willarmstrong

[willarmstrong]

Blog#18

1) After reading the book, the Shinto religion appears to be more broad. I believe Buddhism was created after Shinto and adopted many of the same ideas. Shinto seems to be more sacred and ceremonial. I feel Buddhism is a more specific form of Shinto. It’s hard to explain but for example, in the United States, Catholicism is a branch of Christianity so someone who is Catholic could say they are Catholic and Christian. Catholicism is just a more specific form of Christianity but a lot of the same ideas overlap. The reason I feel being Shinto and Buddhist at the same time isn’t contradictory is because they are both very similar and share the same beliefs. 

2) One thing that I noticed throughout the movie was that there was a lot of giving by the neighbors. For example, in the beginning, Daigo’s neighbors gave them an octopus. In America, it would be very meaningful if your neighbor gave you food, however, in the movie, they just threw it in the ocean because they though it was alive. At their new home, their neighbors also gave them food. Another meaningful gift could be the stone Daigo’s father gave to him as a boy. Although this is a very personal gift, Daigo didn’t really care about it because he was angry at his father for leaving.

3) A nokanshi is an encoffineer. A nokanshi prepares and cleans the body before it is placed in the coffin. Although I feel like that would be a fine job in America, I feel like it has a negative stigma in Japan. Everyone was embarrassed of Daigo like his friend and his wife. They said he needed to get a real job and they made it seem like it was a bad job. At first I think Daigo was a little weary of the job but as time went on he began to love the job. At first his wife wanted him to quit but after she saw the beauty in what he did, she began to appreciate the art of his work. 

4) I have only ever been to one funeral and it was a lot less ceremonial. In Japan, I feel funerals are much smaller. The funeral I went to was for my grandpa and it was open casket. In America you have a wake where everyone can view the person one last time. Then they are buried at the funeral. In America, they make the body look beautiful behind the scenes whereas in Japan, they do it in front of the body. The biggest difference I see between the two cultures is that in Japan, they are more ceremonial and personal. More goes into preparing the body for burial or cremation. 

5) Before his father left him, Daigo and his father used to exchange stones as notes. The textures of the rocks meant different things. The stone Daigo has from this father is rough and means concern. 

6) Daigo meets his father at the end of the movie. His father has passed away and Daigo cleans his body before placing him in the coffin. 

7) One term I saw was gamabari. This is because Daigo worked long days and at one point in the movie he had to leave in the middle of the night and then wake up and go to work the next morning. I’m not sure if this is correct but I also feel there was bigaku. This term confuses me but I feel that the Japanese saw the rituals as beautiful and wanted to make the deceased and pretty / handsome as possible before burial or cremation. 

8) Personally, I felt this was the best movie we watched so far. Not only was the production quality much better than the other movies we watched, but it was also cool seeing how the Japanese handle death. I learned that the Japanese think working with the dead is weird but they also find much beauty in the encoffining ceremony. In Japan, families watch their loved ones get prepped for the coffin whereas in the United States, families don’t watch that. 

[willarmstrong]

Blog #17

Sashimi:

“According to recent research, the average amount of money given for koden is 100,000 yen when a parent dies, from 30,000 to 50,000 yen when a brother or sister dies, 5,000 yen when a neighbor dies, and from 5,000 to 10,000 yen when a close acquaintance dies.” (209)

I chose this quote because we do something similar in the United States, however, we don't pay it back like they do in Japan. The book mentions how the family pays back the koden by sending small gifts and a thank you that amount to less than the koden received. In America thank you cards may be sent to the donors, but a gift is not supposed to be repaid. I think this example really reinforces Japanese culture and how they feel they owe something in return when given a gift. 

“The bereaved family is expected to be in mourning for the deceased for a specific period of time, called ki chu, which lasts until the forty-ninth day after death and mo chu, which is for one year after death.” (212)

I chose this quote because in America, it’s encouraged to not mourn for too long. People will mourn and it’s part of the grieving process but in America it’s encouraged to stay busy and celebrate the life of the person. People return to work shortly after the death of a loved one and the community provides a lot of support to the family. In America I would say people only mourn for a few days after the death of a loved one but they grieve for much longer. For example, after the death of my grandpa, my family mourned for about three days but then we tried to do something fun with the whole family to get our minds off of things so we weren’t just sitting inside all day being sad. One thing that also differed for my family is that we wore white for my grandpas funeral as opposed to the Japanese who wear black.

Zoto:

“On Valentine’s day, February 14th, women (especially young women) are  encouraged to give chocolates to the various men in their lives.” (235)

Although I think I discussed something similar to this when we talked about Giri, I chose to talk about it again because I think it’s interesting how in the U.S. males are supposed to be the ones who give the women chocolate. If a woman were to give a man chocolates on Valentines in the U.S. it would be seen as weird. I think it’s crazy how our cultures share a lot of customs, however, some things are just the complete opposite. 

“Japanese people give gifts in many other situations in addition to those mentioned so far. For example, when a baby is born, the parents give gifts to the doctor and nurses to thank them.” (237)

I chose to discuss this quote because I think it’s funny that they do this in Japan. I think that in the United States, parents just expect the doctor to do their job and don't give them anything because they already make so much money. This made me think though. In America we tip for great service at a restaurant so why don't we tip doctors when they provide a good service and deliver our babies? I think a lot of giving in America is cultural and we don't question why we do it or think about why we do it. I just think it happens because it’s what we’ve been doing for years. 

[willarmstrong]

Blog #16

1) Following this quote in the book, the author uses bullying in Japan as an example. The author says how Iitoko-Dori can sometimes be bad because it makes people afraid to stand up for their beliefs unless they have people to back them up. An example from the movie is when Suzu is younger and Tetsu pushes her face down into paint and calls her stupid. The two begin to fight as the class stands around and cheers them on. This matches the books example because none of the other classmates tried to stop the bullying or break up the fight. A possible cause of that could have been because the children were so young, but they could have at least told the teacher. This reinforces the point that although Iitoko-dori can be good to easily adapt, it can also have some negative consequences like a fear of standing up for your true beliefs. 

2) From what I observed watching the movie, Keiko was pretty strict with Harumi. There was one scene where Keiko and her daughter were washing clothes and when her daughter asked where Suzu was going, Keiko said “i don’t know! Be quiet”. I feel this contrasts from the book because they claim that Japanese mothers want behavior to be “learned by imitation of parents rather than by linguistic analytical explanation”. I feel Keiko differs from the book because she isn’t being a great role model for her daughter. For example, when Suzu is helping her redraw the pictures in her book, Keiko says she doesn’t need those childish drawings. According to the textbook, in that scenario, Keiko should have played the role of Suzu and helped guide her daughter through recreating the pictures. Instead, she gave off a cold attitude toward her daughter. This shows that she doesn't teach her daughter by being impressionable. 

3) The most relevant example of Ryosaikenbo is how the men and women act in their adulthood. Although they aren’t children anymore, they were raised in different ways during their years as a youth. For example, Suzu was mostly likely told as a younger girl that she would be a housewife when she was older. She was most likely showed how to cook, clean, sew, ect. On the other hand, males were raised differently. They are the ones who work and fight in the war. As children, they were probably shown how to do things that males do when they are older. One example from the movie that reinforces this is that Harumi was raised washing clothes with her mother. She also enjoyed activities that are regarded as feminine like coloring and picking flowers. 

