Nowadays, people’s fashion and hairstyle has changed, compare to that of in 100 years ago. It is notable especially for Japanese people. For instance, many Japanese men have long hair and clothes are sometimes even similar to what women usually wear. One of my friends in America told me that they are so weird. He seemed to not be able to understand why many Japanese men do not look like “men.” He also said that they are so gay. Well, I do not think so, because I am Japanese and live in Japan for 18 years. I would like to think about the difference of values of fashion between American men and Japanese men.

First, let’s think about the American style. What image do you have on American men’s fashion? For me, their fashion is very simple in good way. For their casual style, they wear relaxed jeans, T-shirts, and sneakers. Their hair style is much shorter than Japanese men’s. It is about the value so I do not think there are not specific answers. I think they do not mean they are not interested in fashion, but that simple style is comfortable for American men. Of course some men enjoy their fashion, wearing pierces, necklace, or dying their hair. However, I feel American men focus on what they want to wear rather than how they want to be seen by surroundings.

On the other hand, Japanese men’s styles are completely opposite. We rather care how we are seen by surroundings. If we think our legs are so short, we wear boots, though I heard some American think this is so gay. Japanese men wear tight shirts, pants, and jackets, which look like women. Even some men do make-up on their face so that they create strong impressions. Think about the past, in 100 years ago in Japan men had no time to enjoy their fashion because social rule was very strict. They were not even allowed to have long, dyed hair. However, the time has changed and it is now less strict to express their favorite styles.

As you read, there is a big difference of values between American and Japan. I noticed that this topic is deeply related to the social norms. If the society allows men to enjoy less strict fashion, they can do so. Even one of my friends wants to be a girl so he wears clothes like a girl. Perhaps the time will come that big strong American men start to wear girl’s costumes in few decades later.

by Takeshi Sakagami

References

http://www.americafe.net/maki/82/ 「日本人男性はゲイっぽい？」

http://norizo.com/ny/nynow/200011/hm.html　「ニューヨークの今日この頃」

This picture took in front of the Dajia Jenn-Lann Temple, in Chinese name 大甲鎮瀾宮. This temple consecrates the most famous deity of the sea, Mazu. The enormous popularity of Mazu in Taiwan is evidenced by the more than 400 temples dedicated to her and by processions in which her icon is carried on a palanquin to spread her blessings. Also, such spectacles can be seen all over the island, known as the “Dajia Mazu Pilgrimage”, which snakes through several counties in central and southern Taiwan for eight or nine days in the third lunar month depends on Mazu’s birthday that usually begins in March or April.

When did the temple appear in Taiwan? It can be traced back to the early immigrant society, during the Qing dynasty (1644-1911). The immigrants, most of them came from Fukien province in China, had to across the Taiwan Strait riskily. In order to keep themselves from harm during the dangerous trip; they carried with their sacred images, incense for the deities or amulets to seek for spiritual protection. For example, most of the ships carried image of Mazu, to assure calm weather and safe passage. Later on, as the immigrants and their new villages started to flourish in Taiwan, then naturally they started to feel a need to show gratitude for the deities’ divine assistance that had blessed them. So, they began to build temples to providing homes for the deities to worship. Temples play the roles which are memorial buildings, sanctuaries for the deities, and centers of faith for believers. Also, temples became community centers to strengthen connections between believers as well as normal citizens, especially in rural areas. Since, special ceremonies are held by temples on deities’ birthdays. Generally we refer these carnival-like events as temple festivals. Often each event will consists of “welcoming the deities”, “an inspection tour by deities”, “chanting of sutras”, and “outdoor stage performances of Taiwanese opera or glove puppet shows” to entertain the deities. Temples provide the place for people to prepare the festival together, to worship, to bless and to enjoy.

Besides, to attend regular religious services at one location, small outdoor or indoor shrines of local deities are also very common, and often can be spotted on roadsides, parks, neighborhoods, and almost everywhere. These small pockets of religious atmosphere let people stop by and pray informally anytime. Many homes and businesses may also set up small shrines of candles, figurines, and offerings. For instance, some restaurants may set up a small shrine to the Kitchen deity who protects the success in a restaurant business. Students may visit a shrine to the Learning deity for good luck before a test. People in Taiwan, their lives strongly connect with temples; I think it’s because the need of the whole society then created the existence of unique religion. Of course, it’s totally different from Buddhism or Taoist, because it blends all elements together at first, and diffused into society even more deeply. This religion is called “popular beliefs” that whenever people feel the need to seek divine assistance they will just visit a temple.

