by Eddie Landsberg

Opinions Jan. 01, 2012 - 07:00AM JST ( 1 )

TOKYO —

If polled, I wonder how many readers would agree with the statement, “Wow, 2011 really went so fast.”

It seems like just yesterday I was sitting in HUB in Omiya ringing in the New Year ... then sitting in front of my TV with the dogs watching the revolution unfold in Egypt. Then there was that Friday, waiting for the train at Urawa Station, the horrible shaking and rattling ... my incredible luck being at a station that actually had a bus to my house, and reading the first reports on Twitter that began to drive in the enormity of what had happened. And it was barely three months into the New Year.

After that, things went into hyperspeed. Time having warped so fast, it was just the other day I realized that I didn’t do a New Year’s resolution story—which along with “Year in Review” pieces are standard seasonal stock.

But then I realized that while it is true I definitely have goals and resolutions for 2012, most of mine, and I imagine many others, set themselves some new resolutions after March 11.

For some (nicknamed “flyjin”), the resolution was going home; for others, it was staying in Japan. Some resolved to quit their jobs and go up north and volunteer. I imagine plenty of readers – most, who fortunately did not experience the worst of the disaster (having their homes and loved ones being washed off to sea) stopped for a moment to think about things like their future in Japan, the course of a relationship, or a big job decision. Others may have become more introspective. Even I, a staunch agnostic, couldn’t help but think of the old biblical proverb “But for the grace of God, therefore go I.” (As a non-religious person, I simply changed it to fate.)

Yet on a lighter note, there still comes the New Year’s tradition of sharing resolutions.
I should mention that I still teach a few English classes. Naturally, at the end of each year, I ask my students about their goals and resolutions. Without fail, each year student confuses resolutions, which involve setting a specific goal, with hopes and desires, things that are prayed for. Younger students inevitably talk about success in their exams, salarymen about being successful at their job, and older people about remaining healthy and alive for at least another year. Yet others nominate peace and happiness on earth.

“No,” I explain, “a wish is something you hope to happen. A resolution is something you promise to do. It has to involve action.”

Given the revised definition, and a few examples, we go another round, and inevitably, some students still fail to answer.

Oddly, I’ve experienced a reverse cultural side of this. In summer, Japan celebrates festival of Tanabata. It takes place on the 7th day of the 7th month of the lunisolar calendar and during it, there is a tradition for Japanese people to write down their wishes and attach them to a bamboo tree – which like Christmas trees are sometimes kept in schools, homes and izakaya.

For some odd reason, I’ve always felt uncomfortable with this custom. “Omikuji” is fun… when you go to the temple, pay the 5 yen, shake the wooden box, pull out the stick with the number, and then find out which level of luck it corresponds to, but when actually asked to write out my wish, I suddenly clam up and don’t feel right.

Maybe it’s because I simply don’t believe in the power of prayer. Maybe, having listened to a bit too much George Carlin and Frank Zappa, the cynicism and sarcasm in me prevents me from writing something as cheesy (even reasonable) as “health and happiness” – even though, really, that’s what we all want.

So when the paper and pen are plopped down between me and my bottle, I just stare back and forth between the two and desperately try to think of something reasonable to write. Inevitably, I cave in, writing “Health and happiness,” in majestic cursive under a big happy smiley face.

But back to the New Year. This time, I clearly do know my goals. I need to take off 10 kilograms I gained after March 11 when I changed my diet and stopped going to the gym. I need to prepare for the JLPT, and I need to finalize my application to a research program. Oh, and I want to keep my ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) under control to the extent I can live in a house with three dogs and still have guests as well as various inspections without a sense of shame.

Come to think of it, though, a lot of it is little more than wishful thinking. Ironically, I carry “omamori” (good-luck charm) and have a daruma, but to tell the truth, I believe in a talisman no more than I believe in the power of making resolutions.
You see, it all goes back to the advice of a swinging 82-year-old jazz drummer I used to play with, and his advice on doing business. Whenever I think back on it, it challenges me to get things done.

“Boy,” he used to say, “follow the advice of Nike… stop talking, get off your butt, and just do it.”

This man, who has played with all the greats and was still working, and last I heard was still kicking, seemed to know the secret – and if I’d have any resolution this year, it would be to follow in his footsteps.

That said, if I so desire to replicate his vibrance and longevity, getting back to the gym will definitely have to be my first priority.

And with this, I wish a Happy New Year and all the best in 2012 to all of my readers.

Author Infomation

Eddie Landsberg

Eddie Landsberg is a writer, musician and reviewer who's lived and taught in Japan for 17 years. He presents stories and interviews on a wide range of topics related to changing Japanese society. He's recorded three internationally distributed CDs as a Hammond organist. Among his hobbies shogi, dog training and collecting R&B.

Website: http://www.facebook.com/eddie.landsberg1