She Went Alone to Iran to Report Their Marriage

Fumiko & Mousavi

Mousavi, an Iranian whose interests include electronics and computers, and who was attracted by Japan’s high technology, made up his mind to move there, but after he arrived, he was astonished at the complicated Japanese language. In addition, he was not good at English. It was two years after he came to Japan while enjoying a meal with friends that he first met Fumiko.

It was Mousavi who first introduced himself, but only because he wanted to ask her about certain living-related issues including tax and insurance for living in Japan. Seeing his perplexed look while he tried speaking with the help of a dictionary, Fumiko gave him her telephone number as requested. This launched the relationship between Mousavi and Fumiko.

Usually, when a couple decide to marry, it is common for them to pay a visit together to each others parents, however, this case was going to be different. As Mousavi had very little spare time due to his very busy work schedule, Fumiko had to go to Iran alone. While Fumiko likes to travel, this was her first time to go to an unknown country alone. “I flatter myself that I was brave,” Fumiko says with a smile.

“At the airport 13 members of his family welcomed me with a bouquet of flowers. I was very moved by his mother who hugged me so tightly in welcome.” Fumiko was welcomed as a family member and stayed with Mousavi’s family for three weeks.

“I realized we could make ourselves understood in spite of communication difficulties,” she recalls. “I used to have a dark image about Iran, but it is a surprise now to learn that Iran is a country where roses are blooming right throughout the year and that people take such good care of even a person like me.” Soon afterwards, the couple arranged the formal marriage procedures in both Iran and Japan.

In July, 2007 the couple’s relationship reached a turning point – Mousavi opened a Persian restaurant. “I wanted Japanese people to know more about Iran,” he says. “I hoped that those Japanese who think of Persian carpets when they hear about Iran might take an interest in Persian culture by taking advantage of Persian dishes. It is very difficult to succeed in opening a restaurant, but I thought it’s easier to see the result.”

“When I can’t understand what Mousavi is saying to me, I used to persistently ask questions until I completely understood his words,” Fumiko says. “Since he decided to open a restaurant, we spend more and more time communicating with each other. Just take as an example the quantity of food required for one person: the quantity he thinks is appropriate is too much for a Japanese. Besides things like this, we make decisions about lots of things including how to serve dishes, the atmosphere of a restaurant and so on through discussion about each issue,” Fumiko says.

Mousavi says “In Islam society, we place great importance on family. Men take great care of women as if they are men’s eyes. In addition, we believe it is not manly to leave all housework to women. If one insists by saying, ‘I’m right,’ they will not be considered to be a married couple anymore.”

Persian Restaurant ApadaNa
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