The End

The end of the summer semester is almost here. Well technically I guess it is here because all that's left is finals. I learned a great deal this semester, mostly that I will never again take four courses over the summer semester. Also, I learned that having a different day off every week is a really stupid idea and that whoever came up with it should be flogged accordingly.

I had hoped to get more accomplished this semester but unfortunately I overloaded myself with work. I tried to pack in way too much for the semester and as a result I think that some of my grades may have suffered. Looking back though, I did get a lot done. I only wish I had been able to have been a part of the Daily Lives Project crew like I had originally envisioned being. Hopefully I can still partake in the editing next semester.

I was hoping as well to really improve my Japanese this semester as well but that didn't really happen. Sure, I improved a bit but not nearly as much as I had hoped. I guess next semester will work out better. I feel like the next xourse will be much more challenging and that it will force me to improve.

International Project

For my international project I was supposed to photograph and write about people communicating on two forms of transportation. I know what you're thinking, "In Japan?". Yeah, that's what I thought. Never mind I only travel using the train, I hardly ever see people communicating with eachother. So, I decided to just go with it. I would just describe the lack thereof communication and I would sacrifice some cash on a taxi for my second mode of transportation. I hate buses and I couldn't bring myself to use on, don't ask, that's another story entirely.

I spent a night out on the town in Ikebukuro with some friends. I documented my traveling by plotting my course via a GPS device I was lent by the school. I took the Mita Line from my station at Shimurasanchome to Sugamo station. Then I proceeded to Ikebukuro via the Yamanote. When I got to Ikebukuro I figured it would be worthwhile to keep GPSing my location as I went about my night; once on my way to a bar, at a bar, on my way to karaoke, at karaoke, and then waiting for a cab. I plotted a few spots in the cab on my way home and tooke some pictures of the empty streets. Yeah, I stayed out all night. I got dropped off at the McDonalds by my house, plotted that place, then took a bunch of pictures of a pigeon that will probably not make it into the project. He was just getting so close to me and I was drunk and excited.

So now I just have to finish putting this thing together. I've been working on it for a while now but I have yet to complete it. I figue it will be done this weekend. Maybe even Friday. So yeah, It should be up on here sometime soon I hope. I'll probably just make a seperate blog for it. Be on the look out ya'all!

Bathes. Roland. (?)

So I'm not really sure who wrote this last handout we recieved ( I asume his name has something to do with this blog's title) but I think most of it is a pretty dry text. It is beyond me how someone can make Japan boring, but hey, this person suceeded in doing so. But anyways, It got me thinking about some things.

Zen. The author barely mentions Zen asthetics and how they can be seen in a multitude of areas in Japan. In his piece on the presentation of food and it's rawness, he never mentions that both these factors contribute to the Zen asthetics of food in Japan. He never mentions it in his piece about packaging. Nor when he describes the simplicity of the home. Instead he justs goes on about I don't even know what.

Okay, I'm kind of getting off track here.

I do like how he describes coomunication in Japan. I think there is definitely a misconception that it is near impossible to communicate without knowing a language. People forget that there are a multitude of ways to communicate besides verbally expressing oneself. Of course it helps, and of course it gets frustrating, but the degree of ones language ability does not hamper ones experience of a foriegn country. Japan seems easier than most countries to describe what you need using body language, art, or whatever means are available. I think this has something to do with it being a high context society as apposed to most Western countries being low in context.

Project done

So the final projects went up the other day. They are on display at an art house in Harajuku. I can't even begin to describe how many problems I had with mine at the last minute!

Originally I had intended to make a project that isolated all the train station songs along the Yamanote. From there I wanted to put the sounds on a Google map along with the course that the Yamanote went along. You'd be able to simply click on a station, find out what it is, and then hear the song. Well, recording the songs became quite troublesome when I found that many times they are drowned out by the noise or simply not being played. So instead I opted to make the project display what a typical stop at each station sounded like it. If the song was there, great. If not, it still had a unique enough ambiance. Then I started working with iDVD in another class. I found that the program would work well with my own project so I scrapped the Google map in favor of creating a DVD that was interactive. I compiled all the sounds and the best photos I took of each stop and created said DVD. I finally finished up last Thusday night, but when I went to burn the disc, error. Apparently I screwed up somewhere. I spent awhile trying to figure it out but I didn't really get anywhere so instead I just put it on a flash memory card. That worked out well in the end.

