1. "In Shinto, the concept of a deity is found in aspects of nature, such as mountains, waterfalls, stones, and natural phenomena like thunder and typhoons, as well as in the worship of ancestors" (128). Shinto is the belief if a god or deity in everything, in people, Kame is found everywhere and this sort of allows for the belief in something else. "People in Japan often find themselves in the unusual position of believing in two or more religions simultaneously" (129). Religion in Buddhism is about enlightenment, trainings ones mind and body to reach a state of clear mind. The Buddhist "deity" was a man who reached enlightenment and moved on, setting the example for what other should strive for. These two religions then don't really interfere with each other and allow the Japanese to practice both.
2. "Japan has a long-established tradition of adopting elements of 'foreign culture' and adapting them to Japanese use" (127). Itokodori is the Japanese ability to adopt foreign culture and use it to their own benefit; This explains how Japan was able to so successfully and so rapidly catch up to the rest of the industrialized world after being detached from it for so long. One semi negative effect of it in the film would be when the old man's wife died and he started the business of preparing dead bodies for burial, something the rest of the Japanese were not used to, and as a result he received a lot of criticism and disgust from those who don't understand it/ never experienced it.
3. A Nokanshi is someone who prepares a body for burial. They perform a ceremony that includes wiping it down, dressing it up, applying makeup to make the person beautiful after death before being buried or burned. Most Japanese people didn't understand the job and thought it a disgusting job meant for the lowly , including his wife. Daigo understands the job, though, and understands what it means to the families that it helps. His wife and some of the people that ridiculed him learn that as they see what is really involved, what is really means.
4. There are some similarities, namely the viewing of the body before burial or burning, namely after being beautified by a Nokanshi. Some differences would be the process of beautifying the body, American culture doesn't typically see the body being wiped down, dressed up, makeup applied, etc. For the most part that is done behind the scenes at the funeral home and the family doesn't see the body until calling hours. Also, American tradition (at least in the Christian community) is to have a calling hours not just for the family, but for friends of the family that can come give their condolences, etc. Then after calling hours is usually a funeral where everyone who knew the person comes to give their respect and a small ceremony is performed, including the driving to the cemetery for burial.
5. I see Wabi Sabi, finding the beauty in something that isn't as aesthetically pleasing. Handling dead bodies may not seem like the most glorious job, but there is a beauty to the way they treat and handle the body, a beauty in the respect they show towards that individual and the family.
6. I learned about the Japanese aversion to certain jobs or tasks that can be labeled as unfit or for the lowly. We don't really have jobs like that in America, where if you do that you're disgusting and not worth talking to, etc. It was very interesting to see. I really enjoyed the movie, I thought it was well done and entertaining to watch, plus it showed some insight to the Japanese mind and culture which is always good.
