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Lizette BernalIt’s insightful to learn about Japan’s role with the US government. It’s true that we cannot “blame” Japan for accommodating and shaping to whoever the US president is. Whether it be Trump or Sanders, Japan is going to constantly adapt to who we elect as president - objectively, of course. Following this idea however, it seems that not all Japanese people were in favor of Japan’s tendency to support the US presidents and their ideals. The movement Anpo Toso, otherwise known as the student movement against the Alliance, that took place during the late 1980s in hopes of limiting Japan’s reliance on the US. Because of this movement, there was light shed on Japan’s dependency on the US. I’m wondering if the Anpo Toso was shocking to Japan’s society. Was Japan aware of others’ disapproval?
Lizette BernalHi Sara,
I posted on a similar topic. I think women know what they're role is when married and maybe that also influences their focus (major) while studying. What I mean by this, is that considering their stay-at-home role when starting a family, I'd like to think that they use their education and knowledge to in a way teach (or home school) their children. It's definitely an added responsibility but it may make the effort worth it.
Lizette BernalHi Iris,
The way Japan set up limits for spending was really interesting. Although I'm still a little confused on how it worked, I like the idea of setting regualtions to avoid spending on items that aren't needed. It would definitely increase savings. But how does one monitor that? I might've missed th answer to this next question in the lecture also, but does this always work or are there some flaws?
Lizette BernalHi Sara,
I also was unaware that Takashi's art is a symbol for restoration. Now, I've definetly heard of art as an escape to cope with internal feelings, but I've never put that idea to a larger scale. Takashi's art, as Professor Tsutsui put it, is a coping method for an enture country. They see his art as theraputic - that's pretty awesome. I'm wondering now however, if Takashi has to create art with this purpose in mind. What would happen [ie. Japan's response] if his colorful and uplifting art suddenly become dark and moody? What do you think?
Lizette BernalHi Marcos,
Japan deserves all the credit for restoring and having to match the success of other countries. I think this plays a major role in why they are praised for learning, implementing, and perfecting the practices of others. I'm not sure how well-received other areas of the world would be if they started to behave and work the same way as other countries - if that makes sense? It's inspring to think that Japan did not stop at simply recreating what has proven to work in other countries. I think we can all learn a thing or two from them also, such as working in unity and with an obatinable objective. Thanks for sharing!
Lizette BernalHi Cynthia,
In response to your question about whether the animated characters (Hello Kitty, Sailor Moon, etc.) were created as a means of coping with the trauma of the threats and destrcution, I think yes. It's almost as though producing these characters and similar animation shows creates a false sense of reality from Japan's actual state of mind. There's a clear division between what's real and what's made up, but there must be a reason on why peopl choose to blend the two (fiction and non-fiction) so closely together. I view it, similar to your perspective, as a mans of escape or rather momentary "break" from what's at stake.
Lizette BernalHi Iris,
You really should watch Godzilla. It's more than the "viscious" monster, the storyline is awesome! I didn't see the connection between destrcution and healing but it makes total sense after our lecture yesterday. What is broken needs to be fixed. It's inspiring that Japan maintains hope instead of letting defeat shape their country. Thanks for sharing!
Lizette BernalThe topic of disaster films such as Godzilla was the target in today’s seminar. While the movies are dark, Professor Tsutsui mentioned that the aftermath of the destruction in these movies is also extremely important. It signifies a rebirth; something relatively close to a cleansing. This is because after the famous fights and demolition of cities, people need to rebuild what was once there. The term Tsutsui mention to describe this act is “resurrection”. To think of movies like Godzilla as a self-reflection of the current state of Japan is fascinating. Since Japan was changing rapidly each week, especially in Tokyo, it seems that destruction was actually approachable rather than alarming in movies and maybe in real life, too - people really loved this stuff! I think it’s safe to that Americans wouldn’t be able to rise to the occasion of a natural disaster. Perhaps we need to watch and create more disaster movies to really wrap our heads around the idea of unity, order, and communication. What do you think is truly responsible for Japan’s calm approach to natural disaster: culture, government, or the movies?
Lizette Bernal
Professor Tsutsui covered the fascination Japan has with disaster movies - and huge, rather angry, creatures. The distinction made that Hollywood films are more “colorful” than Japan’s darker film customs makes total sense. What’s also interesting though, is that the darkness in Japanese films is also seen as joyful and humorous! Professor Tsutsui discussed the idea that the Japanese culture tends to translate their worst fears into something approachable and easy to defeat which is why huge turtle monsters are brought to life. The reality found in some of these movies is incredible. Today’s seminar taught me to trust my younger brother a lot more. He actually told me that Godzilla’s first film, the original made in 1954, is named Gojira which was confirmed in today’s seminar. I thought he was kidding! I should have known that his interest in everything Godzilla would have led him to do some research about it and therefore, I should have trusted him. It’s pretty awesome to think that an 11 year old can discuss the origins of a film that was made way before his time. He would have loved this session!
