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Blog 18

Blog 18

4/26/17

1)      Japanese people belong to both Shinto and Buddhism because they worship at a temple and/or shrine. The temple is their sacred ground where they pray, or have certain events there such as weddings, funerals, festivals, and such. Also, their belief is slightly similar because they both strive for harmony within the group.

2)      The scene where Daigo attended a funeral with his boss where they’re scolded for being five minutes late. After coffining the corpse, the man who scolded them rushed out to them alone with a gift to apologize for scolding them. The gift he gave them was not important because it was an obligation for scolding them and for coffining his wife.

3)      Nokanshi is a job that coffins up dead people through certain religious standards. The perception of this job is quite gruesome and shocking as seen by Daigo. Handling corpse was hard but the reason behind each coffining kept Daigo going. Daigo feel that seeing off people to the afterlife was a duty because no one else wanted to get their hands tainted by touching corpses. The way his wife feels about him getting the job was peer pressure because she’s afraid what other people might see them as. After coming back telling Daigo about her pregnancy, she mentioned to him to think about what other people will think about their child if they knew that child’s father was an encoffiner. She didn’t want their child to get bullied because of that. When she attended the bath women’s funeral and witness Daigo’s performance, she warmed up to him and slowly accepting his job.

4)      Between the funerals in the film and the funerals I attended too was way different. The funerals in the film were performed through Shinto, Buddhism, and one Christianity or Catholic. The funeral I attended too was Shaman tradition and Christianity. The Shaman funerals I’ve been too were my uncle’s and friend’s family relative at a funeral home. What they do at the shaman funeral is having certain family members come to bow down to the person in the coffin to bid the person farewell. There is also a percussion performance where someone plays a cultural wind pipe instrument and dance next to the coffin, and someone who bangs the drum. Each family member is in a single line seeing off the deceased. They bang the drum once and mourn the person inside the coffin. The Christian funerals I’ve been too were my church elders. As a Christian, we come to a funeral home where people head straight to the auditorium where a pastor shares the word of God and about the person’s walk with God. Family members sit up front to mourn for the person. Anybody who wants to share their story about the deceased person walks up to the podium after the pastor asked. After service, we pray to end the session and have a burial session the next day. This is way different than what the movie shown.

5)      The stone letter was a gift given from Daigo to his father. The stone letter was to show the person’s feeling through the weight and texture of the stone. His dad held a small stone in his hand which Daigo picked up to feel what his father felt during his last breath.

6)      Daigo met his father but his father was already dead.

7)      Other key concepts in this film were Chinmoku, Giri, and Amae. Daigo was silent when his wife told him to quit his job. People gift Daigo and his boss as thanks for their coffin performance. Amae was used when Daigo was dependent on his wife for food and housekeeping.

8)      Overall, the movie was fantastic because it reminiscent how life has a beginning and the end. In the movie, the man who cremated the bath women’s coffin said death isn’t the end because it’s a gateway to the other world. The soundtrack in the movie was a masterpiece. I love the cello soundtrack and the slight comedy in the movie. Lastly, the Japanese culture in the film was based on the moral and religious side which I think I’ve learned how Japanese perceive things. Touching corpse for a living is pretty much like ruining your image by having tainted hands. Everything in the culture is done through formality and respect.

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Blog 17

Blog 17

4/19/17

Soshiki (Pg. 201)

           Japanese funeral are done through Shinto and Buddhist criteria. In the text, “Graves serve two purpose in Japan: to bury the ashes of the dead person and to have a place to worship” (Soshiki, Pg. 211). Having a place to worship after burying the dead is mind-boggling because I think it’s scary. Visiting the person’s grave is alright but worshipping the dead is frightening because I always imagine that they will come back to life without a soul. It’s my crazy imagination but it just boggle’s me. The next text, “souls of the dead are thought to return to their houses during this period” (Soshiki, Pg. 213). This is similar to what I was talking about above, except souls are coming back. Even though this is a thought, it’s sad to think about. A relative coming back bodiless for a certain period of time is sad because it reminds the living person that their relative is dead. But on the other hand, they are not forgotten.

Zoto (Pg. 233)

           Giving gifts to someone to stabilize relationship is opposite to the American culture. We give gifts under special occasion, not every time. In the text, “Japanese also celebrate the birth of newborns by giving gifts” (Zoto, Pg. 236). This reminds me of when I was a young toddler. My mother bought me a necklace to wear daily, and from that day I am still wearing the necklace. I’ve never taken it off since the day I got it because the necklace felt like it was a part of me. It’s irreplaceable. The next text, “Money is the most practical of all gifts because its value is clear to everybody” (Zoto, Pg. 239). I think money is like a last minute gift to give to anybody because most people don’t want to waste their time looking for gifts for other people, can’t decide a gift, or they’re just lazy. This is how I feel when I can’t think of anything to give. It’s funny, yet saddening. It runs in the family. My parents and siblings does it all the time on every special holiday if they can’t decide on anything. Overall, giving gifts on every occasion is not common in the American culture.

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Blog 16

Blog 16

4/17/17

1)      The scene where Suzu prepared her family with special rice at the dinner table. Everyone didn’t find the rice edible but they told her that it was good because they fear of discouraging her, except her sister-in-law, Keiko. The family knew it was inedible but didn’t say that it was. Keiko told her directly that it was inedible, and this discouraged Suzu but at least she knows.

2)      In the book, “Japanese mothers demonstrated how to build with the blocks and then had their child imitate them” (Ikuji, Pg. 136). In the movie, Harumi was watching Suzu redraw her textbook. Keiko told Suzu she didn’t need to draw her textbook or she didn’t need it. The way Keiko child rear her child is different from the book because she thinks Harumi didn’t need the textbook or didn’t need to redraw her teachings from the book. Keiko doesn’t seem to give in to her child like that book says about to all Japanese mother.

3)      Japanese wives are meant to serve in their husbands household to be a good wives. Japanese husbands are meant to serve outside of the household to be good husbands. In the movie, the the scene where Suzu is working hard in her husband’s household after marriage and seeing off her husband explains this concept well. Compared to the American culture where wives are equal terms with husbands, I think it’s unfair because Japanese housewives doesn’t have that much individual freedom outside the house. Doing the same thing over again for each day would bore them.

