No Rescuing Allowed

Tokyo Metro subway poster at Ichigaya station, Yūrakachō line.

This is the first time I’ve seen a Japanese subway poster advising people NOT to follow their noblest instincts. Usually the general public is being admonished to silence their cell phones, put their makeup on at home, crank their earphones down, not pass out on the train, and refrain from shoving a body part into a closing door to delay the departure until they can board.

The other thing about this poster that surprised me is that people attempting save a drunken person who has tumbled off the platform is a frequent enough problem to warrant a general poster warning against it. There ARE tons of way-past-sloshed people at stations from about 10:00 p.m. on, but everybody good-naturedly helps them on their way, sympathizing with a culture that still requires most working people to get drunk with their boss and co-workers on a regular basis. But jumping down on the tracks to save someone? There must have been multiple unfortunate ends to that act of heroism to inspire a subway campaign about it.

It’s the year 1784 and the shōgun rules with an iron fist . . . except within the walled pleasure quarter of Yoshiwara. Inside the Great Gate, samurai law does not apply, and it’s women who pull the strings

The Samurai’s Octopus…is a truly remarkable book, one that surprised and charmed me at every turn of the page. You’re in for a treat.”
James Ziskin, Anthony, Barry, and Macavity Award-winning author of the Ellie Stone mysteries

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Jonelle Patrick writes novels set in Japan, produces the monthly e-magazine Japanagram, and blogs at Only In Japan and The Tokyo Guide I Wish I’d Had

Published by Jonelle Patrick

Author of The Last Tea Bowl Thief

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