April to June 2002
Emails part one: Chihiro and Masaaki

Date: 2002/04/21
To: Chihiro
From: Masaaki
Subject: Hello

Hi, Chihiro.

How are you doing? How does it feel, being one of the oldest now? Have you joined all the clubs you said you would? Is the lunch still the same each week?

I guess you'd like to hear about my school. It's really nice, it seems the others aren't any more advanced than I am. I also like being with some old friends again.

Music is really popular here, I like that. The choir is really good, and I think I'll learn a lot. I also have a new private piano teacher, and she really is very good. She has studied in Russia, too, and I like what she's told me so far. The Russian way is quite different.

I miss our meetings at the library. I hope you find a new partner to talk to, as for me, my old friends aren't really interested in talking about religions and languages and music that much. And the Ocean Life. But the year has just started, there are many new faces here.

Say hi to your mom from me, I hope she remembers me.

Masaaki.

Date: 2002/04/24
To: Masaaki
From: Chihiro
Subject: Re: Hello

Hello Masaaki.

I'm fine, glad to hear you like the new school. Everything is the same here, still, as always. Nothing really changes.

Yes, I joined the swimming club, and it's nice. Years ago I had been a little afraid of the water, since I fell into a river when I was very small. But that fear is gone.

I miss the talking, too. Now when I sit in the library I sometimes watch others while they are so very busy. They don't seem to be very interested in the things I like. Well, maybe I just don't give them a chance.

I got that children's book in Norwegian from my father, and I'm translating it, word for word, when I have time. That's very slow, but the grammar is similar to English. I know I could just get the Japanese translation for comparison, but I don't want to.

Are you doing anything during the "Golden Week"? My mom and I are not doing anything special. Of course she remembers when you were at our house. She sends greetings too.

What is different about the Russian way of playing the piano?

Bye, Chihiro

(Translator note: End of April and beginning of May are a few national holidays (Greenery Day, First Day of May, Constitution Memorial Day, Children's Day), and this time is referred to as "Golden Week")

Date: 2002/05/06
To: Chihiro
From: Masaaki
Subject: Hello again

Hi,

I'm sorry I haven't written in a while, I've been quite busy. My parents were here for almost two weeks, and we've visited places and relatives. And every day I practice the piano.

The Russian way of playing? I'm not sure yet, if I can explain it so well. It's a difference in touching the keys. I was taught before to let the whole body participate in the music, but now I'm supposed to concentrate all my strength in just the fingertips. It is much like sports. Not like any sport, but where you have to concentrate your body. Everything is much more under control, and feelings are directed in just one direction. Towards the instrument. It is a much more forceful way of playing. I wish I could do it, but I'm just beginning to grasp the idea of it. Sounds crazy, doesn't it?

I'm not good in writing emails, I'd rather just talk. Maybe we could meet on Saturday, I'll be over at my parents the next weekend. I'll call you Friday night.

Bye, Masaaki

(Note: In 2002, May 12th was Mother's Day)

Date: 2002/05/08
To: Masaaki
From: Chihiro
Subject: Re: Hello again

Hey, Masaaki.

Yes, it would be very nice to meet on Saturday. Please call me.

That description of playing the piano is very interesting. So the concentration for music and sport could be similar? Sounds logical. Maybe there's a connection to meditation as well, and even religion. The power of the mind seems overwhelming, but I can't even always concentrate my own thoughts.

Until Saturday, Chihiro

Date: 2002/05/21
To: Chihiro
From: Masaaki
Subject: Midterm tests

Hi, Chihiro.

I suppose you are studying for the midterm exams. I've done a lot of studying too, and I feel like my head is exploding any minute now. But when I've done too much reading, I just play the piano, and vice versa.

I've been thinking about what we talked about when we met, the part about religions and Shinto. A few movies that deal with this come to my mind now, I don't know if you like any of them. You said you don't like very many movies, but why exactly is that?

You could tell me a movie you really do like, or that surprised you. That made you feel something. Then I'll tell you mine.

It was really hot here already, felt a lot like summer. Sometimes I think the weather is going crazy. And everyone is so fanatical about the Soccer World Cup, I wish it were over already.

Masaaki

Date: 2002/05/25
To: Masaaki
From: Chihiro
Subject: Movies

Hi, Masaaki.

Yes, I'm busy with midterm tests. But writing to you is a little chance to think of something else.

Why I don't like movies? I guess it's because they never feel real to me. Dialogs seem false, artificial, and everybody always know when the other person finished talking so they can say their lines. Nobody seems to think first, they always know what to say, and they don't correct themselves. A lot of novels are that way, too.