4)      In the movie, I don’t think I saw any scenes where males are subserviant to females but Keiko explain some part of that. She said in the movie that she didn’t want marry her husband to begin with but he begged her. This shows that her ex-husband was desperate to marry Keiko. By begging, it goes to shows that the begger is putting themselves low to get what they want.

5)      Suzu lost her right arm to a bomb explosion when trying to pull Harumi away from it.

6)      The relationship between Shusaku and Rin was that Rin was Shusaku’s first lover before marrying Suzu.

7)      Suzu’s right arm meant that it was everything she was able to do. She paint, cleaned, and did everything with her right arm. After she lost it, she felt useless.

8)      No, I do not have a similar story. All I know from my family history is that my great grandparents, grandparents, and parents moved to America to escape from the Vietnamese genocide.

9)      In the movie, there were some chinmoku, aimai, amae, and ie system. During personal conversation, chinmoku is involved. The dinner scene, aimai was involved. Shusaku depending on Suzu’s household duties, amae is involved. The ie system, whenever Shusaku’s father isn’t present, he’s in charge of the household. These are the concepts I’ve learned before watching the movie.

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Blog 15

Blog 16

4/12/17

Danjyo Kankei (Pg. 61)

The relationship between men and women are influenced by the media. In the text, “These days, however, it is often said that young people’s attitudes toward sexual matters have changed because of the information they receive from the media” (Danjyo Kankei, Pg. 65). This interest me because nowadays, what the media shows can have a certainly influence the mind of young people easily. In America, we have media’s showing advertisements of image improvements that gives the young people an idea of what’s good to them. For example, body supplements for people who wants to burn body fat to gain a perfect body. From most media similar to this example shows somewhat of a sexual theme such as skin exposures and visible body shape. This idea from the media can help boost their self-esteem but it may lead them to be overconfident in their body. Therefore, it can or may lead to sexual activities. The next thing that interest me was the how a husband is viewed after work according to this text, “Recently, such men are accused of being sodai-gomi, meaning ‘large-size garbage,’ because when they are off work they just loaf around at home” (Danjyo Kankei, Pg. 67). I kindly disagree with this text because coming home from work is exhausting, physically and mentally, but if it’s not exhausting, then I kindly agree to this text. When I come home from work, I always help around the house if it needs cleaning or improvements. Reason being is because my work place isn’t exhausting, contrast to my parents who is exhausted coming from work.

Iitoko-Dori (Pg. 127)

This concept is a double-edge sword in Japan. In the text, “Japanese worker copied them… they tried to ‘catch up and surpass’ the creators of their adopted models” (Iitoko-Dori, Pg. 129). I wonder if they gave them credit or plagiarized their work. They just take the idea and build on it and made it their own. Their new models build the foundation in their society but at the same time they’re not realizing the consequences. This is where someone who only looks at the success instead of the impact in the country. According to the text, “people seem to have thought little of the consequences of these technological adaptations, and as a result, destruction of the environment in Japan has increased” (Iitoko-Dori, Pg. 129). The increase in technology decreases the natural environment, thus it runs off balance. I’m majoring in a technology degree and I know that more space are needed in order for more sophisticated technology to be made. The consequences are too severe if this concept is used incorrectly, therefore, this idea should be used with extreme caution.

Ikuji (Pg. 135)

Child rearing in Japan and American culture are different. According to the text, “normal Japanese students hesitate to ask questions, even if they do not understand, for fear of disturbing the class” (Ikuji, Pg. 138). I find this true in the American culture as well because I too don’t ask questions during class until after. Students in my other class don’t ask questions until after as well. They don’t ask questions fearing that they’ll disturb the class, they fear of asking dumb questions out loud in class or scared of asking questions in class due to peer pressure. The next text that interest me was, “when a child kicks at a door and damages it, Japanese mothers try to correct the child’s behavior with an expression such as ‘The door will be crying in pain,’” (Ikuji, Pg. 138). I think this way of disciplining children targets their feeling instead of their mentality. When I read “The door will be crying in pain”, it makes me feel sorry for the door and I probably won’t do it again when I think I want too. Contrast to the American culture, the child will be told to never do that again verbally, thus making the child feel troubled or scared by their parent’s word. As an American born citizen, I can relate to this because when I’m told what not to do I hear verbal warnings from my parents such as, “Do it again, you get the stick” or “Okay, we’re going to the garden.” Reason why I hate the garden because I have to be out in a hot sunny day til nightfall on big patch of crops my parents own.

Ryosaikenbo (Pg. 179)

This term is based on the making good wives through traditional routines. In the text, “discipline toward girls is much stricter than with boys, and the stereotype of ‘Girlishness’ is seen in every home that has female children” (Ryosaikenbo, Pg. 181). I find this somewhat true in the American culture because most good parents prefer to keep their daughters under control to prevent them from harm’s way, such as going out at night alone, going to a guy friend’s house, etc. In the next text, “There are some clubs, however, in which females cannot take part, such as sports clubs for baseball, soccer, and so on” (Ryosaikenbo, Pg. 181). I find this interesting because if the young female wants to burn fat to attain a perfect body to be an attractive good looking wife without starving themselves, why are they not allowed to join sports club? I mean they can do sports outside of school but what if they’re looking for something to fight for or to participate in the sports tournament in school? Of course, it may make them lose feminism but at least they are acquiring the balance in the good wives ideal body.

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Blog 14

Webex

2 Concepts - Bushido and Aimai

2 Questions relative to the concepts 

- Are you prideful in everything you do such as academics, sports, etc?

- Are you a decisive person or an indecisive person?

2 Questions outside of concepts

- Have you ever been to the suicide forest by Mt. Fuji?

- Do you have any interest in anime?

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Blog 13

Blog 13

3/21/17

1)      The scene that describe Nemawashi well was in Jiro’s dream because within his dreams, he saw smaller and faster planes driven by Japanese pilots. Through his dreams, he was able to plan out his ideal design and how his design flies.

