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