Session 10 - 11/16 (afternoon)

[cgao]

[Iris Marin]

It was interesting to hear that the demographics of workers in Japan was visible in Professor Peck's visit to Japan in Summer in 2018. I learned that many of the foreign workers are working in the service markets. Further, I learned that Japanese negotiating style is less concerned with pressure of deadlines; don't make an on the spot decision and it means consulting with higher up and making a group decision. Also, making deals  in terms of a western perspective take longer. Japanese to Japanese get to a negotiation faster. Emphasis is on building relationship, harmony, trust. Silence is a pressure relief to calm things down and avoid arguments.  There is an order to Business Card ettiquete and it is an extension of owner's identity.  This lecture was very interesting and I would have loved to ask more questions and hear about his experiences but time was limited. 

 

 

[Iris Marin]

Professor Bharme's lecture on the architecture of Japan was also awesome, yet too short as well. I  enjoyed the thought and purposeful implementation of certain natural elements in gardens (i.e. ceremonial teahouses) to enforce meditation into the mundane. I was also amazed by  Japan's idea of building for impermanence in contrast to the western idea of building for permanence.

Further, the fact that they did not use nails in premodern  Japan was also an amazing feature of their architecture. I had no idea that Japan has torn down and rebuilt almost all, if not all of their buildings. Fascinating topic indeed!

[Angela Chong]

The lecture on architecture discussed 5 main types of Japanese architecture and the two that stood out most to me were the ornamental type and the zen. These are complete opposites of one another, and yet they are both Japanese. First, the description of this ornamental style as a baroque-like architecture feels extrememly accurate. I didn't think of this style as Japanese, and it made sense that these were borrowed from China, as I would have assumed that is where the structures pictured were located. What surprised me most, as the reading explained that this type of design only exhists now in Japan. Second, the zen, which before the reading and lecture this is what I thought of as Japanese architecture, but as Professor Bharme explained, all of these are Japanese. The clean lines were something I definitely noticed, but I did not realize there aren't diagonal lines until he pointed it out. Even down to the way the doors open, nothing creates a diagonal. There's something very open and nonconfrontational about the absence of diagonal lines and so many right angles. Nothing to draw your eye to a specific location or disturb your purpose for being in the room itself. At the risk of sounding obvious, it really does create a "zen" space. I can also see hte connection between this style and the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright. I have been attracted to Wright's architectural style for a long time, and driving through neighborhoods those are the types of houses which stand out to me the most. Those types of structures look very solid, peaceful, relaxed, and I've always been very attracted to them. It's interesting that they take from the zen style in Japan, and I've always had that impression, not realizing why. 

 

[Angela Chong]

The lecture on architecture was rich and full of so many interesting and necessary practices that are unique to Japan. First the idea that no nails were used in Japanese buildings is facinating to me. I can remember a few times when I didn't have a stapler and I needed to keep some papers together. I did a series of folds to keep the papers from becoming separated from one another. To realize that entire buildings were built using a similar, obviously more sophisticated, type of construction is beyond something I knew exhisted. This type of contruction is a big piece of the pagoda, having a single trunk of a tree in the middle, coming out from it using the interlocking technique creates the structure of the building. We have type of pagoda in our front yard, this one made of stone, which is the opposite of the construction material most commonly used in Japan. Using wood made sense in light of the earthquakes which are common in the region. The timber form the forests meant they were utilizting the natural surrounding materials, which at a certain point they realized wouldn't be endless and had to make changes. The wood itself being a semi-permanent material meant they had to tear down and rebuild several times, in the case of historic buildings in Japan. It's shocking to realize there are no original historic structures in Japan. In earlier discussions of why Japan was so open to the changes of the modernization period and then later the influence of the United States, may be in part because they are used to change. The reality that even their buildings won't last forever and there is a confort in knowing that life must them move foward and change is necessary. This has continued, even with no wooden buildings. In Tokyo there are frequent demolishing of structures and a new one is constructed in it's place. It has resulted in me having a different understanding of Japan and the ability of the Japanese people to transform and be open to transformation and change. Even though there are obstacles and challenges facing the country, the changes needed to overcome them and move forward are another part of the rebuilding that is already part of the Japanese culture. 