My only dissapointment was that I failed to make an artist statement for the class DVD and my project was the only one left off of the DVD. Instead mine is on a seperate computer with headphones. Everybody else's plays in a loop that is projected on a wall. I like that mine is unique but I also wish that I could have had something that fit along with the rest of the classes projects because all their's look great together.

Random thoughts, statements, and accusations about this land they call Japan.

-Why do we call it Japan when Japanese call it Nippon or Nihon? It's like Germany and Deutschland. How many other names of countries do we butcher?

-What's with the random lotto stalls. I hardly see anybody ever buying a ticket but these things are all over the place! Can I buy one? And how would I know if I won?

- Have you ever seen so many people reading comic books (Manga... I know... get over it) in one place? at four in the morning? What the hell do these people do?

-I want a beer without the izakya atmosphere. I want a normal, shady, run'o the mill bar!

-A good majority of Japanese avoid me on the train... and just about anywhere else.

-Octopus. What's the big deal? It doesn't even have a flavor. You can't tell me they like it for the texture... it feels like rubber!

-Everyone keeps talking about rainy season. What the hell? It's been raining at the very least once a couple weeks. If that's not rainy season then tell me what is.

-I'm over the foriegners that try to blend in so much so that they act like snobs. Those people are lame.

-I don't care what Matt says. The phones here are way more advanced than the ones back in the States!

-Must every employee say "Irashaimase!" upon entering a store? I think that one is enough. Although I can't help but be ammused by the one guy that says it about three minutes after everyone else.

-Beer. Can I have a little more variety please?

-I've been wondering... why is it that Japan is the only other country where theme parks thrive? Hmmmm... research paper?

-Damn this is a hard language to learn.

That is all for now.

Ashes and Snow

I'm finding it a bit difficult to pin down my exact feelings on the"Ashes and Snow" exhibit by Gregory Colbert. I think it may be best to share with you the artist's statement before getting into my own feelings.

"In exploring the shared language and poetic sensibilities of all animals, I am working towards rediscovering the common ground that once existed when people lived in harmony with animals. The images depict a world that is without beginning or end, here or there, past or present."

Sounds a little pretentious. That pretty much sums up my feelings on the exhibit.

Sure, most of the photography was extrememly beautiful as was much of the video, yet I couldn't shake the feeling that it was put on display in uch a manner as to suggest that this was the best art created, ever. I think that the artist was attempting to move his audience to appreciate human relationship and interaction with nature and animals, however he failed in my opinion. I feel that I would have been much more impressed had the pictures not been staged. I felt that the posing of the animals in relation to the human subjects ruined the artists goal from his artist statement. It felt staged and therefore fake.

I also felt that there was a bit too much of an underlying amount of sexuality between the human and animal subjects which frankly, I didn't really understand. Perhaps this was supposed to represent the "shared language" and "harmony" that we humans once shared with nature. I'm not really sure why this was.

All in all it seemed a bit over dramatic of an exhibit. DOn't get me wrong, I did like much of what I saw and the entire collection was put together quite well, with the matching music and ambiance. I guess that maybe what I'm getting at is that it seemed to be commercialized art. Too much money was behind it and for that the artist has lost much of his integrity. I don't find it to be art anymore when you step out of the exhibit to be presented with a shop full of overpriced prints, posters, bookmarks, phone danglers, and postcards. I mean, come on, 7,000 yen for a poster? Give me a break.

Hand in the bag...

I can't say that what you would find in my bag would be anything out of the ordinary. There isn't really anything of significant emotional or physical value in its contents. It mostly serves the purpose of a book bag.

I carry the needed books for the days classes, unless of course the text isn't required for use in the classroom. It always has my folder. It contains material for all of my classes so I try to keep it as clean as possible, going through it every so often to ensure that there is no unneccesary clutter. There are also the stray notebooks that work well for note taking both in and out of class. A pen bag keeps all my writing utensils organized and at the ready. I usually have a personal book in it as well. One for reading on the train. Of course this constantly changes but nevertheless, I nearly always have a good personal read for the commute.

My iPod is a mainstay. Sometimes I just can't make up my mind if I want to listen to music and play solitaire on the train or read a book. I've found it's good to have both. Options work nice.