The world of fiction is another world. It's a nice world, mostly, but for almost everything that happens there, you can find a purpose. There's a beginning and an end. Even documentaries just pick the interesting parts of a topic, and put it together in a way so a special meaning gets across.

While listening to others talking, did you ever think of how it would look, if every sentence they said would be written in a book? I don't mean speeches or discussions, I mean everyday conversation. Written down it would probably be totally boring, with repetitions and stupid remarks. Of course there are movies and books that use exactly this style, but I know what reality is like, I don't have to read about it.

I used to like fairy tales a lot, and fantastic stories. Maybe it all happens in cycles, at least with me. There are times when I read everything that takes me away from this world, just to escape. At other times I really want to be realistic, keep both feet on the ground, stop dreaming. I think right now I'm still filled with stories from earlier years, so I don't need any new ones.

A movie I like? An exception? There are some. My dad brought me a DVD from Germany last year, a film whose title means "Enlightenment Guaranteed". I don't understand the dialogs, except the Japanese parts, but my dad explained and translated most of it for me. It's about two German guys who visit a temple in Monzen. It's funny at times, but that's not the point. The whole thing is made like it really has happened, and there was a camera along. It was refreshing to see such a film for a change. Those will never be successful, though.

It's the same with everything that's on TV. I especially hate being pressed into the time frame. In a book I can read as fast or slow as I like, I can think along. I know I can pause a DVD, but that's not the same.

What movie do you like? Or better yet, tell me a movie you liked and you think that I wouldn't like it.

I've got to get back to my work, see ya,

Chihiro

(Note: "Erleuchtung Garantiert" / "Enlightenment Guaranteed" (2000) is a German movie by Doris Dörrie.)

Date: 2002/06/02
To: Chihiro
From: Mazaaki
Subject: Re: Movies

Hi, Chihiro.

A movie I think you wouldn't like? But that I liked? That's a hard question.

I guess I'll choose "South Park: Longer, Bigger & Uncut". I don't think you've seen it, but you must have heard of South Park, right? I'm not a South Park fan at all, I've seen maybe 5 episodes in my life. The series is stupid, I think.

In my opinion, the South Park movie is like one of those great musicals "Les Miserables" and Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals. It is shorter, but the pacing and development in musical terms are very similar. It's hard to see, I guess, and people who like musicals mostly aren't interested in South Park. And South Park fans don't know that much about music. Well, it did get awards and nominations for its music, as I found out later.

They added to the great music a superficial story, without consideration for language or moral, and the simple animation creates one of the greatest contrasts I've ever experienced anywhere. The music is much more advanced than all other animations, the way they composed it. Different themes are developed and used throughout the film at the right points, I think you can analyze it just like any classical symphony. You have to ignore the lyrics, of course.

I don't really laugh when I watch the South Park movie, it's like I'm beyond the jokes, I just sit back and enjoy it as a whole. I'm glad we have a good speaker system here.

Another movie I liked, is "Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi". But on the other end of the scale, since there's no contrast, it's all harmony. You know it, don't you? Have you seen it? You said you don't like fantastic stories much any more, but this one you might actually like. It's about a girl, with the same name as you, that gets trapped in the World of Gods and Spirits. It's really colorful, and the music is great too. You probably know it, but I'm not sure, and I don't want to tell you any spoilers. That girl reminds me of you in a way, not only the name. I believe the DVD comes out this summer.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Masaaki

(Translator note: "Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi" is usually translated as "Spirited Away", except here. When it is referred to as "Sen", the translation will be "Sen" as well.)

Date: 2002/06/04
To: Masaaki
From: Chihiro
Subject: Sen

Hi Masaaki.

Midterm exams are over now, and I'm glad. I did alright, but I think I could have done better. I know I shouldn't spend so much time learning other things, like languages and philosophy. They all start asking about my plans after the year, but I still haven't made up my mind. I feel like I'm still waiting for a sign.

Yes, I'm quite familiar with "Spirited Away". It is a very deep story, and there is more truth in it than most people see. Although, I don't talk about it a lot. I don't like the success it got, and that some people think they know all about it, about the characters and backgrounds. They know all about Kaonashi, about Haku, they even write about what happened after Chihiro returned back to her world. In one sentence: they THINK too much. They should just let the story make an impression on their mind, and let their feelings guide them.

I mean, it is very good when they think about their traditions. But they should try to relate the things they see in the movie to the world around them right now, there are clues everywhere. But most build a new world in their head, where magic happens every day, maybe even without any evil. They live like in a computer game.

Miracles happen, even in this world, I guess, but they are hard to spot, and never to proof.