[Angela Chong]

The lecture on architecture was rich and full of so many interesting and necessary practices that are unique to Japan. First the idea that no nails were used in Japanese buildings is facinating to me. I can remember a few times when I didn't have a stapler and I needed to keep some papers together. I did a series of folds to keep the papers from becoming separated from one another. To realize that entire buildings were built using a similar, obviously more sophisticated, type of construction is beyond something I knew exhisted. This type of contruction is a big piece of the pagoda, having a single trunk of a tree in the middle, coming out from it using the interlocking technique creates the structure of the building. We have type of pagoda in our front yard, this one made of stone, which is the opposite of the construction material most commonly used in Japan. Using wood made sense in light of the earthquakes which are common in the region. The timber form the forests meant they were utilizting the natural surrounding materials, which at a certain point they realized wouldn't be endless and had to make changes. The wood itself being a semi-permanent material meant they had to tear down and rebuild several times, in the case of historic buildings in Japan. It's shocking to realize there are no original historic structures in Japan. In earlier discussions of why Japan was so open to the changes of the modernization period and then later the influence of the United States, may be in part because they are used to change. The reality that even their buildings won't last forever and there is a confort in knowing that life must them move foward and change is necessary. This has continued, even with no wooden buildings. In Tokyo there are frequent demolishing of structures and a new one is constructed in it's place. It has resulted in me having a different understanding of Japan and the ability of the Japanese people to transform and be open to transformation and change. Even though there are obstacles and challenges facing the country, the changes needed to overcome them and move forward are another part of the rebuilding that is already part of the Japanese culture. 

[Angela Chong]

I found the discussion of the tea ceremony and how it fostered meditation because it was a mundane activity to be facinating. I enjoy vaccuming and the satisfaction that comes after it's completed. During the process of vaccuming my mind is very active and I sometimes come to some profound conclusions during that time because it's mundane. Several years ago I worked in a factory, which ended up only lasting for 2 and a half months, because my mind never stopped thinking. The mundane process of doing the same task over and over again for 8 hours was entirely too much for me. This is the point in the tea ceremony though. It kept the young monks who had not yet perfected their practice of meditation awake and somewhat engaged, allowing them to meditate more effectively. 

[Angela Chong]

The discussion of etiquette in Japan, specfically related to business, was facinating to me. The importance of a business card is so different from what I've experienced. The other day someone gave me their card and I threw it in the conference bag I received when I entered the conference. Doing this in Japan would be perceived as thoughtless and rude. The idea that silence should not be avoided is a difficult one for me. I am a talker and I engage best when having a conversation. As an extrovert my energy comes from interaction and I realized several years ago I needed a job with significant human interaction, or else my soul would shrivel up and die. The idea of silience being part of the negotiation is actually quite profound to me. My husband is much less verbal than me and I remember the first time I met and had dinner with his parents no one spoke as we at the meal. I was quite uncomforable at first, until I realized after we had all finished eating we would be sitting and conversing at the table for a couple of hours. When Professor Peck mentioned not being afraid of silence this meal with my future in-laws came to mind. Thinking of it as a pressure relief makes me see it from another side though. Over the last few years, although I realized professionally I like human interaction, I've become more comfortable and even challenged myself not to feel the need to fill every moment with talking. The idea that silence gives a pressure relief and calms things is quite refreshing. It's interesting to me how those in Japan perceive us as Americans, being loud talkers. Having an understanding of Japanese culture helps me understand why that's the impression we make because it is so different. 

[Lizette Bernal]

I was mind blown, to say the least, when the professor discussed the delicacy found within Japanese architecture. It quite literally all makes sense now. Japanese treasure and value simplicity which explains the “secrecy” behind many of the landscapes in homes, stylistic choices in fashion, and decor. I love the idea of allowing only a minimal viewpoint of something massively beautiful (e.g. a small view of a large beautiful beach). I do agree that it allows the mind the creativity to appreciate it for a longer time than having the big picture given to it. This also closely relates to what the professor mentioned about teacups having designs inside of them instead of outside in aim to visually appeal to the person drinking it - pretty awesome perspective!

