i am shocked beyond words at the amount of visitors this blog had... it's definitely more than my personal blog.
i am not really sure if it's because my tutor had trouble accessing it, or every time they had to evaluate my blog, the procrastinated due to the length and randomness each post is, thus causing the stats to jump.
however, if it is not and i am actually making sense and attracting readers, thanks. i mean, well, i think i kinda mentioned it in my second post that it tend to be hard for me to get my message across. i am THAT random.
i guess with one follower, it means i was actually doing a good job?
i will try to keep this blog alive then, and tell tales about my everyday (or almost everyday) learning of the japanese culture/language/anything along that line.
but of course, that runs dry someday too (i mean, i kinda predict that...) so since i am recently into korean stuff too, imma just gonna add that in.
oh and if you are wondering about the totally casual/informal plus bad grammar (no caps and such), that's just the usual me... you know, without the stress of having this read, evaluated and marked. so get used to it... i am just a really lazy person... too lazy to press the shift button all the time.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Thursday, December 9, 2010
It is not all about sakura
If someone ever comes to you, show you some photos they took with some cherry blossom trees in Ueno Koen (Ueno Park), and said they have been to Japan, challenge them further.
Japan is not all about Sakura (cherry blossom), Udon, and Disneyland/Disneysea. Take this blog for an example, I have (tried to) introduce Japan in such a manner that it not only shows it's diverse traditions and culture, but also how those traditions and culture help shape the modern society.
Therefore, in my opinion, tourism has definitely commodified cultures and traditions in Japan.
However, there are ways to stop this vicious cycle. I think that tourists or visitors should be recommended to visit places out of the common. Instead of always going to Disneyland and Universal studio, Fuji Q Highland may be a good place to visit. It is a family theme park over looking Mt Fuji, located beside lake Kawaguchi. Visitors may learn about these amazing sites while they are there.
The tour I went for did me a favor by bringing us to this Thai restaurant. Japan is not all about it's own culture too. Since the country open up to the world, many have visited and stayed in Japan.
This Thai restaurant offers a great variety of Thai food catered to the Japanese and the South East Asian visitors. It was the best meal I had in Japan after six days of Japanese cuisine. Nothing better than taste of home (or nearer to home).
The food is great, trust me on that. It was prepared by Thai people. I have thus decided to go back to Japan for the Thai food. I know, it's ridiculous, but that's how nice the food was.
I am hoping that more people will see the other side of Japan. It is really not all about electronics shopping and fashion clothings. Perhaps a visit to the Ainu village in Hokkaido prefecture will change the whole viewpoint of many people.
Japan is not all about Sakura (cherry blossom), Udon, and Disneyland/Disneysea. Take this blog for an example, I have (tried to) introduce Japan in such a manner that it not only shows it's diverse traditions and culture, but also how those traditions and culture help shape the modern society.
Therefore, in my opinion, tourism has definitely commodified cultures and traditions in Japan.
However, there are ways to stop this vicious cycle. I think that tourists or visitors should be recommended to visit places out of the common. Instead of always going to Disneyland and Universal studio, Fuji Q Highland may be a good place to visit. It is a family theme park over looking Mt Fuji, located beside lake Kawaguchi. Visitors may learn about these amazing sites while they are there.
This Thai restaurant offers a great variety of Thai food catered to the Japanese and the South East Asian visitors. It was the best meal I had in Japan after six days of Japanese cuisine. Nothing better than taste of home (or nearer to home).
I am hoping that more people will see the other side of Japan. It is really not all about electronics shopping and fashion clothings. Perhaps a visit to the Ainu village in Hokkaido prefecture will change the whole viewpoint of many people.
Knowledge comes from the heart
The Japanese education system is pretty much similar to that of American's.
A person will have to go through a compulsory three years of pre-schooling, six years of elementary education, and three years each for middle and high school. After which, he/she will either be eligible for University education, Specialized education, or employment. I guess it sounds pretty much like Singapore's education system too, the only difference being the term used and the years spent in each institution.
Other than the system itself, the subjects taught in the compulsory education are subjects like Japanese Language, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Art and Craft, Music, etc., which I find similar to that of Singapore too.
However, I once heard from a tour guide in Singapore about her encounter with some Japanese exchange students which caught my attention instantly.
