Changing Impressions

My first semester at Kansai Gaidai is almost in the books. I'll admit that I came here with hardly any knowledge or intense interest of Japan. I just applied to the program, was accepted and came. I knew that it would be starkly different from the place that I call my home. However, the past few months have really opened my eyes to the traditions, culture, music and art of this fascinating country. I was able to travel many places this semester and meet very interesting people.

It is up to the viewer to decide how he or she will see the world and I try to look at everything in the most positive light. Although there are things about Japan that are shocking to my American mentality, I still love this country. I have had a wonderful semester and look forward to all that I will discover during the next term.

Japanese Art

This is called an inrou. The name literally translates to "seal caddy". Way back in the Edo Period these were originally used as seals but later on they branched out as containers for medicine and tobacco. Inro are held together by the cord and sealed with a bead (in this case, the turtle shell). The cord is also used to hang the container from the belt.

The inrou are usually decorated with lacquer and intricate paintings and designs (urushi-e). These containers are crafted in distinct Japanese taste; fully functional while at the same time an intricate work of art. These particular pieces can be seen at the Kakegawa Ninomaru Museum of Art.

I also found an interesting site that sells inrou designed to protect ipods.

Politics in Japan

Today is Wednesday. Garbage day. In Hirakata City, trash must be sorted into 5 different categories. Although this can be a pain, it isn't too bad once you understand the system. The rule book that I received when I moved into SemIV went as far to provide two photos to assist residents with sorting.
The sorting mania has been in part inspired by environmental issues and by also by the mentality of "waste not, want not".
Japan is a country where space is a precious commodity; there is no room for foolishness here, especially in the landfills.



Then there is the other side of the coin. Many fruits in the supermarket are wrapped in a foam mesh, surrounded by a cardboard carton and then wrapped in cellophane. This is then placed inside of another bag once it is purchased. In case of rain, the external bag is covered by a plastic cover. However, I wonder why some of these issues can't be eliminated by reducing the amount of excessive packaging in Japan.

Religion in Japan

One day, I went to a shrine with my friend Kieko; it was located in her hometown. Almost immediately she climbed the stairs to complete the ritual of ringing the bell, tossing a coin, clapping twice, saying a prayer and bowing twice. I asked her to explain it to me and she told me that the noises call the attention of the gods to her prayer. As I asked her more questions about her religion, she couldn't really answer me. For example, we all waited outside the shrine for an hour while the elders went inside. I asked her what they were doing but she wasn't sure.


It seemed that most of the people weren't there for religious reasons only, it was a place where one could meet the neighbors. The shrine appeared to be more of a gathering place for the community, a type of glue that held generations together through one common bond.

Gender in Japan

Is this a photo of an ideal Japanese woman? Ready and waiting to serve? Traditionally, women were were taught to be reserved, subservient and obey the dominant male in their life (either the father or the husband.)



Some would say that this makes the Japanese culture chauvinistic. I disagree. Until this day, women have played a very large and important part of Japanese history and culture. For example, it was a woman, Murasaki Shikibu, who wrote the world's first novel entitled, "The Tale of Genji". This year is actually the 1000th year anniversary of this infamous book. This is a memorial dedicated to her that is located in Uji.


When I speaking with my Okaasan about Murasaki Shikibu, she told me that "Japanese women are strong." She told me that many Japanese women want to have a career and do not get married until mid to late 20's. They are very driven; Osaka even boasted Fusai Ohta, the first governor of Japan. As you can see, the woman's gender role is very important in Japan.

Sports in Japan

Aikido
The Way of the Harmonious Spirit

Aikido is a Japanese martial art. The defendant redirects the attacker's momentum through throws and grappling all in such a way as to keep the aggressor safe from harm. It uses minimal movement and energy from the defendant. This art form also teaches mental training. Students learn to relax both the mind and body under stressful situations.

Training in Japan is very rigorous as compared to America. When I took Tai Quan Do in high school, I practiced for about an hour a day. In comparison, my one friend joined the Aikido club at Kansai Gadai. She puts in about 4-6 hours on a normal day. When they are preparing for a demonstration, like they were doing last week for the Festival, they put in about 12 hours each day.

Globalization: The Japanese Version of Walt Disney

Recently, I went to Tokyo to see some DJ's perform. On the way to Chiba, about 80% of the people coming off of the trains were carrying Walt Disney paraphernalia in brightly colored plastic bags. A sure sign that one has been to Disney World.
Once I reached the venue, I was surprised and delighted to see that one of the leading acts had incorporated Disney clips into their screen show.