References

Picture retrieved 17^th December, 2011, from http://www.flickr.com/photos/dans180/5601742094/in/set-72157600112213625/.

by Ying Yu Lin (Linda)

There are various people who are discriminated in the world. Burakumin has been also discriminated since about 300 years ago in Japan. Just because they are Burakumin, they are varied discriminated. For example, they could`t marry by the partner`s relatives opposing because they ware Burakumin. One company had a list of Burakumin and they ware discriminated when they send a curriculum vitae. The other example is that the infrastructure did not equipped in only their living area.

Then why are they discriminated? The origin goes back to Edo period. Edo Bakufu, the government of that era, made a lowest class of citizens to turn away the citizen troubled by the heavy tax. Edo Bakuhu ordered people who get job which nobody wants to get, the leather industry, slaughterhouse, to live in definite area and fix their social standing. In Meiji period, Meiji government declare liberation of Burakumin  but the discrimination has been continuing.

Although today it is said that the existence of discriminating consciousness is fading out for migration of people or residences, the consciousness of discriminating are not improved but simply the consciousness of avoiding go underwater. And an alliance of Burakumin liberation which is the organization of Burakumin for canceling discrimination prevent solving discrimination in a true meaning because people think it troublesome and fearful for the power of the organization. The other opinion is that continuing a special law for Burakumin generates new prejudice.

How can we solve the problems? I think there are two ways.The one is that educators should not emphasize on Burakumin too much in elementary school. Excessive emphasis plants the consciousness of distinction for children conversely. It connects discrimination. The other is knowing. I think that discrimination comes from ignorant. So we do not avert our eyes from the problem of discrimination, but we try to get to know more deeply.

by Shinji Nisiura

Recently, the Japanese word MOTTAINAI has been paid attention by foreign countries.  This is because the word can be useful to emphasize the importance of reusing resources and prevention of environment.  We can’t translate this word completely in English, but I dare to say it means that we should be careful about the things which are still too good or useful to be wasted or thrown away.

In my childhood, my family and people around me always told me that I shouldn’t forget feelings of thanks.  For example, I should eat every last grain of rice in the bowl, thinking that all the people related to a food.  Even in a drop of water, the Japanese believe in spirits of nature and many deities.  Some Japanese think God dwells in various kinds of things.  Then I would like to refer to the Japanese faith in eight million deities.  Eight million means an infinite number in Japan.  We Japanese have been taught gods exist for everything.

While foreigners are interested in the word MOTTAINAI, the Japanese seem to gradually make little of it these days.  The Japanese tend to waste more things than the old days.  Indeed, the problem of disposing waste materials has become serious in Japan.  Recycling resources such as plastics, empty cans and bottles are widely collected at many places in Japan.  Practicing recycle is very important, but furthermore, we should bear the real meanings of the word MOTTAINAI.  It means we must be more attached to everything around us, because all the things have each spirit of their own in Japanese traditional believes.

by Sakiko   Maruyama

It is said that Japanese people are irreligious. Actually, 70 percent of Japanese are so. There is no religious role except the time of ceremonial occasions in Japan. For example, a funeral is by a Buddhism formula, a marriage ceremony is held at a church and paying our first visits of the year in a shrine. There are some reasons for this. I’ll divide it into four points and explain these.

First, Japan is island country and not invaded or occupied from the old days. So, Japanese race could live without depending on some religion.

“The irreligion” of Westerners is a way of thinking that is almost “atheism”, but the Japanese “irreligion” has a plan that “it is natural religion”. Since ancient times, it was thought that God dwelled in all things in the universe in Japan. This is called “YAOYOROZUNOKAMI”. They do not oppose to each other, and in other words, it is polytheism. This is very different from monotheistic such as Christianity and Islam.

Third, Japanese policy is also its cause. In the Meiji era, the government wanted to assume Buddhism a state religion but the other religions was powerful in the world. Because of this, the government did not ignore these and could not decide a state religion. As a result of this, the government did not take a religious line clearly.

Finally, in the other side, the case which was done by the religious body was happened in the past. Aum Shinrikyo scattered sarin which is nerve gas on a subway, and a large quantity of victims came out. Therefore the image of religion became to be extremely bad.

I think that the Japanese religious idea is good, though it is often criticized by other country’s people. However, this expresses Japanese generosity and splendid sensitivity that people are careful and thank to everything. I think that Japanese people should maintain this Japanese irreligion stance as an identity.

 by Ayaka Hori

During October, I was watching a TV show called “Shin-Jyoushiki” which means new common sense in Japanese. And they were talking about how the Japanese Men are acting and wanting to look like as women. For example, some men started putting on makeup and wearing skirts. And some men do plastic surgery to change their eyes and lips like an idol. These acts of wanting to be like women by the men are increasing in Japan and some Japanese sociologist said that in the future, all men will be like women.