2)      The characters that showed a Sempai-Kohai relationship was Jiro and Honjyo. At the beginning of the movie, we all know that both of them were in the same class and age. In the scene where Jiro offered his idea to Honjyo’s design, Honjyo showed a Sempai action towards Jiro by declining his offer because he told him that he doesn’t like putting someone’s ideas into his design and prefer Jiro to use his new idea in his own designs. In reality, Jiro is the Sempai because he’s more experience in designing new ideas than Honjyo.

3)      When Kurokawa said he can’t approve unmarried couple living together, the Japanese concept that he depended on was Omiai because this concept refers to arrange marriage between two compatible couple. With this concept, Kurokawa probably try to follow-up by trying to engage them in an arrange marriage. By mentioning that he can’t approve unmarried couple living together, I think he was trying to test Jiro whether he’s serious about Noako was the one to be his wife. Surprisingly, Jiro wanted to marry Naoko. The marriage between Jiro and Noako were not through Omiai, it was what Kurokawa was depending on to happen before they stayed at his in-law-suite.

4)      If Jiro and Noako haven’t known each other before Omiai, then probably not because Noako probably knew she was going to get a tuberculosis like her mom and wanted to be with no one and Jiro was probably busy planning his designs. If they did knew each other before the Omiai, then yes they would have married because Noako fell in love with Jiro when he helped them out during the earthquake in 1923. When Noako died, she appeared in Jiro’s dream to tell him to live on. I think this was a happy ending for him because he knows that the tuberculosis pain no longer hurting Noako, he married her, he had no regrets, and she’s at peace. This was an enough encouragement to keep Jiro living out his life.

5)      When Jiro discuss about the newest plane, it was different from what the book described in the book because it describes that a plan is needed before convening an idea to the population. In Jiro’s case, everybody approved his plan because at that time, any idea would work because the Japanese aircraft designing were poor so any idea coming from the head designer has an automatic approval.

6)      When Noako’s health worsen, she left a letter for Jiro, the Kurokawas, and Kayo before returning to the sanatorium.

7)      In Jiro’s dream, Noako told him to live on to the fullest because she wanted to encourage him to keep living no matter what. By giving him her last words, she probably didn’t want Jiro to feel sadder than he already is so giving encouragement to him helped him get on his feet and move forward.

8)      If I was Jiro, I wouldn’t pursue my dreams if my designs were used for bad situations, like war and violence, because creating a good design in an ally country will always lead to newer and better designs in the enemy country. Then it repeats for the enemy side, the ally country will make even better designs than the enemy country. It’s an unending loop you see in bad situations.

9)      The key concepts that I learned in the film, other than the 3 concepts learned applied in this film, were Gambari, Giri, and Amae. Gambari was used through Jiro’s determination in creating new designs for the planes. He comes home late and still working on his designs. Giri was used in the scene where Noako thanked Jiro for rescuing her and her maid during the earthquake after meeting up at the spring in the forest by accident. Noako also mentioned that she prayed every day to thank Jiro in person one day. Amae was used in the scene where Jiro’s superiors depended on him for the best designs because the Japanese imperial army were looking for better planes so they depend on professional engineers to help contribute to the army with their designs.

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Blog 12

Blog 12

3/20/17

Haragei (Pg.103)

           Reading other’s mind is really cool. The body language and oral communication of the person plays a big role in Haragei. In the text, “when Haragei is used, people deliberately try to either transmit or catch hidden messages in conversation” (Haragei, Pg. 105). This text interest me because the hidden messages can be anything like the way the person talk or their facial expression. If the person is uncomfortable going to the mall with me but agreed to go, their response and body languages can explain that they don’t want to go. When uncomfortable, the person’s body tends to move a lot and their facial expression doesn’t show that much feeling, from what I experienced. In the next text that interest me, “long silences are readily accepted in conversation in Japan, a situation that often makes Westerners uncomfortable” (Haragei, Pg. 106). As an American citizen, long silence in a conversation makes it awkward between the person and I. We prefer to exchange words continuously to keep each other updated every second. That way we can understand each other better and efficiently instead of being quiet.

Nemawashi (Pg. 159)

           Preparing your decision is crucial in Japan and America. In the text, “it is necessary to have a consensus before reaching decisions in Japan” (Nemawashi, Pg. 160). This text was interesting because in America, “the boss keeps decision-making authority, and he or she can turn down any decision, no matter what the results of the discussion” (Nemawashi, Pg. 107). Japan needs support from everyone before reaching their decision which I think it’s a good idea but it defeats the purpose of having a meeting with them. If everybody supports your decision then there was no point in holding a meeting since everybody knows your idea. In America, we bring our ideas to the table and discuss the details. Everything comes down to the boss decision, not the majority.

Omiai (Pg. 165)

           Arranged marriage is an option to marry people but it has some possible consequences. In the texts, “People do not have to suffer many of the negative consequences of dating, such as finding opportunities to meet others or suffering face-to-face rejection” (Omiai, Pg. 167). This is true, for the most parts, many people suffer from rejection. If the person is emotional, or had first experience rejection, it can be deadly because it could lead the person to think about suicide. Nowadays, in America, dating became an explicit thing to practice because from my experience, couple of my friends date one girl to another for the longest time. I wasn’t so sure if they were measuring their standards or just having fun. In the next text, “usually an engagement ring and a certain amount of money, generally amounting to three month’s salary” (Omiai, Pg. 166). This text interest me because in my culture, if the groom marries a Hmong women, he must pay up to five grand, or more, in cash in front of the bride’s parents. This amount of money only pays off the bride herself so hosting a wedding ceremony and buying an engagement ring will take more out of the groom’s wallet. Paying this amount of money tells the bride’s parents that the groom is financially stable and will be able to take care of their daughter. To be honest, in my brother’s case, he was stressed out because it took him 3-4 years to marry his wife. He worked in decent job that paid well so I’m imagining how much stress it will be for me if I ever get married to a Hmong women.

