The Japanese Face Mask

Despite sounding like a vicious maneuver in Greco-Roman wrestling, what I refer to in the picture of Iwamoto-sensei above is a standard article of clothing in Japan. As we've entered the winter months, the length of daylight has dwindled, the temperature fell, and more and more town residents can be seen wearing this peculiar looking device. Store clerks, bus drivers, fellow teachers, even some of my students have no shame as they carry on with their day while I try to pretend that they don't look completely ridiculous. What does this mask accomplish? Absolutely nothing except making people look like they are prepared to battle Shao Kahn and Motaro for the fate of the realm of Earth.


If you came to work with a cold, chances are someone's going to catch it from you notwithstanding that you're wearing a "protective" mask which is only a paper-thin layer of surgical gauze anyway. Japan, despite its recent technological progress at break-neck speed, has discovered that its best defense against airborne illness is a tissue that you fasten onto your face? It seems almost humorous. How effective can it really be? I astutely hypothesize that whoever makes these face masks is raking in millions while probably not really affecting the rate of flu victims per annum.

In any case its hard for me to take someone seriously when they talk to me through a thin layer of gauze. I've never before experienced trying to have a conversation with someone and not being able to see their lips move. Basic human communication should require that all areas of the face capable of vocal communication be in plain sight.