Japanese Cultural Learning Blog

Tsuyoshi Kusanagi, a member of SMAP- “Japan’s most famous boy band” (“Japanese Boy Band,” 2009), was arrested last week for public indecent exposure.   Around 3:00 AM on April 23nd, Tsuyoshi, after drinking more than 10 glasses of Japanese rice wine and beer, walked to a nearby park, and took off his clothes.  A neighbor heard Tsuyoshi screaming and called the police.  As police approached,  Tsuyoshi yelled at them,   “はだかになってなにがわるい - Just what’s wrong with being naked?”

Japanese society reacted immediately against Tsuyoshi’s misconduct. Tsuyoshi’s arrest topped headlines of all Japanese media the following day. For example, NHK (Japanese public broad casting) placed this breaking news before its live coverage of a parliamentary session on Japan’s plans to fight Somali pirates (“Japanese Pop Star,” 2009).

Eight TV & radio shows featuring appearances of Tsuyoshi were taken off the air, or aired minus Tsuyoshi’s segments.  In addition, many companies halted airing of advertisements starring the member of SMAP (“Kusanagi’s Arrest,” 2009). The Internal Affairs of Communications Ministry who recruited Tsuyoshi to promote nationwide digital broadcasting also halted all of advertisements/promotions with Tsuyoshi and criticized him as “embarrassing” and a “disgusting person” (Matsutani, 2009).

Following his arrest, police tested Tsuyoshi for drug use.  The result was negative, but his house was searched anyway for further motive for Tsuyoshi’s misbehavior.

Tsuyoshi Kusanagi’s Press Conference after the incident

Though there was Intense criticism and reaction towards Tsuyoshi’s drinking incident, others expressed sympathy. In Japan rather permissive attitudes towards public intoxication exist (as long as no one is obviously harmed), especially when professionals are under stress/pressure.  In late night Tokyo towns and trains, Japanese drunk businessmen are often seen shouting, singing, and sometimes even verbally harassing other passengers.  People around them are annoyed but usually leave them alone.

Discussing this incident, a few of my friends pointed out Tsuyoshi’s responsibility as a member of SMAP.  SMAP is “ridiculously popular” in Japan, supported by wide range of fans from small children to elderly citizens.  Saijo Noboru, a researcher of Japan’s pop idol culture, explains “SMAP are a group of entertainers matched by none and super idols in the country,” and ‘‘It is regrettable that he [Tsuyoshi] did not seem to be aware of how influential he can be toward the public.” (sited in “Kusanagi’s Arrest Sparks,” 2009.)

My friends mentioned that Tsuyoshi had disgraced other SMAP members and he should feel guilty for bringing dishonor to the band. As sociologist often point out, Japan is a group-oriented society and group members are often responsible for individual members’ misbehavior.  For example, in the most recent high school baseball championships, a coach resigned because of a team member’s embarrassing blog postings.

Smap & Will Smith Bistro 1 Uploaded by smokyo Popular TV show, Smap X Smap with Will Smith

What do you think about Japanese people’s reactions towards this idol star’s drunken incident?   Are they overreacting, or is Tsuyoshi deserving of the negative fallout?  How do you think similar behavior would be accepted in your cultures?  Please share your opinions.

Reference:

• Japanese Boy Band Star Found Drunk, Naked, Screaming. (2009). Newser Read Less Know More. Retrieved fromhttp://www.newser.com/story/57024/japanese-boy-band-star-found-drunk-naked-screaming.html

• Japanese Pop Star Kusanagi Arrested for Indecency. (2009). Asian News. Retrieved fromhttp://www.asiaone.com/News/Latest+News/Showbiz/Story/A1Story20090425-137415.html

• Kusanagi’s Arrest to Cost Billions. (2009). Japan Zone. Retrieved from http://www.japan-zone.com/news/2009/04/24/kusanagis_arrest_to_cost_billions.shtml

• Kusanagi’s Arrest Sparks Media Frenzy in Japan and S Korea. (2009). Japan Today. Retrieved fromhttp://www.japantoday.com/category/crime/view/kusanagis-arrest-sparks-media-frenzy-in-japan-and-s-korea.

• Matsutani, M. (2009, April 24). Smap Star’s Public Nudity Spurs Arrest: Drunken Kusanagi Bares all in Roppongi park, loses sponsors. Retrieved from http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20090424a1.html

 Maid cafés are a kind of costume restaurant, popular in the Akihabara  district of Tokyo.  At a Maid cafe、 food servers, dressed as house  maids treat their customers as masters and call them ごしゅじんさま　（master／lords) or  おじょうさま（your ladyship) (Sakurada &  Torikai, 　2008). 

