* Please note I do not publish any personal identifiable photos unless there’s an expressed permission granted by the model (exceptions of course for what’s already a publicly available such as on utube).
This is my hair stylist in Tokyo, T-san. His salon’s name is Rhythm. I used to go to Shibuya to this lady who looked a little like Amuro Namie as far as her hair style was concerned – an avid fan who gossiped about the whereabouts of Namie’s son – but … Shibuya is such a young-hip? town …feeling a bit more relaxed here at Rhythm, finding affinity with their concept of “relaxation”:) It’s like being in MRI chamber – which BTW is not relaxing but anxiety causing. Rhythm caters to wide range of age-group, from toddlers to seniors and family oriented. It’s little bit off the beaten path, and so, it’s nice.
I like T-san because he is quiet but convincing. Is that called gentle and thoughtful persuasion? I went in to actually color/lighten and get a hair cut – to shorten it – instead, got talked out of it – well, not really “talked” out of it as he did so little talking. He just listened and started curling？？？ the ends of hair I said I thought of cutting off. Then quietly talked about the benefits of “digital perm” to handle this kind of length I was finding to be a nuisance. Long hair is high maintenance – especially as it was so cold there – and was so ready for a “change”! I also went in to get bangs… I always wanted bangs but when I explained that it has never worked out as my hair just do not stay down – instead of reassuring that he can fix it with some hair products (some jell, tonic, oil? what? like all other stylists), he said that I should just not try bangs – that it’s probably not going to work out and in essence, telling me just let go of the idea – to give it up. I was practically pleading with him – oh, please, I want bangs- since I expected him to come up with a solution. Instead, he listened to how I wanted bangs, then quietly said that my hair grows in a certain way and cannot be changed – just need to respect that natural integrity…Natural is best…and smiles. True…so… I had to accept it…I folded in “acceptance” but he did not make me feel like I lost an argument or anything. My acceptance just unfolded. Naturally:)
Isn’t it funny? Notice how he didn’t fulfill any of my wishes? I went in and did not get anything I initially wanted, i.e., big change – short hair, lighter color, bangs… Basically, he did nothing I requested ! AND not only had none of my initial wishes fulfilled, he rejected them all and on top of that, I ended up spending more money…come again? Yet still happy with him and want to go back to him.
Sometimes you just have to place your faith and try. Lesson learned – just entrust the pro… Trust. Sometimes you might think you know yourself or you know what’s best for yourself but… an objective professional may know better. Hate to admit it maybe, but sometimes the images we draw in our head about ourselves may need another fresh take from another perspective. And this is analogous to yoga as well – sometimes, one might think he/she knows him/herself really well – like “I don’t have any flexibility.”; “I don’t do well with this style or that style”; “My body is too fat to do or wear that.”; “My body is too thin to do or wear that.” “I like movement and can’t handle stillness.” “I can’t move because I’m tired and old.” “Color purple does not look good on me but red does.” etc. whatever you tell yourself – to be true and real – but is it? Really? Turns out we really don’t know, especially about ourselves sometimes. We don’t know ourselves that well. Yoga helps you peel off the veils and dust off the gem within you … even diamond in the rough is just a rock; you have to polish it to see the brilliant shine.
While not sure about his English ability, if happen to be in town and need his service, here’s another way to make an appointment. It’s a new salon, only about 6 months so it’s especially clean and bright – hope that they do well. Close to Tsukiji Fish market so you can get sushi lunch before getting there?
As for me, I just wanted to look and feel “light”. Not heavy. To get less burdened, less weighted down (with hair, with thoughts, with all …) but rather, LIGHT.
T-san, I think you were right – while it no longer looks as perfect as it did, at least for the first 48 hours upon seeing you, I received a lot of compliments during that time. On my own, I can’t maintain it but … thank you anyway ! Arigato:)
