I was stationed in Japan in the late 80's - mid 90's.
During that time, I befriended an amazing Japanese man.
He was my neighbor when I lived off-base in the civilian community of Kinugasa.
After a couple of months, I learned that his family line traced all the way back to the original Ronin (masterless Samurai). In other words, he was a member of the Yakuza (Japanese Mafia, Yamaguchi-gumi Syndicate).
In spite of the conflicting goals of our jobs, we became very close friends.
For one of my birthdays, he took me to an ultra-exclusive and ridiculously expensive restaurant owned and operated by the Yakuza.
My eyes nearly popped out of my head when I saw what was in store for us.
Dozens of delicious sashimi dishes were meticulously placed on three exquisitely prepared, young, beautiful and completely naked Japanese Geishas.
They never moved an inch, giggled or flinched while my trembling hashi (chopsticks) clumsily picked-up one dish after another.
Another time, after I treated my friend's daughter during a severe asthma attack, my friend was so grateful that he offered me a very special bonsai plant [a potted plant (such as a tree) dwarfed (as by pruning) and trained to an artistic shape].
It had been in his family for generations and was worth at least 1,000 - 1,500 USD.
I tried to politely refuse it, saying that I notoriously have a "black Thumb" and have been known to kill whole nurseries of cactus plants. But he was insistent and wouldn't take no for an answer.
I did tons of research on the care and pruning of these prized plants.
But once I started pruning, my OCD got the best of me. It was like trimming your mustache unevenly and continuing to try to match the other side with more trimming until there's nothing to be trimmed!
The skeleton that was once my beautiful bonsai died in less than 5 days. After properly laying my Bonsai to rest, I immediately apologized to my friend profusely.
But instead of reacting with any anger or shock, he smiled, patted me on the shoulder and said, "It is written, my friend. Nothing can be done now."
The next day, my friend fulfilled his Yakuza and familial duty.
He was part of a protection team that sacrificed themselves in order for their kumicho (family leader) to escape an attack by a rival family (probably the Inigawa-kai).
That's just how he was.
The thought of doing otherwise never crossed his mind.
His family's long and proud history of honorable service remains intact.
To this day, whenever I see a bonsai plant, I remember my friend...(Heavy Sigh).
JaiChai
(JaiChai - originally posted on 28 SEP 2021. Simultaneous multi-site submissions posted. All rights reserved.)