Posted by Colleen
Last Sunday, June23, we visited the people from Abiko that befriended us last fall...well, the 'grandma' in the household is a barber, and has been for 53 years. She still works 5 days a week. She is over 80 years old....still rides her bike. We had stored some of our things from last fall at their home and were going back for the last of them. Shigeko does not speak any English, but as we were leaving she was able to emphatically "tell Jim" that he was to sit in the chair and she was going to cut his hair..no charge. It was settled...there would be no argument. Jim got the full treatment complete with a neck and head massage. They are very wonderful people and we have really enjoyed getting to know them. That is her daughter-in-law in the background. She speaks a little English and is really put to the test while we are around, trying to translate both directions. The 3 generations live in a very large and lovely home in the same yard as this barber shop. Shigeko and Akemi seem to have a good relationship. My students tell me that most mothers-in-law bully their daughters-in-law, even though they take care of them in their home and usually till they die. Apparently they are jealous, according to my students.