  Wikipedia reports that maid characters in computer games are the  origin of Maid cafés – At events for gamers, a game company first  provided food servers dressed like well-liked maid characters. Such  events spread in popularity and the company opened the first Maid café in 2001.　Maid café’s success has spread outside of Akihabara, and now there are over 100 maid cafes’ in local cities throughout Japan. 

A video clip reporting Maid café in Akihabara.

“ [T]he out-of-ordinary communication between maids and quests” and “[t]he fanciful costumes and story –tale [inter]action ” that takes customers into “the wacky world of anime”  gained popularity (Sakurada &  Torikai, 2008, p. 12) and Maid café became a symbol of Akihabara, and also “otaku” culture in Japan.

In summer, 2008, a café in New York imported this concept, and opened the first Maid Café in the United States. Please read this NY times article regarding the U.S. Maid Café. 

What do you think about the “maid café” phenomenon in Japan?  How successful do you think maid cafes will be in the U.S.?    Please share your comments.     

Reference: 

Sakurada, Y. & Torikai, S. (2008). Welcome to Fantasyland. Nipponia: Discovering Japan,  46, 12-13.  

The Japanese school year starts in April  and you will see 卒業式(そつぎょうしき—graduation ceremonies) all around Japan in March.  Japanese 卒業式　is usually an event for the entire school  and all teachers and students, including underclassmen, attend the ceremony. A typical graduation consists of diploma presentations, speeches (from a graduate, the student body, a PTO representative, politicians, teachers, etc.), and singing of“graduation songs” in chorus.  Please read more about Japanese graduation in this Wikipedia article.

One 卒業式　custom that may be unique to Japan is the giving/receiving of “第二ボタン”(second button of boy’s uniform jacket).  On graduation day at junior high and high schools, a male graduate may give his second button to a female student. Although some boys give their buttons to girls they like without being asked, it’s more common for a female junior to ask a senpai (senior) she likes for his button. If the senpai likes her, and/or he does not have other requests he may give the botton to her.

When a male graduate receives multiple requests, he is to give his second button to the girl he cares the most, and then the other buttons to the other girls. Popular boys often end up handing over other uniform accessories, such as nametags, cuff links, stand collar inserts, and school pins.

Many report that this custom has its roots in World War II. Before young soldiers went to war, they handed their second buttons to their lovers as keepsakes. They did so, especially in the case of Kamikaze pilots, knowing there was little chance of a safe return. Kanko, a major school uniform company explains that the soldiers selected the “second” button, because its absence would be less noticeable to commanding officers.   Kanko also suggests that it was the second button because it is located close to one’s heart. 

The following are extra reading materials/video clips regarding 卒業式　and  第二ボタン。　Please review them and share your comments. 

 • Japan Q& A: The Dai-ni Button Episode

 • The Official Blog of Unique Japan: The Button-Less Suits at Graduation

• Aogeba Totoshi:a very popular traditional graduation song.

•Diploma presentation

• Propose Daisakusen: A TV drama clip

Last week,  a former North Korean agent, Kim Hyon Hui, and family members of a woman abducted by the North Korean government, Yaeko Taguchi, had a meeting in Busan, South Korea.  Kim Hyon Hui blew up a South Korean Airplane in 1987, murdering 115 passengers.  When she was arrested, she was carrying a Japanese passport and fluent in Japanese.  Later, she reported that she had learned Japanese from Yaeko Taguchi during her spy training.  It was Kim’s first meeting with the abductee’s family and their meeting received a lot of media attention.   You can read more about it here.

Wikipedia reports that Japanese government officially recognizes 1７ abductions of Japanese citizens, though it is possible over 70 Japanese citizens were kidnapped by North Korea between 1977 and 1983. The Japanese government has also found many reports provided by North Korea regarding the abduction to be inaccurate.  Despite strong protest in Japan, only five abductees have been returned to Japan so far.

Below are more resources regarding this issue. 

Please view them and share your comments.

・American news clip concerning North Korean abductions.

• PBS synopsis of their documentary film concerning Megumi Yokota who was abducted by North Korea in 1977 at the age of 13.  You can see a video clip from the movie on this site as well.

•”Abduction of Japanese Citizens by North Korea”  (Headquarters for the Abduction Issue, Government of Japan)

Two Japanese films received Oscars at the 81st Annual Academy Awards held last week.  

Kunio Kato’s short animation film, つみきのいえ、became the first Japanese winner for the category.     Kato’s winning speech in simple English with a witty closing line, “どうもありがとう、ミスターロボット” was widely covered in the media the following day (articles about his speech, here and here).   You can read more about Kato and つみきのいえ here and here.

