Last May 19, young priests from the Diocese of Yokohama gathered in a hot spring hotel in Hakone for an overnight celebration in honor of our new priest, Rev. Fr. Dominic Taniwaki. The bishop was also around to join the celebration. After a wonderful supper, as is usual Japanese custom, there was the "ni jikai", or the 2nd "party" held in one of the rooms. Japanese parties and gathering without wine has no meaning. So, yes, there was wine, sake, shochu, beer and some softdrinks.
Japan is a country that smokes and drinks. It's a usual thing for them. And in order to become good friends with another Japanese, you need to either join him in the hot spring -- naked of course! -- or drink with him. You could just imagine the first time I had to do these things with the other priests!
I really do not drink liquor. Philippine culture would show us jobless or careless men drinking and later engaging in a brawl as images of the negative effects of drinking. I have seen my uncles drink. I have seen my cousins drink, too. Call it lack of exposure, I have never engaged in a drinking session with other religious and clergy until I set foot in Japan. I call myself a social drinker now. Give me a mug of beer and I will enjoyingly drink it! It wasn't like this 8 years ago. I have learned... but have always been aware that too much is never really good!
Whether I had to contend adjusting to a culture that makes you enter a big pool or tub of naked people, or even having to be careful not to hurt the feelings of someone who invites you to drink, what is really important is that TIME was given for each other. Issues of self-pride or shame or uncalled for formality are all shed away. No wonder, being together in a tub or drinking together is a Japanese way of deepening your friendship with others. Call it shallow... but I'd rather call it culture!
P.S. This is my ordination picture taken on December 8, 1999. Yes, I was 10 kilos lighter!
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