It was a history field trip in secondary school conducted for us to get a better understanding about World War II (WWII). The tour guide told us various information about the war, how many were held prisoners and suffered. We were told that there was once when Japanese students came over to Singapore to get a better understanding about the WWII too. They were taught about the sufferings and torture that the locals had to go through, and could not believe what they heard. they later shared with the tour guide that back in Japan, they were only told about how Singaporeans teamed up with the British and forced them into surrender. The bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were the prove that the Japanese were the ones who suffered from the war.
Well, I guess there are still differences in every education system no matter how similar they look on the outside.
A person will have to go through a compulsory three years of pre-schooling, six years of elementary education, and three years each for middle and high school. After which, he/she will either be eligible for University education, Specialized education, or employment. I guess it sounds pretty much like Singapore's education system too, the only difference being the term used and the years spent in each institution.
Other than the system itself, the subjects taught in the compulsory education are subjects like Japanese Language, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Art and Craft, Music, etc., which I find similar to that of Singapore too.
However, I once heard from a tour guide in Singapore about her encounter with some Japanese exchange students which caught my attention instantly.
It was a history field trip in secondary school conducted for us to get a better understanding about World War II (WWII). The tour guide told us various information about the war, how many were held prisoners and suffered. We were told that there was once when Japanese students came over to Singapore to get a better understanding about the WWII too. They were taught about the sufferings and torture that the locals had to go through, and could not believe what they heard. they later shared with the tour guide that back in Japan, they were only told about how Singaporeans teamed up with the British and forced them into surrender. The bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were the prove that the Japanese were the ones who suffered from the war.
Well, I guess there are still differences in every education system no matter how similar they look on the outside.
We are what we speak
Many people (including myself, before doing this assignment) thinks that Japanese people only speaks Japanese. Period. But when I research on further into the subject, I realized that Japanese people not only speak, well, Japanese. With a total number of 47 prefectures in Japan, they ought to have their on interpretation of the language. Therefore, dialects do exist in the Japanese language.
I can't be talking about all the different dialects in detail with just the length of one simple post, because there is not only 47 dialects, but some cities will have their own dialects too, resulting in a prefecture maybe having more than one or two dialects.
Other than dialects, the Ainu people whom I have mentioned in my post about indigenous people of Japan holds their own language, the Ainu language, too.
Similar to the Chinese, where Mandarin is the common language now, the Tokyo dialect-Japanese (general Japanese language) is the most common language spoken in Japan now. Other than to their own family members, the Japanese do not usually speak dialects. Japanese language schools are also teaching the general Japanese now, therefore, language teachers born and raised in Tokyo are more desirable to these schools.
In the Kansai dialect, instead of "Hontoni?", "Really?" is "Honmani?".
Ainu Language Songs
I can't be talking about all the different dialects in detail with just the length of one simple post, because there is not only 47 dialects, but some cities will have their own dialects too, resulting in a prefecture maybe having more than one or two dialects.
Other than dialects, the Ainu people whom I have mentioned in my post about indigenous people of Japan holds their own language, the Ainu language, too.
Similar to the Chinese, where Mandarin is the common language now, the Tokyo dialect-Japanese (general Japanese language) is the most common language spoken in Japan now. Other than to their own family members, the Japanese do not usually speak dialects. Japanese language schools are also teaching the general Japanese now, therefore, language teachers born and raised in Tokyo are more desirable to these schools.
In the Kansai dialect, instead of "Hontoni?", "Really?" is "Honmani?".
Ainu Language Songs
Spot the Mickey - Live Action
Disneyization, in my opinion, is the result of globalisation.
When everywhere you go, there will be apparels, cafes or shops which are Disney themed, that is Disneyization - bringing Disney to the whole world.
I guess it is pretty easy to spot the Disney in Japan. Tokyo Disneyland is the very first Disneyland in Asia and Tokyo Disneysea is the one and only Disneysea theme park in the world. Although it is named after the capital city of Japan, it is not exactly located there. The theme parks and resorts are actually located in Chiba prefecture, the one beside Tokyo prefecture.
