Blog #15

One thing I learned about Japanese culture that stood out to me was how the Japanese  have a strong sense of moral for loyalty and harmony,especially to those in their group. Bushido was the most interesting concept to me because the loyalty and devotion to one person is a deep bond between a lord and vassal. Bushido shows morals of having personal honor. to obtain this concept you must be completely devoted to duty,even if it results in losing ones life. 

Japanese and American culture are very different but one thing that they both have in common is the mass influence of the entertainment and media industry. They both place emphasis on film and video as a form of entertainment. From anime, animation and fashion, they all impact the cultures in their own way. entertainment and fashion has such a huge influence on both cultures that even the other cultures have taken notice and have adopted certain things. Japanese adopted western fashions like jeans and t shirts, while Americans adopt Asian fashions like harajuku. 

Japanese culture has made a huge influence on me. i have gained insight on the discipline, loyalty, politeness and sometimes indirect customs of the Japanese culture. i have learned that every culture is not the same and just because someone does something differently than you, doesn't make it weird or wrong. Being American while taking this class has made me confirm that we are a culture driven by individualism and greed. This class has influenced me to even adopt some of these customs and concepts, like Wabi Sabi, Shudan Ishiki, and Nemawashi.With these new customs mixed in with my own culture i feel as though this will help me flourish in the American culture and society. 

Blog #14

1. One is celebrating the life and the other is more consumed over the fact of death. they say it is a religion like a tree with many branches. It can contradicting but many don't find a problem with it. they know when to use Shinto and when to be a Buddhist.

2.The stone was considered a private gift that was not as important. it had no value but had extreme meaning.

3. Nokanshi is a professional encoffiner. he prepares the corpse for the funerals. The perception of this job in the film is that it is unclean and a haunting, gross job. Daigo, at first did not know what the job consisted of but once he did he was sick and thought he couldn't do it but once he realized he was actually good and he say that he was bringing families happiness and some closure for their love ones passing. his wife was totally against him being an encoffiner. when she found out she was pregnant she was scared thing that the school kids would much fun of there child because their dad works with dead people. Once Mika attended the funeral of the owner of the bathhouse, she realized that her husband was doing a good thing and how he helped family move on.

4. The biggest difference from Japanese funerals verses the ones i been to is that Japanese customs the wash the bodies and prepare the body in front of all the family while the funerals i have been to they are already dressed, made up and in the coffin when the body is able to be viewed.

5.The stone was important because his father gave him the stone. he was told that you were to give the stone ti someone on the mood that you were in. Smooth means your happy, rough means your upset.

6.Yes, Daigo was able to meet his father. his father died and the was able to prepare his father body for encoffinment.

7. Honne toTatemae was used with the wife Mika she privately felt as though it was not a good idea to move to Daigo hometown but she agreed to move with her husband. Sempai-kohai was in the film when Daigo was preparing a body and a dad at the funeral ran up to the boy that was attending the funeral, they boy said some thing to the father and the father ran up to the boy and starting hitting hi repeatedly. he did not sing back on the man he knew to just take the punches and to not hit a Sempai.

8. This taught me that even dealing with the deceased that the Japanese treat them with the utmost respect and even when preparing the body, the audience was not shown the deceased flesh.i enjoyed the film, it was sad but overall entertaining.

Blog #13

      My after discussion reflection is i enjoyed hearing everyone's ideas and thesis statements for their papers. I feel that since it was an animation, we were able to have many different scenarios and could be interpreted a little differently. With the guest being there, i saw how sensei spoke to the guest, it was very formal. it was a Sempai-kohai relationship.

Ryosaikenbo
"Boys like to play outside in a lively way; on the other hand, girls like to play quietly in the home.(180)."
          As an American, this was a stereotypical custom from back in the day. Just like Japan, it was programmed in us at a young age; blue for boys, pink for girls, pants for boys and skirts for girls. The separate roles that were engraved from a young age was that the man work and is out in the world. while the woman stays indoors and do housework. "Good wives and wise mothers" is a saying that shows that without females, the world would not produce and run smoothly.

Zoto
"Sending seasonal card gifts is considered a duty for most Japanese because they are very important in Japan for maintaining relationships (234)."
      Speaking for myself, i feel as though i wouldn't based my relationship on gifts, in the Japanese culture, the person who receives the gift is obligated to return the favor or be in debt to that person. If i choose to not give a seasonal gift to someone, i would not loose sleep about not giving the something.

Soshiki
"They believed in guardian gods the most. these guardians were the souls of ancestors who had brought the land under cultivation and were accorded considerable respect (202)."
       In Japanese culture, it is said that they respect and honor their ancestors. most Japanese houses has a ceremony room for their ancestors. they believe good vibes would bring good fortune.in american culture, most families do not hold on the fact that our ancestors paved the way for us. we are aware of their cultivation and that they watch over us but we don't have our ancestors on our every thought.

