Exchanging 10 Yen coins with each other was a new wave around the country.
The act was expression of greetings, like when you a little bouquet of flowers to someone.
People were enjoying doing this and soon they began do it to strangers as well.
This trend created a friendly atmosphere all over, and thereby people began to give more credit to 10 Yen coins beyond their actual value.

Many clothes that were hanging out to dry were forgotten on a laundry rope across the street, exposing them like flags in a warm summer breeze of evening.
Underneath of them, I saw a man come out.
Soon I recognized his face as an actor from a popular mainstream movie.
Nevertheless, I brought my coin and greeted him saying, “Good evening”.
He smiled at me and his bright white teeth were gleaming in the twilight.
(1/12/03)