Sempai-Kohai (Pg. 187)

           The sempai-kohai was a great system but nowadays, both sempai and kohai can care less about age. In the text, “today, people tend to consider age less important because there is beginning to be more variety in the student body of Japanese schools with returnee students, non-Japanese, and so on” (Sempai-Kohai, Pg.192). Compared to America, Westerners see everyone as equals, or so I think. We can freely talk to our seniors however we want, give our thoughts, and treat each other as friend or foe. Just because you’re older doesn’t mean you’re smarter sometimes. There are kids who has more common sense than adults or kohai who has higher IQ than the sempai. I’m not saying age doesn’t matter, America does have their moral code about treating elder people. In the next text, “third-year students have great power in junior high and senior high schools, and especially in clubs, these relationships are important” (Sempai-Kohai, Pg. 191). I was interested in this text because back when I was in junior high, I had no power over the kohai. Neither did I had in high school. When I was a senior, whatever the kohai did something wrong we take the blame right along with them. As seniors, we’re supposed to be role models for the kohai. That’s the only sort of power we had over the underclassmen because we can’t go over to them and lecture them, we had to show them. Of course, they didn’t care because they had freedom of choice. So our only choice were to go convince the principal about the nonsense and got out of it.

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Blog 11

Blog 11

3/9/17

What makes me American?

I was born in America and grew up in Akron all my life. My parents were Hmong immigrants and raised me through their culture, such as eating rice on every protein food, speaking their language, and love my family regardless. I consider myself as a non-American because when I look at the mirror, I see myself as an Asian. I was perceived by my parents as an American most of the times because I couldn’t speak my own language properly to them. I don’t use my language often like I used too, which is why speaking my language was complicated. At some times, I consider myself American because of that. Overall, I would have to say I’m either Hmong or American.

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Blog 10

Blog 10

3/8/17

1)      Back in the modern era, Geisha sat on their knees to show formality. Compared to today, Geisha’s were very artful, entertaining, and attractive in the eyes of men. Geisha’s maintain their peace through these practices of art to gain the men’s biddings. This was how they lived day by day.

2)      In my life back in middle school, I think the moment I experience aware was when I picked up a piece of neon green paper off the street because I didn’t like litters laying around. As I was about to throw it away, I looked at it carefully and saw George Washington covered by the dirt. I think this is related to aware because I found something nice until I discovered its value.

3)      I think the movie lost ma because they now speak more direct off their mind compared to the film Blue. There was some silent moments but not much. Speaking English didn’t nearly change the way Japanese people normally communicate, but since it was directed by an American I’d say it did because some part of an American culture have been mixed into the film.

4)      The events I appreciate in the US considering Kisetsu would be the Hmong annual sports tournaments. This event is where Hmong people sponsor a sports tournament for everybody, majority of Hmong people, to watch or participate. This tournament also includes a small shopping district for people who are interested in buying product made by the Hmong culture. If I was Japanese, I would enjoy more of the sports tournament and forget about the shopping district because Hmong people sell garden utensils, traditional Hmong clothes, and Hmong music. The food they sell is an exception.

5)      I can sort of feel pity for the characters in the film because Chiyo was sold off to be a slave, bullied by her senior, betrayed by Pumpkin, and was sexually harassed. At the end of the film, I can see sparks of beauty because she was reunited with the man she loved, or so I think. I’d say the film was beautifully tragic because Sayuri worked hard to have a life for herself, but instead she never could because being a geisha trapped her from her options, such as falling in love.

6)      Wabi-sabi is the sense of being perfectly beautiful and clean in silence through their mind and body. In the American culture, beauty is looked mostly upon the outer image of people. Both Japanese and American culture are a bit similar because the outer image of beauty is taken to consideration. In contrast, the Japanese culture aesthetic seems to go into much deeper depth.

7)      In the scene where Sayuri was performing, the white flakes and beauty she’d shown to the crowd mesmerized the men with elegance because from a man’s point-of view, I would have been awake the whole performance looking at her.

8)      Hatsumomo was kicked out of Okiya permanently and was rumored to be a prostitute. At the end, the relationship between the chairman and Sayuri wasn’t good or worst because she mentioned that she was a half-wife to day and night. Which could mean she’s a wife to the chairman during the day and to the other men at night. Sayuri wasn’t happy because she wasn’t able to get a life of her own which was her prime goal. By having a life of her own, she’ll be able to love the chairman without any chains holding her back.

9)      Okaasan adopted a girl she taken in. As for Pumpkin, her life is in a shamble because her mother viewed her as a failure which resulted Pumpkin unable to come back to her household.

10)  In the film, there was couple moments of Chinmoku where Pumpkin asked Sayuri about loving the chairman. She didn’t answer back and gave a body language telling her to not talk about the chairman. Other concepts we learned in the film were Wabi-Sabi, Kisetsu, and Bigaku. The key concept to the film that relates to these concepts were beauty. The beauty of Kisetsu was seen in the scene of Sayuri’s performance, and Wabi-Sabi and Bigaku was seen where Mameha was training Chiyo.

11)  This film was overall okay. The life of a Japanese women facing hardship since childhood was hard to see and can make you think about the society treating women back then. The beauty in it lies within the characters feelings. Hatsumomo wanted to become the heiress to Okiya, Pumpkin wanted to become adopted, and Sayuri wanted be with the chairman. To reach their goals, they must become top Geisha in the district. This led too many conflicts in the film and I think that’s tragic because in reality, not everyone get what they want so we can all relate to their situation.

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Blog 9

Blog 9

3/1/17

Bigaku (Pg. 35)

The Japanese sense of beauty were covered by the American culture. “…especially after World War II, the Japanese have tried to ‘keep up’ with Western people and become like them.” (Bigaku, Pg. 35). In this text, I find it funny and odd because during the end of World War II, Japan was bombed twice by the Americans and they want to adopt the American culture to their own? Japan probably wanted to adopt the American culture because they probably see them as a strong society or they think the American have something Japan does not have, like free speaking, no kamikazes, or rock music. In the second text, “…such fundamental notions of beauty are sometimes criticized for their vagueness and seem to be less appreciated and are disappearing in modern Japan’ (Bigaku, Pg. 37). This text seems to be true because in the 19th century, Japan wore kimonos as a casual outfit compared to Japan today where they wear shirts, pants, and shoes. The older generation who wear to kimonos values the outfit as pure Japanese apparel. The newer generation think it’s a pain to wear kimonos all the time because the kimono restricts the mobility of the person’s activity. Since society keeps evolving to a new liking every time, the older tradition of beauty were bound to be forgotten someday.