On the other hand, there are men who starting to talk at a high tone of voice like women. Why do they do this? Especially men who have a job through the phone service, wants to talk in a high tone because it sounds nicer towards the customer than thick and low. There is even a school that teaches such voice called “Ryousei-rui” which is the term when men talks in a women’s voice of tone.

Such things are done by men, especially men working for customer service, because they think that their looks and sound of manliness will scare off female customers. Having a deep voice might scare customers over the phone, so men try to speak at a nicer tone for service. And the looks of a man is changing by changing their eyes by making it wider, so it won’t look like he is glaring at the opponent.

Like such examples, Japanese men are falling off from the gender norm. In the past, men acting like women were not normal. However, such norm is changing slightly every time and changing in how people act. I still cannot believe that Japan is changing into such country, but I’m sure that not all people will become like it. For sure, I will not be one of them, because I have no way in adapting to such idea. I’m fine looking at men becoming like women, because it will not have an effect on me. However, I’m worried about women that how they would feel about this, because I have an image that most women would want to love a man who is manly more than women like men. Anyways, if there are any others updates on this topic, I would like to search on it and let people know about it.

by Cody Ueda

What makes royals different from their subjects? What makes them stand out, admired and respected? Well, one obvious answer would be that they are monarchs and have some power over their people but if we were to add some sociological understanding to it, it would come down to one concept, cultural capital. Cultural capital is, “a concept associated with Bourdieu, for whom cultural capital acts as a social relation within a system of exchange that includes the accumulated cultural knowledge that confers power and status” (The Sage dictionary of cultural studies, 2004) or it can simply be defined as forms of knowledge, skills, education, and advantages that a person has, which give them a higher status in society. Therefore, the difference between royals and their subjects can be seen by the way they were brought up and educated.

While Professor Moorehead was explaining this concept in class, I could not help but remember a movie I had watched a couple of years back called The Princess Diaries, a comedy produced in 2001 that shows a perfect example of cultural capital. In this movie, we are introduced to a very young Anne Hathaway who plays Mia Thermopolis, a fifteen year old teenager who discovers that she is the heir to the throne of Genovia after her father dies in a car crush. Her grandmother Clarisse Renaldi played by Julie Andrews hopes to introduce her to the Genovian government at the upcoming State Dinner but before that, Mia has to undergo ‘princess lessons’. she is taught how to sit, dine, talk, walk, dance and dress. Well, couldn’t she do all these things before she discovered that she was a princess?  That is where cultural capital comes in. Mia had always been getting basic education at school and no one had ever tried to teach her how to conduct herself in public. Fortunately for her, when she becomes a princess, all this changes. She is taught how to act and behave like a royal contradicting all the other teachings she has been getting from her middle class school and home. From this movie, it is clear to see the difference between social classes of people. The upper and middle classes of people are brought up and educated in different ways and that is why people in the upper class succeed more than those in the middle class. They have more cultural capital since they are taught a lot of things that are relevant in society and this may not be the case with middle class people.

Reference:

Barker, C (2004). The Sage dictionary of cultural studies. London: Sage Publications Limited

by Allan Kastiro

 Have you ever watched “A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila”? When I first watched this TV program, I was very surprised because this is a reality television features on a bisexual dating show in which 16 straight men and 16 lesbian women compete each other for Tila’s affection (Tila Tequila are bisexual American model and television personality). I have never watched this kind of TV shows featured on sexual orientation such as bisexual and homosexual in Japan. And, this program made me think “Americans are quite tolerant to individual’s sexual orientation” But, it seems that not entirely correct.

“A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila” were very popular even the continue seasons were produced. On the other hand, this TV program led a heated discussion to America by Conservative Christians. Because homosexuality is prohibited in the Bible, Conservative Christian groups which make much of the Bible complained about Tila’s TV program.

Even though some Conservative Christian groups oppose homosexuality, on the other hand, same sex marriage was legalized in New York in June 2011, and New York became the largest state where gay and lesbian couples are able to wed. Also, some states have already legalized same sex or domestic partnership system. Moreover, many famous people like Lady Gaga, Anne Hathaway, Adam Lambert, and the President Obama declared how significant homosexual people are treated as equal as heterosexual people.

‘A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila’ became so popular that 2^nd season was produced.  On the other hand, there were also people opposed homosexuality or bisexuality in America.  These TV program and laws reveal that Americans are care about sexual fluidity or homosexuality whether pro or anti.

References

Retrieved from Starpulse.com (http://www.starpulse.com/news/Danielle_Turchiano/2008/06/04/is_this_really_our_reality_nominees_for_)

by Mayumi Kurosawa

Recently, homosexual marriages seems to be okay since being homosexuality no longer seems to be the strangest phenomenon in our society. And even in some countries and regions, homosexual marriages are allowed in the local laws. But how many of us can say that they can accept people around them being homosexual and even being homosexually married? Because so far as I know, there are still people who cannot accept that behavior since it is against our common gender norms. So, let’s have a look at how people treat those who got homosexual marriages and what do people think about them.