Lizette BernalTowards the end of Professor Katada’s lecture, there was mention of the norm of Japanese families. I found it similar to what I see in American families. Many of the people I know belong to groups of families with 2-3 children and their parents. The only notable difference in my opinion is the divorce factor within American parents. Professor Katada informed us that typically Japanese families are constructed of parents, male and female, that have a clear division of labor. To further explain this idea, men are the ones that work, whereas women are stay-at-home wives. This may play a role in why divorce wasn’t mentioned in the discussion of norms within Japanese families. In America for example, both men and women aim to work and become educated. Evne moreso now that women are supported and empowered to become independent and successful on their own (i.e. less dependant on men). It’s also interesting that Japense men (husbands) work about 16 hours shift Monday through Friday and sometimes Saturdays. Though this sounds relatively similar to what teaching feels like, Japanese men are away from their home for those long hours (educators can at least work from home after school, right?). I’m wondering if this plays any role in the unity of Japense families (parents and children) and also unity between the parents themselves? Is there tension at all? Is there a lack of emotional and physical support on behalf of both the wife and the husband?
Lizette BernalProfessor Katada’s presentation was very interesting! My favorite part was when she mentioned that although Japan’s economic power decreased because of China’s economic growth, its cultural recognition grew. I hadn’t noticed to what extent this was true until the mention of Naruto and animation. My boyfriend, and my sister’s fiance, are quite literally obsessed with Japanese culture. I say this because dinner is usually sushi and our entertainment is, for the most part, watching an anime series of some sort. In today’s seminar, Professor Katada discussed that animation (such as Naruto), food (such as sushi), music, and the Olympics taking place next year, is what’s occupying Japan at the moment. Another reference to Japan’s culture that I remember clearly is game Pokemon Go! I don’t think I’ve ever seen our community as united as when that game came out. Everyone gathered almost everywhere, especially beaches, to catch these animated characters. I read that the name Pokemon originated from a Japense brand “Pocket Monsters” (Poketto Monsuta) which makes total sense since the characters are collected and stored (not in a pocket but device this time) to evolve further.
Lizette BernalIn yesterday's seminar, professor Yamashita touched on Japan’s relations with the USA and the frustrations towards negotiations both faced. It’s actually alarming that President FDR characterized Japanese aggression as a “disease”. The web article I read while researching this topic titled “U.S. Relations with Japan” by the U.S. Department of State claims that the U.S.-Japan alliance “is fundamental to [Asia’s] regional stability and prosperity” (para. 1). This ties into what professor Yamashita discussed about Japan’s assets and shipments of oil. The U.S. froze the Japense assets and banned oil, making me think that their relations and connections with one another is a powerful and rather, critical alliance. My question now is, what are the U.S. and Japan’s relations to others? Do they work together or against each other when others (countries) are involved?
Lizette BernalSide Note on White Rice during WWII: In our lecture today, I found it interesting that Japanese people didn't eat white rice until World War II. It's fascinating that they saw it as rice for the wealthy. It makes me appreciate white rice that much more!
Anywho, I don't think I can ever truly imagine what it's like to be under attack and not have it be a false alarm. For this reason, it's alarming to think of what the Japenese felt when they heard the news that the attack on Pearl Harbor was not a drill. Professor Yamashita did a great job describing the attack and how the aircrafts was picked up (at an earlier time) but was mistaken as one of the Japanese planes returning from San Diego. What’s more is that there were flights designed to be suicidal attacks, serving only one purpose - to attack.
Lizette BernalEarlier this month I went to the SuihoEn Japenese Garden where my sister got engaged! It was beautiful and very peaceful, and also very green. There’s plenty of cultural references and pieces about the Japenese lifestyle and traditions. I learned that there’s a Shoin Building where people take courses on tea etiquette (which is what my sister was told she was doing). This course is intended to give people the high-class experience of those in Japan. I was told by one of the tour guides that only the wealthy and/or those with a superior title would have tea in Shoin buildings - super cool! The language to the name of some of the statues and area of the Japenese Garden is purposeful. For example, there’s a Log bridge that is meant to have four foundation stones but because the words “four” and “death” sound similar in Japanese, they’ve added a fifth stone in hopes to avoid bad luck. I’d like to arrange for one of the tea courses they offer. I’ll post what I learned!
Lizette BernalHi Cyntia,
Names really hav a HUGE impact on how one see's themselves. I'm glad you pointed out the connection of name changing with slaves because it ideally is the same difference. Perhaps the Japanese were intending to leave behind Korean names entirely to have greater control but also, I'm assuming that it meant Korean names would be harder to trace in the long-run if they were to ever regain control.