Kisetsu (Pg. 153)

The season in Japan sounds more beautiful compared to the American culture because there seems to be more nature and cleanliness to go with the seasons. “…Japanese sense of the seasons is disappearing as modernization, industrialization, and urbanization are changing national landscape” (Kisetsu, Pg. 156). This is quite true for every society in the world. As technology grows to give comfort to people’s lives, more industrializations were needed. Compared to the US, their society are more industrialized than Japan because new stuff are invented every year. “…nature is something that many young people only read about in contemporary Japan” (Kisetsu, Pg. 157). This is also true for the newer generations because as industrialization grows, the way they see the season are differently. Before industrialization, many people were able to experience the beauty of the seasons and value the moment with it because the season shines with nature. Nowadays, industrialization had taken most of nature’s values away and it didn’t give the new generations a chance to see its beauty.

Otogibanashi (Pg. 171)

In the following text, it gave a moral and analogy concept, “…she asks him to marry her…he has no idea of her true nature…he discovers her true form by breaking a promise to her…she takes on her true form as an animal and inevitably leaves him” (Otogibanashi, Pg. 173). I think the women/animal represented the visual form of nature and the man represented the humans because this story probably tried to show how human doesn’t see how valuable nature is. Breaking the promise probably represented rejection. The women left because the man rejected her, as to human rejected nature. In the following text, “He rejected her proposal at first due to his poverty, but she did not mind and still wanted very much to marry him” (Otogibanashi, Pg. 175). The women probably wanted to marry the poor charcoal burner because of how he is honest and earnest. From my experience, most poor people are honest and have no reason to lie, unless they’re imposters. Rejecting her proposal even when she’s rich showed me how humble he is towards the women. By rejecting her, it probably sparked her interest to marry him even more. Therefore, both got married and lived happily ever after. I think this is a lessoned to everybody. Being honest and humble, it pays off in the end.

Wabi Sabi (Pg. 223)

Wabi Sabi is similar to finding beauty in pessimism. “…wandering monks and poets found that solitary life was an attractive alternative to the materialism and strife” (Wabi-Sabi, Pg. 224). I find this sort of true because being alone mostly help give personal space and time for the person, but at the same time it separates the person from social groups and it may lower their self-esteem. In the following text, “Japanese today esteem only the surface value of things and cannot recognize the unseen behind the outer world” (Wabi-Sabi, Pg. 229). I can see this in the American culture because the sense of beauty is shown on the surface more than it shows what’s beneath. For example, a women can be pretty on the outside with make-up and a man can be very handsome on the face but that can be just a cover up. There was a saying, don’t judge a book by its cover and it’s true. This does not only applies to people but to everything as well. Due to materialism, it lowered the appearance on the person’s well being and it makes it hard to see the true value of objects.

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Blog 8

Blog #8

2/27/17

1)      In Zen Taoism, it specified, “Under a master, ‘teaching without words’” (Do Spirit of Japan, Pg. 72). The instructor, Miyabe, tried to stay alive for the sake of his family but on the hand, his comrades want to die fighting for the sake of their country like a bushido. I saw some aspects where Miyabe tries to convince his comrades to live for the sake of their love ones instead of dying needlessly in the war. When he was training his young students, he failed them all to save them from becoming senpukus. As every student questioned his action, Miyabe didn’t tell his motive until his higher up exposed it. Miyabe was trying to save his students but at the same time, he was also teaching them the meaning of staying alive.

2)      The first time Kentaro and Keko met Old Kageura there was a moment of chinmoku between them until Kentaro broke the silent by saying that his grandfather was a coward during the war according to Miyabe’s former comrades. Kageura was annoyed and didn’t want to tell his story to someone ignorant. Therefore, Kentaro and Keko were kicked out. He acted the way he did because he hated Miyabe for his kindness, so bringing up his past probably reminded him of his humiliation.

3)      Old people like Hasegawa describe Miyabe as a coward because he always comes back from the battle unscathed and he always stays from a distant during combat. According to bushido, Miyabe would be a disgrace.

4)      Miyabe’s situation in the kamikaze during 1914 was that he didn’t want to sign up to become a kamikaze nor did he want any of his comrades to be one because dying needlessly would result in more recruits becoming kamikazes and it leave their loved ones behind. During the war, Miyabe was an outsider because he always lives on.

5)      When Miyabe told Izaki that he didn’t want to die, Izaki felt hatred towards Miyabe because he felt that Miyabe was scared to die in battle. According to bushido, it was an honor to die in battle and was a disgrace to run away from battle.

6)      The negative effect of groupism in this film was that it made Miyabe an outsider by his peers. Everyone, but Miyabe, wanted to fight to the death. The group conscious was focus on winning the battle regardless of living while Miyabe’s conscious focus on staying alive for his family.

7)      Eternal Zero is similar to the Last Ronan because the main male character lead dies at the end, they lived to a certain point for the sake of their family and friends, they accomplished their goals, they have all, but a couple, comrades who hates them, and they are Japanese. Bushido was common in both movies using the protagonist and side cast as an example. Honor and glory are the key words describing both movies.

8)      Seeing haragei was common close to the second half of the movie. Haragei is used in the scene where Miyabe takes off after switching planes with Kenichiro. Miyabe looks at Kenichiro at a distant referring that it will be his last flight. This scene included haragei because Kenichiro probably figured out Miyabe motive on becoming a senpuku.

9)      Miyabe switched planes with Kenichiro because his plane was defected and decided to use this opportunity to save his one of his comrade from the fate of becoming a senpuku.

10)  The one who save Matsuno’s life with a bloody sword was probably Kageura because at the scene where Kentaro and Keko visited him, it showed Kageura possessing a katana sheathed on a display in his living room. I believe it’s him who saved Matsuno because I think Kageura felt debt to Miyabe for forgiving his reckless act and for sacrificing himself as a senpuku. Since he couldn’t save Miyabe’s life he probably decided to save his family to repay Miyabe for his life.

