Читать книгу Traditions. Essays on the Japanese Martial Arts and Ways онлайн

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A young Japanese karate exponent and his wife were visiting New York City a few years ago. They’d met some friends at a Manhattan restaurant for dinner and after eating they left the restaurant in search of a taxi to take them back to their hotel. Standing on a street corner in many parts of Manhattan can be an unnerving experience at any time, of course. But when it is nearly midnight and your hometown is on the other side of the earth, it can be particularly trying. The couple had nearly reached the conclusion that every taxi driver in that part of the city was extracting revenge for Japan’s sin of having produced a fuel efficient car. At least half a dozen of them breezed past without so much as a glance in their direction. Abruptly, the couple’s problem was compounded.

“Hey, China Doll! You lookin’ nice.” An admirer sauntered up to lean against a street lamp. He mouthed remarks insulting to the man and insinuating to his wife, both of whom pretended not to understand. The wife moved so that her husband was between herself and the stranger. The situation grew more tense. The jerk stepped away from the light post. “Come on, pretty lady. I’ll show you a real good time.” He reached his arm out in front of the husband. “This Jap ain’t gonna be no fun,” he said.