[Lizette Bernal]

I was fascinated to find out that the Japanese culture favors lines and disapproves of angles. Again, it now makes sense why so many Japense sites have sliding doors as entrances instead of the usual “pull/push” doors which ultimately, has angles when opened. The professor talked about “creating space in time” when distinguishing what each room is in Japense architecture since there’s truly no permanent room. Rooms are rather brought to life depending on the occasion of the moment. I wonder then, if it’s unusual to find a place with fixed furniture? Would that environment then be considered out of the norm and not well accepted?

[Lizette Bernal]

Language is powerful when negotiating Japanese deals (or any deals). Japenese people have a tendency of avoiding saying “no”. Professor ____ had a slide of the 16 ways they say no to avoid commitment. One of the reasons was writing a letter with the intention to say no when those involved could have said no in person. This reason stuck out most out of all 16 because I’m guilty of doing something similar. To avoid commitment with either a task, a gathering, or some sort of responsibility, I respond with “I’ll let you know” knowing very well I will probably avoid the whole situation in general. 

 

On another (less personal) note, I like that the Japense use silence to let an anger simmer down. In some cases, silence makes people uncomfortable. To think of silence as a way to end an argument takes skill and practice. I say this because when upset, people are likely to control their reactions. There’s a whole list of basic rules when doing business in Japan, what is the outcome of breaking these rules? Is it a “side-eye” unwelcomed impulse, or something as drastic as asking people to leave the premises?

[Haena Shin]

It was really interesting to learn about Japanese work culture and etiquette. The piece of silence was quite interesting to me. In the context of disagreement, I think silence could be a powerful negotiating tool, which would allow people to think and pick up on each other’s social cues. While it takes much practice and effort, I think this part of Japanese culture is something we can practice in our daily conversations.

 

The lecture on architecture was very insightful. I loved learning about the elements of zen and both the cultural and religious elements considered in the building, design, and structure of Japanese architecture. The intentionality and the use of natural materials of the temples and shrines makes it more beautiful. It makes me wonder whether these elements will continue to be included in future architecture as Japan becomes more and more modernized.

[Haena Shin]

It was interesting to hear from Professor Peck's lecture that Japan was initially very closed off to the idea of foreign workers. I wonder if that perspective will continue to change in 2020 and beyond as more and more opportunity rises.  Although Japan may be very efficient in the way they get their work done, it was interesting to learn how negotiations take more time and are considered with more thought and care. I would love to witness a negotiation take place and how people in the meeting room maintain silence and how their eye contact and mannerisms may change.

[Cynthia Stults]

Angela, I'm sure my husband wishes that I viewed vacuuming with the same appreciation that you do! For me, it's running out in nature on the trails. You are fairly isolated, and after awhile, you get into the running groove, but at the same time, you need to remain engaged so that you can avoid rocks, logs, and other pitfalls that can show up on the trail. I'm impressed that you lasted that long in the factory, as I think I might be lucky to make it a week! I have found that traditional meditation is incredibly hard to me to sit there, close my eyes, and do nothing! My mind can't quiet down, and instead, I keep thinking of all the things I should be doing.  I guess I am just like one of the novice monks who NEEDED the tea ceremony to keep their mind occupied. 

[Cynthia Stults]

Professor Bharnes had incredible pictures and insight into Japanese architecture, and I actually could see simple ways to incorporate this into my 4th grade classroom. One area I did not expect to be able to utilize was that of Professor Bharnes himself. I think often times, kids feel that they need to fit in and like things that all the other kids like and I thought that it was a wonderful example of following your own passions. He was a child raised in India, but discovered and developed this passion for Japanese architecture that eventually went on to shape his entire life. I'm fairly sure that not many of his friends developed similar interests, but that did not deter him from continuing to pursue his interests. I will definitely hold him up as an example to my students.

I LOVED seeing all of the variations of the Zen gardens. In my ignorance, I had assumed that all Zen gardens were the same, with the stones/sand raked into particular patterns. NOPE! Zen gardens were designed based on where the monastery was located and worked with the surrounding environment. We are working on students developing mindfulness in my school and I think it would be a fantastic lesson to show students all of the different types of Zen gardens and explain their origins, and then have them design their own Zen garden, either drawing inspiration from the Japanese examples, or of their own creation. I might even have students save these and bring them out before tests, to help them find their Zen and feel better prepared for the coming stress. 

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