Blog 4- Swing Girls

1. What scene in the movie demonstrated this concept (achievement-based society) well? Explain the reason.
I think the scene where they're all starting to really play the instruments, but are trying to find a place or venue to practice and they keep getting thrown out of places, they get invited to play in front of some guys store and he eventually kicks them out cause of how bad they are. Random passerby's listening in tell the kids that they're awful and kick their sign down, etc.  I think that showcases how much pressure society puts on the kids to practice and actually learn how to play before they'll accept them and allow them to play publicly.

2. Considering gamabari, do you consider Naomi as a Gambari in terms of losing weight using the muscle stimulation? Why? Why not? Explain the reasons through explaining Gambari.
No, I don't think that using the muscle stimulation tool is a Gambari method of losing weight.  Gambari is patience and determination, that would mean to me, losing weight by running, exercising, dieting, etc. Using the tool to try lose weight, but not actually doing anything else beneficial, seems a lazy (and more American way) to lose weight (not that it works anyway).

3. Consider kenkyo, who do you think is the most and least kenkyo? Explain the reasons.
I would say Kaori would probably be the most kenkyo (with Takuo a close second).  Throughout the movie Kaori would showcase her skill (during practice) of being able to keep the tissue up the longest, or learn to play the trombone before anyone else could, yet the whole movie she never spoke up about it.  She remained quiet and reserved throughout the film, never bragging or showing off her skills, and when complimented she played it off like no big deal.  I think those qualities and examples are right in line with Kenkyo, the Japanese virtue of modesty.

4. Considering Honne to Tatemae, after brass band got food poisoning, the girls decided to have Jazz band. Although the girls practiced hard and were able to play a little, the brass band came back and took their places back. What was Honne and Atatemae of Tomoko? Explain why she acted like that. What kinds of influences contribute to the group of jazz band.
Honne to Tatemae is the Japanese view of Private vs Public stance, this is the view you take to fit in with the group and not cause any trouble, vs what you actually think or believe.  Tomoko is a perfect example of this because she was enjoying herself in jazz band, but when the brass band returned from their ailment she left the group along with everyone else, talking about how stupid it was anyway and how they're glad brass band came back so that they wouldn't have to play anymore.  This was all a front because she didn't want to be seen different than the group, she was afraid to go against the grain of everyone else.  I think this Japanese concept aligns with Americans pretty well, I think people will (especially in high school) just go along with the group even if it's not what they actually believe or want.

5. What kinds of feelings/motives are changed from skipping make-up classes to gambaru.
The girls were actually excited about switching classes.  You could tell that none of them wanted to be in the make-up class, so their gambaru was non existent.  Once the switched classes, however, then their gambaru went up, they started trying and caring about what they were doing.

6. In the end, jazz band ended up playing great music. How would you end the movie, if it was not based on ganbari spirit? Explain.
I would have ended it the same way.  The girls practiced hard and deserved the ending that they got regardless of gambari.  I think this isn't just a Japanese concept, there are countless American movies where this same sort of story arc happens. The kids don't care, the kids find a reason to care, the kids try and practice, and eventually get to play in some sort of major venue. This similarity between cultures would lead to a similar ending.

7. Among three concepts, which one is the most difficult to understand. Analyze why you think so comparing with your own experiences. 
I really don't think that any one of the three is too difficult to understand.  I think they all relate in some manner to American ideals and beliefs. Americans have Honne to tatemae and kenkyo and gamabari; the only thing I think I could really say is that we don't go to as much of extremes as they don with these ideals.  Americans don't often work themselves to death, or as a whole aren't that modest or shy. We are these things, there are many Americans who are too modest and don't speak up. But we don't take it as a whole like the Japanese people do, I think.

Blog 3- Gambari, Kenkyo, Honne and Tatemae

Gambari-
The Japanese people have a unique attribute that separates them from the rest of the world.  This unique attribute is the Japanese determination and patience.  "Gambaru is a frequently used word in Japan, with the meaning of doing ones best and hanging on.  For example, student gambaru (study hard) in order to pass entrance exams" (p 83). The book says that this sort of mentality stems from Japan's history and culture, because the country is so isolated, small, mountainy, with many natural disasters, it makes the Japanese more determined to press on.  This seems to go to extremes where Japanese people don't feel at ease unless they're working.  Schools just recently switched to having two 5 day weeks vs the 7 day weeks and parents don't know what to do with their kids in the off time.  To not work everyday, to put in overtime, even to retire, is seen as wasteful, lazy, looked down upon.  This is in sharp contrast to the American mentality where people generally only work their 9-5, 5 days a week and retire at 65.  The suicide rate in Japan is especially bad in relation to these ideals; older Japanese people who reach retirement don't know what to do with themselves anymore and end up committing suicide. People often literally work themselves to death with all the overtime and not taking time off. This is really different to American ideals, people generally try not to work more then they try to work, we still work and want to work, but not near to the same level.

