April 30, 1997
Thought your page was both entertaining and well organized. As a Tokyo resident, I would like to say that the school bags last a lifetime. I have friends who still have their bags from kindergarten (and we are now in our late 20's and 30's). I can not even begin to count how many of my American friends have their school bags from that time because no one does.
Let me see if I can help at all with another observation. (note that I am both a foreigner and half-japanese). The Geisha walk. In kimono it is necessary for women to walk pigeon-footed since their base (lower abdomen) should conform to the circle of the kimono. Also it has been pointed out to me, that it may also be the result of kneeling, as one usually folds one's feet behind you, crossed over pigeon-footed.
-TARO DORNBURG
