My next-door neighbor Kazu-chan was standing in my "genkan." "Amy, I've signed you up to take part in the dance performance on Respect for the Aged Day." This national holiday was observed on Monday, but our island celebrated it on Thursday, the autumnal equinox.

"We only have eight women in our neighborhood who can dance," she said, referring to the yearly decrease in warm bodies on the island. Our neighborhood especially has been dying off in recent years.

Dancing in the Respect for the Aged Day Festival was, I learned, part of our neighborhood obligation, since this year we have "matsuri toban," or festival duty.