What I've learned from "Sen" is that it is more important to take one step at a time, and not to think of the big goal all the time. Very often you have to forget a problem to be able to solve it. But never forget your name, or where you come from. The more you push forward, the more you get pushed back. Confidence and belief is very important.

It is nice that you liked "Sen", I liked "Sen" too. Maybe one day we can talk about it more.

Bye, Chihiro

Date: 2002/06/13
To: Chihiro
From: Masaaki
Subject: Spirited Away

Hi.

I thought you would like "Sen". I've only seen it once, and I thought it was good, but I didn't understand all the hype it got. On the other hand, if I think of what kind of movies the other choices to watch are, I begin to understand. I wish there'd be more films like "Sen". Well, there probably are, but they are hard to spot.

I don't blame people who wish that the story of "Spirited Away" were true. I kind of hope it myself, or at least that there is a little more truth in it than most people believe. But if I start imagining Sen in this world, then I see an animated 10 year old girl in the streets, like Roger Rabbit in his movie.

On the other hand, I sort of wish I myself could make an experience like that, I would have something very special. The problem might be, that others would never believe me, if I had no proof. And probably, even if I had proof, they wouldn't believe if they couldn't go there themselves.

But don't worry, I'm not obsessed with the movie like some others, and I never will be.

The pool season started now, right? I guess it's pretty cold, after all this rain.

By the way, how is Risa doing?

Bye, Masaaki

Date: 2002/06/17
To: Masaaki
From: Chihiro
Subject: Pool Season

Hi, Masaaki.

Yes, the pool season started despite the rain. But I'm not afraid of cold water, I jumped in right away. I love swimming very much, and I often stay inside until I'm blue. When I swim I can pretend there is nobody else, because I hear and see only the water, and the place I swim to.

But the cleaning was real torture again. I actually felt like Sen in the movie, while I was inside the pool cleaning the sides. I'm glad the pool is drained just once a year.

I think it is very hard to imagine how it would have been, had somebody really made the experiences Chihiro had made in "Spirited Away". But probably, Chihiro wouldn't fit into this world. She would have to deny who she is, and live just with the memory. It's like you said: nobody would believe her. Hopefully she would just forget it. But maybe she has dreams, that remind her.

As for Risa, I didn't have much contact to her lately. I went to her birthday last month, but else she's very busy with her boyfriend most of the time. We used to have a lot in common in Elementary School, but now we are pretty different. It is nice to talk to her from time to time, because we share some memories, and there are things I can only tell her, and sometimes I miss having a friend like her.

If you visit your parents, please give me a call. But I guess you'll be busy with the Final Exams now, right?

Bye, Chihiro.

(Translator note: I am not sure about the "pool cleaning" at this specific school. The swimming season is generally from mid June until mid September, but how students (or only members of the swimming club) are generally involved in the cleaning may differ from school to school. My school didn't have a pool of its own.)

Date: 2002/07/19
To: Chihiro
From: Masaaki
Subject: School is over

Hello Chihiro.

I'm sorry I haven't written in a while, but as you know I've been busy a lot. I didn't forget you, though. It is nice to think of the vacation now. How was your last day of school? My parents are coming here first, but in a few weeks I'll be at my parents place, and if you're home too, we should definitely meet. I really miss our talking.

One thing I want to tell you is about the movie "Spirited Away". I got the DVD today, and while seeing it I was constantly reminded of you. I don't know how much you remember from when you saw it, but did you notice all the little similarities in the film?

The biggest surprise was right in the beginning, when I saw "Risa" written on the farewell card. Just like with you, your friend is Risa too. And then the car, when I met your father there was an Audi in the driveway, even an imported one from Germany. I've never been in a car where the steering wheel is on the left, that's why I remembered. And you dream of dragons – Haku is a dragon! And didn't you say you once almost drowned when you were really young?

Well, it's all no big thing, you're older than Chihiro anyway, but I don't know whether you've noticed it, since you've never talked about it. I thought I just wanted to tell you about this.

Guess we'll see each other in a few weeks. I'll return the books I borrowed from you then. I'm sorry I kept them so long, I hope you didn't need them.

Until then, Masaaki.

Date: 2002/07/25
To: Chihiro
From: Masaaki
Subject: Call me!

Hi, Chihiro.

I tried to call you today, but nobody's home. There's something I'd like to talk about. When you're home, please call me, or you can reach me online. Don't worry, it's nothing serious, just something that's on my mind right now.

It feels strange that you don't have a cell phone yet, but I don't mind.

Hope to hear from you soon, Masaaki.