Blog #12

1. She leaps back in time for the first time when she was riding her bike and the breaks break and she is sent flying in the air as a train is passing. the consequences at the end is that she runs out of leaps and when her friend Kousuke and a girl is on Makoto's bike instead of her, the same thing happens to them, they get thrown through the air while a train is passing.
2. Makoto prays to Buddha for her wishes.
3. I guess you can view Nemawashi as time leaping a way of cheating. though i don't find it cheating, i do find it to have an upper hand in situations.
4. A scene that demonstrates Sempai was when the little girls was trying to help their friend talk to Kousuke because she was in love with him. she spoke politely and formal and respected him as a superior.
5. No, their relationship is not traditional. Makoto is the eldest but she gets told on and her little eats her food. Makoto is not treated as a Sempai. their relationship is Americanized how the younger sibling constantly tells on the eldest, but its usually out of love.
6. Makoto was asked by Chiaki if she times leaps. she was caught off guard so she time leaped to distract him from asking the the second time.
7. I believe they will see each other in the future.
8. Makoto's aunt i feel like is he sound support system. she is teaching her niece how to be better than her and tell her to not make the same mistakes as she had in the past. she taught her about how girls can time leap but she didn't take Makoto literally. A piece of art can live through time and can be  full of history and Wabi Sabi.
9. Some Japanese concepts that were used in the film were Honne to Tatemae, when Makoto did not want to hear that Chiaki had feelings for her. she ignores him and then keeps on going back in the past to avoid her telling her true feelings about him.
10. Unlike my fellow classmates, i do not watch anime or read manga. i enjoyed watching this film because it shows how you should take risk and don't be so eager to avoid a situation that make you uncomfortable. my opinion has fairly stayed the same.

Blog #11

My after discussion reflection
...was being a discussion leader i paid more attention to the film and the meaning of certain things in the film so i can analysis it. i feel like my fellow students and i have a similar understanding of the movie Memoirs of a Geisha.The key concept: wabi-sabi was displayed the most throughout the movie. As a class, we discussed how Japanese view the sense of beauty. the tradition and elegance of the geisha was viewed as beauty. the wilting of the cherry blossoms is also displayed as beauty to the Japanese.

Wabi- Sabi toward people is reinforced by shudan ishiki because when you are keeping the harmony by being in a group you tend to all have similar interest. If you see someone who have a interest in the beauty of nature or the beauty of season you tend to keep someone like that in your group.

Nemawashi
"meetings in Japan are more like ceremonies, and often, important decisions have been made well in advance through the process of Nemawashi. In contrast, in most western countries, a meeting is a place to discuss matters and reach a conclusion(161)."
        As an American, we come together and brain storm and come to a solution or a game plan because we feel like everyone can throw out ideas and then discuss scenarios we eventually reach a conclusion. for the Japanese, a verdict has already been reached before the meeting is being held. people just go to the meeting and receive information that has been previously decided. they are already prepared.
"Nemawashi is widely used in Japan,but it is often has a dark and negative image since it takes places behind the scenes(162)."
       Being prepared, and knowledgeable of something does not necessary mean it is negative but to non Japanese it can seem sneaky or crafty. some think it is even cheating to know something before everyone else knows.
Sempai-kohai
"In Japanese companies, people put more emphasis on age than ability because the system of wages and promotions is based on seniority rules(188)."
        In America companies, we view those who are older as a liability and not an asset. we feel as though they are not as sharp as the young people so either get forced into retirement or get fired because they don't fulfill the orders required. they may get paid more because they may have been there for a long time but Americans do not view seniority as a greater chance for a promotion.
"The ie or family, had two principles: the father, as chief male, had absolute power in the family, and the eldest son inherited the family estate(189)."
        The father is the Sempai, he is the superior and the wife and kids must obey him, while the eldest son is the kohai the one who will eventually become the Sempai once his dad past. the one who will inherit the estate. In america, we do believe that the man should be the bread winner but in a world like today woman are the breadwinners so they would be the Sempai.
Iitoko dori
"In the sixth century, the Japanese encountered a more sophisticated religion, Buddhism(128)."
       The Japanese was introduced to Buddhism from China who found that religion from India. the religion spread like wild fire. it taught that everyone is Buddha and how living life positively you will come back after death in a better form.
"There are few major religious conflicts among the Japanese; on the other hand, it is often difficult for people to stand up against injustice(131)."
        Even though people may disagree with a religion it is better to keep the harmony. they may be afraid of speaking out individually without a group to back them. they want to stay in the circle, the inner circle. in Japanese culture it is not good to be a Soto; an outsider.

