On a damp and chilled evening in the early 1980s in Chicago, I joined my friend, Tim Glisson, to discover a newly opened Sushi Bar. It was off of the beaten track of places to eat in Andersonville and it was on a side street in a store front. It no longer exists. We arrived, found seats at the bar, and placed our jackets on the backs of the chairs. When the Sushi master (Komada San) saw us he took a long gaze through which we felt his focus. He was the only one in the establishment other than his two guests – US.
We were served steaming green tea in large mugs and our verbal orders were taken as he started preparing our orders. However he kept glancing at us as he meticulously prepared our food. About mid meal, Komada San started a fractured conversation about his leaving Japan a few years prior and moving to Chicago where his wife had relatives. He stated that he wanted to have a small and elegant Sushi Bar – it only seated 8 – 10 at the bar and only one narrow table for 4 past the entrance. The appointments were refined as were all of the pottery and ceramics made by Japanese artisans and cultural treasures. Our oblong napkins were cotton cloth of hand dyed deep indigo with subtle grey details. He was very gentle in his dialogue and eventually asked if we had ever traveled to or in Japan. I replied Yes.
Then he asked, “in what years?” I sensed he was directing the conversation for information as he took another long stare particularly at me.
Next he stated you must have been a student. “Correct” I responded. Next was, “What did you study?” When I replied that at Waseda I had focused on Nihon Bunka (Japanese Culture) he again focused tight with his eyes squinting, took a deep breath and continued with what other places had I studied. I responded with a long list of the Umewaka Noh Theatre, Nishikawa School of Classical Dance (Nihon Buyo), the National Museum, and the Imperial School of Music and Dance. At the end, after a pause I mentioned the Grand Kabuki Theatre.
Next he inquired as to the names of my teachers. I responded with the names and he replied that they were national treasures and it would be rare and unusual for Japanese students or artists to have the opportunity to study with any of them. I informed him of my support with fellowships from the Fulbright Association and the Japan Foundation, etc. He seemed to be satisfied with my answers and then he asked, “Is your name Ronny or Lonny?” With my affirmative response he clasped his hands and moved around the counter and seated himself beside me and took my hand in his and told a loving story of recognition. All of this being witnessed by my friend Tim.
He had owned and been the sushi chief of a very intimate place exactly 2 blocks behind the Kabuki Za where I had my lessons and many studies with Kanzaburo Nakamura XVII. The story that unfolded was how he had been contacted by Kanzaburo personally in order to arrange the place where I could be picked up after my lessons, but no statement of who would pick me up was made by my venerable teacher. This was an outcome of my confiding in Kanzaburo about meeting Yukio on the street at the end of a prior week after my lessons as I was walking to Wako department store. This meeting story was published in Impressions Magazine in 2017, edited by Julia Meech.
Shortly some days after this talk, I went backstage to be greeted by Yukio in the dressing with Kanzaburo. A discussion evolved about discretion and privacy and no public or press/media scandal in order to protect all involved. Also allowing me to learn in depth about scrutiny and having a private life while learning in depth about the inner workings of a society steeped in tradition.
What was arranged: After my lessons on prior planned dates, I would walk to this Sushi location and take a seat by the window. I would order a small meal with green tea and await for a car to slow in front and then move down the block while I paid my tab. Then I would exit to my right and walk to the middle of the block to the waiting car, and off we would go to a great adventure of looking at handmade silks, selecting the most exquisite fans, a drive to the ocean, an evening of private dining, soaking in spring fed hot baths, etc.
On one occasion, I was late as I had gone to the restroom and when I returned to the Window where I always was seated, the car had stopped in front and the back right window was partly opened and there was Yukio gesturing for me to come along. In this instant Komada San recognized the face inside of the car window, and he came to understand the reasoning of Kanzaburo for a place for me to come after specific lessons. He confided that this secret was ours, but that he had always wondered when the car slowed outside as to who, what, why and in that moment he comprehended the delicacy and weight of the gesture and contact by Kanzaburo.
Many deep abiding lessons were learned from and with a truly great teacher – a master of his art and of living a life in the public eye of the theatre and constant media.
Entry – June 23, 2019