4) I found trouble identifying examples of this because I still felt men had most of the power, however, one example could be when Suzu and Tetsu are in the barn alone together. Tutsu tries to make a move on Suzu and she rejects him. In this situation, she is the one with the power. Another example could be that Suzu was actually given an option to marry Syusaku. She had the power in that situation because she could have choose not to marry him although he wanted to marry her. 

5) Suzu lost her arm when she saved Harumi from the explosion. Harumi was picking flowers when Suzu spotted a bomb in the grass. When Suzu went to grab Harumi to get her to safety, the bomb exploded. 

6)  Syusaku was actually in love with Rin and wanted to marry her but couldn't because she was sold to the red-light district. They had been neighbors before that happened. 

7) At first, Suzu and Rin were friends and Suzu drew pictures for her. Once Suzu realized that Rin was who Syusaku loved, she began to treat Rin differently. She gave her the bowl that Syusaku bought to give to his “future wife.” Suzu also kept it a secret that she was the one who married Syasaku. 

8) Although my family hasn’t experienced tragedy, my grandfather fought in the Korean war and has told me stories from his perspective. When looking at the history of wars, we hear stories but we don't actually realize how brutal the conditions were and what soldiers actually had to go through. The stories my grandpa has told me really open my eyes and give me a first person perspective into a historical event that played an instrumental part in the history of our nation. I see the historical facts differently because I have seen the Korean war through the eyes of my grandpa. Stories and experiences will be different but to me, my perspective is based around what my grandpa experienced and his thoughts and opinions about the war. 

9) One term I saw was Uchi to Soto. An example of this is how Keiko was very rude to Suzu when she first moved in. Suzu was soto to the family and Keiko did not like that she was coming into the house and cooking and cleaning for everyone. She made her disapproval known by saying how Suzu’s cooking was terrible. Another example is Omiai. Although Suzu could have said no to marrying Syusaku, the marriage was still arranged and she had not met him prior to their marriage (as far as she remembered).

[willarmstrong]

Blog #15

Danjyo kankei:

“The reason why woman have difficulty in improving their social position seems to be connected with the influence of Confucianism, which exerts an unconscious but still strong influence on Japanese people. An old Confucian adage says, for example, that a woman in youth should obey her father, in maturity her husband, and in old age her son.” (63)

The reason I chose this quote is because in America, women are not controlled by men. In the past, women have assumed the role of the housewife while the male was the breadwinner, but that is rapidly changing. More and more women are becoming dependent in the United States and are working and spending less time at home. The reason this concept differs from Americans is because even when my mother is old, I will still be obeying her. Wives in America are also not controlled by their husbands and do not have to obey them anymore than the husband has to obey the wife. 

“From the standpoint of emotional expression between husbands and wives, the Japanese rarely show overt affection to each other, nor do they often speak well of their spouses in public.” (67)

Although relationships differ in the United States, I feel that American relationships are more expressive. For example, my parents are very affectionate and anyone who met my parents or saw my parents together would know they love each other. For example, some American couples kiss or hold hands in public whereas I feel the Japanese would not do that. Although it’s okay the Japanese aren't expressive, I just think it’s interesting how the two cultures differ when it comes to relationships. 

Iitoko dori:

“So, although the Japanese were eager to adopt aspects of Western culture, especially in terms of science and business, they did not recognize that using technology blindly, a kind of unbalanced Iitoko-dori, would also result in many of the environmental and social problems that the country is experiencing today.” (129)

The reason I chose this quote is because pollution and environmental damage is a problem that the United States is also facing today. Unfortunately, there are tradeoffs with being an industrialized nation and in order to mass produce products, there are harmful tradeoffs that impact the environment. Borrowing ideas can be great but unfortunately they come with a price and I feel that in order for Japan to solve this problem they must transition to sustainability and figure out a way to only adopt positive the aspects of other nations. 

“As a result of a long history of Iitoko-dori, the Japanese are able to change their sense of values in a short time and with little difficulty, and in this way, it is possible for society to be productively efficient.” (130)

I find this quote interesting because imitating is a highly effective way of repeating success. All of the products we have today were once created and have since been replicated and improved upon. Japan is a highly productive society and I think it’s interesting how they are able to adapt to change so quickly. Usually values are deeply rooted in a society and are hard to change. Having an open mind and being able to adapt to certain situations is an excellent quality to have and that’s probably why Japan have been so successful from an industrial standpoint. 

Ikuji:

“Contrary to popular belief in the West, Japanese parents rarely discipline their children in an authoritative manner or punish them harshly in order to force them to be obedient (ibid).” (136)

My answer to this may be a little biased because of how I was raised but from my point of view, I feel that discipline in the United States is all dependent upon the parent and how the parent of the child was raised. When looking at the Japanese as a whole, they may not discipline their children in an authoritative manner, but I’m sure there are some Japanese parents who may. The United States is the same way, however, the amount of parents who do discipline their children in an authoritative way is probably much higher. As a child, I was spanked and punished when I did wrong and my mother made it known to me that I did something wrong. I feel that since the Japanese try to maintain harmony, they are more passive than American parents. 

“As an example, returnee students in Japan who have been brought up overseas often find it difficult to cooperate with teachers or friends, because they tend to keep asking questions until they understand completely.” (138)

I find this interesting because my whole life I have been told that their is no such thing as a stupid question. In school, we were encouraged to ask questions when we did not understand a concept. Personally, I am a slow learner so I ask a lot of questions and like to fully understand something before moving on. I’m intrigued by the clash of learning styles between the United States and Japan and feel that students in Japan should feel comfortable asking questions in class. 

Ryosaikenbo:

“In Japan, it is still believed that boys and girls should be brought up in different ways. In particular, discipline toward girls is much stricter than with boys, and the stereotype of “girlishness” is seen in every home that has female children.” (181)

The reason I am discussing this quote is because I feel that in America, discipline is much stricter with boys than girls. In America, girls are viewed as more passive while boys are viewed as energetic and aggressive. Growing up, I feel that I was disciplined much more than my younger sisters and my punishments were much harsher. The book talked about how girls are molded into women and how they want to look like models and are taught how to run the house. Although that is also true in America, that is something that was more popular in the past and women are becoming more independent. In regard to punishment, I feel that guys in the U.S. receive much harsher punishments than females. 

“In addition to paying attention to fashion, mothers expect their daughters to do housework but rarely force their sons to do these chores, because they want their daughters to be “good wives” who serve their husbands.” (182)

As briefly mentioned above, mothers in Japan train their daughters to run the household and assume the position of the housewife. I chose this quote because that was the former way of life in America but that is no longer the way girls are raised. Growing up, I was actually given more chores to do around the house than my sisters. There was no separation between type of chores and I wasn't given “manly” chores while my sisters were given more “feminine” chores. I think it’s interesting that this occurred in Japan and I feel that mothers were much stricter with their daughters than they were with their sons. Today, I feel that mothers are equal with their sons and daughters and support any move they want to make in life. 

[willarmstrong]

Blog #14

Comparative Analysis Paper:

1) What are you going to compare and contrast?

I am going to compare and contrast communication in the United States and Japan.

2) What Japanese key concepts are you going got use?

Chinmoku and Aimai

3) Thesis Statement:

Silence is an effective means of communication that should be more utilized in the United States because it allows you to listen, reflect, and convey your message as precisely, efficiently, and effectively as possible. 

