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.