Blog #10

1. A geisha in Kyoto Gion district is still traditional, the practice calligraphy and learn to play an instrument and still dress in a traditional kimono. a geisha though doesn't want to be a wife, they want the men to find them entirely irresistible but can never be claimed.
2. A moment when I experienced aware is when at the beginning of school, you are aware of the excitement with the new school year with the teachers, clothes and the new people, but the true feelings and deep emotions of when your in school and you see it wasn't all what you thought it would be is when you fully become aware.
3. No, i do not think Memoirs of a Geisha lost ma or aware because it is in English because i still was very traditional and used demeanor that were traditional Japanese. 
4. The event of Thanksgiving, when your with your family around a food filled table will the salivating smells of hearty food.the weather outside is crisp and colorful with all the different colors of fall.If i was Japanese i do feel like i would appreciate the seasons a bit more, because they find real beauty in nature. while Americans tend to always live in the fast lane and do not stop to smell the roses.
5. Chiyo is such a beautiful girl with her blue eyes, but she has so much pain and heartbreak from her childhood, with both parents dead and her sister ran away. she is all alone yet she and others are aware of her beauty.
6. Wabi-Sabi is the simplicity and elegance of beauty. showing a little flesh like having you wrist out shows beauty, sexiness. while in America we are not simple with our beauty or even elegant. taking a picture in a low cut tank top with revealing cleavage or a ton of make up is beauty. it is really not though. 
7. When Chiyo was taught that you are not selling your body, you are selling your skill, your craft. i liked that, it shows that you can still beautiful while being clothed and not being raunchy. Also, when she was taught that showing your wrist show elegance and mystery. 
8. Hatsumomo got kicked out the Okiya because a fire broke out when she was trying to fight Chiyo. her fate is unknown. Her life was good at the end, and they kissed and walked down the street happy and together.
9. Okaasan adopts Chiyo as her daughter and heiress to the okiya. Pumpkin was hurt when Chiyo becomes mothers daughter. so as years went on, she become a escort.
10. Bigaku was heavily used in this movie. the sense of beauty is always being mentioned or   foreshadowing. Gambari was also used to show that even though she didn't want to be a Geisha but being consumed over the chairman she used hard work to be the best geisha and take the number one spot.
11. I liked this film, it shows you can still be respectful and beautiful while still being a lady and     being mysterious.

Blog #9

Bigaku

"Japanese art focuses not on what is logically considered beautiful, but on what people feel is beautiful (37)".

               The Japanese find the changing seasons as beautiful, they pay attention to nature more than Americans do. beauty to them is vivid colors, in a direct, complete and explicit way. cherry blossoms have a large influence on beauty and poetry. As an American, we are drilled by the media and they tell us what we should think is beautiful. you can have your own opinion on what is beautiful. but it is proven that the media has a huge influence on what we think.

Kisetsu

"Cherry blossoms are the national flower of Japan and are seen as a harbinger of spring (155)".

               In Japan, an annual event that is celebrated is "hanami" or flower viewing. a event that people and eats and drinks under the tree while they watch the flowers bloom. In America, we do not have a holiday like this. the only think that i could try to relate to this is Groundhogs day. it is an event where in american tradition, if the groundhog sees his shadow that, that means 6 more weeks of winter/snow. we base something like a plant or an animal to determine how we respond to the season changing.

Otogibanashi

"Japanese folktales portrays two kinds of beauty: one is visual; the other is emotional (171)".

                 The visual is the physical aspect of what beauty may be, while feeling emotions like empathy or heart full of someone who lives a heroic life is also betrayed as beauty. In American culture, folktales display beauty as little girl finding her prince and how she is so beautiful that she has to be a princess. Also,  when someone is a hero they are beautiful and displays a light. while they show the villain to be ugly, and dark and evil, not beautiful.

Wabi Sabi

"People used to live simple lives free from materialism and had the opportunity to cultivate a sense of unity with nature (229)".

                  In Japanese and American culture; as society moves forward our old and formal traditions are disappearing and being something of the past. we are losing how to get back to nature. with technology taking over we are taking advantage of our community, we think that technology and the latest trends is what beauty is rather then seasons, nature and heroism. 

• After Reflection Discussion

My reflection on the discussion is that society enforced in us that World War II was a war that was necessary and how Japan and Germany were the issue. Going to war for the Japanese and Americans, many soldiers were drafted while some were glad to go fight for their country. so while both places are clear across the world both have common feelings.they are fighting for a family, a country, a religion and their life back at home.

• What makes me American......

Growing up in North America, becoming accustom to tradition and culture was internalized at a young age. I, today am a religious liberal. tradition and culture is to worship Jesus and love everyone, but still put yourself first and work to buy anything you want. network and keep your friends close and your enemies closer. so the term of being an "American" means to understand that we got the better end of the deal. other countries are looking at us to industrialize their country. people come to us to have that "American dream". so what makes me American is that i have an easy life and here you are expected to live out your dreams and you can do anything when you put your mind to it.

Blog #8

1. Zen Buddhism is integrated in the Japanese psyche like the part in the film when Saigo would reminisced and was determined to get back to his wife and unborn child.

