Reactions to Japan and Changing Impressions | 日本に対する反応・変わっている印象

As I write this, I’ve got 10 days, 19 hours, and 24 minutes left until I have to say goodbye to this country I’ve fallen in love with. I can’t believe four months have passed before me in what only feels like the blink of an eye. Consequently, I suppose this is a perfect time to begin the wrap-up of this wonderful package of a semester with a summary.

One of the things so intrinsic to the Japanese concept is its simultaneous management of the dichotomy betwixt living in the 21^st century and its nostalgia for an era long gone. Once can find this in many facets of daily life, but there are some traditions that are just so… Japanese. To illustrate, the pounding of mochi is something quite easily handled by machine, but it’s the smoothly oiled, well-rehearsed pounding by a team of mochi purveyors that stop crowds along the street.

One of the aspects of my study abroad experience in Japan I was most interested in were the comparisons I could draw between living here and Shanghai, China. To me, I was quite taken with the fast-paced lifestyle of the titan that is Shanghai, but despite my fascination with this big-city enchantmet, Japan quite unexpectedly presented me with the contemporaneous presence of a never-stopping existence with one that has also survived the centuries. What a sight it is to see hundreds of high school students filing by the 大仏 (daibutsu- Big Buddha) of Nara in their school uniforms.

In so elegant a way, the Japanese find a beautiful harmony in the coexistence of modern day and all its technological marvels, and that of the simplicity of tradition. While I traveled to Tokyo, a friend let me in on the secret of the most ethereal coffee shop I've had the pleasure of patronizing. Its peculiarity stemmed from the fact that this was not a store, but rather the gutted foyer of someone’s home outfitted with a coffee bar and single espresso machine. Just outside this small room was a lush, Japanese garden, replete with natural beauty and simple benches that existed alongside each other as if nature wouldn’t have it any other way.

It is indeed hard to summarize all the experiences I’ve been afforded here by the people I’ve met, the friends I’ve made, and the places I’ve been. Japan has been nothing less than a treat most delectable and joy I hope to come to know better in the future.  Japan, you’ll forever have the warmest of places in my heart.

Cherry Blossoms | お花見

Ah, Spring has finally come, and with it the incomparable beauty that is the blooming cherry trees of Japan. 花見 (hanami), or literally “flower viewing”, is ultimately one of the primary reasons I came to Japan in the Spring, and I’m quite sure I came just at the right time!

Hanami is quite the occasion to get excited about in Japan, and as a result is popular with all sorts of people. It’s a time to go out with friends and chat while taking in the beauty nature has to offer. It’s a time to pack a bento lunchbox or bring snacks and drink to sit outside and feast under the blossoms. It’s a time to be savored and forget about the rushes and pressure of daily life.

  

At a typical hanami location, one can typically find a variety of groups enjoying the sights, ranging from small families, people with pets, couples, or even spots where numerous coworkers will lay out a large tarp and take a break from work. Among the spots I visited were Osaka Castle, Sakura No Miya, where it is said more than 5000 cherry trees flank the river in downtown Osaka, and Arashiyama in Kyoto, where I went for a special form of hanami called 夜桜 (yozakura), or night sakura.

Food and drink comprise a big part essential to the enjoyment of hanami. It’s not uncommon to find a buffet of delicious treats, ranging from sushi, chips, cake, cheese, and so on. And lest we forget the all important 日本酒 (nihonshu), or Japanese sake. Among the choicest of beverages is also 梅酒 (umeshu), or plum wine, which one can find somewhat comically in large paper cartons, much like one would expect milk to be in.

日本人は何をしますか。 | What Do Japanese People Do?

When asked what members of a certain culture do, it’s easy to dwell on the stereotypical activities unique to that country. If you were to think of dances in Lederhosen, the first country that might come to mind would be Germany. If you were to think of ice hockey, you might think, “Oh, Canada.” Distinguishing cultures through typical or commonly-associated images is quite easy, but what goes beyond that is finding that in essence, countries all around the world engage in basically the same activities despite the presented façade of country-specific activities.

Children from Japan enjoy candy and games just as much as any other child from around the world. While the juxtaposition of this traditional Mexican game in the context of a Japanese park may seem at odds upon first glance, it quite clearly goes to show that one’s cultural roots and the activities one engages in have no concrete connection.

Adults, regardless of where they are from, are similar as well. Here, one can see a pedestrian-only section of the Ginza shopping district in Tokyo and gather that these people, much like many members of the rest of the world, enjoy shopping and walking around commercial areas, if to do nothing more than window shop or bear witness to the bustling urban areas of Tokyo.

In the same vein, people enjoy finding those small idiosyncrasies of life that make them stop and take a second look. Surely, while shopping downtown you don’t expect two find two cats posing motionlessly on an electrical box, but when you do, why not stop?

Sightseeing is also a widely enjoyed pastime. As is indulging in the latest fashions.

