A week ago today, last Tuesday, I attended a Bon Enkai (end of year party) for Yuda high school. They had asked me if I would be interested in coming the week before and I had said, "Sure." So they explained to me where and when it was and I assured them I could find it.
So last Tuesday I took off around twenty till 6pm and arrived about at the destination a little early. This was a strategic move on my part due to the fact that this was a large building with many different rooms and I figured I'd have no idea where to go once inside the building. So I waited in the lobby for about five minutes, waiting for a familiar face to show up and lead me to the proper room. But alas, no one showed up. Either they were all early or going to be late. So, I approached the info desk trying to think of how I was going to get my point across. The young woman, who was, by the way, quite easy on the eyes, looked up at me and I said, "Ummm....Yuda Bon Enkai." To which she replied with a smile and a "Hai, ni kai" (which means second floor). I thanked her and set off, thinking to myself that my small amount of studying Japanese counting systems had actually paid off.
So I got up there and was waved down by a lady I recognized. "Marcus-sensei, Marcus-sensei," ah yes, that would be me. I paid my 3000yen and then was prompted to draw a small paper out of a large envelope that would indicate to my helpers where I was supposed to sit. Table D held four other people at this moment but sat about 7 of us in total. Yazaki-sensei helped me find my chair and informed me that he was sitting next to me. "Ah good," I thought, "at least one other person here will be able to speak English."
He introduced me to the others already sitting and then left. Turns out he was the master of ceremonies for the whole event and really wouldn't be sitting next to be for much of the time. But the others and I managed to do ok and the night got underway.
First, there were two speeches, of which I didn't understand a single word. Then there was the Kampai toast, of which I understood the Kampai part. Then the food was brought out and the noise level went up as everyone was talking and having a good time. One of the ladies at my table (probably about my age) who turned out to be my friend during the entire evening came over and asked me if I wanted some sake (I was drinking beer at this point). I told her I would love some cold sake and she set off to get me some. Things were going to be ok.
Now, before I move on I should tell you that it is a no-no to fill your own glass at official Japanese events. As a JET I've learned this from the time I was in LA. It is also a no-no to drink anything before the official toast, but that's not my point here. Filling each others' glasses is a sign of friendship and seems to strengthen the bond between the two parties. In fact the guy next to me, who I had just met, filled my beer glass from the large bottle just before the toast and I filled his. It's just the way it's done over here (that is until you and everyone else are properly pissed, at which point it seems that anything goes). But this small factor was to have a big effect on my night.
So my friend came back with my bottle of sake and a glass and filled it for me. I thanked her and took a drink and the evening flowed on. About this time, and out of nowhere by my perceptions, a kareoke machine appeared. I didn't notice this until the first guy was up there and hit his first couple notes, but as he was doing so the profound realization hit me, "Uh oh."
And yes, a few minutes later Yazaki-sensei came over to me and said, "Ah, Mr. Marcus, will you sing a song for us?" "Dammit dammit dammit," I thought to myself, "How the hell do I get myself into these things?" I'd sung kareoke before but with friends, not with a bunch of people I work with, most of whom I don't even know. "Uuhhhh.....I guess so," I said instead, then added "But can I do it a little later? After a glass or two more sake?" He just smiled and said that would be alright, "Can you sing Yesterday?" Sure, what the hell?
But later ended up being only two songs later and although I still wasn't "properly" ready I went up anyway and began to sing....
Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away.
Now it looks as though they're here to stay.
Oh, I believe in yesterday.
Profound words at that moment, but I wasn't thinking about that. I was only thinking about nailing the right notes to the right words. There were about 60 people in this room (I counted later) and I sure as hell wanted to be as good as my non-trained voiced would allow for. Not all eyes had been forward during the other performances, perhaps because they knew each other, perhaps because they were singing in Japanese, but at the moment I started, everyone stopped to watch and listen. It was all very surreal. And when I finished they all gave me an enthusiastic round of applause and I even had to stop and shake a few hands on the way back to my seat and booze.
But as crazy as it sounds, it was rather fun. I had paid my dues and now have a great story to tell. So hey, bring on American Idol.
So the rest of the night got crazier and more blurry as various people, the principal, vice-principal, teachers I'd never met, teacher I knew well, all came over to top off my glass of sake. I talked (and I use that word lightly) a little baseball with the vice-principal, taught some English words to those interested, and learned a little Japanese (which I have now forgotten). We played bingo (yes, bingo) and won prizes and generally had a good time.
Eventually our time for the room ran out and we had to disperse. But about six people came up to me inviting to Bon Enkai part II. So I went with them up the street and we proceeded to get damn drunk. I thought just us lowly teachers would go, but it turned out that the vice-principal was there, and some other big-wig whose position I don't know. But I sat right next to him and anytime I took so much as a sip of my sake, he'd top it off again. It was madness.
By the time we left there it must have been around 11:30. I remember looking at the clock at 10 and again at 11 thinking, "Damn, that seemed like five minutes." But we did finally leave and I walked back down the big building, grabbed my bike, and set off for home.
Bon Enkai number one down. I have another this Friday with the people from the Kencho. I hope that one doesn't get as crazy.