2. Drinking for general Kuribayashi means maintaining and deepening hedatari with Nishi. They have a common interest because they both rode horses and they  were able to talk strategy, and bond before the battle.

3. The negative effect of uchi and soto is not giving someone with common interest a chance to become uchi. Saigo kept Shimizu at a soto distance. when he first arrived. he then later in the movie worked together.

4. The negative effects were some groups were better prepared and some groups were not and the groups that were not died and were not sent back up. They didn't have a say to if they wanted to commit suicide, they wanted to keep the harmony and follow the rules.

5. The distance started to come together because both groups saw each other human side. Realized they were forced into a horrid war. they could relate during this war, they had families that missed them they wanted to go back home.

6. The connection between Letters from Iwo Jima and The last Ronin was how both film believed they had a mission at hand and to complete that mission at all costs. Magoza from the Last Ronin ended up killing himself like many soldiers did in Iwo Jima after being ordered to. both the soldiers were  devoted and loyal. Bushido is in both movies, it affected this war because the soldiers committing suicide made them lose the war and gave it a higher chance for the Americans to capture Japanese soldiers.

7. They were keeping distances from each other because they knew they were destined to die. it was really a suicide mission, but giving up and committing suicide because they were told to showed Honne to Tatemae. they were loyal and didn't say anything or come up with another plan because they wanted to maintain the face of obedience.

8. Saigo was captured and became a P.O.W. Ito ends up surrendering. Saigo didn't want to go to war in the first place and was forced, so he felt the Emperor was not worthy enough for his death. He'd rather fight till the end. while lieutenant Ito was completely devoted and loyal to the emperor and the war.

9. Honne to Tatemae and Bushido were both concepts that were thoroughly used in the film.many soldiers just blindly followed orders and kept the harmony. they did as they were told and was loyal. they kept their true feelings to themselves from fear to disagreeing to the tactics of building the island defenses.  

10. I learned that we are still the same. both the american and Japanese died on a unnecessary war. and both were dealing with the same things. missing their families, and preparing for a suicidal war. the most striking would probably have to be when the soldiers died by  killing themselves with grenades.

Blog #7

My reflection to the discussion was my ending was different to others. i thought Kane would marry no one or she would end up marring the merchant son. my second prediction was right.though i was surprised that Magoza would kill himself, i am aware that is common and ethical in Japanese culture. Omiai shows that arranged married was common and Kane didn't really have a choice in who she really wanted to marry. a lot of concepts were used but Omiai and Bushido were the most common used.

Hedataru to Najimu
"If one says that students Najimu their teachers, it means that they become attached to and have close feelings for the teacher(109)".
     In America, we do have a distinctive separation of who we may know to who we are close to and have feelings for. we have a saying if you get attached or feelings for their teacher is a teachers pet.

"Three stages are considered important: maintaining hedatari, moving through hedatari, and deepening friendship by najimu(109)".
      In America, we also follow similar stages. we have to build a foundation to become acquaintances. then we don't want to seem too clingy to ruin chances of becoming better friends.so then to deepen a relationship you learn personal information about the individual, spend time with them and get to know ones family.
Shudan Ishiki
"In Japanese society, people are primarily group-oriented and give more priority to group harmony than to individuals(195)".
        Particularity college students are opposite to this statement you tend to stay by yourself and when you enter a classroom you tend to pick a seat and hope someone doesn't sit next to you, unless you can relate to them or have met them before.

"Japanese in groups are usually indifferent to outsiders. however, when outsiders are invited to come with appointments, they are treated courteously as formal guests(196)".
         In America, joining  a group or a circle of friends, you do have to check to see if they are worthy to be in the group. you have to have similar interests and sometimes on the same path. an outsider you do have to kinda be skeptical to see if they are true and loyal.
The Do spirit of Japan
"By far the most influential stream of Buddhist thought on Japanese culture was Zen Buddhism(73)".
           Zen Buddhism was a period when literature, painting,creative arts, and gardening was brought to the light. it was the period of the courtly age. Zen means meditation so meditation infusing with it spirit inspired Noh theater and literature and many other arts.

"simply learning patterns by rote, which has never been advocated in Zen thought, does not foster creativity, growth and development unless you go beyond the form(77)".
             Too many people emphasize outer forms.People focus more on the harmony that you can lose yourself. you never have an opinion, your just going with the flow and it doesn't have a impact on you Zen thought.The Japanese feel as though if they do not keep the peace and blindly agree then they will be cast out the group so they do just that blindly stay at a surface levels.
Haragei
"...is used in business and politics as a deceitful means of communication in which people hide their real motives in order to gain power and advantage(103)".
           Similar to Honne to Tatemae you tend to keep how you really feel to yourself. even if you are right you may just stay nonverbal. you keep the harmony. with Amae, you read in between the lines to decipher what one is thinking.