Tokyo Disneyland is always bringing in new ideas of new rides for their guests. This particular Disneyland is said to be the one with the most number of visitors each year. The reason may be because the average number of times a Japanese visits the theme park is four times in their whole life. First, as a child, the parents will bring him/her in. Second, school will organize field trip to the park. Third time will be with their counter-part for a date. The fourth time will be as a parent, bring his/her child in, and the cycle continues. That was only for the locals. With more visitors going into Japan, the theme park ought to earn the most profit as compared to the others in the world.
At the background is the Disneyland Resort.
Cherry Blossoms in Disneyland. Since it was the Cherry Blossom season, the theme park incorporated such themes to have a more 'Japanese feel"
Pardon me, but I was really hungry to be snatching Chip and Dale's acorns.
The Disneysea theme park is a similar theme park to Disneyland. However, there are attractions that are not available in all the Disneyland anywhere else. The theme park is based on stories and characters from Disney which are related to the "water element", for example, The Little mermaid and Finding Nemo. The restaurants in the theme park have more 'romantic' ambiance and thus, the theme park is known for being one of the best dating place, contrary to what many think that Disney theme parks are all targeted for the family.
Disney Pixar films have also 'invaded' Japan in a good way. Families get to enjoy Disney films with Japanese subtitles or dubbing. Below is the trailer for the new Pixar film, Tangled, with Japanese subtitles.
The upcoming Pixar Film, Tron Legacy:
Disneyization can also be seen in electronic products of Japan. It wasn't that big of a surprise to me, since in the previous post, I have mentioned that Japan is famous for production of electronics.
The upcoming Disney mobile series.
It contains interface and keypads which are all Disney themed. Well, I would say it's more of Mickey themed.
No, I am not trying to promote anything once again. But I can't help thinking that Japanese mobile phones are just so cute.
Of course, Since Disney is so cute, Japanese 'merchants' can't miss this chance of earning profits. Since many Japanese girls and ladies are attracted to all the "kawaii" (cute) stuff, many merchandise are now Disney themed.
Cookies made sweeter with Disney characters.
All-So-Disney
When everywhere you go, there will be apparels, cafes or shops which are Disney themed, that is Disneyization - bringing Disney to the whole world.
I guess it is pretty easy to spot the Disney in Japan. Tokyo Disneyland is the very first Disneyland in Asia and Tokyo Disneysea is the one and only Disneysea theme park in the world. Although it is named after the capital city of Japan, it is not exactly located there. The theme parks and resorts are actually located in Chiba prefecture, the one beside Tokyo prefecture.
Tokyo Disneyland is always bringing in new ideas of new rides for their guests. This particular Disneyland is said to be the one with the most number of visitors each year. The reason may be because the average number of times a Japanese visits the theme park is four times in their whole life. First, as a child, the parents will bring him/her in. Second, school will organize field trip to the park. Third time will be with their counter-part for a date. The fourth time will be as a parent, bring his/her child in, and the cycle continues. That was only for the locals. With more visitors going into Japan, the theme park ought to earn the most profit as compared to the others in the world.
At the background is the Disneyland Resort.
Cherry Blossoms in Disneyland. Since it was the Cherry Blossom season, the theme park incorporated such themes to have a more 'Japanese feel"
Pardon me, but I was really hungry to be snatching Chip and Dale's acorns.
The Disneysea theme park is a similar theme park to Disneyland. However, there are attractions that are not available in all the Disneyland anywhere else. The theme park is based on stories and characters from Disney which are related to the "water element", for example, The Little mermaid and Finding Nemo. The restaurants in the theme park have more 'romantic' ambiance and thus, the theme park is known for being one of the best dating place, contrary to what many think that Disney theme parks are all targeted for the family.
Disney Pixar films have also 'invaded' Japan in a good way. Families get to enjoy Disney films with Japanese subtitles or dubbing. Below is the trailer for the new Pixar film, Tangled, with Japanese subtitles.
The upcoming Pixar Film, Tron Legacy:
Disneyization can also be seen in electronic products of Japan. It wasn't that big of a surprise to me, since in the previous post, I have mentioned that Japan is famous for production of electronics.
The upcoming Disney mobile series.
It contains interface and keypads which are all Disney themed. Well, I would say it's more of Mickey themed.
Of course, Since Disney is so cute, Japanese 'merchants' can't miss this chance of earning profits. Since many Japanese girls and ladies are attracted to all the "kawaii" (cute) stuff, many merchandise are now Disney themed.
Cookies made sweeter with Disney characters.
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