4) Sources:

http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED360673.pdf

https://www.degruyter.com/view/j/mult.1987.6.issue-4/mult.1987.6.4.343/mult.1987.6.4.343.xml

5) Format:

MLA

[willarmstrong]

Blog #13

1) Personally, I felt that identifying Nemawashi in this film was very difficult. As I watched the movie, I kept in mind that in Japan, people lay the groundwork before meetings or decision, but I did not really see this in the movie. One reason I may have difficulty with this is because they didn't really have any “meetings” in the film where I felt the groundwork was laid beforehand. One possible example may be when Jiro was at the restaurant with Kurokawa and Mr. Hattori. Mr. Hattori asks Jiro how long he has been with the company and wanted him to lead a project. Jiro said he could do it but he wanted Honjo on the team.  Kurokawa said no and so Jiro accepted that and didn’t argue. When they walked away, Jiro bowed. Although Jiro didn’t approach his bosses in this example, I could see it as Nemawashi because Jiro maintained harmony and conflict by agreeing with his boss when they said no to Honjo. Since they discussed this in a small group, if they were to have a meeting, they would already have a consensus and would not need to discuss the matter any further. 

2) One example of Sempai-Kohai is when Jiro was new to the company and was introduced to everyone. After he said his name, he bowed to all of the employees. Since Jiro was new to the business, he was Kohai and his coworkers were Sempai. Even though some of the employees may have been younger than Jiro, they were still Sempai because they had been working there longer. Another example, as mentioned above, was when Jiro bowed to his bosses. He did this out of respect since they were Sempai and he is Kohai. 

3) Kurosawa probably said this because of Omiai. Although Jiro and Naoko were not set up by arrangement, Kurosawa is probably old fashion and was used to the traditional ways of Omiai. With Omiai, the man and woman periodically see each other until they decide to get married. It is not like the United States when you live with a person for a year or two before deciding to marry. I think that Kurosawa just felt uncomfortable breaking tradition and allowing the unmarried couple to stay with him. Kurosawa may also feel this is violating the Japanese IE system of man and wife living together.

4) If Jiro and Naoko were Omiai, I feel they would have gotten married but not before she passed away. I think that they wanted to get married but just didn’t realize how little time she had left to live. If they had been Omiai, they wouldn’t have been able to live together without being married. I feel that although Jiro was able to successfully create his plane, it was not a happy ending because he lost the person he loved. In the end, Jiro not only lost Naoko but his planes were also being destroyed in the war. I think we was very sad to see all of the things that he cared about die.

5) One thing that I noticed when watching the movie is that I didn’t really see many examples of Nemawashi and during some parts such as the scene you’re describing, I saw the opposite of what the book said. Although I’m not completely sure, I think the meeting you’re talking about is when Jiro holds the design seminar and introduces the newest technology. One example of conflict is when Jiro advises to leave off the weapons in order to compensate for weight. All of his coworkers immediately started laughing which implied that they disagreed with his comment. I also saw Nemawashi being used because Jiro didn’t run his ideas by his bosses beforehand. After the meeting, they were surprised with what he said. 

6) Naoko went back to the sanatorium without telling anyone and leaves letters for them to read. She said she was going for a walk but never returned. She didn't want Jiro to see her while she died. 

7)  Naoko says “Darling, you must live. You must live...”. I think there are two different reasons for why she could have said this. The first reason could be that Jiro was thinking of killing himself out of grief for the loss of his wife and the fact that all of his planes were being destroyed in the war. It seems as though he was depressed and I think Naoko said this to tell him he had a purpose if life and needed to stay positive and live. The second reason for why I think she may have said this is to tell Jiro that he has created a legacy and must live on. Jiro accomplished so much in his lifetime and made a huge impact on the war. I think Naoko wants Jiro to live on because she know he is destined to do great things. 

8) As much as I would like to achieve my dream, I wouldn’t do it if I knew it was going to cause destruction or be harmful to humanity. Although I would like to support the military, I would not like to create a weapon that is used to kill others. I think Jiro was so focused on achieving his goal, I don't think he truly realized that his planes were going to be used for so much destruction. One exception may be if my country was in danger. In Jiro’s case, although he was a pacifist, he was protecting his country by creating a military weapon. In my case, I would trust my gut and would never do something morally wrong even if I had a strong desire to do so.

9) Out of all the terms associated with this movie, I saw the most of Gamabari. The reason for this is because I feel it is the easiest to identify and it stood out to me more than any of the other terms. The reason I saw gamabari is because Jiro was dedicated to his work and enjoyed what he did. Even when Naoko was dying, Jiro spent long nights at the office and came home very late. Another term I saw in this movie was Chinmoku. The reason I identified this term was because compared to American movies, there was a lot of silence in this film. For example, when Jiro is at the restaurant with his two bosses, Jiro took long pauses before he responded. The last term I was in this movie was Shudan Ishiki. This relates to how employees agree with one another so that they don't cause conflict or arguments. Shudan Ishiki is about creating group harmony and as mentioned earlier, I saw this term used when Jiro didn't argue with Kurosawa after he said Honjo could not be on the team. 

[willarmstrong]

Blog #12

Haragei:

“For Westerners, in particular, haragei is difficult to understand. One of the reasons for this is that Japan is a high-context culture, while many Western societies are low-context:” (105)

The reason I chose to discuss this quote is because I found the concept of high and low-context cultures very interesting. For the past few weeks we have been discussing how the Japanese are quiet and don't like to cause problems. The Japanese differ from Americans because Americans like to be direct and voice their opinions. The book provides the definition of high and low-context cultures and looking back, it makes a lot of sense as to why Americans are direct and the Japanese aren’t. An example of low-context culture would be me saying what I want to eat when given two options while high-context would occur if I said I didn't care and that either were fine.

“The reason for this acceptance is that the Japanese believe that they can understand one another without words, and they do not like to argue openly. Silence, as a response, can be translated in many ways.” (106)

I find this quote unique because it makes it seem as though the Japanese read each others minds. Although I always talk about how American and Japanese culture contrast, I also feel that in America, silence can be interpreted different ways. For example, when someone is speechless, it could be because they are happy, angry, surprised, shocked, ect...Although the Japanese may value silence more than Americans, we still have moments of silence in which emotions aren't explicitly expressed. I think it is interesting though how the Japanese are so used to silence, they can almost understand what the person is saying by not speaking.

Nemawashi:

“It is very hard to decide on something in Japan when there is no unanimity, and consideration of relationships with coworkers is crucial to the success or failure of important projects.” (160)

I found this quote fascinating because in America, ideas are openly discussed, refuted, and adjusted. Collaboration is important in the United States and if all decisions had to be unanimous, nothing would ever be accomplished. I think this is very interesting because both Japan and the United States have very successful industries but the style of how they operate differs. These styles are based on culture which directly impacts how the business is run and operates. 

“Although the boss has nominal decision-making power, in fact, everyone must agree.” (161)

As I mentioned above, if all business decisions in the United States had to be unanimous, nothing would ever get accomplished. I find it very interesting that in Japan, the boss won’t make a decision until everyone reaches a consensus. In America, you can’t make everyone happy and that is why bosses have the power to make decisions themselves. The difference between Japan and the United States is that employees will voice their opinions in the United States whereas in Japan, they won’t. If the United States adapted Japan’s style of conducting business, it would never accomplish anything whereas if Japan adopted the United State’s way of conducting business, there would be a lot of group hostility. 