"in low-context cultures, people often ask questions to try to make everything clear because they are less tolerant about ambiguous situations(105)".
         In the west countries, we want all the information. even with gossip we want the whole scoop of whats going on with the situation.i can see how this concept can be confusing in america, we don't leave anything to the imagination. we don't even like to read between the lines to someones subtle gestures to see if they are just agreeing to keep the harmony.

Blog #6

1.  Magoza demonstrated Bushido throughout the entire movie. Magoza was extremely loyal, and completely devoted to Oishi. He did not tell why he did not fight with the other samurai's. even though they wanted to kill him. he went into finding and remained loyal.

2. Giri means a custom of returning something for goodwill. while obligation means you feel you must return the favor, you are in debt to someone. while they both in a sense want to return the favor, but they differ when Giri grants a blessing or hope towards a person. not necessarily physically return something but to give them good fortune or good vibes.

3. Giri is more of a obligation but not completely require, while Bushido is a stricter devotion. your heart is involved of protecting and serving your lord. When Magoza went to the cemetery and the other soldiers saw him, he could have easily told them he was given an order that made him not able to fight with his fellow warriors. he remained quiet showing Bushido and just said he was a coward. 

4.When the cloth merchant was asking Magoza who Kane was he acted like he did not know. it seemed like he wasn't ready to tell the merchant that his real father is Oishi. he was using ie, being the head and protecting his family. another was how the cloth merchant son fell in love right away and was ready to marry her before knowing her. that shows that the man really has to pursue the woman and then marry the woman to then continue om his father's business. 

5. Kane is technically adopted because her mother died. that is a contradiction because Kane falls in love with Magoza who is like her father he and Yu taught her manners and how to write and was there with her while she grew to a young lady. so you cant really fall in love with someone who was there when you were in diapers. 

6. In America, i feel as though it would be close to these numbers. in my opinion i do think men are treated better. that they must be the head and women come second. how woman are viewed as only being a help mate to their husband or boyfriend and not an equal.  women are now being the bread winners in their homes, women are now being C.E.O's of businesses and serving in the military finally being accepted as a ranger. times are changing. 

7. Magoza wish was for Kane to marry the cloth merchant's son. Kane's wish is still being ignored. though she wish to not marry the son and she wish that she didn't like the son. they were both ignored because Magoza wants the opposite. For her to to like the son and marry him.

8. "Many Japanese woman are much more selective in choosing a marriage partner, and large numbers are deciding not to get married." I'm guessing but i feel as though Kane disobey omiai and wont marry the cloth merchant's son.she will wait a marry who she chooses. even if it isn't Magoza. 

9. Danjyo kankei was used in the film. Kane didn't really have a say in who she wanted to marry. she is only being viewed as an object not a human being. Honne to Tatemae is also being used, Kane true intentions and feelings was to be with Magoza but to keep the harmony and be obedient she was going to marry the son. Gambari  was used, Magoza was so devoted and his only purpose was to serve. he worked very hard and was very loyal. 

10. in my opinion, i did find it weird that someone so close to you and someone who could be your father, even you grandfather you were in love with him. he has known you since diapers. in america today, if Magoza would have relations with Kane. he would be labelled as a pedophile or even a sex offender if he was charged in court. its just not normal. even if you have a crush on him OK. but to express your love to really think that they can be together. its absurd. 

Blog #5

my reflection on the discussion was that the students had similar opinions and feelings toward the film as mine. the film used all four concepts. it used gambari the most throughout the film. Jiro was very hard working and expected nothing less than greatness from his sons. the questions the students asked where more of a hypothetically questions. Like if Jiro had daughters would he want his offspring to take over the restaurant once he could not run it anymore. it was interesting to find out that girls aren't even aloud to a sushi chef.

