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.