Yokota Japan 1963
Two young GI's en route to Thailand/Vietnam had a stop over in Yokota Japan.
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Yanageda and I had been roomies in the Air Force
for a year when we were transferred to Japan together
needless to say two 18 year olds
were so anxious to arrive we almost wet ourselves.
The sap was running, brain cells in neutral.
We could barely contain ourselves.
No sooner did we pass through orientation at Kadena AFB
and got room assignments we were off to the NCO Club*
After several state side assignments
these were plush quarters and The NCO Club was heaven.
Downing 3 quick Japanese beers we then ordered,
as Yanageda suggested the Teriyaki steak.
His meals were never off. It was GREAT.
Never had a sweet steak with great multi flavors
The sights, sound and smells of Yokota Japan
Were more intoxicating than was the beer.
WW2 occupation was not so long ago
Semi Feudal Japan not so far off removed as a distant memory.
Occupation by American GI’s was still relatively new
so our comings and goings was still a bit intriguing to the locals.
But to be sure, we ordered round after round of beer
moving from then downtown GI bars
toward a little known Soba** house
where we met two young Japanese girls.
Two loose Japanese girls (both about 15) out for Soba was a rarity
normally Japanese girls were home for supper
and rarely out again after dark.
Thanks to Yanageda we were able to entertain these two.
Soon it was too late to repair the damage at home
so we ended up asking the two to a late night club
where the sake flowed and soon enough
we ended up at a remote Japanese only hotel.
Fascination on both sides led to mutual curiosity
we entered the Japanese traditional hotel without a clue.
Shoes at the door in a snow storm only to be retrieved by the owner
cleaned, polished, and dutifully placed near the front entrance.
Hot water was soon bubbling for baths, communal style
Japanese modesty is very different from western modes.
We bathed together both sexes
but otherwise one rarely see a neckline or an ankle of females.
Well scrubbed, by our dates, before entering the bath
then jointly and totally immersed in water, intended to boil lobsters.
Relaxing for 20 or 30 minutes, ‘til all tension
and almost all sexual desire was dissipated.
Once out we were dried and “rushed” to our adjourning rooms
the temps outside were in the low teens, and mid 20s in the rooms.
Pulled/pushed and cocooned under 8 to 12 inches of comforters,
finally, be joined by our “dates” with lamp wick lowered and seeking body heat.
Love making Japanese style is difficult to comprehend.
The girls were so tiny to the occidental mind.
It was foreign to us how to proceed without violating the norms.
But animal nature soon won over and all uncertainty resolved.
Adjoining rooms were indeed a non-sequester with paper thin walls
It’s universally understood that nearness enflames the appetites
The relative sizes brought forth oos and ahhs
as was the hair and lack thereof in areas that fasinated.
Early mornings for Yanageda and me was 6AM
and we were shocked to find the girls already gone
and the beds semi made up
We vowed to meet up with these two again
But that was not so simple
The Japanese code was so that they were embarrassed.
After 3 weeks of looking and monk like existence
We found them again at the spring “Sakura” fair.
After 3 months Yanageda and I were separately reassigned
I went to Southern Thailand and
He went to the Northern most station in Thailand.
We never met again but I think of Derrick Yanageda often.
* NCO Club = Non Commissioned Officers Club
= ** Soba house - Noodle soup
By Philippe R Hebert
From: United States