There is one famous example of homosexual marriage. Every single person who has watched “The Big Bang Theory” surely knows who Sheldon is. And those who like Sheldon should have known the actor who plays the role of Sheldon. Yes, he is Jim Parsons. And he is a homosexual. And it was reported that he proposed to his boyfriend after he got the Amy Award on 10^th of September, 2010. And they planned to have there marriage in Massachusetts where homosexual marriage is allowed. As most people like to watch “The Big Bang Theory” and like Jim’s performance in that TV series, it seems there is nothing strange to accept the truth that Jim has a different choice on sexual orientation. And the audience still likes him even though he is a gay. Moreover, some of the female audience sighed that they lose the chance to marry Jim Parsons. So, homosexual marriage and homosexuality seems to be more acceptable nowadays than past time.

One of my friends who are now studying in the U.S. has a gay roommate. When he told us about this news, we suddenly burst into laughter and told him to be careful in order to avoid becoming a gay after staying in the same room with a gay roommate. But we were totally wrong. He told us about his days living in the same room with a gay roommate. He said his roommate was not that bad, except sometimes his roommate took his homosexual friends into the dormitory, it makes my friend embarrassed. But anyway, my friend’s roommate is a good guy in general. Sometimes we feel strange about gay people because we simply think that they are different from us due to their sex orientation. But, homosexual people have their own social circles; they choose to be homosexuality just as naturally as we choose to be heterosexuality; Although homosexual marriages are becoming more acceptable nowadays, we could still see homosexuality being discriminated. But I think one day in the future, considering humanity, homosexuality can be treated equally by this society.

For me, I think homosexual people are the same as us. We all have our rights to choose our way of behaving, and we have nothing different except our choice in sexual orientation. So, we should respect them although we know that their sexual orientation is against our sexual norms.

by. Harry  Xu

The origin of “otaku” is from Japan. Even now there is still no exact definition of this term but it is most often equivalent to “geek” or “nerd”. Actually it is not the mainstream in the past before the “Tokyo/Saitama Serial Kidnapping Murders of Little Girls” happened. Tsutomu Miyazaki, an otaku killed 4 little girls, became known as “The Otaku Murderer” in 1989. His merciless murders fueled a strong moral panic against otaku. But actually it can relate to a fan of any particular field. It’s hard to simply define an otaku as a person staying at home all day and addicting to games and animation in China. There is a very resounding name for a special group of otaku , “tech-otaku”（ “技术宅” in Chinese and means otaku with special skills）They enjoy great reputation on the internet and mainly specialize in video/audio editing, painting, and etc. Their lives showed another aspect of otaku to all of us.

Mad（マッド-）, derivative MV work of ACG(animation, comic, games) materials, is a newly developing form of video. It is also a hot field for many tech-otaku. The most famous central locus of them in China is Flsnow Mad Team. Their works were widely spread and some of them even appeared in the top ranking list in Japanese video web “niconico douga”. The mad competition it holds also attracts many maders from Japan and Korea. Most members are not professional editors. The youngest member is only 16 and most of them are self-taught. But the most common point they hold is the love of ACG culture.

Being a tech-otaku is really tough and surrounding people always doubt their behaviors and trying to persuade them going out rather than study the software at home. It is true that Otaku will lose chances of social communication but on the other hand they are able to concentrate on their own interests and achieve the goals which still can be recognized by the society.  Personally I would like to divide those special tech-otakus to the group Innovators who accept goals but comes up new means. I think they should be independent of from the group hikikomori（引き篭もり in Japanese means people being isolated and have morbid mind) Sometimes, they even find new ways of their lives . For instance, a Chinese mader xiaobai927, who picked up MAD making in 2008, his third year of university, now becomes a trainee of local TV station. In fact it also surprised him because his college major is totally different.

Generally speaking, Otaku is a kind of social deviance, but simply define it as someone only relate to negative impressions is irresponsible. Not only for otaku, I think we must judge the behavior of social deviance more rationally and objectively. Constant critique can only lead us to bigger gap between the society and them. For me, I started to learn video editing after watching some mad edited by Chinese maders in the summer vacation and I want to make it as a hobby in my college life. If I’m able to keep the balance between our study and hobby, what matters whether I’m called an otaku or not?

Some famous MADs edited by Chinese maders

【魔法少女まどかMAD】 ETERNAL BLAZE  —By LANXUS

http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm14220000

「MAD」世界線の交点　すべてシュタインズ・ゲートの選択である   —BY N.ec鱼丸

http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm16287233

by  John Wang