Omiai:

“’If they decide to get married, an engagement called yuino takes place, at which time it is then customary for the man to send gifts, usually an engagement ring and a certain amount of money, generally amounting to three months’ salary, to his prospective bride and her family” (166)

Although I’m not married and aren't too familiar with the customs and practices in the United States, I found this quote interesting because of the amount of money the groom usually gives the brides family. When I read that, I felt like sacrificing 1/4 of your overall salary is a lot. I know weddings are expensive, but personally I would not want to work 3 months for free so I can gives my brides family free gifts. I am okay with the idea of giving the bride’s family gifts, but I just feel like it should be a meaningful gift and should not have to cost you 1/4 of your salary and 3 months of your time. 

“According to research conducted by the Asahi Life Insurance Company, by the year of 2015, 58.2 percent of all Japanese men between the ages of 20 and 39 are expected to be bachelors.” (165)

Although I’m not familiar with what this number is in the United States, I feel like it is rather high. I feel like most men in the United States don't even get married until their late 20′s or early 30′s so I feel they should have made the range 30 to 39. Since they predicted that would occur by 2015, I tried to search online and find the current percentage but I couldn't find anything. In the book it mentions that this rate is becoming higher because more women are beginning to work and are becoming more independent. That is also the case in the United States but I don't really feel that effects the rate of bachelors.

Sempai-Kohai:

“In Japanese companies, in particular, people put more emphasis on age than ability because the system of wages and promotions is based on seniority rules.” (188)

I find this hierarchy very intriguing because it makes sense that your older workers will be more skilled and experienced, however, not everyone puts forth the most effort. For example, let’s say you have two employees. One employee is 50 years old and the other is 40 years old. This system of authority is flawed because the 40 year old can be a much harder worker than the 50 year old and can positively impact the company so much more than the 50 year old. In America, our system is mixed and we have 25 year old CEO’s who are in charge of people 3 times their age. I feel the system of rank and promotion in the United States is more effective because it rewards those who work the hardest and positively impact the organization the most. 

“The collapse of the bubble economy has caused high unemployment, and even senior executives have lost their jobs. Many companies have begun to adopt the principle of “ability first,” and lay off older workers if they cannot fulfill their job responsibilities satisfactorily.” (192)

Throughout this entire book, the author has referenced how Japan is adapting and becoming more and more like the United States. I feel there are things that Japan does better than the United States and there are things I feel the United States does better than Japan. One thing I feel the United States does better is promote workers based off of ability. It’s unfortunate that Japan had to adapt this way of promoting due to a bubble economy, but I feel it will positively impact their organizations going forward. I feel that rewarding your hardest workers and placing them in management roles is best for the company and I feel Japanese companies are headed in a much more efficient direction by doing this. 

[willarmstrong]

Blog #11

The reason I feel I am American is because I was born and raised in America and my parents are both American. Even if my parents came from another country and were 100% Italian for example, I would still consider myself American because I was born and raised in the United States. 

Let’s say that I was born in the United States to two American parents and moved to another country before I was even a year old. Even though I would be raised learning another language and culture, I would still consider myself American because I was born in the United States by two American parents.

Now let’s say I was born in the United States to two Japanese parents and moved back to Japan before I was one. In that case, I would consider myself Japanese because that is where my parents are from and where I was raised. 

To be considered American, I feel that you have to be born and raised in America or be raised by American parents. You learn the most when you are at home so I would consider heritage a huge factor when considering where you are from. All in all, I feel it’s all a matter of personal perspective and depends heavily upon the situation. What one may consider their home, another may not. 

[willarmstrong]

Japanese Blog #10

1) Some examples of the traditional Japanese arts that Geishas maintain and practice are flower arranging, the tea ceremony, painting, calligraphy, and the use of traditional dance and instruments. Modern geishas also wear kimonos and paint their faces white like in olden Japan.

2) In America, there are many who say that death is a beautiful thing. Death is sad but it also represents when your body is at peace with the world. Although I have not experienced much death in my life, one example I can think of is when my grandpa passed away. Although this was very tough when it happened, looking back, I think death is beautiful. The world is an amazing place and the development of humans and their lifecycle is also amazing. Everyone must die eventually so you must appreciate, remember, and reflect back of their life when they do. 

3) Yes, I think ma and aware are definitely lost due to the movie being in English. I feel this way because the two languages don’t directly translate. In America, we don't have an equivalent form of some Japanese words or concepts and I think because of that, it’s hard to depict those things in an American movie. I also think that if the directors were to add Japanese concepts to the movie, American viewers just wouldn’t understand. 

4) In America, we don't really have any holidays that celebrate or honor the seasons, but we do have a major holiday during every season in which we do embrace the beauty of the season in which it falls. For example, Halloween is in the fall and we carve pumpkins and embrace the fall colors of red and orange. In December, we celebrate Christmas and we embrace the season by watching winter movies and by decorating with white to represent the snow. We also have New Year’s Eve to celebrate the start of a new year. In the spring we have Easter and in the summer we have Independence Day. If I were Japanese, I would enjoy these events differently because there would be more of an emphasis on nature and the season as opposed to the actual holiday and why it is celebrated. 

5) One big example of emotional beauty I saw in the movie was Chiyo’s transition to Sayuri and everything she had to go through to become a geisha. From what I saw, becoming a geisha is no easy task and Chiyo represented patients and pity by putting up with everything she had to go through to become one. 

6) To me, Wabi-Sabi is knowing that nothing is perfect and that you must accept it for what it is. In Japan, Wabi-Sabi represents simplicity and elegance. In America, we don't really have Wabi-Sabi because we live in a materialistic culture cluttered with possessions. Although older Japan represented Wabi-Sabi, these days, Japan is more like the U.S. and is valuing material things and is losing the elegance and simplicity of its culture. 

7) When identifying Wabi-Sabi in the movie, I saw it in every scene because I feel their way of life was very simplistic and elegant. For example, their houses weren't cluttered with material possessions and their wardrobes were tidy and elegant. They also wrote letters and just lived a simpler life than we do in the United States. 

8) In the end, Hatsumomo ruined her chances of becoming a geisha by running away with Koichi. The relationship between Sayuri and the Chairman ended well because they saw each other again and were able to share their true feelings. I feel Sayuri is happy because she thought about him the entire movie and was finally united with him at the end. 

9) Okaasan ended up adopting Sayuri and because of that, I think Pumpkin felt a little betrayed. I feel bad for Pumpkin because what she had to go through the become a geisha was not easy and to go through all of that and not be selected by Okaasan made her feel bad and resent Sayuri. 

10) The most prominent term I saw was Bigaku because the entire movie was formed around beauty and art. A geisha is a walking piece of art and represents elegance and beauty. Another term I saw was the Ie System and the hierarchy that was created by Okaasan adopting Sayuri. 

11) Personally, I felt the movie was a little slow but was a great representation of what a geisha is. Although I am not from Japan and am not familiar with the geisha, I feel this movie educated me and opened my mind to an aspect of Japanese culture I never knew about. My mom read the book and loved it so I think it’s all a matter of opinion. 

[willarmstrong]

Japanese Blog #9

Bigaku:

“This is not the case with the Japanese sense of aware-people are aware of the beauty of full blossoms, of course, but are more touched and deeply moved when these blossoms are falling or beginning to wilt.” (37)

I found this quote interesting because Americans see beauty in a different way than the Japanese. Beauty is subjective so I find it interesting that the American form of Beauty and Japanese form of beauty differ so much. I feel this may occur because of society and how we were raised as individuals. As an American, I was raised with the idea that blooming flowers are beautiful. In America, we usually associate blooming flowers with playful and vibrant colors. On the other hand, we depict dying flowers with dark and somber colors. In Japan, children may be raised with the opposite point of view and that’s why they find beauty in the opposites. 