Kenkyo-
"Modesty or humility is one of most important aspects of proper behavior in Japan" (p 143).  Kenkyo is the Japanese virtue of modesty.  No matter your skill, or age, or social status, there is always a level of modesty or humility that you want to take.  I feel like this relates in a lot of ways to Aimai, the ambiguity of Japanese speech.  This ties back to people not wanting to upset the status quo, public opinion means the most to the Japanese. So having a certain level of modesty is a key point, they don't want to seem better than or too proud or egotistical.  They also have three separate types of speech that they use in different situations, when they're talking normally, when they're talking to superiors, or when they're talking to someone of great respect. "In Japanese society, people are expected to be modest regardless of their social position; that is, they must learn to modulate the personal display of talent, knowledge, or wealth in an appropriate manner" (p 143).  The Japanese run into issues when dealing with the western states, like the US.  Americans are more upfront about what they feel or do or want; You still have the shy, timid, or indecisive people, but as a whole, the Japanese bring it to a different level. The book gave the example of when someone would compliment a Japanese on their English, they would seem to reject the compliment and put themselves down, something thats quite different than what most Americans may be used to.

Honne and Tatemae-
"In Japan, the terms Honne and Tatemae are often used in conversation, but the concepts themselves are seldom fully understood, they can be defined as follows: these two words are often considered a dichotomy contrasting genuinely held personal feelings and opinions from those that are socially controlled" (p 115). The idea of private vs public stance is again, relating to the Japanese mentality of not going against the grain of society. People don't want to be alienated from everyone else, what they may say or think about something in private is not always necessarily what they'll say in public. Why, because they don't want to be seen as different, or looked down upon by those around them.  Americans on the other hand are all about sharing personal feelings and that differs drastically from the Japanese mentality.  American's are more like to go against the grain and voice their opinions (as a whole), but often times you can find a number of people that agree with your opinion, whereas I feel like the Japanese wouldn't get that satisfaction of knowing that because they never voice their opinion in the first place.

Blog 2- Hopspitalite

1. Considering Uchi to Soto, what kinds of role does neighborhood watch petition play?
The neighborhood watch with respect to Uchi to Soto affirms the Uchi side of that, the local community comes together to sort of watch out for and protect each other, especially from the Soto or outsiders, like the bums that infest their parks and streets. This definitely plays into the discrimination that Japanese have against whom they consider, 'outsiders'. 

2. Considering Danjyo Kankei, what are the roles and relationships between Mr. Kobayashi, Natsuki, and Seiko in this movie?
With respect to Danjyo Kankei, they definitely play out the family roles described by this ideal. Mr. Kobayashi works the shop, a family business, all day long, while his wife tends to their child, teaching, cleaning, etc. Saiko, I feel, kinda plays against this ideal a little, she wants to explore the world, and gets a little friendly with a foreign guy, kinda going against the roles of women in society. 

3. Considering Aimai, as for Mr. Kagawa, what kinds of attitudes do you consider as Aimai attitudes? Explain.
Mr. Kobayashi is full of ambiguity as described by the idea of Aimai. He doesn't wish to offend anyone and allows  Mr. Kagawa to live there.  Mr. Kagawa on the other hand seems very confrontational and upfront about what he thinks, kinda abandoning Aimai, possibly from his dealings with foreigners and westerners. For example, Mr. Kagawa is very upfront and confrontational when dealing with both (SPOILERS) Natsuki's brother and Mr. Kobayashi when he caught him cheating with Annabelle.

4. What kinds of attitudes of Mr. Kagawa interrupt the concept of Uchi to Soto? Find two and explain the reasons why you think so.
There are quite a few examples of Mr. Kagawa breaking the mold of Uchi to Soto. First, I would say is his marriage to Annabelle, a definite non-Japanese female, which would normally be Soto and therefore a cause for avoidance to most Japanese people.  The second would be his dealings with all of Annabelle's "friends and family", bringing a very 'outside' group to stay and live with Mr. Kobayashi for a time is very against the grain.

