Okãsan is an emotional and engaging account of a mother who travels to Japan for the first time to meet her young son for the first time, who has gone to live in Tokyo to study at a local university.

A month before turning 21, Pablo (let's call him that) fulfilled a great childhood dream: to live in Japan! He moved to the Japanese capital thanks to a scholarship granted by the Japanese government. Until then, mother and son had always lived together.

He was not yet 6 years old and Pablo was already saying that, when he grew up, he would live in Japan. His mother did not understand where he had gotten this idea from. But, since he was 2 years old, he already enjoyed salmon sashimi and also liked vegetables, which went against the eating habits of children his age.

This passion for Japanese culture, perhaps influenced by the anime, manga and Japanese films that invaded consumer society at the time, awakened in the heart of young Pablo an uncontrollable desire to cross oceans and continents towards Japan. The dream of a fascinating but uncertain future, among ancient traditions and a rich culture, combined with a vibrant modernity, enchanted Pablo like few other things. Thus, the mother who stayed behind found herself filled with a mixture of pride and longing when she let him go. What could have been just another meaningless trip, turned into a window of self-discovery and a deep bond between mother and son, revealed in the touching pages of the book Okãsan .

Arriving at Narita Airport in Tokyo was her first immersion into the culture her son had chosen for her. She felt like an intruder in a peculiar, unfamiliar, yet fascinating world. The strange sound of the language, the aroma of typical dishes, the smell of exotic spices, the music and messages echoing through the speakers, the unusual faces passing by, left her in a state of enchantment and bewilderment. Emotions and anxiety invaded her!

Every corner, every store and every person who approached were direct invitations to a new perception of life and the writer's hand captured these moments with the sensitivity of someone who observes every detail of the human soul.

While wandering the streets of Tokyo, the relationship between mother and son became the center of her reflections. The writer masterfully describes the emotional tides that engulf her when she comes across the city that her son has chosen as his temporary home. The exchange of messages and the anxiety that precedes the reunion intertwine with the beauties and strangeness that are presented to her: the harmony of Japanese gardens, the delicacy of the presentation of the dishes displayed in the restaurant windows and the frenetic energy of urban life that transmits the Shibuya region that she had just discovered. Each detail brings to the surface memories, yearnings and the undeniable connection that written words can immortalize.

Each day in Tokyo became a new lesson. When visiting serene temples, such as Meiji Jingu, she remembered the stories she had told her young son about Japan, trying to convey the wonder of a culture they had never known. The peace that emanates from places like Senso-ji in Asakusa contrasts with the bustling energy of Shinjuku, where the lights and the movement of people create a chaotic but irresistible harmony. Between one temple and another, the writer also ventured into traditional markets, where the aroma of street food danced with the wind, each dish a masterpiece that awakened sensations. When tasting delicacies such as takoyaki, tempura, ramen and udon , she felt that she was not only nourishing her body, but also connecting with her son, who now experienced these experiences in his daily life, with the ease of a native. All of this made her feel closer to him than ever.

In her quest to connect with her son and understand the new reality he was embracing, the author realized that each new discovery in Japan led her on an inner journey. As she depicted the modern life at Shibuya’s intersections and the serenity of ancient temples, the writer began to draw comparisons between her life and the lessons she had learned. As a mother, she understood that love transcends geography – what really matters is the strength that unites hearts, even across distances. And that the true journey lies within each of us, waiting to be discovered.

Okasan is therefore a testament to the search for understanding, symbolizing the complexity of human relationships, where adventure and longing coexist. The experiences lived on Japanese soil are not just events in a timeline, but an integral part of an act that resonates through culture and maternal love. It is a chronicle of the courage of a son who ventures into the unknown, who grows and matures far from his mother's arms, and of a mother who, upon finding him, discovers that family ties are the true roots that sustain any journey.

“A journey to the beauty of a long country and the beauty of our lands, as mysterious as unknown territories”. (Inés Garland)

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Author's Note: Mori Ponsowy, a writer, editor, translator and journalist, has published both novels and poetry. She was born in Argentina but has lived in the USA, Peru and Venezuela. She is the author of “Okãsan – Diario de viaje de una madre”.

 

© 2024 Katsuo Higuchi