“Today, the Japanese language is changing as people express themselves more decisively and directly and sometimes become irritated with vagueness for its own sake.” (38)

I decided to discuss this quote because I feel the Japanese are quickly adapting to the U.S. lifestyle and are ditching their cultural customs. For example, the book discusses how the Japanese are dressing more like the Western cultures. They are also beginning to work less and operate more like Americans. I found this interesting because although the are becoming more materialistic, the Japanese are also starting to act more like Americans. They are becoming impatient and losing their cultural aspect of silence. 

Kisetsu:

“According to the legend, once a year the Star Weaver and her lover, Altar, who are separated from each other in the heavens by Ama-no-Gawa, come together and meet” (155)

I chose this quote because I feel different cultures have different stories and ideas of how things came about. The stars in the sky are shared by all nations and what may be seen as the “Orion’s Belt” in America may be called something different in Japan. Although they are the same stars, the stories are different and the way they see the stars is different. This reinforces the idea that although all cultures are here on earth together, they differer greatly and the ways they have developed over the years have differed greatly. 

“Omisoka is a family event in which people are busy all day preparing to welcome in the New Year. On the last day of the year, Japanese families clean the whole house and decorate their doorways with sacred ropes and tufts of straw or pine branches. ” (155)

Judging from my experiences, in America, the New Year is just an excuse to party and socialize. As far as I know, there are no religious traditions that one must follow. A typical New Year Day for my family consists of relaxation and a day off of work. I found this quote interesting because in America we use the New Year as an excuse to party and relax where in Japan, it is a religious holiday. 

Otogibanashi:

“When people read folktales, they become connected to the history, traditions, and spirit of their culture.” (175)

The reason I chose to talk about this quote is because we are actually similar to Japan in this way. I feel like all cultures have their own folktales and although they may be different stories, they still convey the same messages. Folktales are usually a way to subtly teach the youth to have good morals and values. Although Japan and America probably don't share the same stories, the message behind each one is probably the same. 

“Japanese folktales often contain animal characters that take the form of human beings, and these elements help explain the Japanese concept of nature in which people are thought to coexist with nature in a rather vague way.” (173)

I found this interesting because in America, we don't really do that. I think it’s neat how cultures differ and what is normal in one culture may be so different in another. When I read this quote, I thought of the Japanese zodiac and how people are assigned to animals. We find this concept very interesting in America, partly because it is very foreign to us. 

Wabi-Sabi:

“As a result, lifestyles began to change and the Japanese began to demand more affluence in life. The Japanese way of thinking changed because of this modernization, and these changes can be seen in people’s attitudes toward traditional arts.” (228)

In America we are very materialistic. I chose this quote because a main theme throughout this book has been how Japan is ditching its traditional customs and becoming more like the Western nations. I think this is important because the world is becoming one and cultures are becoming less and less unique. Its amazing how ideas have diffused across the globe and changed different nation’s ways of life. Although America is materialistic, I don't feel like we have always been like this. There used to be a greater appreciation for art and literature. As technology has grown, appreciation for the arts have been affected globally. 

“As opposed to the time when wabi-sabi became established as an ideal sense of beauty in people’s lives and in the arts, as a result of modern materialism, many Japanese today esteem only the surface value of things and cannot recognize the unseen behind the outer world.” (229)

Similar to my previous quote, I think it’s sad how not only Japan has become more materialistic but so has America. Our younger generations are becoming addicted to technology and are valuing the natural things in life less and less. The perfect view of life used to be happiness but these days, children have dreams of developing the next millionaire app and living a life of luxury. I feel like this is affecting Japan because it is really destroying their deep rooted traditions. I feel Japan use to be so focused on silence and mindfulness but in this day and age, it’s hard to do quite that. With a modern technology takeover, I feel the Japanese are constantly distracted and forget about their cultural traditions. 

[willarmstrong]

Blog #8

1) One example of the do spirit I saw in the film was just how dedicated all of the Japanese pilots were to their country. Young kids are being trained for the military and most of them don't even think about death. In a sense, this relates to bushido because soldiers are willing to sacrifice themselves for the nation of Japan. One reason I think it’s integrated into Japanese psych is because throughout the movie, soldiers didn't even think about dying. Their task was to win the war even if it meant costing them their life. One specific example is when Miyabe mentions how he’s trying to stay alive for his family. Although he sees things clearly, most of the others don't and they see death as a privilege. 

2) When Kentaro, Keko, and Kageura met for the first time, their relationship was a little bit awkward. I think Kentaro and Kageura were a little intimidated at first when thew saw the sword and when Kageura wasn't talking. I think Kageura kicked them out without telling them anything because he was offended that everyone though Miyabe was a coward. Kageura knew the real reason why Miyabe was doing what he was doing and I think he was a little offended when Kentaro asked if his grandfather was a coward. 

3) The elders thought Miyabe was a coward and selfish. They said he only cared about himself and fled from battle so that he didn't get hurt. The reason they said this about him because they didn't know the whole story. To them, he was just afraid of battle and hid when in reality, Miyabe was staying out of harm for his families sake. 

4) Izaki was angry at Miyabe because he let the one pilot get eaten by sharks rather than let him perform a suicide bombing. At that time, Izaki didn't understand Miyabe’s plan and scolded him after that incident. After Miyabe told Izaki that his purpose is to stay alive and care for his loved ones, Izaki’s attitude changed and he finally understood what Miyabe was doing. Miyabe’s situation in the Kamikaze is that he was against it because he felt everyone should try their best to survive and make it back to their families. In the end, I think Miyabe is still against the Kamikaze but he knows he is going to die and he knows his family will be in good hands so he ends his life by destroying the enemy ship. 

5) The reason he felt this was is because of Bushido and Haragei. Miyabe was different than everyone else because he didn't want to sacrifice his life and he wanted to stay alive of his family. I see the concept of Haragei because Miyabe went against the grain and voiced his opinion to Izaki. Miyabe ruined the harmonious culture by speaking his mind. I see Bushido because Izaki wanted to die in honor for his country and when he heard Miyabe say he didn't, he felt he was a traitor and not a true warrior. 

6) The negative effect of groups in this film is that those who are suicide bombers must do what they are commanded to do. In other words, pilots were expected to die so those, like Miyabe, who didn't want to die, were seen as an outcast. When you are in a group, you are expected to do as the group does and when you don't follow their orders or do what they do, you are picked on. This can be compared with Kamikaze because the group of suicide bombers all wanted to die for their country and when they found out that Miyabe, a member of their group, didn't want to die, he was called a coward and made fun of. 

7) I definitely see a connection between Eternal Zero and The Last Ronin. Throughout the movie, I feel the soldiers showed bushido by sacrificing their lives for their country. Similar to The Last Ronin, soldiers felt it was an honor to die in war and they made fun of those who didn't and even became mad at them. I think this effected the war because it took the fear out of Japanese soldiers. Since they felt it was an honor to die, they were able to attack the enemy without a fear of being destroyed. This made the Japanese a fierce competitor during the war. 

8) When reflecting on the film, there were a few instances when I saw Haragei. One example is how when Oishi started visiting Matsuno after Miyabe died, he didn’t directly tell her why he was doing so for a very long time. Another example would be how during the war, the soldiers don't really speak there mind because they don't want to upset the others. If someone doesn't want to die, they will say they do because they don't want to disrupt the group culture and be called a coward. 

