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I’m getting stick from Reiko for living in Japan for 3 years and still not being able to fully understand Japanese. According to her, I should be able to fully understand Japanese TV programs and read Japanese newspapers.

So we try to have Speak-in-Japanese-Times. These used to last about 10 minutes before we forgot we’re supposed to be speaking in Japanese or it gets too hard.

Recently we’re trying it for real. With a 1 yen penalty (Ooh!) for each time I speak English, I’m up to 13 yen (7.5 pence) after my first day.

There are times when I have to speak English. When I’m in a shop with a pushy saleswoman, I can mumble, “I’dratherpokemyeyesoutwitharustyspoonthanbuythat”, and then scarper out of there.

Speaking in Japanese is hard although I enjoy it a lot. We have a number of international marriage couple friends and most of them have lived in Japan longer than I have and speak just as good or worse Japanese as I do. With the cushion of a loving native to help you out in times of difficulty, it’s hard to find the impetus to try for yourself.

But like the mother bird who pushes her young out of the nest in an attempt to make them fly, there comes a time when it’s necessary to take the plunge. And I’m not falling.

I got married last week and my family came over and here are a few pictures as I get back into the swing of blogging:

Baby Belle

Onigiri that was larger than my head

A torii in Koyasan

Balloon release at the wedding

Danjiri in Kishiwada

Northern Osaka as seen from the Sky Building

Getting married on Monday had all the romance of applying for a tax return. Form after form was filled in and the only tricky point was when they tried to take my birth certificate from me. One difference was that they congratulated us before and after.

Magically one of our neighbours was in the same office. Her full time occupation is seemingly visiting onsen. More congratulations and much bowing ensued. Yet after it had all finished, I had to ask Reiko if we were married yet. It seemed so anticlimactical.

I`m getting married tomorrow - March 6th 2006. I`ve known this for a couple of months yet the days have flown by. Deadlines only approach slowly if you`re not looking forward to them. Christmas for example takes an age to reach and everyone loves Christmas.

Only joking of course. I don`t think much will change anyway. We`ve been living like a married couple for the last year now. All that will happen is Reiko will get fat and I will get a paunch and go bald(er). At least that`s what the humble British seaside postcard has taught me.

If I don`t post for the next couple of days, please understand.

I often get asked when I `m getting married to Reiko har har. I`d like to clarify this for you. March. 2006.

“That`s a bit quick isn`t it? How can I possibly fly all the way to Japan to attend your wedding and pay you 150 quid for the privilege Simon?” I hear you ask.

Well the marriage in March is just a signing the papers thing to get all the formalities out of the way. It`s scheduled for March 6th and it looks like I`ll have I have to work in the afternoon at a school.

We`re having a proper wedding tentatively scheduled for September 6th 2006. Reiko wants a garden wedding in Kobe. The baby will be out and most importantly won`t be a bastard when he/she does. We may have saved up enough money to afford rings by then as well.

We went to the British Consulate in Osaka today to set the ball rolling. There`s a lot you have to do - Get a Certificate of No Impediment, hand over large amount of cash, schedule meeting, swear an oath,　21 day display of intent to marriage. The interview is on Thursday.

If you`d like to attend the event in September, you`re more than welcome to. I`m sure we can waive the 150 quid fee.

Tags: Japan, Osaka, Asia, Quaisi, Kansai, Expat, English, Marriage

The wedding in Japan we went to was one of the highlights of my entire Japan experience. We were ushered inside the Shinto shrine and to the tune of wailing flutes and pipes accompanied by the squawks of brids in the trees the ceremony played out.

At the start I tried to turn off my phone but instead turned on its TV. I managed to switch it off in time but the power down tone blurted out instead.

Before the ceremony we were in a reception room waiting. Reiko went to the bathroom leaving me alone in a crowded room of foreign (and potentially hostile) strangers.