　　　　　　　Kato’s acceptance speech 

Another Japanese movie おくりびと、won the best foreign film award.  おくりびと is a movie about a 納棺師　（のうかんし）—　a person who “ceremonially prepares corpses for encoffining” (Blair, 2009).  In this movie, an out-of-work cellist becomes a nokanshi and comes to learn the significance and beauty of his occupation. (You can read more about the movie plot here).  Though I haven’t seen the movie, based on the reviews and critiques, it seems safe to say that this movie is “very Japanese” and encapsulates “Japanese peoples’ profound thought[s] about the dead” (“Critics say,” n.d.). 

The followings are more resources about okuribito, and japanese funerals.

Please review them and share your comments.

 • Marc Schiling, (2008, September 8). Bliss found in death despite the traumas. The Japan Times. 

 •  Billy Hammond. (2001).  Japanese Buddhist Funeral Customs. 

• Okuribito trailer 

References: 

• Blair G. (2009). Departures (Japan).

Retrieved from http://74.125.95.132/search?q=cache:TpC48CHzaAEJ:www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3ia80d5f25758725bc7c1367cb7d32e2d1+ceremonially+prepares+corpses+for+encoffining.&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us&client=safari

• Critics say unique concept of death behind “Okuribito” Oscar success.

Retrieved from http://www.japantoday.com/category/entertainment-arts/view/critics-say-unique-concept-of-death-behind-okuribito-academy-success

February 3rd is 節分– setsubun in Japan.  On setsubun, people eat roasted soy beas wishing for good health for the coming year.  They also throw roasted soy beans at 鬼- oni.  Oni is roughly translated as a demon or ogre.   On setsubun, a family member (usually a male) wears an Oni mask or costume. The rest of the family throws roasted soybeans at the oni saying “鬼は外 福は内- oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi” (ogre out, good luck in) driving the ogre 

away. Shrines and temples also hold mamemaki  (throwing beans) events throughout Japan. 

 You can read more about Setsubun and here and here. You can also see some setsubun videos below. 

 

Oni are common characters  in Japanese folklore, children stories, plays, anime, etc.  Oni also can mean “it” in games like tag , and Japanese children play  many tag variants called oni gokko.  There are several common phrases and sayings that refer to “oni” as well.   See some examples below.

• 桃太郎-Momoraro

Momotro is one of the most popular Japanese folk tales.  In the story, the protagonist, Momotaro (“Peach Boy”) fights with evil oni, who live on Onigashima (oni island) and terrorize the mainland.

 Momotaro in Anime.

• 一寸法師—Issun boshi

Another famous folk tale.  Issun boushi fights with an oni who has kidnapped a princess.

 Watch IssunBoshi in Anime.

• Expressions

The word oni is often used to describe someone who is evil, strict, and/or not merciful. Here are some common expressions:

鬼軍曹-onigunsou：   drill sergeant

鬼課長 –onikacho： unsympathetic, demanding section manager

鬼嫁 –oniyome：  evil, wicked and／or self-centered daughter in law. 

• Proverbs

鬼に金棒 - Oni ni kanabo: Oni with club

This proverb is used to describe, something or someone that is already strong, but becomes even more stronger, with additional skills, strength, tools, etc.   

鬼の目にも涙。- Oni no me ni mo namida: Even an oni’s eyes can have tears.

This literally means, even an oni can cry. It is used to describe the soft side of a cold hearted/evil person.

You can see more oni related proverbs and expressions in Alc dictionary and this personal blog page.

Additional reading /resources.

Some argue that the image of oni has often been associated with Westerners and foreigners.   During World War II, Japanese propaganda called enemy troops,  鬼畜米兵（kichiku beihei), literally meaning “evil, barbarian American soldiers”．You can read more about this war propaganda, in the following articles. 

• War and Propaganda: A Japanese Narrative By Donald Richie  June 15, 2008. Japan Times 

• Momotaro (The Peach Boy) and the Spirit of Japan” Concerning the Function of Fairy Tale in Japanese Nationalism of the Early Showa Ege.  By Klaus Antoni  Asian Folkore Studies, Volume 50 1991 155-188 

 

The Constitution of Japan defines the Japanese emperor as “the symbol of the State and of the Unity of People.” (You can read the Constitution of Japan here.) As the symbol of the nation, the emperor and other royal family members, are well-loved by the Japanese people. Royal family public appearances always attract enormous crowds and media attention.

Close to 80,000 people came to the imperial palace this year to see the royal family New Year’s address (一般参賀). You can see part of this years’ 一般参賀、here.  

Among royal family members, the crown princess, Masako, receives the most attention and concern from the media and citizens.   Princess Masako has been suffering from “adjustment disorder” and has limited her public appearances.  There is speculation that the change in lifestyle since becoming a part of the royal family and pressure to bear a male successor contributed to her depression. 

While many Japanese citizens sympathize with the princess, tabloid reports of an alleged luxurious private life have been causing controversy. 

Below are articles and video clips regarding princess Masako – her profile, condition, and controversy.  Please view them, and share comments.