9) Miyabe switched planes with Oishi because he knew it was having engine problems and wanted to save Oishi. Miyabe also wanted to fly in the plane in which he first flew. 

10) I think the man that saved Matsuno was Kageura. The reason I think it was him was because every time Kentaro went to his house, they showed the sword. Kageura respected Miyabe so I think that’s why he saved Matsuno.

11) The concept I see the most is bushido because the pilots see pride in death. They see Kamikaze as an honor and don't even think twice about dying. I also see bushido because those who don't risk their lives are seen as cowards. 

12) The most striking thing I leaned from this film was how young the pilots in training were. I’m not sure how old they actually were but from the looks of it, they seemed as if they were around my age or even younger. This is surprising because they had so much left of their lives but they put themselves in danger and risked their lives for their country. 

[willarmstrong]

Blog #7

The Do Spirit of Japan:

“For example, before any practice begins in a dojo, disciples sit and face the master, who leads them in a moment of meditative silence. Then there are patterns or forms to follow, practice is repetitive, and moves must be repeated thousands of times and perfected before new techniques may be learned.” (76)

The reason I chose this quote is because it vastly differs from how we learn in America. I feel that in America, learning is rushed and teacher go at a fast pace. Since students learn at different rates, I don't feel the American system of teaching is effective. I know this isn’t how the Japanese learn in school but I find this method of learning very interesting. In America, studies have shown that it takes 10,000 hours of an activity to become a master. With that said, I feel learning in the dojo was very effective and helped students master certain skills. 

“As a result, the spiritual and aesthetic values of Japanese culture, which are reflected in the spirit of the do, are rapidly being lost, and nowadays even the Kata are disappearing, with nothing being created to replace them.” (78)

After reading previous sections from the text, I feel that Japanese culture and their way of life is slowly becoming more like the United States. In the section about Gamabari, the author mentioned how the Japanese are working less and starting to follow the American way of life. The reason I chose this quote is because I feel the United States is influencing Japan and our culture is spreading. I feel bad that the old values of Japanese culture are becoming lost. Culture is a huge part of a country and I feel bad that they are losing their traditional roots. The Japanese must embrace change and realize that things evolve over time. 

Hedataru to Najimu:

“In fact, bowing at a distance of one meter is still a common form of greeting in Japan and creates a sense of familiarity for people by letting others know that one will not violate their privacy.” (111)

I chose to discuss this quote because I knew the Japanese bowed but I didn't know it was because of privacy. In America, we greet each other by shaking hands and don’t even consider the other person’s privacy. I find it interesting that in Japan, people keep their distance in order to not violate someone else’s privacy. I used to think the reason the Japanese bowed was based off of sanitary reasons. I think it’s cool that different cultures act different ways. 

“Students sitting in class keep a fixed distance from their teachers in Japan because they feel a strong psychological separation due to differing levels in social status.” (110)

Similar to my previous answer, in America, we respect privacy but not as much as the Japanese. I chose this quote because as a student, I don't sit a certain distance away from teacher because of a differing level in social status. Students do tend to sit farther away from the teacher in America, but that is because they don't want to be up front and get called on. I think it’s interesting that students do this in Japan because as an America I don't understand what it feels like to feel a strong psychological separation from my teacher. 

Shudan Ishiki:

“In contrast, if people carelessly and directly express what they really think, there is the probability of hurting the feelings of others, disrupting the group ambiance, or destroying harmonious relations.” (195)

Looking back on previous sections we have read, I chose to discuss this quote because it shows how the Japanese are all about maintaining group harmony. It seems as though people’s thoughts and ideas are suppressed due to a fear of creating conflict. This is different from America because we value expression and creativity. People are encouraged to speak up and give their opinion. It is said that no idea is a bad idea. 

“As a result, an individual who is a member of the group cannot help comforting to the group’s aims, sense of values, customs, and so on. In public, they try to maintain an attitude of support toward the group, even if their own personal ideas are at odds with the groups values...” (196)

This quote is similar to the one above and goes back to the idea of creative expression. From my experiences, I have always been encouraged to speak up and share my ideas. I have also been in situations where group members have been unhappy and have spoken up and expressed their disagreement. When learning about group dynamics, it is common for people disagree and then work things out. Personally I would hate if I felt uncomfortable speaking up or sharing my ideas. I would also hate to work in a group where I disagree with other members and feel I can't share my disapproval. 

[willarmstrong]

Blog #6

1) The first example of how Magoza demonstrates bushido is when he agrees to raise his master’s daughter Kane. Although raising Kane meant leaving the war, changing his identity, and never speaking a word of what has happened, Magoza still agrees to the task. This is an excellent example of how Mazoga demonstrates Bushido because he spent 16 years of his life in hiding and lying all because it was his master’s orders. 

Another example of how Magoza demonstrates Bushido is when he is attacked by some men in the cemetery. After being recognized by some former soldiers, Mogoza is attacked and called a coward. One of the disgruntled men even threatens to kill him. Magoza demonstrates Bushido because even though his life was at risk, he was being beaten, and called a coward, Magoza still kept his secret. 

2) According to Google’s definition, obligation is “an act or course of action to which a person is morally or legally bound; a duty or commitment.” When it comes to Giri, I feel that the concept is more implied and is a way to keep Japanese culture harmonious. For example, the book discusses how when you receive a gift, you feel you must give a gift in return. I feel there is more of an emotional commitment with Giri that is more than an obligation. On the other hand, an obligation is more of a contract. An obligation has less emotions tied to it and is more a sense of duty. For example, if you prepay for a companies service, it is their obligation to provide you with that service. 

3) After watching the movie, I feel that Bushido is more loyalty while Giri is more of a responsibility. When looking at the scene where Magoza’s master told him he would have to care for Kane, Magoza displayed both concepts. Mogoza used Bushido when he agreed to care for Kane because he was loyal to his master. On the other hand, he used Giri throughout the movie by not ever telling anyone his secret. Because of Bushido (his loyalty), Magoza fulfilled his Giri (duty) by keeping the situation a secret.

4) The first example of the IE system is when Magoza told Kane she was going to get married. This represents how males were the head of the household and made all decisions. Since Magoza had all the power, Kane had to obey his orders. 

Another example of the IE system is how three generations had worked for Magoza’s master. In the scene where Magoza was told he would have to care for Kane, Magoza had mentioned that his ancestors had been in his same position and that he was loyal. This is an example of the IE system because of the lineage and how Magoza did what his family members did. 

5) As I mentioned earlier, Magoza is the head of the household so when he says Kane has to get married, she has to get married. One complication, however, is that Kane didn’t want to get married. She told Magoza that she loved him and that she didn't want to get married. This is a problem because she doesn't have the power in the household yet she is speaking up against Magoza’s orders. 

6) Personally, I feel that men and women are treated equally in the household, but I feel that men still hold more authority. The reason I feel this way is because women can make their own decisions and aren’t told what to do by the man. Women are also becoming more independent and are shifting from roles as stay at home moms to roles in the workforce. From what I have observed, women aren’t controlled by the men in the household. 

7) I feel Kichi was confused because of Bushido. Kichi was probably confused because Magoza should have been loyal and not fled from the battle. Samurais want honor and will die if it means they will be respected and remembered. They would rather die than submit in battle. 