Lastly, people from all over the world love spectacle. While it may be called the Japanese National Sport (apart from baseball, of course), Sumo can be enjoyed regardless of where you come from.

日本人の肖像：Portrait of a Japanese Person

The famous late-19th century portrait photographer Nadar said, "The portrait I do best is of the person I know best." To capture the essence of someone in a portrait is no small task by any means. However, in photographing those you know well, it is much simpler to find those particular sets of characteristics you want to reveal and present in your photograph than it is to try and reflect all of a stranger's character in a portrait. With this in mind, I chose the effervescent character of Shihoko (Cindy) Nakamura, a person whose fun and bubbly personality is sure to leave an indelible impression.

In going into this portrait, it was important to me to show that Cindy is not at all afraid to play for the camera. The first photo I’ve chosen is that whose format reflects a traditional flattering portrait, except for one small detail: a seemingly missing tooth. With the small piece of nori covering it up, what would have been a pleasing but banal portrait has instead transformed into a comment, a reflection, of Cindy as a person:  naturally wonderful with a few funny spots.

In the second portrait, I also wanted to show that Cindy exhibits an astonishingly high amount of work ethic and studiousness. In this photo, Cindy has set up her photo nest which represents all the effort that goes into being a student and the determination to wade through what would seemingly hinder and delay her in getting to life after college. In so conquering what literally and metaphorically lies before her, she exhibits an ambition that not many students endeavor to match. Despite this being the subject of the photo, one can also glean a few other personal details. The presence of a camera suggests that Cindy loves documenting the world around here, while the neat folding of her hoodie and blankets shows that Cindy is not lazy or messy, but rather tightly organized in life, as she must be to juggle the many duties of being an RA and student.

近所：枚方市 | Neighborhood Hirakata

In my mind, a neighborhood is not just where you live and who you live near, but what you experience as you pass through it. With this in mind, I selected my neighborhood as the areas and people I pass by when going to and from school.

The day begins leaving my dorms, of which occupy a spot not too far from campus.

Continuing on, I pass through a very quiet residential area. The streets here are narrow, not much wider than your single, average-sized American car. The road is flanked by quiet, reserved Japanese houses. Cars rarely traverse this area. However, in lieu of heavy automobile traffic, one is much more likely to encounter men and women walking their dogs, coming back from a small grocery store trip, or students going to and coming from campus.

As you emerge out of this little side street, a somewhat peculiar place appears in this quiet japanese suburb. Anyone familiar with the construction industry will easily recognize the Komatsu brand. It’s labeled as the Osaka plant, despite being a 30 minute train ride from Osaka.

Every day, rain or shine, guards patrol the premises entrances. Quite solemn, always watching, these guards seemingly only duty is to direct trucks in and out. I wonder what they think about all day standing there watching everyone go by.

After another minute of heading towards campus, I’m greeted by the campus security guards, of which also greet you in the morning with an “お早うございます！” (ohayou gozaimasu) and bid you farewell with a “さよなら！” (sayonara)

Eventually, I come to the bike racks, of which are unpopulated in the morning, but always packed when leaving.

Lastly, I’m greeted by a large room in the Center for International Education building that’s walled with windows. As a result, it’s often referred to simply as the fishbowl.

First Impressions

In my mind, Japan possesses a very peculiar reputation in regards to its typical symbols. It’s a land at the height of technology, yet one that reveres its long-gone era of simplicity. It’s the realm of geisha and samurai, but also the home of companies like Sony and Toyota. A world apart, yet thoroughly connected to the rest of the world. Japan is simply… Japan.

As far as first impressions go, my feelings are a bit mixed. Having just come from Shanghai, China, I became quite used to the fast pace and density of a city that houses 20 million people. I came expecting stores so packed it looked like they were fighting for streetfront. In this aspect, however, I was met with a much different landscape. Things are a lot more calm and less packed with people. The streets are cramped, but not competitive. Things seem more like they’re carefully arranged and designed as opposed to haphazardly thrown together. In this sense, despite Hirakata not matching my expectations, I’m still strangely satisfied.

Additionally, knowing what I did from Japanese class in the States, I was aware of some of Japan’s more culturally-subjectively peculiar customs and festivals. Though I came equipped with some of this knowledge, there was plenty I wasn’t taught, such as the 節分 festival. In said festival, it is customarily wrapped up with the scattering of beans. However, in the festival I witnessed, this “scattering” was in fact the throwing of peanuts over a crowd by well-respected public officials, a sumo wrestler, and geisha.

One aspect, however, that I was more than satisfied with, is the cuisine of Japan. Onigiri, tonkatsu, etc. are all among things that have met and surpassed what I imagined they would be here. The only drawback, of course, is the price. However, while it may be expensive to an American like me, it’s only a deterrent, not a wall. And, in accordance with some of the prices, the food is naturally gorgeous.