(12) Learn Japanese Manners

March 5, 1926 from Miyazaki
To Father Caviglia Alberto

Father Caviglia was a famous scholar of Don Bosco, and was his colleague and senior at the Chapter of St. John in Turin. Father Tonelli was ordained with him, and was a close friend of Father Cimatti, a teacher of natural sciences, director of the museum, and a recipient of many specimens from Father Cimatti.

Dear Father Caviglia,

I included many "personal pronouns" for you in the box I sent to Father Tonelli. [Note: Japanese tea is called "te`" in Italian, which also means the "personal pronoun" "you."] I hope it arrived. I picked the tea with my own hands, so it's genuine. (I washed my hands thoroughly beforehand!) I hope it helps. If not, it means there is no good tea in Japan.

But I don't like it, because it's served without sugar. The first time I tasted it was when I had Chinese tea in Shanghai. At dinner at Lo Pa Hon, after 12 small dishes, tea was served. I couldn't refuse, but after playing the piano, tea was served again, probably because everyone was so impressed. No matter how much I refused, I had to drink it. After arriving in Miyazaki (a beautiful, quiet town!), I visited the governor, and tea was served again in the waiting room. Just when I thought that was it, the governor let me have it again. I swallowed it without sugar, making strange slurps to get used to it.

Dear Father Caviglia, I couldn't believe what I read in the book about these little people in Japan, especially their modesty and politeness when they speak and behave, but when I came here, it's really difficult. When you visit, it goes like this (this is a true story about visiting a doctor). First, you take off your shoes (unfortunately for those who wear lace-up shoes like me!). At the entrance, the maid bows deeply and offers you slippers, and you go inside. The doctor who will be examining the patient wants to introduce the lady, so you take off your slippers while he goes to look for her, enter the room (note that your socks are clean!), and while you wait, the maid lays out a cushion. The doctor enters, kneels and bows three times, and the greeting begins.

−	"Hello," he says, bowing.
−	"Hello," the customer replies, bowing.
−	"It's nice weather today (or maybe it's bad weather)," he says again, bowing.
−	"Yes, it's lovely weather (or, what a shame!)," the customer replies, bowing.
−	How are you? he says, bowing.
−	Well, well (or, I'm very fine), I reply, bowing.
−	Please, have a seat, he says.

At this time, the guest sits politely on a cushion measuring 50cm square. The proper way to sit is to kneel and sit on your crossed heels. It's unbearable pain. I start talking like this. Just as I'm getting carried away, a lady of honor comes in... and the greetings start all over again. It's an interesting world!

When you're done, you'll be shown to the exit, where you'll put on your slippers again, take them off, and put on your shoes. The doctor will smile as he watches your struggle to put on your European shoes.

Enough! We have a lot to talk about when we get back to Italy! Japan is beautiful in every way. The camellias, plums, apricots and cherry blossoms in bloom at this time of year are amazing. After that we'll see what happens. The climate is similar to Piedmont for now.

It's tidy, clean, people notice the little things... Oh well. The children are coming up already. We're going to have them sing for St. Joseph's Day and Easter. They have good voices. They love playing, music and drama. Children are the same all over the world.

For now, with God's guidance, I feel very hopeful.

But first we need to solve the language problem.

With all my heartfelt embrace, Respectfully, Fr. Cimatti