11)  In the film, I saw bushido, Uchi to Soto, Aimai, and Gambari. Bushido was used in the scene where everyone Kentaro met called Miyabe a coward because he didn’t fight honorably in the battle. Uchi to Soto was used in the scene where Miyabe’s peers treat him as an outsider because he always comes back from battle unscathed. Aimai is used in the scene where Miyabe was being indirect when Izaki questioned him about failing the test. Miyabe was ambiguous by giving the response to his question, “You failed.” As for gambari, Miyabe’s squad received an encouragement or motivation from their general, or highest leader, to fight hard to the end during battles. Gambari means the urge, or feeling to want, to work hard to achieve a certain goal.

12)  In this film, I learned that more info is needed before judging a person’s background, such as Kentaro and Keko finding out the truth about their biological grandfather’s life in the Second World War. The most striking fact about this film is that it showed the difference between the reason to live and the reason to die from each person’s perspective, such as Miyabe wanted to live for the sake of coming back home to his family, and the others wanted to fight to die for their country and for honor. The film made it interesting for me to never forget history because some histories have deeper meanings behind its actions.

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Blog #7

Blog #7

2/22/2017

The Do Spirit of Japan (Pg. 71)

This chapter of this was quite interesting. “The way of tea” (Spirit of Japan, Pg. 77).  This quote made me giggle a bit because ‘the way of tea’, I thought of how it would be said or sound like if said by a crowd of people with a good sense of humor. Above else, the meaning behind the ‘way of tea’ was to show the perfect hospitality towards guest by fetching water and making the finest tea. “Kata are disappearing, with nothing being created to replace them” (Spirit of Japan, Pg. 78). This quote made me think more on the Japanese economy vs culture. With the kata (Perfection) disappearing results from people with inability to perfect their work. As noted by the president of the Mitsubishi Electric Company, many of the workers can’t perform perfection without certain guidance.

Hedataru to Najimu (Pg. 109)

This part of the chapter deals with the personal spaces in relationships. “Hedataru, to separate one thing from another, to set apart” (Hedataru to Najimu, Pg. 109). In this particular quote, it means to give one personal space if both subjects are not known to each other. I think Hedataru is also part of the American culture because it’s common sense to not approach a stranger so closely. In my experience, every time I search for a seat at the Student Union, I will always see an empty seat between each person sitting. It occurred to me that this is the norm in the American culture, to give one personal space. But most times, I think people don’t want to sit next to each other because it will make them feel awkward. “Women were to show their obedience to their husbands by walking to a certain distance behind them” (Hedataru to Najimu, Pg. 110). I find this to be as the formal way in a marriage because I feel like the wife are supposed to follow their husband in order to show their husband’s leadership and superiority. Nowadays, husbands and wives everywhere walk side-by-side with each other to show equality in their relationship. I believe the Hedataru in a marriage shows the husband being supported by his wife’s from behind and the non-Hedataru in a marriage shows both the husband and wife supporting each other.

Shudan Ishiki (Pg. 195)

In this chapter of the book, it talks about the unity and harmony in a group. “When outsiders are invited by and appointment, they treated as a formal guest” (Shudan Ishiki, Pg. 196). The quote states that when someone is invited to a group as a guest, the group may show an interest in the person and might offer the person a place in their group. On the other hand, “If they should try to join one’s group without any contact, however, they would never have a warm welcome” (Shudan Ishiki, Pg. 196). This quote states that when a person tries to a join a group, they are either inferior or uninteresting to the group eyes. In the Japanese culture, I believe that to enter a group the person must show some sort of proof that they’re worthy or someone who can provide for the group. Basically, they must make them interview the person unnoticed.

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Blog 6

Blog # 6

2/15/17

1)      Two actions Magoza demonstrated Bushido was carrying out Oishi-sama’s order and courage to raise his lord’s daughter. The reason for him to carry out his lord’s order was loyalty. As a bushido, his lord’s orders are absolute and top priority. The reason for his courage was also to follow his lord’s order. He was viewed as a coward who fled the battle so he was courageous enough to accept his shame by his peers in order to raise his lord’s daughter in a safe environment.

2)      Obligation is a concept where a person feel like owing a favor to another person due to moral commitment and equalizing their social standing. Giri is where a person sticks to a moral duty of equalizing the meaning behind their action in their relationship.

3)      Giri and Bushido is very different. Giri, overall, is based on emotional acts and Bushido, overall, is based on duty. Giri is used in the movie scene where Kane attempts to make a handmade kimono for Magoza to show her affections for Magoza. Bushido was used in the scene where Magoza followed his lord’s order and raised Kane.

4)      In the movie, the scenes that relates to the Japanese ie System was the son of the famous clothe shop, Shuichiro, and the scene where Yu explains to Magoza about the women’s social standings. Shuichiro relates to the Japanese ie system because he is the heir to the famous fabric shop and to take over his family business. The scene where Yu explain to Magoza about the female social standing of being nothing is related to the Japanese ie System because the ie system specified that women has the lowest position in society due to being inferior to men.

5)      The ie system contradicts in Magoza’s and Kane’s relationship because Magoza didn’t teach Kane about the system because he was no longer under a lord anymore. He and Yu raised her normally so the system didn’t apply to Kane until she took the hand of marriage to the son of the Chaya merchant.

6)      The equality between sexes in the American culture depends. Most females in America are treated equally and unequally all the time so it varies. From my experience, my parents didn’t allow my sisters to go out of the house alone but my brothers, including me, were allowed too because they didn’t think my sisters were strong enough to defend themselves. But later on, my parents didn’t care anymore because I think most of my sisters proved themselves by becoming independent.

7)      The scene where Magoza was beat up by his formal peers after paying his respect to his lord’s grave; this scene was relative more towards Bushido because in Bushido, fleeing before the battle is a disgrace as a warrior. Kichi was confused because he probably believed Magoza knew about the consequence when fleeing the battle and he was a good warrior so he questioned why he committed his act. The reason behind Magoza’s act was the promise to his lord’s wishes. His lord’s wishes were for Magoza to raise his daughter, along with taking care of his wife, and not to tell anyone about the promise. That’s why Magoza wasn’t able to tell Kichi anything behind his actions.

