I’d really like to share with fellow members of this forum, a simply
incredible and extraordinary event that occurred recently.
Missus Heid and I have been enjoying (yet another) short holiday.
I've had to attend to certain company business before I return to Thailand tomorrow, so we’re in Hong Kong together this time. While I’ve been doing what I have to do, "My Precious Little Lotus Blossom" has been in 7th Heaven indulging in her 2nd favorite hobby, i.e. shopping.
Anyway, Mr. Ken Clarke of “East of India” fame heard we were in town and invited us out to dinner with his lovely wife, Cynthia, a couple of nights ago. Fair enough says I, Missus H can enjoy her number 1 favorite hobby, i.e. eating out – especially if it’s Chinese, Japanese, Thai, or Vietnamese cuisine – and I’m Scottish enough never to pass up on the opportunity to con someone into paying for the meal.
So how does all this tie in with MPLLB’s 3rd favorite hobby, you may ask? I.e. Collecting Miniature Figurines with an Asian slant. (All three hobby’s being so close in the favorite rankings that 1st, 2nd and 3rd place are pretty much interchangeable, depending on her whim at any particular point in time). Well, read on.
We ended up in an area close to “Central” on Hong Kong Island, colloquially known as “Rat Alley” which is full of open-air restaurants and has a wonderful ambient atmosphere reminiscent of “Colonial Times Now Gone Forever – But Never Forgotten”.
So, an excellent time was had by all four of us. Fantastic al-fresco food, the wine flowing freely and the beer being particularly refreshing. When at the end of the meal, Ken picked up the tab, there was me thinking to myself, “Yeah, done it again H – nice one son”.
Aa-ha, but I’d reckoned without Mister Clarke’s “piece of the resistance” cunning plan he’d had up his sleeve all along. After the dishes were cleared away, and we were finishing off the last of the fine wine, Ken announced that he was going to make a small presentation for both of us. “Oh, darn”, says I to myself, “I’m getting landed with the drinks bill after all”. How wrong could I be? Well, just about 100%, as I hope the following photos will fully illustrate.
He presented us each with an individual set of East of India figures as gifts, (both of them extremely appropriate) – and an extra wee set – to mark the occasion.
Missus Heid’s Individual Gift – from the Samurai Collection – The Ashigaru Eating Set
My Individual Gift – from the Samurai Collection – The Ashigaru Smoking Set
Our Combined Gift – from the Samurai Collection – The Displaying the Heads Set
Missus H Receiving Her Gift photo #1
Missus H Receiving Her Gift photo #2
If I didn’t know for a fact that Ken’s a “Perfect Gentleman”, I’d be extremely suspicious as to why he thought it necessary to hide his left hand with that piece of packing foam
And I’m not certain that I’m altogether happy about that look of adoration that Mister Clarke is receiving here either – but given the rather special circumstances I’d better let that one go as well
We couldn’t resist setting up the Displaying the Heads Set there and then
Ken related a rather interesting story concerning this particular set.
In common with other Warriors down the ages, Samurai’s were extremely concerned that they “Look Their Best” should they fall in battle. In the unfortunate event that this should occur, their Ladies were instructed to, (and the Victors generally allowed them to), “dress” the heads of the slain, ensuring the face was clean (as possible), their hair was properly combed, and so on - and an ID tag would be placed somewhere on the decapitated head so that the winners of any particular battle would know whom they’d vanquished during the subsequent Victorious Displaying of the Heads Ceremony
So, interesting story, but how does it tie in with these unique gifts we were given? Well, if any of the slain Samurai happened to be, hmmm let’s say, somewhat challenged in the follicle department, the ID tag would be attached to the ear of the decapitated head.
The ID tag on this one says, in Japanese......KEN SAAN….!!!!
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Ken and Cynthia Clarke very,
VERY much for not only treating us to an excellent night out, but also for the kindness and consideration they demonstrated in presenting us with such appropriate and simply wonderful gifts from
THE EAST of INDIA COMPANY.
And what’s more – I did manage to wriggle out of having to cover the drinks bill as well……!!!!!!
Regards
Harry and Lucy And-A-Saan
