is again one of the most distinct appreciable trademark of Japanese culture wherein an outsider or a gaijin for that matter is awed by its elegance, the smoothness of the actions of the participants, and the sense of discipline and respect it has in it. And to think for other cultures it is just as simple as drinking tea and that’s where the distinction remains. A Heritage is a Heritage that cannot be duplicated.

　It was not easy to absorb and fully understand an alien culture much more to appreciate it fully with just a glimpse of it thru my imagined bamboo curtain much more for a “Common-Tao” such as me. I am no specialist and I do not have the tools of an academe to course thru it, nor the high-tech gadgets of the IT-world to surf and pierce deep into it to fully grasp the essence of the existence of that elusive Heritage, the Japanese Culture. I had nothing exceptionally relevant to help me in my quest for more knowledge of the Japanese culture nor the means to be able to apply to such expensive prestigious universities as Kyoto University, Tokyo University, and Nagoya University to name a few that offer courses about the Japanese culture. But I had patience instilled in me by Mama Michang with a big heart with so much to give inspired into me by Kimiko, my wife, my drive, my “omamori” or good luck charm and of course with the birth of our son Luigi and daughter Lia whose features have that distinct Japanese look in them. My inspirations.

　This desire for knowledge has intensified in me, because this time it is not only my own needs that I have to consider but the additional needs to pass it to the “Sansei” or third generation Japanese in the family. I feel obligated to share to them a Heritage that I know will guide them and will help them navigate the stormy seas and turbulent winds of change that they are surely bound to face in the near future as common-tao themselves.

　With my marriage to Kimiko made me eligible to become a “Teiju-sha” or a long-term-resident in Japan. I had now the chance to be within and feel the mainstream flow of the Japanese society. Slowly and patiently, handicapped with my below average proficiency in Nihongo, I began to face it all in my own little ways equipped with my small Japanese-English dictionary and that strong determination to proceed and succeed this time not only to learn more about the culture but at the same time to earn an honest living and maintain to be a desirable gaijin productive and constantly contributing positive inputs into this great society in any way that I can.

　Adjusting to my new world was not easy, being away for the first from our children and the rest of the family was even harder. Getting to a job and be accepted as a gaijin co-worker was a nightmare. But there was Kimiko always by my side, inspiring, always giving her full support, always exuding that modest but strong-willed Japanese woman in her. She was also my shock absorber. As time passed by, I began to learn the intricacies of the Japanese working society. Aside from the Erai-hito or the bosses, there was the more “kibishii Senpai Koohai” arrangement or rather role playing that has to be attended to in order to maintain a harmony in the working place. The “ijime” was followed by bullying and all sort of harassments. But all this I took in stride and took it all as an initiation into a society where precision and speed with accuracy was the daily lubricant to achieve the enviable position the Japanese economy is in right now.

　What used to be negative effects on me were now replaced with that determination to be at-par or even better than my Japanese co-workers. Teasing from friends both in the Philippines and here about my having had the transition from A Banker to A Baker (I did work for a while as a bakery worker in Omiya, Saitama ken) did not bother me any more. Because I learned during my residency here in Japan that every job is an honorable undertaking for any person. And that one must love his job and enjoy doing it to be able to perform excellently. Each job has given me the great opportunities to understand more and appreciate what hard work means to a person. What loyalty to a company brings one to a more meaningful and respectable disposition in society.

　It was during this time in Japan that I learned to appreciate and adapt in me the importance of punctuality, respect for the elders and authority, concern for the welfare of the other, the beauty of discipline if properly integrated and implemented in the workplace, the lightness of the atmosphere and soothing ambience cleanliness brings with it, and how systematic and methodical approach to a job can bring good results. All this high points I saw and learned in the workplace and have readily adapted, but deep inside I always pray and wish that the gaijin worker be given the same respect not for anything else but as a unique human being and I am sure more better things can happen if this matter is addressed to in time.

　Slowly I began to understand the ambiguities of the Japanese culture by taking a glimpse of their history. The reasons behind those actions and treatments I see and interact everyday have begun to be clearer in my own perception. Through my own efforts I learned that basically Japan is a Patriarchal or male dominated social system. Dating back to the times of the Samurais and the Shoguns until the present time, one can feel the dominance of the male authority. I have seen this in the small unit family set up, in the corporations, in the members of both local and National government, but more particularly in the mainstream workplaces of this society. For me, historically, education and abilities for a Japanese was prioritized primarily based on gender followed by social class and living areas. It seems like certain degree of priority was given to a male Japanese. Aside from this, an observation I made have given me the perception that on the other hand Japanese women reach their prime when they are 23 or 24, but by mid-30’s they are like withered leaves as was the common opinion during the Heian period(794-1192). With this fact I now am able to relate how come Japanese women in their 30’s as sometimes called “baba” when in fact in other cultures this age is just the start of a woman’s priming in terms of education, career, and even in their looks. Well that is the uniqueness of this culture. While current mentality that the strong shall prevail in this male dominated Japanese culture, the women has something to be happy about as statistics revealed that while Japanese men have an average life expectancy of 78.07 years, women in Japan are expected to live until their 88th birthdays, “KAMPAI” Oba-san.