8) In the end, I feel like Kane and that one guy are going to get married. “If there were no sons, a son-in-law could be adopted to marry the daughter; if none of the children survived to adulthood, a son or daughter could be adopted to carry on the line.” She needs to marry in order to carry on her loyal bloodline. 

9) One prior concept I feel they use effectively is Aimai. The reason I chose this term is because throughout the movie, Mogoza is very vague with his answers. One example of this is when he was asked if he knew Kane. Although he did, he was vague about his answer and pretended like he didn’t. 

Another concept they use effectively is Kenkyo. The reason I chose this is because I felt Magoza was modest and lived a very humble life. He never showed off his skills and never directly accepted compliments.

10) I enjoyed this movie and felt it was a good representation of Japanese culture. Growing up in the United States, I think it’s cool to see the cultural differences between Japan and the U.S. 

[willarmstrong]

Blog #5

Bushido:

“The samurai were ranked as the highest class in the Edo period, and they were not just soldiers, but they also had a political role.” (P.44)

I chose this quote because we have a similar system in the United States. In America, generals are regarded as the highest ranking military official and they usually have some sort of strong political tie. For example, the United States generals communicate with the president and make frequent visits to the White House to discuss matters regarding national security. Samurais remind me of generals in the sense that they were both were super high ranking and had influence on the government. 

“Honor was very important for samurai as a matter of pride, and achieving an honorable death meant that their descendants were rewarded and treated well by their lord.” (P.46)

I found this quote interesting because it talked about how suicide is regarded as the highest honor in Japan. The book even gave a later example about how some men would kill their children if their wife was sick. I understand why suicide is regarded as honor but I feel in some cases it may be a little extreme. In the United States, we admire bravery but not so much to the point of ending our own life. I feel this quote reflects Japanese culture because they wanted to be honored by their predecessors and make a great name for themselves. 

Giri:

“In the Muromachi period, a book of manners was written that formalized this way of thinking, advising that “if you receive a present from someone, you should return something which is of equal value” (Minamoto, 1969, p.43).”

I selected this quote because in America, we don’t feel like we must give a gift in return. Although some people may feel this way, it’s not cultural to give a gift in return. With that said, there are exceptions but for example, someone who receives gifts on his/her birthday does not give a gift in return. I find this interesting because gifts are what make occasions special. If I had to buy gifts to give to the people who gave me gifts on my birthday, the day wouldn’t be as special. Although I enjoy giving gifts, I wouldn't want to have to do it every time I received a gift. I also like givings gift and don't feel like I need anything in return.

“In many Western countries, people generally give cards or presents to their spouses, boyfriends or girlfriends, and family members on Valentine’s Day; however, in Japan, only females give chocolates to their boyfriends or husbands. ”

This quote is intriguing because of the cultural differences between the United States and Japan. I find it interested that both countries celebrate Valentines day, however, the way we celebrate the holiday differs. Usually, in America, the male gives the female chocolate. Television ads for Valentines Day chocolate appeal to males so that they will buy their significant other chocolate. I feel that culture and the media has shaped the way we celebrate special occasions such as Valentines Day.  

The Japanese System:

“Patriarchs is one of the main characteristics of ie. Under this system, the head of the household , who was generally the senior male, decided on the actions of its members and had the absolute power of control over the family...” (P.120)

Although this system has changed over the years, I still found this quote relevant because the male is still considered the head of the household in American society today. Now, although this isn’t always true, the way we were raised portrays men as the one who provides for the family and keeps them safe. The male is viewed as the authority holder and is seen as the most powerful one in the house. In modern society, men and women are much closer to having equal power and the male isn't necessarily the one who supports the household anymore. I found this similar to Japanese culture because in the past, the male had absolute power over the household, but over the years that has changed. 

“Second, the law allowed parents to control the lives of their children because they needed the consent of their parents when they married, divorced, took part in adoption, or engaged in business or other occupations.” (P.123)

The reason I selected this quote is because my parents are not strict at all and allow me to have a lot of freedom. I have built trust with my parents and because of that, they allow me to do things that other parents wouldn't allow. Once again, this system is becoming less and less restricting, but I would hate if my parents controlled my life. I feel it is unfair for a parent to be making decisions for their son or daughter. Freedom and trust is a huge part of childhood and I feel that in early Japan, those rights were not available to children. 

[willarmstrong]

Blog Post #4

1) Personally, I struggle to connect the concept of aimai to virtue. Throughout the movie I identified scenes of what I believe to be aimai, but I don’t remember any scenes that I would consider virtuous. One reason I feel this way is because honesty and telling the truth is a virtue. In the scene where the two girls are sitting at the table and Endo tells Kirishima about the abortion, I didn't feel like their was any aimai at all. However, I do feel that Endo was being virtuous by telling the truth. 

2) One scene that demonstrates aimai is when the two girls are sitting on the guard rail at the end of the summer. Kirishima knows where Endo was over the summer but pretends like she doesn’t. She questions Endo as if she doesn't know what she was really up to. This is a good example of Aimai because Kirishima is being vague to avoid awkwardness or tension. Another example of aimai is when the two girls are sitting on the beach and Kirishima tells Endo that she “likes” her. This is an example of aimai because it took her a while to directly say that she liked her and even when she did, she wasn’t exactly clear with what she meant.  

3) One main difference between American and Japanese schooling is that in Japan, the students clean the classrooms. In the movie, there was a scene where all of the students were washing the board and cleaning the classroom before they went home. In America, we hire janitors to clean the school for us. This represents gamabari because the Japanese are always working hard. 

4) A scene that I feel demonstrates uchi to soto between Kirishima and Nakano is when they are outside and talking about what happened to Endo. I feel this scene represents uchi because Kirishima can now talk to Nakano because they are both friends with Endo. Nakano tells Kirishima about the abortion and how Endo was having an affair with a married man. This is personal information and is only shared within the inner circle because both girls care about Endo. 

5) One concept she could have used was honne to tatemae. The reason I feel this concept is applicable is because she wanted to fit in with society. Someone would use honne to tatemae to chose an option that everyone would like. In the scenario, I feel maybe Kirishima felt that if she said yes, it would make Endo happier than if she said no. She might have later told the truth because she felt that lying would only do her more hard than telling the truth. 

6) As an American, I associate silent movies with dramas. I usually feel these movies are deep and consist of a lot of thought and inner feelings. In Blue, I feel chinmoku represents thought and affection. The long pauses also gave me a chance to think about what was happening and reflect on the scene. I feel the silence gives the audience a sense of seriousness and based on Japanese culture I feel Kirishima uses her silence as a way to express endearment toward Endo. 

7) Kirishima wanted to go to a private art university in Tokyo. Although she started paining later than her peers, she put in a lot of hard work so that she could attend the art school. 

8) In the end of the movie, Kirishima and Endo talked about how they wanted to be a couple and live together in Tokyo. Unfortunately, this did not happen and the two girls went their separate ways. The movie ends with a video of the beach that Endo sent to Kirishima. 

9) I thought the ending of the movie was very vague and because that, I would say it used aimai. Although we know the girls ended up in Tokyo, we don't know why and what their current relationship is. The ending leaves room for much interpretation of what happens. The ending also uses chinmoku with a very long scene showing the video of the beach. I feel this gives the viewer time to reflect on the movie and all that happened. The last concept the ending uses is uchi to soto to show that the girls are still close even though they went their separate ways. 