5. Why did Mr. Kobayashi hit Natsuki even if he also slept with Annabelle? What Japanese concepts would lead to his action? Explain the reasons why you think so.
Well, I could make the point that just because he cheated, doesn't mean he can't be upset that she did (or vice versa).  But, with respect to Dayjyo Kankei, woman are supposed to be completely faithful and devoted to their husband, while historically, it was more acceptable for a man to commit adultery and have a mistress two, or visit a brothel from time to time, all in the name of preserving ie or 'home' to get that male offspring that would carry on the family lineage.

6. What was the purpose of Mr. Kagawa coming to the Kobayashi family?
I think the point was to break them of the mold. I think the Kobayashi family was very ingrained in the old culutral ways of the country, these ideas of Aimai, ambiguity, the male-female relationship described by Dayjyo Kankei, and especially the strict community ideals set forth by Uchi to Soto. Mr. Kagawa was very different than these norms and helped the Kobayashi family break away from that a little.

7. This movie included many aspects of typical Japanese people’s attitudes. Write down the parts you didn’t understand and analyze why you think so comparing with your own experiences and American standard.
I can't say I can think of any parts that didn't' make sense or that I didn't understand.  Most of what happened seemed to not be too different than something that might occur here, I found it mostly relate-able or understandable.

Blog 1- Aimai, Uchi to Soto, Dayjyo Kankei

Aimai-

"Ambiguity, or aimai, is defined as a state in which there is more than one intended meaning, resulting in obscurity, indistinctness, and uncertainty" (p. 9).  From the reading, this root word, aimai, meaning basically ambiguity describes a fundamental part of the Japanese culture. To be ambiguous is a good thing in their minds, not that it's a bad thing in our culture, just more common and expected.  Stemming from ages ago when community was everything, people developed a sense of communal integrity; They developed ideals that one should go with the community and to disagree with the community was not a wise thing to do. So, as the years progressed, ambiguity became a prominent idea; people still had personal opinions, but were less inclined to share them, instead, opting for an ambiguous statement so as not to appear too proud or arrogant. This sometimes can lead to difficulties when non-Japanese try to interact with those from that culture. Westerners may be more confrontational, but still maintain a relationship, where as in the book it says, "In Japan, however, if you go against someone and create a bad atmosphere, your relations may break off completely. People tend to react emotionally, and most are afraid of being excluded from the group" (p. 13).

Uchi to Soto- 

"Uchi can be defined as (1) inside, (2) my house and home.. in contrast, soto means (1) the outside, (2) outdoors, (3) other groups.." (p. 217). This describes the separation between different people in the eyes of the Japanese, you have those in your family or close friends as the Uchi and those on the outside as soto.  It's not necessarily so black and white though, the concept of Uchi extends out to all Japanese people with all non-Japanese falling into soto.  I would say there are different levels at which Uchi applies, the closest knit would be your immediate family,  to your friends and coworkers, to a nationalist pride.  It's at this last level where I think the concept of soto becomes more discriminatory and prevalent with those who have lived in Japan all their life and speak fluently, but who aren't of Japanese decent are still considered outsiders and shunned.  "The ie (meaning 'house') system thus had an important influence on present-day Japanese society in many ways and was the foundation on which the dual concept of uchi/soto was built" (p. 218). 

Dayjyo Kankei-

"Historically, the relationship between men and women in Japan has changed in accordance with the dominant social system of the period and women's position within it" (p. 61).  Woman went from having power and basically equal say in the decisions to having almost none in the span of a few hundred years with fluctuation in between. This drastic fall is due mainly in part to the introduction and adaptation of Confucianism into the Japanese culture. Men became the prominent head of house hold who go do a hard days work while the woman cook and clean and handle the children. This was the dominant way of thinking too, up until post WWII when Japan had a new constitution forced upon them.  The process is a slow one, but women are gradually making there way more and higher up the ladder in social economics. This can sometimes come at a price when the lingering old ways of thinking are still widespread and accepted.  "Otoko-masari means a woman who is superior to men... However, despite this literal meaning... it often sounds negative in Japanese because it carries a connotation of lacking femininity, and such women are usually disliked" (p 63).

Japanese ideals and cultural norms are similar in a lot of ways to the rest of the world, women's equality, a sense of community, etc are seen in many different cultures and counties, but like others, including western cultures, they still have some work to do.