8)      Magoza’s acting at the end was if he was preparing something. I’m guessing that he will die after securing Kane’s safe marriage, which is his promise to his lord. According to the book, “’Bushido means the will to die.’ This implies that all samurai had to live admirably and honorably in order not to have regrets when they died.” (Bushido, Pg. 45). Based on this quote, Magoza will die after fulfilling his lord’s order.

9)      Throughout the film, I think they used Bushido more often because the movie was based on a formal samurai’s order by his lord. Magoza’s and Kichi are the prime example of Bushido, absolute loyalty and honor for carrying out their lord’s order.

10)  From my perspective of the movie, I think the movie is great because it shows a story of the struggles of the samurai’s life after a certain battle. It clearly showed the emotional impact on Magoza after his master order him to take care of lord’s wife and daughter. Kichi spent 16 years looking for the remaining Ako’s members. Magoza was the last one but I believe Kichi will save Magoza’s life because he told him that his duty is over. Overall, this movie was good and I like the story, except the theater show scenes. The voices were weird and awkward but it was interesting to see what the Japanese people used to watch back then.

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Blog 5

Blog 5

2/8/17

Bushido (Pg. 41)

           Bushido was originated by the samurais. Their way was to maintain order among the family members and the tradition of bushido. Bushido was a method to set your mind at ease. “Bushido involved not only martial spirit and skill with weapons, but also absolute loyalty to one’s lord” (Bushido, pg. 42). I feel like bushido keeps a strict discipline among them because they will go through hard obstacles for their lord without hesitation even if it cost them their lives. Having absolute loyalty to one lord is great but what if that lord had evil intentions? What if the lords use their honor against them? “Seppuku, or suicide by self-disembowelment, was the most honorable death for a samurai” (Bushido, pg. 46). I find this to be the most extreme because the bushido’s weren’t kidding when dying for their lord. This reminds me of the kamikazes during World War II. They will crash themselves into any target to gain honor for themselves and for their descendent but instead, Japan’s two innocent cities were blown to bits by the hydrogen and atomic bomb, therefore, resulting more lives lost than the kamikazes. This would probably mean that their sacrifices were in vain, and were probably one of the reasons why the bushido tradition died down after the war.

Giri (Pg. 95)

           Giri aims more towards returning the favors to the one who deserves it. “Giri initially arose as an unarticulated custom of returning something for goodwill in the tightly knit agricultural communities of prefeudal Japan” (Giri, pg. 97). I say Giri happens in most places in the world because everyone expects people to pay them back. For me personally, when I do a favor for someone, I don’t expect anything back but I do expect them to do a favor for someone else the same way I did to them. If they pay me back that’s fine if that’ll make them feel better. Most good people will feel guilty of not returning the favor so figuring out people out this way sometimes helps me figure out who’s decent. “Valentine’s day; however, in Japan only females give chocolate to their boyfriends or husband” (Giri, pg. 98). Japan made it look like a tradition for young women to choose the men they will want to be with. Compared to the USA, anybody could get chocolates or gifts.

The Japanese Ie System (Pg. 119)

           The Ie system consists of monarchy and absolute power. “Under this system, the head of household, who was generally the senior male, decided on the actions of its members and had the absolute power of control over the family” (Jap Ie System, pg. 120). Absolute powers were passed down in each family line. At the time, men have more power over women because I believe men were more capable in leadership and handling the welfare in the family. The oldest son inherits the power because he knows more than his younger siblings. If the eldest son dies before conceiving a son, the power is passed to the next oldest son (if any). “Under this system, the family needed an heir to continue the ie, and one way of doing this was through adoption” (Jap Ie System, pg. 121). If there are no sons conceived, adopting a son-in law through their daughter’s marriage or a potential son is the only alternative to continue the lineage. Anything will do to keep the family line going. The purpose of this system was to keep one family responsible for welfare and the rest of the family to support him. This was a way to keep the bond strong between family members until the Second World War.

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Blog 4

Blog 4

2/6/17

1)      In the scene where Kirishima confronts Endo at the corner of the country road, Kirishima asked Endo about her whereabouts at the end of summer. Every questions she asked Endo she responded back with ambiguity answers. I find this scene regarding Aimai as a virtue because Endo didn’t want Kirishima know that she was in love with a married man and that she was seeing him over the summer. If she would’ve directly told her, she feared it could have negatively affected her relationship with Kirishima because she knew Kirishima had feelings for her and didn’t want to shatter her feelings.

2)      The scene taking place at Endo’s house, Kirishima told Endo she wanted to be like Endo if she could. Endo responded, “How boring. You don’t want to be like me.” Aimai was used in this response in this scene because I think the response Endo gave wasn’t direct as to why Kirishima shouldn’t be like her.

3)      The schoolings between Japan and the United States is that Japanese student introduce their grade level and class number as an American student specify only their room number. Also, Japanese students wear uniforms contrast to the American students.

Japanese concepts are mostly based on values because it’s probably to show perfection on one’s self or show worthiness. For example, Kirishima values her love for Endo and Endo values her relationship with Kirishima.

4)      The scene where Nakano and Kirishima was at the school track field discussing the whereabouts and reasons behind Endo. Uchi to Soto was regarded at the scene where Nakano told Kirishima the reason Endo was gone in the summer. I believe their relationship was in the inner circle according to Uchi to Soto because Nakano explained everything to Kirishima casually and seriously, and their relationship didn’t involve isolating each other. It was more like they treat each other as trustworthy friends.

5)      The Japanese concept that were used in the scene where Kirishima lied to Endo that she already listened to the song that was given to her was truthfulness. Truthfulness was used in this scene because by telling the truth, it keeps their relationships healthy and strong. She lied to Endo because she felt guilty that it would hurt Endo’s feeling if she had told her the truth. She probably feared that Endo would assume her music weren’t worth listening too if she told her directly so Kirishima resort to lying. She told the truth a little after because she probably felt guiltier by being a liar.

6)      I think Chinmoku made the audience question about the characters mood many times in the movie because for example, the scene where Kirishima was quiet while Endo was talking to her on the beach, I was questioning why it takes her so long to respond but then she confessed to Endo. It took her time to organize her feelings and thought out what to tell Endo so I thought Chinmoku played a huge role in this scene.