My phone always sits nicely in a convenient little pouch built for the purpose. The only problem is that I can never tell when it rings since it is on a constant vibrate mode. I'd change the settings, but I think the last thing I need is my phone going off on the train while I stand around oblivious, listening to music that is probably too loud for me and everyone else on board.

I have a day planner that seems to make it into and out of my bag without warning. Sometimes it's there, other days it's not. It was part of my plan to be more on top of things. Because you know, having a day planner can make a person responsible. I have written in it twice I think. Once on the first day of Spring semester, and once on the first day of Summer semester after clearing out all the old and wasted pages of the months gone by. Another item that goes on in a constant state of un-use is my flash cards for Japanese. I swear, I don't think I'm ever going to learn this language properly.

Trash is usually in my bag. Right now I have a few tissues from I can't even remember when. A buisness card from a friend of a friend can be found in the same pocket. There's also a smashed up cigarette pack. There's a whole one too. I know, they're bad for me. But hell, they look almost as cool on me as a beer and I can't really go walking around school with one of those.

I guess I do have one personal piece in my bag. Well, actually it's pinned to it, and it's a pin. It's a pin I got from NHK the first week I came to Japan. I'm pretty sure that was the same day I bought the bag. It's a pin of Domokun, the child show star. I guess it is a sort of good luck pin in a way. I have never taken it off my bag since I first put it on. It reminds me of where I was when I came here and where I am now.

Assimilation

One of the hardest things of trying to assimilate into another culture is learning the new social and behavioral norms. I think that many foreigners don't even think about this and instead choose to take a "I am who I am" attitude and feel they don't need to adhere to any cultural norms. Of course this is understandable ,but I just revel in the irony of those who would complaign about foreigners lack of assimilation into their own culture yet they have a complete disregard for abiding by the rules while abroad. Oh, it's just hilarious. But anyways, this is supposed to be more about some of the norms that I have noticed and try to obey. Keep in mind. I've never lived in a metropolis, but I do take the liberty of assuming that many of these behaviors are unique to Tokyo and Japan.

Certain things you'll have to learn off the bat. For instance, the driving on the opposite side of the road thing also extends to sidewalk etiquite. Be prepared for many a run in when attempting to pass an oncoming pedestrian on the right. Perhaps the best policy is to do what most Japanese seem to do, walk in a straight line and let other people move out of YOUR way.

The silent train rides are something that many people may take awhile getting used to, but this is also one of the first things many people will encounter when in Japan. No talking, no cellphone use, try not to eat or drink, eyes forward or on a book. Break the rules and you might be dealt a harsh lashing in the Nihongo from another passenger. I've seen it happen. And when you exit the train and head up the escalator, please remember: stand on the left and pass on the right.

Service is something in Japan that I find is incomparable to anywhere else in the world. Be prepared for verbal assualts of "Irashaimasen!" (Welcome) and "Domo arigato gozaimasu!". And be prepared for them coming at you at you from all fronts; we're talking Hello's and Thank You's from every employee, sometimes at once, sometimes not. Don't even bother trying to be polite back though. It will only elicit a robotish response of usually the same thanks and besides, nobody else is too kind to the service workers. Of course they are cordial at times, but mostly they finish transations without a word unless it is necessary. Take for example the countless restaruants that feature a coin operated ticket machine rather than a waiter. But hey, if you need the bus boy for anything, he will bend over backwards for your happiness.

Three Day Observation; or how I came to love Shimura-sanchome.

Finally the tako seller has arrived. I was beggining to think that the rain might be keeping him away. It was unlike him to just not show up though. Every night he is here. Usually there's a line of at least three people. But now he's setting up. He starts his generator. Connects a hose to the tail pipe of his van so as not to esphixiate himself while he works dilligently on his specialty; octopus tentacles, veggies, things that looking like bacon bits, all wrapped up into fried balls. Judging from his customers, he's a pretty popular guy. Many of the people walking by will wave to him as they pass. Or they make small talk while he prepares their order; something I hardly ever see in Tokyo. He seems seperate from this world. A piece of the past. A street vendor that has been able to modernize his buisness and fit in with this normally fast paced, often unsocial, city. A part of old Japan that was left behind.
But now he works hard, preparing for the late rush.