Bushido
"Bushido involved not only martial spirit and skill with weapons, but also absolute loyalty to one's lord, a strong sense of personal honor, devotion to duty, and the courage, if required, to sacrifice one's life in battle or in ritual."
        As an american, knowing the military they do not follow this guideline to this extreme. soldiers  in america will die for this country. but it is different from just one person that they protect. the secret service protects the president but to build a bond and have absolute loyalty to him is where the Japanese and Americans differ. their are spies that can get close enough to the president. while to me the samurai is completely devoted to the emperor or their lord.
"The relationship between lord and vassal was called that of obligation and service."
       A samurai life was completely devoted to the lord. the samurai was the vassal. in return the lord gave protection security and assistance. in america, in the military you can go to school for free after your training and come out with a degree and hopefully have that financial stability once leaving the service but if the veteran returns home and doesn't take advantage of anything the army had to offer then the have no protection or assistance. it will be just as hard to find a job as if you only had a high school diploma.
Giri
"A custom of returning something for goodwill."
       In america we have charities and goodwill, salvation armies. we even have shelters to house the homeless. in american we try to help out and give back. even in relationships we feel obligated to repay people back and treat them to something nice to be even and to no longer be in debt.
"...In Japan only females give chocolates to their boyfriends or husbands."
        this is very backwards in my eyes and in western countries eyes. Valentines is for both the male and female to express their love for each other not just the woman. when do the man express that he loves his girlfriend or wife? whites day is not really a loving holiday. in america we also have a sweetest day and woman are suppose to return the favor on this holiday. if she does not give something to their boyfriend or husband on valentines day.
The Japanese ie system
"Japanese houses have family alters for this kind of worship, and household members also respect their obligations to preserve the graves of their ancestors and to visit them periodically, such as in the Bon festival during the summer."
      In america we just have cemeteries. for some families if they do not wish to bury their love ones, they have the option for cremation and you can have a nice vase for them and keep it in you home as a remembrance of them. it is not common to have a family alter or a prayer room strictly for the ancestors that have passed.
"It was believed that ending the family line was shameful for the family and a crime against one's ancestors."
         As a american, and being a woman once married i will no longer have my maiden name.so i couldn't keep my family line going unless i don't take my husbands name. which really doesn't follow american traditions. for males i feel you should want to marry so the family name and line will forever be in existence.
Omiai
"Many Japanese woman are much more selective in choosing a marriage partner, and large numbers are deciding not to get married."
         Japanese women are now breaking the tradition which i personally like. in america the same thing is happening, young women are focusing on their careers more than finding a husband and having kids. once they get to a certain age they can pursue a relationship or not but its up to them. woman are enjoying successful lives, and don't need men to fulfill their happiness.
"Omiai includes parents in the process of selection, thus avoiding later conflict."
In western countries, it is common for you to meet your significant other's parents in the stages of dating. you don't want your parents too caught up in your relationship because you want your privacy and make your own decision and mistakes. i know arranged marriage is also common throughout Asia, like India.

Blog #4

1. Jiro is harder on his sons than his apprentices because he wants them to have the same drive and excellence as he has. he also wants then to keep going with the family restaurant. he does not want them to fail. he expects nothing but the best from them both.

2. Well Jiro lives, breathes and dreams about sushi. it will be extremely difficult for Yoshikazu to surpass his father's gambari. Jiro knew he could not fail because he didn't have anywhere to go back to. i feel has though if he remains under his father's wing and really continues using the rice and sea fish dealers also continues to prepare the dishes and preparations like his father he wont surpass but he will maintain the excellence of his father, Jiro.

3. Jiro never gloats, he felt like he could always improve. when the food critic said he was a perfectionist, he insisted that something could improve or be perfected. also Yoshikazu could have easily bragged that he deserved the Michelin’s 3 Stars but used kenkyo to let his dad take all the credit even though he did the work in preparing the sushi.

4. Jiro is still an important person to the restaurant. he gives direction and discipline and structure on what and how to prepare the sushi. he is the performer, he does the presentation or the performance to the audience or in this case the customers. meaning he taught everyone how to do their parts, he just put the finishing touch on the sushi.

5. Jiro loves Takashi but told him if you leave you have no place to come back to. he was trying to teach his son to not fail. Jiro knew his son was ready though. Enryo is present in this case because he can't come back to his father's restaurant but he told him he could do it. he could run this restaurant on his own. Takashi doesn't depend on his father as much. Jiro used restraint. so they have a Enryo relationship.

6.Yoshikazu tatemae probably wants his father to retire. he wants to take over the restaurant and he feels as though he won the Michelin award technically but honne,he respects his father as a superior so he will be his right hand man until Jiro can't do his art anymore.

7. Americans believe in hard work, yes, but to keep going and perfecting your craft even after you have mastered your skill. is different. Japanese people view Gambari as a way of living and look down or displeasing to not working hard. In america we want to have time to relax and do nothing, but it can also be disadvantage because nothing can get improved or nothing can evolve. everything will stay consistent.

8. "I wake up in the middle of the night, having dreamed about sushi of how to make different sushi." i find the discipline amazing, about how he has mastered his art or skill but still loves what he does and still cares enough even at the age of 85 to be creative and expand his skill.

9. Amae would be the more difficult one to explain and understand in my opinion. depending on your parents is one thing. but in america we get to a certain age that we can't depend on our parents we have to become adults and make our own mistakes and take risks. my brother just moved out. my mother, father and i knew deep down he wasn't ready but we had to let him go and make his own decisions and mistakes.