• Princess Trapped by Palace Guard BBC NEWS February 3, 2006.

• Japan’s Princess Masako Criticized over Ritzy Dining Habits Herald Tribune, February 4, 2008

• Clips of Princess Masako. 

     温泉（おんせん）につかるさる　- A monkey enjoying hot springs

明けましておめでとうございます。今年もよろしくお願いします。

Welcome (back) to the Japanese learning cultural learning weblog.In this blog, we will explore cultural/social phenomena’s and issues related to contemporary Japan.The primary language here is English, but I occasionally introduce resources written in Japanese.  For the sake of newcomers, I would like to re-introduce some useful web-tools. Please utilize them when you read Japanese websites. 
 



Cursor Point & Translate Tools  

Pop Jisyo 
 
Rikai.com

 
 


Dictionary in Romaji here  

 


Translation here

        つけもの – pickled vegetables

Today, I would like you to read this site　—　the result of a survey on 自分は日本人だなあと思う瞬間（Moments I feel like “Wow, I’m definitely Japanese..” )using  the web tools introduced above.

Please remember that we do not expect you to understand the details in Japanese materials.   Do your best and report any information you obtained as well as your comments and questions. Reading other students’ comments will also help you to understand the materials better. 

 I’m looking forward to hearing your opinions.  

from http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-09-22/candy-ads-bring-sazae-san-family-into-live-action

Japanese animation, also known as “Anime,” has gained worldwide popularity.  Sailor Moon, Pokemon, Dragon Ball, Naruto, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and the Academy Award winning movie, Spirited Away are all from Japan. Most Americans are probably familiar with at least one or two of these Japanese Anime titles.

I wonder, however, how many have heard of or seen “Sazae-san”- the 40 year-old TV program that continues to receive the highest rating among anime TV shows almost every week in Japan.   (View Japanese Anime program ratings here)

As this Japan times article reports,  “there is probably not a single Japanese who isn’t familiar with ‘Sazae-san’” and this family comedy, with the “cheerful but absent-minded” protagonist Sazae-san has been entertaining Japanese people since its comic-strip debut in 1946 (Wijers-Hasegara, 2002). 

 You can watch a few video clips on Sazae san on You tube.   I’ve included a link to one of them below.  Enjoy!

From http://mioritaconfuza.wordpress.com/2008/06/09/what-about-manga/

A social phenomenon called the “Sazae san Effect” demonstrates the popularity Sazae san has in Japanese society (“サザエさん,” 2008).   In 2005, the Daiwa Institute of Research reported that there was a high correlation (0.86) between Sazae san’s ratings and Japanese stock price.  (Read more about this report here and here).   “Sazae san Syndrome” refers to the  anxiety people feel towards impending school and work on Sunday evenings. Sazae san has always aired at 6:30PM on Sundays, and for many people, watching Sazae san signals the end of the weekend and the beginning of work (and stress). Read more about Sazae san Syndrome here.

The following are more resources about Sazae-san. Please review them and share your opinions and comments.

• Manga: Sazae-san (about.com article)

• An old version of Sazae-san with English subtitles 

 References: 

・Wijers-Hasegawa. (2008, July 27). Fans brought face to face with Sazae-san. The 　Japan Times.　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　                            Retrived from http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20020727d2.html

・サザエさん. (n.d.) In Wikipedia.  　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Retrieved November 30, 2008, from http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/サザエさん

Japanese junior high schools, high schools, and universities, hold annual school festivals called Bunkasai in the Fall. (They are also called as Gakkousai or Gakuensai). During the Bunkasai, schools cancel regular classes, and students conduct various activities, such as food booths, talent shows, beauty contests, music concerts, art exhibitions, etc. Th festival can last from a few days to a week, and is often open to public. You can read more about Bunkasai here and here.

You can also view videos of Bunkasai (文化祭、or 学園祭)on Youtube, for example here.

Once, I spoke with a Japanese high school student who had moved to Des Moines and she said that it was school events like “文化祭“ that she missed the most about Japanese school life. According to her, Bunkasai and Taiikusai (sports day) were the best opportunities to get closer to and more connected with her classmates. She missed the excitement, feelings of accomplishment, and comaraderie she shared with her friends through the events.

In Bunkasai, every student participates (not just volunteers or not just clubmembers). Students spend many hours both before, during, and after school to discuss, plan, and prepare with limited help from the teachers. Many events may be part of a competition, and students are generally motivated to win, or at least do well. Effective communication and collaboration is a must and it is natural for a sense of community to develop with the common sense of purpose.

Anthropologist often point out a group-oriented mentality in Japanese culture. I wonder if school events like Bunkasai contribute to such tendency Japanese people have.

Here is an extra readins on Japanese group-oriented mentality. Please read it and share your comments.

Photos from Flickr CC (http://flickrcc.bluemountains.net/).