By Nigel Perfect Assistant Language Teacher, Nigel Perfect, compares Matsue's Ishibashi-cho with his home in Glasgow’s west end.

I must confess that I'm not one of those people who had an interest in Japan before coming here. I knew a little bit about Japanese history, sumo and the "Karate Kid" films but in terms of "cultural things," I knew very little. However, thanks to an email from the person whose job I was taking, I received an insight into the area where I would be living−the charismatic little area of Matsue called Ishibashi-cho.

The email described it as an old samurai neighbourhood that was situated next to historic Matsue castle. It went on to describe the area as having a kimono shop, tofu factory, sake factory and a bakery within its boundaries. Plus, I wouldn't be far from other local amenities and the centre of Matsue. The presence of a couple of shrines within the area also added to the appeal of a place where, now, I certainly feel lucky to live.

What a place, I thought, as I ignored the dull interior of the student computer room in Glasgow University library situated a few blocks away from the centre of Glasgow's west end. This place had been like a second home for me over the final months of my time there. 7 hours of study punctuated by the occasional visit to the computer was my daily diet for two months. At that point, anything different seemed better.

In all honesty though I loved and still do love the west end of Glasgow. It had been my home for 5 years and had become part of my personality. From the cheap record shops to the lively bars to the funny wee stores that sell things that, for me, lack value but for someone else somewhere else hold immense charm. When the sun shines there is time to get out into one of the parks and relish that Scottish rarity−a nice sunny day. At the centre of it all is the university tower, rising above the surrounding dwellings, reminding locals that this has been a university city for over 500 years.

Reading the email, I decided to take a break from studying theinfluence of the Vietnam War on American society and started trying to picture my future neighbourhood. I had visions of a large lake with a mid-sized castle dominating the landscape. The castle and lake would be enclosed by three or four block apartments that would be divided by narrow roads which would be free of traffic. I pictured people busying themselves around the various shops and locals holding discussions on the issues of the day. These people would provide life to the area at night, holding drinks in the bars and restaurants that would surely be present in an important part of the city.

Having been here for almost a year, I recognize the naivety of my initial opinions. The shops, shrines, castle and factories are all here, providing the backbone to one of the most interesting parts of Matsue. However, I need only to glance at the over-sized supermarket or the hideously yellow pizza takeaway shop to feel dismay at the lack of planning and consideration that went into developing this part of town. A stain on thelandscape, their tattered appearance is a pertinent reminder of the stuttering Japanese economy.

Yet, even these less than ideal parts of Ishibashi-cho have a place, and taken together with the good, remind me of home. Because the castle dominates the immediate view, it resembles the way the university tower dominates Glasgow's west end. The small shops that enclose my apartment are also reminiscent of the streets back home;even the pizza takeaway and the over-sized supermarket have their equivalents in the same area. There is no lake here but the lagoon that flows around the castle is certainly picturesque enough to warrant a picture or two. The roads are definitely narrow, but at 8 in the morning they are packed with cars and Ishibashi-cho becomes the oriental version of the Monaco grand prix. Sad to say, Glasgow and Scotland are no more advanced in the regulation of traffic that takes to the roads.

As for the people, well, they chitter and chatter but having little grasp on the language, I can't tell what they are talking about. Then again, I have had difficulty understanding some of the people in Glasgow from time to time. Furthermore, although I knew the Japanese were hardworkers, I didn't anticipate how early things shut down here. I hardly ever see anyone out and about after 10 o'clock, when the supermarket closes. This is a real difference to the night's hustle and bustle of my old neighbourhood.

Making comparisons between the two areas is always going to be fraught with difficulty; however,the aspects that match the two surprise me often. When I go home for a break in the summer I will be on the lookout to note any differences that I may have missed; no doubt some things will have changed, but it will be interesting nevertheless. For now, though, I am quite content living in the fascinating part of Matsue called Ishibashi-cho.

Photography by Nigel Perfect

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