Bosukoro (1)

The little kid found himself deep in Japan’s suburban peace. Without a car or a mobile or internet access at his 2DK* apartment, he returned home after work in late afternoon. He went for a run. He did the household chores. He made dinner. He ate. He washed the dishes.

He sat there, quietly. Just like that.

No sound.

Then what?

All of a sudden, he found something. Something inside.

It started with a tune. Then the accompaniment. Then it all started beating, synchronizing, warming up. The kid hurriedly fetched music note paper and hopped on his bike. Riding through the little conservatory, the sturdy little houses and across the Ishinomaki train line.

Bosukoro, and the piano, is the destination.

Bosukoro was more a place of exchange, laughter and warmth than your average local eatery. Neighbours of Wakuya town gathered, chatted, ate, drank, sang and practiced English, all in this tiny restaurant/bar/open-to-all clubhouse.

The owner, the sturdy middle-aged Mr Ono, uttered a low but enthusiastic “hi”, which sounded somewhere between Japanese and English, when the kid entered. The baseball game went on as the sleepy summer evening slowly progressed. A quiet evening for Bosukoro indeed.

Mr Ono let the kid use the piano right beside the bar table. The same tune went on and on but Mr Ono was as patient as ever while the kid trudged through note after note, scribbling on the sheet. He grinned as the pencil marks accumulated.

It’s a good tune. Indeed it is.

As Bosukoro is about to close, the kid carefully closed the piano and replaced the souvenirs where they belonged. Mr ?no had so many friends and good-will presents that they have taken up the precious little space left on to of the instrument.

There is was, Mr Ono, humming relaxingly, with a glass full of beer in hand, saying “yeah it’s nice”. The kid guessed he was referring to the song.

It was the beginning of Crossroad. Maybe it was. Or maybe it was just another collection of memories in that place in that town in those days.

*2DK: 2 rooms plus a dining-kitchen.

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23-3-2006