Blog #3

My reflection on my fellow classmates opinions were similar to mine. Everyone seemed to be on the same page, about the film and the concepts. Aimai, Uchi to Soto and Chinmoku were all concepts that was in the film. i feel as though Uchi to Soto was used the most throughout the film and during the discussion, my classmates and i were able to recognize and decipher when it was used throughout the film.
 Gambari
      "Gambari has a lot of different grammatical forms depending on the situation, and it is used with a wide range of meanings, from the superficial to the profound (84)."
         Gambari is very encouraging,it is an expression used to motivate someone to perform their best.To do something will excellence. it is also used at the ending of letters to show high achievement. as an american, we write sincerely, yours truly or with love at the end of the notes. which doesn't show motivation but can show affection or seriousness of the letter above.
      "They tend to think that having free tie is wasteful, even shameful, and feel uneasy(85)."
          As an american i found this pretty funny because here we desire free time we desire and find happiness in not doing anything. we feel that sitting in front of the television or having your face in the phone, a relaxing and stress free experience.Being lazy isn't necessarily idolized but being able to just chill and watch a movie after a long day at work sounds nice to any american.
Kenkyo
      "It is often said that the Japanese people are poor at displaying their strong points and sometimes overly humble(146)."
           In america, people brag a lot and love to show off flashy things. they view that being modest or humble as being weird or being a Soto: an outsider or outcast. to be accepted in america, having nice things get you notice and even can get you in the in-crowd. while in the Japanese culture modesty is required. refusing a compliment or showing yourself as a inferior is proper etiquette. 
     "People's humility is a kind of social etiquette used not to harm the feelings of others, or sometimes to provide others with a sense of superiority, and has nothing to do with one's own identity(148)."
          It is an etiquette to be humble and modest. to make the person you are talking to feel better about themselves and make them feel like they are the hierarchy.you take yourself off the level they are on and honor them as being superior. as an american, i was raised to respect elders and be humble in certain situations but it just doesn't sit well with me to humble yourself to everyone I come into contact with. its just not me.
Amae
       "The concept of amae greatly affects all aspects of Japanese life because it is related to other characteristics to the Japanese way of thinking.... relationships in a inner circle, those in a kind of middle zone, and those in a outer circle(18)."
           This is similar to Uchi to Soto. you feel comfortable and depend on people in your ie or circle. the ones you depend on are like your parents, grandparents, and close friends. in america we are similar we depend on our family and friends.While with strangers it harder for us to stop and lend a helping hand. the Japanese culture feel as though people in their inner circle or group you have an obligation to help out or depend on them.
    "When the Japanese want to be close to someone, they offer a present or treat the other to a meal. as a result, the other is in their debt in a sense, and a relationship based on amae has been arranged between them(19)."
           In america there is a saying you cant buy friends, or you can buy love. so i interpret this as doing that. forcing someone to have your back or eventually pay you back somehow. Americans its common to stand alone. it may be sad and lonely, but Americans are more focused on themselves than to try to buy someone into their inner circle.
Honne to Tatemae
       "Honne is one's deep motive or intention, while tatemae refers to motives or intentions that are socially-tuned, those that are shaped. encouraged or suppressed by majority norms(115)."
              This is used in Japanese culture most of the time because if they feel a certain way like disagree with a statement they still have to agree, not expressing one's true feelings. so the use Tatemae. 
      "In japan people can understand the differences between honne to tatemae because they have grown up with these dual concepts(116)."
            As a American, this can seem confusing, the subtle gestures can seem misleading. we depending on the situation will agree to something when not meaning it ti hear someones feelings. but we as Americans like to debate and prove others wrong. so it is rare. we use honne as our true feelings.

Blog #2

1.In the film, the scene when the students opened the blue bird box and when a question was asked that was a really good question "is disliking someone bullying?" the teacher ignored the question all together. like it never happened. when asked to please answer the question the teacher gave a vague and questionable answer. it was so indirect that it made the students even more confused. the blue bird box was suppose to be a safe haven for students to express how the felt but in aimai prohibits them to get any help.

2.the boys didn't want to take responsibility, they wrote a essay, repented and wanted to move on. they wanted to forget. Aimai, ambiguity meant being vague and didn't want to recall what had happened during last semester. they wanted to move on and forget Noguchi. the scene where Murauchi-sensei asked for the students to bring in Noguchi old desk and he would greet him every morning. the students didn't understand he was trying to teach them ownership. Noguchi wanted to be there, be in class but the students prohibited him to do so. he indirectly showed them to take responsibility.

3.Bullying in japan isn't that much different than bullying in america. it is a international problem that needs to be brought to light. America tries to address the issue more while Japan seems to just try to move past it. America has hot lines and even organizations to help with bullying. American characteristics show that bully's usually has self hate and have their own problem either stemming at home or mentally in their own mind. they don't have an outlet so they pick on other people to try to make themselves feel better.

4.Noguchi is considered soto, which means outsider. not a family member. the other classmates treated him as an outsider and would not include Noguchi in their jokes and games. they bullied him which shows soto. they excluded him, made him the butt of their jokes. the bullies displays a uchi relationship. a close family that does not include outsiders, like Noguchi.

5. Danjyo Kankei was shown when the males and females didn't really interact as much. both the male and females though were bullying someone within their own genders. girls are sneaky with their bullying while males will just pick on you to your face and make everyone laugh and join in. 

