Tattoos........ In western countries, it is called "body art". In Japan tattoo is pretty much a symbol of Yakuza, Japanese gangster. When I visited Tokyo on 2008 after 7 and half years, I thought tattoos are more acceptable to the public since this is 21st century, not 19th century... But I was dead wrong. It seems in Japanese community Tattoos, pierces and hair dye is NOT ALLOWED as a professional in the past and prbably next 5, 10 years!!
For those who is surprised to hear this, Japanese community is really weird and strict, I must say... I say people in Japan is educated and grown with the LABELS all over. Labels, such as you're part of this community, part of ur family, part of the school, part of this company... endless labels. It is almost like robot number 233-223-872 or something like that. Living in Japanese commuty/society is full of stress, indeed people gone extreme and maniacs in many different categories(crazy porns, mangas, movies, tools, cosplays... you guys must see those... I say maybe Japanese nationalies since samurai era, "DEDICATION"!! ) and acutally Japan have one of the highest sucide rates in the world. Japanese people is usually recognized very modest and respectful, but to me, they just educated to behave watching people's faces and genius to fake ownself. Sorry if I offend someone, but that's the way I see it. Well, obviously not all of Japanese people like that.... me? I'm an American, not Japanese, no matter what people say!!
I would say my past 9yrs in the U.S., I live as myself without any labels. It is nothing special, would say natural entitle as one human. But unfortunately, in Japan unless you're "someone special", you can't live as yourself. Having own personaliy and identity is not widely accepted in Japan, least in my opinion. Sounds ridiculous? But it is the truth, as long as people just visit Japan as "gaikoku-jin", you never notice it. I think most of Japanese people never even wonder how Japanese community is weird because people is brainwashed since childhood.
When I was in Japan in December 2008, I looked for my job. In Japan we have a resume sheets and we have to use it. Ane we must attach own pictures on it. I sent out like 10 resumes both Japanese and English, got phone calls from 6 of them. Their first question is mostly if I am Japanese or not. Okay, their 2nd question is mostly on my resume my hair is blonde, is it natural or hair dye? My answer is I dye my own hair different colours every months. 3rd, can I dye my hair to black? My answer is "no, I don't think hair colour would effect any of my performances. And I came all the way MY WAY, why should I change what I beleive? If you want boyscout, please do so." in "kind and modest" way. I have no jobs, no even stage!
Do you call me stupid? Yeah, no question bout it! Yeah, what the deal, I can change my hair colour. But hey.. if anyone bitching my hair colour, can they accept my tattoos? I say no way!! Just you know, any readers who never met me, I have four tattoos on my arms and one of the tattoos covering my right hand. It is impossible to hide it. I did have a problem when I had an interview at Peninsula hotel in Chicago, actually... I did hear ritz carlton, mandarin hotel have same policy which not allow having any visible tattoos. I heard there're some "exceptions" though!! One funny things I remember is L20 opening team is full of guys with tattoos!! If we hang out nothing but look like group of tattoo or metal artists!!
Anyway.. I start having my tattoos since 2002, not sure bout others, but for me it have meaning, represent of myself, farewell to Japan, strength of mine.... and many define reasons to be here with me. When I got my 2nd tattoos which hangin on my hand, my friend(Atsushi Takatsuki) told me it's unprofessional and I shouldn't do that. I respect him and agreed. I must say one of the many reasons I have my tattoos is "push my limits" Stupid? YAP!
Say I apply for the job with other applicants. One with tattoos on his hand, one is not. If they have an equally skill, I think no tattoo guy gonna win it. Apply for hotel job, gonna be slim chance unless "someone so special or so skilled". Yes, I heard when I asked a job at Alain Ducasse at essex house back in 2004, Chef Christan Delouvrier is against hiring me at the beginning since I look like total punk!! But I staged and heard other cooks thought my knives are well taken care/ sharp and work professional, so they push his back and got a job! Some punks can cook!
Simply if I'm good enougn, I should win any jobs with any hair colours and any tattoos. If I don't get a job at whatever hotel or anywhere, it's not because of my tattoos on my hand. That's because I just don't PUSH enougn and I'm not just good enougn for the job. Simple story in short, I just want to push my limits every day, every fuckin' day just to be a better chef!! My tattoo on my right hand remind me that, every time when I grab my knives in the kitchen...Labels: My Spirit
