Mistaken for Yakuza?

So where have I been? I assume my readers, those who are left (if applicable) want to know. I've been in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, back to Boston (via Chicago), Vancouver (via Montreal), back to Boston (via Toronto), New York City (down and back in one day for a job interview), and then a random city in Western Mass. for a somewhat random conference. Then back. Japan was amazing, Vancouver is gorgeous but too rainy, and New York went by in a blur.

So I will start with a Japan story. Perhaps these will last me many entries.

But first - It looks like I'll be living in New York City next year. Information about such things as where to live, etc, always appreciated! From those who know, of course.

Story time:

When you go on a tour of East Asia that is organized by people from that country, you can expect to be run around practically 24-hours per day. That will be the subject of additional stories. In any case, one of the myriad activities was to go to a combination "Edo-era" historical themepark and Japanese bath-house place in Tokyo. You enter, and everyone puts on Yukata - cotton Kimono-like robes - and walks around the place in bare feet. There are little shops, food stands, a garden outside, etc.

Then there are the baths. They're gender separated, but everyone must be completely naked. They will apparently make you take off any bathing suit that you may wear. This, first of all, is an odd place to take a group of professional students - do you want to sit around naked with a bunch of colleagues? Also, I know from experience that foreigners, expecially naked, can be a very interesting object of staring in foreign countries.

This didn't end up being an issue. Before we went, I saw on the "information sheet" that anyone "wearing Tattoos" would be strictly prohibited from the baths. Asking around, the consensus was that tattoos are associated with Yakuza - or the Japanese mob - and that was likely why this particular upscale bath place wouldn't want them. "Can you hide them behind your towel"? I was asked. No - I can't really hide my feet. And my lower back. Simultaneously.
"maybe they'll think they're just fancy socks"
"in the bath?"

I was disappointed to learn that only one of the other 45 students had a tattoo.

I've seen some of the huge Yakuza-type tattoos, and they're exquisite. Nevertheless, I don't think that I look particularly like a Japanese mobster. Was there an exception for foreigners?

Apparently there was NO exception for anyone. Tattoos were NOT allowed. In fact, even in the non-bath area, I was required to wear socks at all times.

It was very bizarre. I have to admit that I wasn't heartbroken to be banned from the bath, though.

At a later point, to use up the time, a friend and I decided to get caricature paintings from some Japanese caricature artists there. Mine turned out, basically, like a giant nose with eyes and a little face as a frame. My friend is African-American, and hers turned out actually kind of awful, a distorted collection of huge lips and - very pre-civil rights era imagery. She was amused, horrified, confused, and angry. We were laughing hysterically in that way that one does when one doesn't know what else to do.

Luckilly, there was a second artist - a woman (the first had been male) - and she decided to paint a new picture free of charge because she also thought the first one had turned out horribly. Hers was much better, but the entire experience was quite bizarre. It's interesting to see how people in another place see us, but it is also an experience that can cause some discomfort.