Chapter 720: Japanese Characteristic Industries (Fourth Update, Please Subscribe)
Although the city of Hiroshima had just experienced a war a few days ago and the local citizens were still a little nervous, the arrival of the New Year still made the market lively.
No matter good or bad, we have to celebrate the New Year.
In this regard, Japan has followed the Chinese tradition. In fact, in the Confucian cultural circle in East Asia, including Vietnam, every aspect of their lives is influenced by Chinese civilization, and this influence has long been engraved in their bones.
After the sailors left the warship and went ashore, they strolled around the street as usual.
Occasionally, traces of arson can be seen on both sides of the street, but the streets are very lively, bustling with people, and the roadside is filled with small stalls. The dazzling array of goods always attracts a lot of people's attention, making them willing to pay for them.
The Ming sailors wearing navy blue woolen short coats, although they did not need to buy New Year goods, seemed to be strolling leisurely on the streets, enjoying the respectful looks from the locals along the way. Both the shop owners and the street vendors would greet them enthusiastically in the awkward Nanjing dialect and show them their goods.
"I can't believe that so many people in Japan can speak Nanjing dialect."
One of the officers with the rank of major exclaimed.
"Commander Song, you may not know that the official language of our Ming Dynasty is Jianghuai Mandarin, which is also Nanjing dialect. This is also the tradition of our Ming Dynasty. As early as the Hongwu period, there were many international students from Japan, Korea, Siam and other countries studying in Nanjing. Those international students brought back the "Nanjing Mandarin" with them. In Japan, all the nobles had to learn Chinese and write Chinese poetry, so they naturally used Nanjing Mandarin."
Higashihachiro, who was following the chief, quickly explained that in another world, after the Meiji Restoration, especially after the signing of the Sino-Japanese Trade Treaty in 1871, Japan needed to deal with officials from the Qing court, so the direction of learning Chinese in Japan turned to Beijing Mandarin. But everything has changed in this world. Compared with dealing with the Qing court, which they regarded as barbarians, Japan is more willing to deal with the Ming Dynasty, which represents strength, modernity, and civilization. Especially after the Iwakura Mission visited the Ming Dynasty, Japan once again set off a climax of Sinology. If Japan set off a climax of learning English before and after the "Black Ship Attack", the emergence of the Ming Dynasty allowed more Japanese to see new opportunities. Why is this so? Because compared to learning English, Chinese is easier to learn!
The reason why it was easy was that any samurai who was a little bit particular would study Confucianism, write Chinese characters, and speak Chinese. Even as early as the 15th century until the Edo Shogunate period, samurai from all over Japan communicated in Chinese, which is Nanjing Mandarin. Because the local dialects in Japan are different, the differences are almost equivalent to the difference between Nanjing and Cantonese.
Before the so-called "national language" was promoted, Nanjing Mandarin was the national language of Japan to some extent. Of course, farmers certainly don't know it.
"Ya Lang, you really understand."
While Song Deji was speaking, he turned his head and asked.
"Hachiro, if I remember correctly, you are a naturalized Japanese citizen."
Apart from the Japanese, how many outsiders know so much about it?
"Yes, sir, I was born in Kajiya-cho, Kagoshima, Satsuma."
Tohachiro answered respectfully.
"So what was your name before you were naturalized?"
"Togo Heihachiro!"
When speaking, Dongbalang looked very calm. After being captured in Ryukyu, according to Japanese tradition, they should commit suicide as prisoners, but the Ming Dynasty gave them a chance for a new life. He became a member of the Ming Navy. Over the past few years, his diligent efforts in serving in the navy were rewarded. Not only did he become a naturalized citizen of the Ming Dynasty three years ago, but he was also promoted to captain.
For naturalized people, all of this is extremely rare. Because of this, for Dong Balang now, he has only one wish, which is to be loyal to his lord, the Emperor of Ming.
"Togo..."
Nodding, Song Deji smiled.
"Since we have been naturalized, we are citizens of the Ming Dynasty. You said yesterday that you would let us experience the customs of Japan today. You must take us to enjoy it today!"
"Of course,"
Dongbalang said with some pride.
"Although the customs and people of the Ming Dynasty far surpassed those of Japan, Japan also has its own characteristics."