My train is actually part of the subway system. The Mita line. It runs above ground for about half of the trip and my stop, Shimura-sanchome, is a station that rises above the street. One exits the train and heads down two flights of stairs to reach the tako seller. He sits under a bridge directly below the oncoming and outgoing trains. But he sits there among a variety of likely competition: McDonalds, Family Mart, izakyas galore. I've usually spent the later part of the evening here, the time when the tako seller has a line. Now it is early though. Those that would want his treats instead are forced to eat fried chicken from the Family Mart or maybe something from the cheap soba shop that is next door.

There is actually any number of things to do around the station. I often marvel at how close everything is. Anything you would need can be found within three minutes. So I just sit and watch, trying to observe what it is that people do when they get off the train.
Tonight it was raining. Exiting passengers quickly let their umbrellas unfold to offer protection from the downpour. Many line up for cash at one of the three ATMs, others head into Family Mart to sneak a look at a magazine or to get a bite to eat. Very often the mothers and the elderly, it seems, head around the station, presumably to shop at the grocery store around the corner. School children walk toward the station but simply stand around talking to each other on the corner. I assume that they are waiting for the last minute to say their goodbyes until tomorrow when they will no doubt follow the same routine, as it been this way for three days. There is always an unsteady trickle into and out of the massive pachinko parlor. It is crowded as usual. When the doors open you can hear the sound of slot and pachinko machines ruining someones life or making another's day. McDonalds reminds me of the way it was in the 1980's. Crowded with families that have never seen "Super Size Me" or read "Fast Food Nation".
Unlike other stations in Tokyo, mine isn't one to be used as a meeting grounds. It's the last stop for most people. People getting off at Shimura-sanchome are either heading home or going to an izakya with co-workers that live nearby. The feeling here is one of a small community. It's as if we're not really a part of Tokyo. The town can function independently from the greater Tokyo area because everything one could need is right here. All of it: entertainment, food, groceries, electronics; anythig you would need is here. And it's all within three minutes walk from the station.

Then there's the tako seller. With everything he needs to cook right in the back of his van. Everyday. He seems out of place to me, but at the same time he fits. Back home in California, none of it would fit. Everything so close, never having to use your car to get somewhere. Yeah right. I see now that it needs to be this way, it couldn't be another way for Tokyo to function properly. With trains being the main source of transportation it is no wonder why it is here that a mini city pops up.

"Donald Ritchie: One Expat to Rule Them All" and Thoughts on Future Projects

I can't help but both be inspired and intrigued by everything I have read thus far of Donald's. Despite the difference in our ages, I can't help but feel in reading his work shared grounds in our experiences. Granted, I can only hope to spend time with people that will earn as much fame as those people Donald has spent time with. His observations come to me as being very obvious but at the same time things I might never had noticed had they not been pointed out. After reading only a few of his artilces it is easy to see why he is hailed as an expert on nearly everything Japanese despite his focus on film. Though I enjoy reading his style of observation and analysis, I don't feel that it is something that I could easily accomplish or emulate, though I would like to try. I particularly like the form that "The Japan Journals" takes; something I've only started reading in my spare time. But there is also something to be said for his more scholarly observations that can be read in the collection of articles "A Lateral View". They way he pieces together different aspects of Japanese culture to better explain the whole is briliant. I'm not sure, but his writings give me the impression that despite how on target he is about the subject, his findings are those that could only have been learned through the countless years of observations he has made and not those that could be found in any text book.

I'm still not really sure what I want to focus on for my final project, or even the medium. I'm leaning towards some sort of photographic journal type. I would really enjoy trying to play around with video but I feel that it may be too much for me to take on with what little editing and video experience I have. I'm not entirely sure of the subject yet either. Originally I had the idea to target the male hosts that roam the entrances of train stations and hassle every girl that passes. It would be an incredibly interesting topic, but agian, I'm afraid I may be biting off more than I can chew.

Ps- I'm also reading the novella "Snakes and Earrings" by Hitomi Kanehara. I highly recommend this short book. It's about a girl that is supposed to be a fashionable "Barbie-girl" that gets involved with two guys that are completely unlike her normal group of friends. One is a punk tattoo artist, the other a wannabe gangster. It has sex, fighting, and a central character grappling with her identity and the people she loves. Check it out.