　And still among those surveyed, the Japanese woman wishes to die like a flower that still looks elegant after it has fallen and live in peace and comfort in the next life after death. You see even in death this culture, this big hearted culture, still have their Hopes while other cultures always fear the coming of death.

　And oh! How the Japanese love nature. For me the Japanese are the original environmentalists. It reflects on the theme of Nature and Life and the surrounding flora and fauna as depicted on most “Kakejiku” or scrolls with Japanese paintings on them.

　I see the Japanese as true lovers of Nature. Some say that the Japanese want to tame nature. But for me, I strongly feel and view the Japanese not only love nature but also want to be one with nature. It is very apparent in their execution of flower arrangements in “Ikebana”, wherein the seasons of nature are explicitly expressed by an arranger or a practitioner thru his or her own individual style. More so with “Renka” or a more contemporary way of “Ikebana”, wherein an individual sets the mood of his or her arrangement, and be connected and finished by several other arrangers contributing their own individual style and presentation based on the first mood or setting that was started, and thus creating a unified and harmonized arrangement that only the Japanese can truly express, for other cultures to follow and imitate but can never duplicate.

　The sentimentalist and the deep love for family of this Japanese culture can be perceived or reflects in the rendition of the “Enka” or Japanese ballad songs and can be seen in the themes of their “Kabuki” plays.

　In my day-to-day interaction with the Japanese society, I could feel and see the deep individualism in the culture. Such simple actions as plugging in the mini-disc or the walkman tape inside a bus or a train, seemingly trying to isolate himself or herself from the people around. Distinct and elusive as it is the Japanese culture to my mind, inorder to unify this individualism in them and achieve harmony has adopted and use the “Rei” or courtesy philosophy, thus the excessive or constant use of the courtesy words as “sumimasen”, “domo”, or “onegaishimasu”, to name a few in their daily life interaction with of course the usual distinct trademark of the polite execution of the bow each time they utter the courtesy words. And it is so fascinating to see this happening everywhere here in Japan.

　My only wish then is that hopefully, the industrial revolution that brought about the industrious revolution to the Japanese people, wherein changes in priorities on family, food, and self have been set aside in favor of work, work, and work, and the modernization and affluence plus the bombardment of western influences that can be seen and felt among the younger generation, may not in any way totally change and alter that beautiful heritage of the Japanese culture in each and everyone of them, that makes the Japanese person beautifully distinct and unique in the world community today. Please don’t say “sayonara” to the “Kimono” and the “Yukata”, and all your unique and beautiful costumes. Do not forget that they are a part of your heritage that must be nurtured and preserved for all to appreciate. the industrial revolution that brought about the industrious revolution to the Japanese people, wherein changes in priorities on family, food, and self have been set aside in favor of work, work, and work, and the modernization and affluence plus the bombardment of western influences that can be seen and felt among the younger generation, may not in any way totally change and alter that beautiful heritage of the culture in each and every one of them, may not that makes beautifully distinct and unique in the world community today. Please don’t say “sayonara” to the “Kimono” and the “Yukata”, and all your unique and beautiful costumes. Do not forget that they are a part of your heritage that must be nurtured and preserved for all to appreciate.

　My glimpse of this heritage might be truly just a glimpse thru a bamboo curtain, but surely I made that glimpse with my heart and soul in it.

　My dear friends, it saddens me a lot, just like ending this essay, an era has also ended in our family. A distinct and much loved living part of this Japanese heritage had recently passed away. My footbridge, my sensei, our dearest Mama Michang died last March 9, 2002, at the age of 80 years old due to amyotophia or accelerated lateral sclirosis, a very painful disease of the nerves. Even in the face of death she exuded that distinct Japanese culture heritage in her modest, brave, strong, elegant and stayed pragmatic till the end. To you all and specially for you Mama Michang I offer this humble undertaking and a firm promise to treasure and nurture and keep this heritage a part of our life, truly a heritage not only for the Japanese or Asians but for the whole world community to contemplate on, to appreciate and to be part of their own lives.