7)      Kirishima transferred to the College of Arts in Tokyo.

8)      Kirishima and Endo end up separate. Kirishima transferred to Tokyo and Endo stayed in the countryside.

9)      I think the ending of the movie was confusing because they said they were a couple but end up splitting up in the end. The ending showed Kirishima watching the video sent from Endo so I’m assuming they will see each other again? Then the scene transitioned over to the cameraman first point-of view and showed the blue scene of the ocean until the credit scene. At the same time, the first background music was playing in the scene. I don’t know what Japanese concept was used in these scenes but it did leave me with curiosity and dissatisfying feeling.

10)  Throughout the movie, my brain was working efficiently until it malfunctioned at the end of the movie. The difficult concept throughout this movie is the slice of life theme presented by the two characters. I find it hard to believe to fix a relationship that serious when one of them had an affair and lied to the other so I didn’t understand how they reconciled at the end of the movie.

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Blog 3

Blog 3

1/30/17

Aimai (Pg. 9)

Aimai is basically a definition of vagueness and indecisiveness in communication. “its use is regarded as a virtue in Japan, and the Japanese language puts more emphasis on ambiguity than most” (Aimai, Pg. 9). Having ambiguity as a virtue is quite a surprise to me about the Japanese culture. Being indirect all the time is something I can’t tolerate. For me, I prefer a direct answer but according to the next text I can understand why vagueness is important in the Japanese society. “People learn to become aware of one another’s thinking and feelings instinctively, which is required in order to know who is taking the initiative” (Aimai, Pg. 11). This is their way of keeping harmony within their group but it also causes confusion. Everyone has to figure out the person’s feeling and their way of thinking. If the Japanese practice this all the time, I can see why it brings harmony. Figuring out what the person thinks helps lead to what the person want.

Chinmoku (Pg. 51)

Silence is more confusing than Aimai. “Japanese silence occurs not only in public but also in private interactions, particularly in conjugal relationships” (Chinmoku, Pg. 54). Silence in a relationship can be painful but it seems cool. I can just look at someone and they can understand what I mean without speaking. But this is also painful because what if they misunderstood? That would waste time, and the fault will lie on the person who was silent. According to the text, “In communication with people from other countries, silence can become a serious obstacle to intercultural understanding” (Chinmoku, Pg. 55). I find this true because as a Western born citizen, silence can lead to awkwardness and misunderstanding. Talking to someone who gives a silent response makes it look like they don’t want to talk to you, and that can be offensive and disappointing. Depending on their facial expression, silence can be either good or bad. I find Japanese silence to be awesome because they can understand each other without physical communication.

Uchi to Soto (Pg. 217)

Uchi means the comfort zone and Soto means the uncomforted zone of a person’s perspective. “The Japanese generally call people from other countries gaijin (aliens) no matter how long they have lived in Japan or how well they speak the Japanese language” (Uchi to Soto, Pg. 217). Distinguishing other races in their country and label them as aliens is quite interesting because they group who belongs to the country and who doesn’t. Any non-Japanese citizen who understands the Japanese culture aren’t treated like a regular Japanese because they are outsiders. So this gives me a visual if I live in Japan, I would be accepted by the nation but aren’t treated like any other Japanese people. In this text, “Even today, if a person’s language, skin color, habits, or appearance are different, many Japanese will regard them as soto, or outsider’s, and will ignore them in order to live more easily in harmony among members of their own uchi groups” (Uchi to Soto, Pg. 219). I believe there is some sort of discrimination among the Japanese culture according to this text. It’s not racism but by the looks of it, Japanese people probably wanted to be group with their own people because I think they want to be united where they understand each other better than the outsiders. With outsiders, it’ll probably be hard for a Japanese to make them understand their culture.

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Blog 2

Blog 2

1/25/17

1)         Jiro approached his two sons through Gambari. By telling them to work with him in his sushi bar instead of going to college, he showed them the outcome of hard work. He said to them, “There’s no home to go back too.” This gave them an influence to stay with him. Jiro strives towards making better sushi each day and Gambari plays in his role with his sons. Gambari shown all of Jiro’s hard work and because of that, his sons wanted to reach his level of hardship.

2)         I don’t think Yoshikazu will ever reach his father’s level of Gambari because Jiro had been looking out for himself at a very young age. He never been through the hardship Jiro been enduring such as World War II. All these hardships are what made Jiro of who he is. Yoshikazu will probably never get the same influence as his father did.

3)         The scene where Yamamoto entered Jiro’s sushi bar at the beginning of the video is what I considered kenkyo. Jiro and his sons bowed and welcomed him with respect.

4)         Jiro was important to the restaurant because his eldest son explained that whenever he makes sushi for the customers, they never came back later on. When Jiro serve the customer with own style, more customers came back soon. Jiro’s sushi were astounding.

5)         I think enryo was present between Takashi and Jiro because in the scene where Takashi and Jiro were talking about how they opened up their restaurant, Jiro mentioned that he told his son to leave because he was confident that Takashi can make it on his own. Takashi opened up a restaurant and Jiro specified that it’s going to be hard, which made Takashi motivated to be the best sushi chef like his father. I also think amae is also present as well because Takashi depends on his influence towards his father’s style of sushi.

6)         One advantage that Gambari have in America is motivation to be better and to work hard towards a certain goal, otherwise, their standings will remain the same. One disadvantage of Gambari is pride and over confidents because most people with higher standings tends to think they look better than the rest. In other words, cockiness and self-centered.

7)         “You must dedicate your life to your work in order to be successful” – Jiro. I find this quote motivational because it’s true. If no work is done to reach a certain goal, it’s meaningless to continue on. Dedicating my life to school was a way to get my degree. Jiro showed gambari in this quote because he’s telling us to work for what we love.

8)         Among the four concepts, I think they aren’t difficult to understand because in America I personally think all four concepts are used when it’s needed. For example of amae, I depend on everyone in my family for car rides and finances but at the same time, I want to depend on myself but it’s relentless because it’s impossible at a young age. The four concepts varies time to time so it’s all depends on everyone.