Reiko said to tell them that we were married - who would bring just their fiance to a Japanese wedding? An elderly man curious about me accosted me and asked me if I spoke Japanese. We then proceeded to have a conversation in Japanglish where I learnt that he was once in the airforce. My usual conversation blank occurred as I could only think to ask how many people he had killed. Instead I perpetuated the myth of our wedding.

Reiko`s ex-boss near completely ignored me before the ceremony but afterwards (and clearly inebriated) he was telling me at great length of his time spent studying in America and congratulating us on our marriage.

A man came over and poured me a drink from my bottle of beer which I drank and then he ran off with it. Perhaps allowing me to pace myself better. I later learned he was the bride`s father.

They had a song to sing at the end of the dinner which was “On top of the world” I knew that I being the only English speaker would have something to do with this. A group of 20 people went up and I was pulled along with them. We sang it and then they all decided to sing a Chinese song. There`s a great shot of me clearly the worse for wear standing behind the bride looking clearly confused as they sang.

Apart from that it was all very normal. The speeches were too long, many people got drunk and a good time was had by all.

Tags: Japan, Osaka, Asia, Quaisi, Kansai, Expat, English, Wedding

Because she`s carrying my baby.

Because she can get my iPod replaced for free when my feeble attempts are easily dismissed.

Because I love her. And for many other reasons, I asked her to marry me.

It makes sense that way.

She said yes.

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Comments:

Hooray congratulations. Guess your properly grown up now eh?
So now you have baby and wedding stuff to sort out, lucky you eh? ^_^
Tom | 12.12.05 - 10:18 pm | #

Gravatar well done that man.
stu | Homepage | 12.12.05 - 11:47 pm | #

Gravatar Omedetoo gozaimasu!!
erikku | Homepage | 12.13.05 - 12:50 am | #

Congratulations.

I’m new to your site and came across it when searching for English people’s experiences of moving to Japan. I’ll be hunting through the archives over the next few days to try and get a feel for what life is like out there. I’ll be back, undoubtedly to ask you many many questions. But in the meantime, I’m really happy for you.

See you soon!
Bat-Mac | Homepage | 12.13.05 - 1:59 am | #

Gravatar CONGRATULATIONS!!
Heather Meadows | Homepage | 12.13.05 - 2:34 am | #

CONGRATS
Lance | 12.13.05 - 4:57 am | #

Gravatar Many congrats. What a busy time you are in for! Best of luck and I wish you many happy years with your new family!
acetonic | 12.13.05 - 7:24 am | #

Gravatar congratulations! and how did you get your ipod replaced?
englishman | Homepage | 12.13.05 - 9:51 am | #

Gravatar Awesome. Congratulations, Simon.
Justin | Homepage | 12.13.05 - 11:01 am | #

Gravatar Yes, nice one Simon! All the best mate.
Adrian | Homepage | 12.13.05 - 7:36 pm | #

About bloody time!! Congrats mate, and I really mean that! Now I guess I better start saving for the trip over….
Doktor Williams | 12.13.05 - 9:58 pm | #

Gravatar Congratulations, Simon! *thumbs up*
Davecat | Homepage | 12.13.05 - 9:58 pm | #

Gravatar Congratulations Si!!!!

Enjoy planning for all these new things happening in your life.

I’m incredibly jealous :o)
Luce | 12.13.05 - 11:20 pm | #

Gravatar Congratulations mate, well done, I’m really pleased for ya. Set a date yet?
Mart | 12.14.05 - 7:23 am | #

onya!
sydneysnider | Homepage | 12.14.05 - 9:35 am | #

Gravatar Congratulations to both of you!

It’s amazing what can happen in a couple of years. Alot has changed since you left and I’m glad it’s all working out for you both.

Will we be hearing the chime of wedding bells before the patter of tiny feet?
Chris Mouland | 12.14.05 - 5:50 pm | #

Gravatar Congratulations! Looking forward to reading a little about japanese wedding planning
Oiseau | Homepage | 12.14.05 - 9:50 pm | #

Technorati Tags: Japan, Osaka, Asia, Quaisi, Kansai, Expat, English