10) Personally, I had much trouble identifying aimai. Compared to American culture, I didn’t really feel that they were very vague in their conversations. I feel like most of the things that were said were direct and to the point. I also found watching this movie difficult due to all of the silence. Even though there are a lot of American movies with silence, they usually contain more actions or words than Blue. Because of chinmoku, I feel this movie would appeal more to someone Japanese than American due to the silent aspect of their culture. 

[willarmstrong]

Blog Post #3

Aimai:

“In Japan, when people decline offers, they use many roundabout expressions, such as chotto, demo, kangaete-okune, and so on. Nobody expects to be told no directly, even if the other person is really in disagreement. People take care to maintain a friendly atmosphere and express themselves indirectly; as a result, ambiguity occurs.” (11)

The reason I chose this quote is because as an American, this type of behavior would drive me crazy. In my opinion, a huge part of every day American life is communication. Without direct communication, a large majority of businesses in the United States wouldn’t be able to function as well as they do. Although not all Americans are straight forward, it is very common to say what is on your mind and to give direct answers. Although Americans are more direct than the Japanese, I often find myself using Aimai. For example, there have been many times where I have been asked to choose between two food items and I always say I don’t care. The reason I say that is because I would rather satisfy the other person over myself. 

“Even though quarrels sometimes arise, they usually do not affect people’s relationships except in extreme cases. In Japan, however, if you go against someone and create a bad atmosphere, your relations may break off completely.” (13)

I found this quote interesting because I have been told by my parents and other people that it is healthy to argue and fight. Scientific studies have actually shown that couples who are open and direct with their relationship are in a better situation then those who don’t. Although I like to please others first, I appreciate when people are direct with me and don’t hold their problems and emotions in. I feel that Aimai isn’t healthy for the Japanese because they are holding a lot of emotions inside with the fear that if they let them out, they will lose certain relationships. I also feel they have a lot of problems because people don't speak up about what needs to be fixed due to a fear of being judged by others.

Uchi to Soto:

“The family stays together most of the time and moves from one place to the next, depending on whether it is eating, relaxing, playing, or sleeping. Although this pattern tends to create family unity, it widens the gap between family and outsiders.” (218)

The reason I chose this quote is because although Americans value family, it seems they have a lot more flexibility than the Japanese. What I mean by this is that in high school, I was rarely ever at my house and was usually participating in school activities or hanging out with friends. The only time my family really ever saw each other during the week was during dinner. Although I love my family, I would get sick of them if I had to spend that much time with them. As Americans, outside relationships are a huge part of our culture and I was raised with the idea that I should accept anyone and give anyone a chance. 

“Although legally protected against overt discrimination, burakumin still face severe prejudice. They are often refused employment in any but menial jobs. In addition, members of the Korean community, even those born in Japan and speaking fluent Japanese, are aliens.” (219)

After reading this quote, I realized that the United States isn't the only country that faces discrimination problems. As a country, we have gotten much better at providing equal rights to women, immigrants, and people other races and cultures, however, problems do still exist. I feel that since the Japanese are so concerned about ruining their environment, they face more discrimination problems than the U.S. This is something that may be fixed with time, but I feel that the Japanese need to change their mindset and be more understanding of people who aren't Japanese. 

Chinmoku:

“If students see someone being bullied, they may not mention anything about the fact and just try to keep a distance from both the assailant and the victim, for fear of being mixed up in the bullying themselves. Similarly, in a train, if people recognize that someone is being molested, they may not say anything to help the victim, because they are afraid of disapproval for their forward behavior or simply because they are apathetic.” (55)

In America, people fail to report misconduct due to the bystander and a lack of wanting to become involved. I chose this quote because although many Americans aren’t scared of disapproval, they keep quiet for other reasons. When bullying occurs in America, there are many students who don’t report it because they either feel it’s not their responsibility or because they feel someone else will report it. In Japan, it seems weird that the reason a person wouldn't report a rape is because they are afraid of disapproval. 

“For one thing, as has been explained, when the Japanese are silent, it may imply a wide range of meanings, such as consideration or sympathy, modesty, agreement, patience, embarrassment, resentment, lack of forgiveness or defiance, and apathy.” (55)

I found this quote interesting because in America, silence is viewed as awkward. When someone is silent they are regarded as shy or socially awkward and are challenging to hold a conversation with. If I were to interact with someone Japanese, I would be confused by their silence because it could mean so many different things. In America, we understand peoples emotions by the way they talk and they way they communicate with their bodies. Americans are straightforward and like to communicate their feelings verbally. One thing I don’t understand is if silence can mean so many things, then how do the Japanese know how others feel?

[willarmstrong]

Blog Post #2

1) Jiro trained his sons harder than his other apprentices and has made it known that he expected perfection from them. Although Jiro knows he trained them well, he still criticizes them and tries to improve their work. Jiro also says that when his children were young, he worked so hard that he was never home. Due to Gambari, Jiro spent long days at work and neglected his responsibilities as a father. Jiro continues to work and still hasn’t let his oldest son Yoshikazu take over the business. 

2) Yoshikazu has been working very hard since he was a young boy and is ready to fill his fathers footsteps. The movie states that he is actually the one who prepared the sushi that got them the Michelin 3 stars. Due to the Japanese culture and the way people value work ethic, I feel Yoshikazu will work just as hard as his father. I think Jiro has a great reputation but I think his son has the ability and Gambari to carry on his father’s legacy. 

3) One example of Kenkyo is how the oldest employees are in charge of the entire restaurant. This resembles the fact that that the elders have more authority in a business setting in Japan. Another example is how Jiro stays humble throughout the movie and never talks about how great of a restaurant he owns. He has one of the top restaurant in the world but never brags about that. The last example occurs when Yoshikazu compliments the fish vender at the market. Yoshikazu states that he is the best at his job but the vender disagrees and says he's not that great. 

4) I think Jiro is a huge part of the restaurant just because of his legacy. People know Jiro’s name and face and they associate him with great sushi. The fact that Jiro’s son prepared the Michelin sushi demonstrates that Jiro isn’t the only one capable of creating amazing sushi. I think Jiro is a huge part of the restaurant, however, I feel the restaurant will still be just as successful once he passes away.

5) I feel Enryo is present between Jiro and Takashi because Jiro allowed him to open a restaurant on his own. This shows that Jiro trusts his son’s capabilities. A scene that shows this is when they show Takashi and his restaurant. They talk about how Jiro felt his son was ready to manage and open a restaurant of his own. If Jiro felt that his son wasn’t capable of creating quality sushi on his own, he wouldn’t have let him open his own restaurant. 

6) In the United States, one advantage of Gambari is a faster rate of promotion and a higher pay. The harder you work, the more you are noticed and the more likely you are to climb the corporate ladder. In America, this is one of the main reasons why people work hard. A disadvantage to Gambari in the United States is overworking, greed, and time away from your family. I am an extremely hard worker and my mother frequently tells me that it’s important to not overwork and to make time for my family when I’m older. 

7) "Once you decide on your occupation you must immerse yourself in your work. You have to fall in love with your work. Never complain about your job. You must dedicate your life to mastering your skill." I chose this quote because as we discussed in class, Gambari is working to master your craft. Jiro frequently states how he doesn’t care about the money but just wants to become the best he possibly can at making sushi.

8) Personally, I feel that Amae is the most difficult to understand. After reading the section and discussing the word in class I feel I still do not understand what this word truly means. I know that it has to do with our close personal connections but I’m not sure how to apply it to my own life. Based on what we discussed in class, maybe asking your parents for money could be an example of Amae. The reason for this is because you know your parents love you but you feel bad asking them for financial help.