6.the reflection essay differed because the first time the students were forced to reflect. they did not take responsibility. they wrote them because they had to. it was required.this time around, he just simply said if u want to rewrite your reflection essay you can. this isn't for the teachers, this is for yourself. he was giving them an outlet to take responsibility.

7. Murauchi-sensei remaining silent in a lot of parts not only should mystery but showed respect and he was very knowledgeable. the students found him unpredictable and couldn't understand why he did certain things, like bring Noguchi old desk in the classroom or how he would observe the students or even how he learned the students names on the first day. a man of few words is trusted more than a man of many. his presence spoke louder than he had to.

8."And everybody else"

9.Murauchi-sensei stated that being earnest is the best way to take responsibility about Noguchi. never forget the boy and to take full ownership of his part in the bullying and suicide of Noguchi. how starting over is cowardly. to never forget that feeling of true remorse, for your own good. bullying is picking on someone or simply not including them in your friends. making them do something uncomfortable to them for a joke or for laughs.

10.i feel that the film is very important in the Japanese and american culture. Bullying is an international phenomenon and needs to be addressed. the film brought to light that bullying is serious and the victims may display the hurt differently than others. taking ownership and responsibility is the only way to move on,but never forget. the film touched me and i feel as though everyone has been a victim of bullying and even been the bully.

11. My brain was able to wrap itself on a lot of concepts of the film. i enjoyed the film it touched on a serious issue. in the Japanese culture, i can see why it would be hard to confront feelings when the culture revolves around not showing how you truly feel about something.how you have to say your o.k. with something when that could be the complete opposite of how you really feel. it is also sad that even if you witness bullying, the culture is to stay silence because you don't want people turning the attention on you.

Blog #1

Aimai
        "When people ask, "How are you?" they will often answer, "maa-maa."  This is generally translated into English as "not so bad," but the expression is ambiguous and actually has a very subtle range of manings incorporated within a vague answer, which is regarded as good manners in Japan (12)."
   I interpret that in the Japanese culture as it is a way of life to humble yourself and to not make others feel as though you are superior to someone else. It is vague but the Japanese view that as being respectful. Being indirect shows the polite way to do things in Japan.
Uchi to Soto
       "The distinction between uchi and Soto is obvious in Japanese psychological exclusivism toward other peoples, and discrimination against minority groups such as burakumin, the ainu, and ethic Koreans is still widespread in Japan(219)."
   The Japanese feel as though they are more comfortable with what seems familar to them which are ichi, family members, people they grew up with. Just like in America when you see someone that looks you or has similar interests you tend to gravitate towards them. Even if your not consciously aware that you are doing that. It can seem pretty hurtful and prejudice.
Chinmoku
       "Silence in Japanese communication is also related to a strong consciousness of social hierarchy within the group and in society at large(53)."
    Being silence in Japan shows more respect than for someone who constantly speaks or brags. To the Japanese its polite to stay silent even if you strongly disagree with what someone is saying.the japanese trusts someone more of few words than one of many words.
Danjyo kankei
       "The reason why women 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(63)."
    In the Japanese culture men where expected to be the dominant bread winner, the man of the house and the women where suppose to be the homemakers and care taker of the children, similar to american culture. Men are forced to build Soto relationships with co workers but women its harder they strictly have uchi relationships.

Blog #15

Blog # 14

the first half of intermediate Japanese has been a great learning experience. Intermediate is a faster pace course than beginning Japanese. i can conjugated the A時、B, which means ~When. A前、B which means~before and A後、B means ~after. i know the difference between  と思っています and と思います.  と思っています means already decided on a situation, while  と思います means on the spot, to think. i know how to use てあげる・～てもらう・～てくれる properly. あげる means i do something to someone. もらう means i received action from someone. くれる means someone do something for me. To improve for the next half of the semester i hope to clearly identify the kanji, and to properly conjugate present negatives and past negatives for certain verbs and adjectives.

blog #13

落ち込んだ時, 私は音楽を聞きます.

Reflection of when movie

i understood the 「A時、B。」video. it was entertaining and easy to follow. "When" can be used for before or after something. you choose which one makes sense in the sentence. In a sentence, when i go to japan, i will buy a ticket. You have to purchase the ticket before you can go to Japan. So with before you use 時 , (toki) in present short form. If in a sentence, i overslept, i will take a taxi. its impossible to take a taxi before you overslept. so with after you use 時, in past tense. some sentences can be interchangeable but chose the one that makes the most sense.

Blog #12

Over the course of intermediate Japanese i learned a lot. i actually can remember what i learned and use it in the future for when i continue on with this course.when i like the teacher i receive the information more easier. Overall, i felt like i did fairly well in this course with participating, homework, and attendance. Parts that i know i could approve on would probably be Kanji quizzes, learning the right way to write it and just remembering what they mean. what i would do differently would be just taking time and studying or making Kanji flashcards. using a method like flashcards, i feel can really help remember and it can stay in my head concrete.