Tales From Japan

Sun., Nov. 10, 1996

The Makers encountered several slices of Japanese culture that made the trip surreal. Here are some:

At nobody’s urging, an overzealous drunken fan strips off his clothes during a post-show party in Kyoto. To the Japanese, a naked guy jumping around making an idiot out of himself isn’t offensive. But when Mike Maker frees a roiling belch from his belly a few minutes later, conversation ceases, and his foulness is admonished by a roomful of scolding eyes.

McDonald’s restaurants in Japan pretty much mirror those in the United States, with a few exceptions. They offer a McTerriyaki Burger. And a potato pie, which replaces the cherry pie.

Some Japanese businesses have English names, but they don’t always make sense. A Tokyo restaurant is called Noodles of Delicious. Mint Hair is the name of a chain of convenience stores. At Vinyl Japan, a Tokyo record shop, the slogan is: “Please feel foolish and buy our CDs.” And, an iced-coffee beverage takes the moniker Jive Coffee.

Anpan Man (pronounced OnPawn) is a popular animated superhero among children. The round-faced caped crusader possesses only one power: dispensing bread to those in need. Runner-up is Eyefather, a giant eye with legs. He doesn’t have any powers.

Employees at an American restaurant in Nagoya known as the Santa Barbara, which the Makers fled five minutes after arriving, don shirts with the word “Survivor” on the back.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo

MEMO: Appeared with “Meet The Makers” by Joe Ehrbar

Appeared with “Meet The Makers” by Joe Ehrbar

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