"Haha, everyone knows this, and it's really good with women."
"That's right. We couldn't go ashore a few days ago, and the sailors were very anxious! They wanted to go ashore and suppress the rebellion."
"Who told me that women are so affectionate and can serve others? Of course they are anxious because they can't get ashore!"
Although they are a group of naval officers, they are not restrained when talking about some topics. After all, they sail on the sea all year round.
If we were to say what they have remembered most about Japan during their time in Japan, it would of course be the women.
Those women can definitely make every man obsessed with their tenderness and affection. Of course, most of the time, that kind of obsession is just a show.
"Why, sir, where the sailors are going is not worth mentioning at all."
Dongbalang, a frequent visitor to the red-light district, waved his hand and said.
"Those women standing in the cages are like goods, available for anyone to pick and choose. They have no charm at all. Sir, if you want to experience the charm of Japanese women, you should go to a high-level store. There are geishas who have been trained since childhood. They are not only beautiful, but also versatile."
When mentioning those geishas, Touhachiro's eyes were full of memories. God knows, what he missed most in the past few years were the Japanese geishas.
"Haha, Hachiro, after all, you don't brag like that in your hometown."
"Haha, Brother Xu, when we get there, you'll know if I'm bragging or not. I promise you'll enjoy it so much that you won't want to leave! After all, unlike ordinary prostitutes, where any woman can be one, it's not easy to be a geisha. Learning the art usually starts at around 5 years old, and it takes 7 years to complete courses ranging from culture, etiquette, language, decoration, poetry, zither, to bowing, pouring wine, etc. After completing the training at the age of 12, one must first become a "maiko" before being able to become a geisha. This process is very difficult..."
Dongbalang emphasized again.
"Also, you may not know that many of the high-ranking officials in the current Restoration Government have wives who are geishas. Haha, speaking of which, geishas are also heroes of the Restoration! In the past, countless patriots of the Restoration relied on the cover of geishas to collect intelligence and hide their identities!"
Touhachiro's description immediately made everyone curious about the geisha. In fact, they had been curious since they had dinner together last night. As men, food, sex and nature are all important.
Just as Tohachiro said, even the wives of people like Ito Hirobumi and Kido Takayoshi were geishas. They would really like to see what a geisha's talent and beauty are like.
When everyone arrived at the place, even though it was their first time there, as soon as the officers came at the door, a pimp immediately came forward to bow and greet them in stiff Nanjing dialect. Soon, an old brothel owner with a white face came to greet them personally.
"Oh, what wind brought these generals from the Celestial Empire here? This is truly a blessing for our little shop."
Compared to the stiff Chinese of the pimp, the madam's Chinese is not only fluent, but even has a bit of Qinhuai flavor. It's no wonder. The Japanese are good students and can learn anything thoroughly. Why does the madam speak Chinese? Because she has to entertain dignitaries and nobles from all over the place. Speaking rustic Japanese will lower her status, so of course she has to speak Chinese to show off her elegance.
"Oh, you are so polite. Hurry up and call the best girl you have here."
Dong Balang was quite generous when treating guests. It was not that he was generous, but that the salaries of the Ming Navy were high, while the Japanese were poor and had limited consumption levels. The sailors would only spend a dime to spend half a day in a brothel.
Even in a place like this, a few bucks will do.
The distinguished guests were led into the private room. After they followed the local custom and sat down cross-legged, the madam ordered the dishes to be served quickly.
The wine is Japanese sake, and the dishes are served on small plates. They look exquisite but are actually very simple. However, the focus here is not on food, but on... sex.
After a while, some geishas entered the room and started their performance. As those geishas with white painted faces like porcelain dolls danced to the music, five geishas with white faces as white as snow came in from the side of the door. As soon as they entered the room, they knelt beside the people and poured wine for them. Their docile appearance was really fascinating. Just after meeting them, I felt that Tohachiro was not exaggerating that these geishas really had their own strengths.
But I just don't know if they have any outstanding features in other areas that can make people admire them.
Although this kind of tune is a bit boring for them, this kind of exotic style is unique. Of course, what is more important is that the women around them are very good at serving people.
Just as they were drinking and enjoying the music and dancing of the geishas with smiles on their faces, suddenly someone outside the door shouted loudly...
(End of this chapter)
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