Fantasia at it's best.

Most of my Japanese friends have been to Disney World; it seems that a trip to Tokyo is just not complete without going to this theme park. Never mind that most of them are in their late teens to early 20s, they all rave about it. In fact, my home visit partner traveled to Tokyo in September and of course he visited Disney. He brought me back a whole bag filled with Mickey-shaped goodies including these yummy butter cookies!

These cartoons that were created for runny-nosed American children has traveled across the Pacific Ocean to Japan. Who can resist Mickey Mouse?

Traditional Japanese Culture

This past weekend my Japanese friend, Kieko, invited me to her hometown for her annual fall festival. It was a religious holiday that spanned three days. It was very important to the Yamamoto family. When I asked what each of their hobbies were the response was, "Calligraphy, piano and Fall Festival."
Everyone was dressed in traditional garb. Mrs. Yamamoto even gave us coats called Happi to wear! Each Happi was decorated with the community's emblem and colors. Here is Kieko and the back of her community's happi, mixing technology with tradition.


Festival-goers would pull an ornately decorated cart called a Yatai through the neighborhood. There were people on the Yatai playing traditional music called Tokeigaku and still others chanting "EE-SHO-NEE!" (Something similar to our 'heave, ho!') Each community had one and we would occasionally run into another while we were parading through the streets. We would then stop for a while and then continue on. (Where's Waldo?)


It was a very lively time with lots of eating, drinking, song and dance. It was a festival steeped in Japanese traditions. If you would like to experience a festival like this one, there are a list of dates here. (Page down to October 15th).

Japanese Pop Culture

If pop culture was chewing gum for the mind, the Japanese version would be Willy Wonka's "three-course meal" blueberry flavor; an eclectic mix of tastes and subject that covers just about anything imaginable.
Pop culture covers a range of subjects from the media to art and also celebrities. They are usually well know, generally accepted and widespread within a certain population.


This is purikura; it is very popular in Japan. It is an enclosed booth where friends can take silly photos with their friends. Patrons are usually middle school-aged girls and the occasional group after a round of late night karaoke.

Part of popular culture in Japan to take photos of anything and everything.
Photography "especially appeals to people handicapped by a ruthless work ethic - Germans, Japanese, and Americans. Using a camera appeases the anxiety...about not working when they are...supposed to be having fun. They have something to do that is an...imitation of work: taking pictures." - Plato's Cave by Susan Sontag

Japanese People Are...

Fabulous!

One of our friends is living in a Japanese home and his "house parents" invited my sister and I over for dinner. We were told we were going to have "left-overs" but the kitchen table was overflowing with dishes filled with exotic and delicious looking Japanese food. At the end of the evening we took this photo:

As we were leaving, Okaasan gave us a memo pad “so we can record all of our notes” and some fruit and sweets.
I think we have new Japanese Grandma and Grandpa!

Last weekend some of the Japanese girls living in our dorms invited Leah and I to a flea market in Osaka. It was so much fun! Most people selling stuff were very congenial. They allowed us to practice our Japanese, gave us free stuff and wanted to get their photos with us!

In general, I have found Japanese people to be very friendly, hospitable and happy!

Neighborhood Hirakata

This week, I have been observing the town I live in, Hirakata City. This is a photo of a dog who was lounging in a courtyard off the main drag. The breed is a Shiba Inu, a hunting dog and native to Japan. Shiba has two meanings, brushwood and small while Inu is the Japanese word for dog. Shibas are very good guard dogs and are currently the most popular dog in the Land of the Rising Sun.


Speaking of guardians...
Today, I was exploring my "back yard" after school and I ran across a tranquil shrine that was nestled in a grove of trees. I noticed that the entrance to each temple is protected by two menacing figures known as Shishi. The Kyoto National Museum states that the animal with the open mouth is a lion while the one whose mouth is closed is a cross between a lion and a dog. The open mouth signifies birth and is instrumental in scaring away demons. On the other hand, the closed jaw represents death and is also said to shelter the benevolent spirits.

First Impressions of Japan

One thing I have noticed these first few weeks in Japan are that the trends here are much different than of those in the States. For example, this man is carrying a handbag that would normally (in America) resemble a woman's purse! Ah, Fashion Week in Tokyo; here is an interesting article about where you can read more about these so called "Center Guys".












I have also observed that cities are very carefully and thoughtfully planned, especially with the disabled in mind. Here we see yellow pathways that have been built for the blind and also a chirping traffic sign in the distance which lets one know when it is safe to cross the street. Apparently, they also have them in Bejing.