The Culture of Japan...

Qion · Post by **Qion** » Fri Sep 26, 2003 12:09 -0700

*just gazes on Logan*

Mr Wowtrousers · Post by **Mr Wowtrousers** » Mon Dec 15, 2003 21:11 -0700

To be honest, the samurai have been elevated to mythical status. Does anyone really believed they upheld the Bushido code? Sure some of the might have, but just like the knights in Europe, there was a fair degree of corruption, backstabbing and dishonourable goings on. Bushido only came into play late in the piece, as I understand it (ie samurai had been around long before there was any 'code of ethics introduced).

As for me, I have asked this question of myself, and countless times by Japanese people when I was living there: I guess I have always been interested in different aspects of Japanese culture; ninja/samurai as a kid, stories as a teenager, art/history/politics in university. I have been fortunate enough to live there and most likely will live there again . . . it's a very interesing country but I think it is overly romantacized in the West. It's not all like Shibuya in Tokyo.

Oh, and Japanese swords are so, so cool

Mr Wowtrousers · Post by **Mr Wowtrousers** » Mon Dec 15, 2003 21:18 -0700

Forgot to say, Japan sure as heck doesn't look like anything in UY or Musashi anymore . . . which is a real shame. I think Japan of 400 years ago would have been amazingly beautiful, but they seem to have embarked on a mission to completely remove themselves from nature. The irony is that Japanese people still see themselves as closely tied to the natural world that doesn't exist there anymore because they wiped it out

takematsu · Post by **takematsu** » Mon Dec 15, 2003 21:23 -0700

Bushido only came into play late in the piece, as I understand it (ie samurai had been around long before there was any 'code of ethics introduced).

I have a similar understanding (and here's where I get into trouble again by operating from memory rather than waiting until I can get at my books)-- the real crystalization of bushido didn't occur until either the tail end of the sengoku jidai or the beginning of the Tokugawa shogunate, as a means to give samurai something to occupy their imagination other than sword-sharpening and picking fights.

Of course, to an outside observer, someone pursuing bushido is occupied with sword-sharpening and the poems it inspires, picking fights in flowery ways, regretful reflection on the disjunction between fight-pickin' and Buddhism, and getting entirely to focused on tea.

I guess it kept the pace of mayhem down, at least.

takematsu · Post by **takematsu** » Mon Dec 15, 2003 21:29 -0700

Forgot to say, Japan sure as heck doesn't look like anything in UY or Musashi anymore . . . which is a real shame.

Well, MOST of it... The link below leads to some snaps I took in '95, near Fukuoka. Some of it's desperate and modern, some of it's startlingly traditional. You're right about the strange irony, tho'.

http://lowcrats.com/Art/Ernst/korea5.htm

Qion · Post by **Qion** » Mon Dec 22, 2003 13:00 -0700

Mr Wowtrousers wrote:The irony is that Japanese people still see themselves as closely tied to the natural world that doesn't exist there anymore because they wiped it out

I once saw a funny/tragic scene in a documentary picture about Japan. We saw some Japanese people fishing for sport. The guy was talking about what happened when the corporations forced free saturdays: "We all were shocked. Most of us didn't know what to do in the free time that we had gained. Some started to beat their wives, you know, for sport. I decided to turn towards nature." The camera goes back and we see that all those buisness man are fishing in a little pond surrounde by a high concrete wall, which is surrounded by streets and clocks of flats.

takematsu · Post by **takematsu** » Tue Dec 23, 2003 6:43 -0700

I've just picked up the lastest inssue of National Geographic, which has an interesting if rather short article on the development of the Samurai class and the lingering effects of the "feudal" era on modern Japan. Well worth the $6.95 (Canadian).

Oh, there's some stuff about heavier-than-air flight in it as well.

Szyszka · Post by **Szyszka** » Fri Dec 26, 2003 5:34 -0700

The culture of Japan is fascinating, but not for everyone. It is FOR ME, but why? I can't answer on that question. Why? Because sometimes you don't know why do you like or don't like something. I could mention here all those things that makes me chill, but does it make sense? List would never end. It is fascynating. That's it ^_^

Qion · Post by **Qion** » Sat Dec 27, 2003 12:27 -0700

Bonsai trees are cute. Houses with paper walls are cute. Weird sandals-with-a-wooden-sole-that-look-as-they-were-going-to-cut-off-your-big-toe are cute. Not mentioning the awsome looknig samurai swords of course. Suits you, Szycho?

Szyszka · Post by **Szyszka** » Sat Dec 27, 2003 15:27 -0700

Suits, of course. And those chopsticks, that I can kill myself while eating, and kimonos that you can't walk normally, and origami art it-was-supposed-to be-a-grasshopper-but-it-looks-like-a-duck... I love Japan ^____^.

Mr Wowtrousers · Post by **Mr Wowtrousers** » Tue Dec 30, 2003 20:38 -0700

Let's not forget the old/new fascination; as in, I am a big fan of ancient Japanese stuff (antiques, houses, gardens, art etc) but they are also at the cutting edge of the modern hi-tech wiz-bangery.

Having said that, I am becoming more interested in China and Korea as of late. I mean, let's be honest, the Japanese stole pretty much their entire culture from the Chinese foremost, then the Koreans and adapted it slightly and called it Japanese. Not that there's anything wrong with that, Australians have nothing to crow about, most of us being ex-convicts

But, I figure, if I am interested in Japanese history, how much more colourful must Chinese history be? Not sure about Korea, but I am very interested in N Korea . . . total freak-out country. Plus, any country that has been invaded/gone to war over 900 times in the last 2000 years deserves a second look!

I am still tossing up where I will spend the next few years. I would love to go back to Japan and I am still learning the language, but there are other countries to see as well . . .

Qion · Post by **Qion** » Wed Dec 31, 2003 2:26 -0700

Mr Wowtrousers wrote:Plus, any country that has been invaded/gone to war over 900 times in the last 2000 years deserves a second look!

Check out Poland.

mhirtes · Post by **mhirtes** » Wed Dec 31, 2003 12:15 -0700

Qion wrote:
Mr Wowtrousers wrote:Plus, any country that has been invaded/gone to war over 900 times in the last 2000 years deserves a second look!
Check out Poland.

Sure. Everyone else has.

(Sorry. Wanted to make one last wisecrack before the year is out ).

Szyszka · Post by **Szyszka** » Thu Jan 08, 2004 7:09 -0700

Let me think...*thinks very hard and looks in her history books*
............................
Eskimos didn't.

I think.

I hope they will not try.........

jaybird · Post by **jaybird** » Mon Jan 19, 2004 20:47 -0700

samurai weren't only respected they were also feared. they had the right to kill you for anything that they considered an insult or lack of respect and not have to answer to anyone for doing the deed.

Usagi Yojimbo DojoBoard

The Culture of Japan...

Bushido?