Californian Sojourn

A Day For Watching Japan

So I'm getting my first Saturday off in awhile and lucky for me it seems as if every informational channel on satellite is showing something about Japan.  Things about the opening of Edo Bay by Commodore Matthew Perry show of force, Hiroshima (looking to take stories from the book Hiroshima) as well as something about the Emperor who led Japan into WWII.  Needless to say I am pleased as lately I've been quite getting into learning the Japanese language as well as taking more and more in about the history about Japan to gain a better idea of its present and future.

And yes Andy, I'm back.  It's gonna start slow at first, life has been quite fast lately, but discipline has been more and more my focus for my life lately (let's just say I feel God knocking on my door about it) and that includes developing this blog back from the Dark Ages I left it in.

An Oldie About Living In Japan...But A Goodie

I guess this has been in circulation since '95 or so and it has been updated with things since then but I hadn't seen it and felt it should have a home here consideringthe future...

You Know When You've Been Too Long In Japan When...

More Wondering On What The Heck Is Going On With The Japanese

Confessions of a Grade School Role Model posts about a dicussion regarding "Why do Japanese women act so cute" which covers the social phenomena of Japanese adult women acting like school children.  It's an interesting read and just another thing to add to the things I'll have to get used to when I pop on over there.  Note ladies who read my blog that I don't exactly find this an "endearing" characteristic.  I've seen the value of a strong woman (thank you Lady Koel) and certainly have a hard time taking a woman serious who claps who fingers splayed wide and talks like a female memeber of the Chipmunks.  Ayumi Hamasaki and the song Fly High comes to mind in sounding like a Chipmunk.  I know Amuro Namie doesn't sound a whit like that.

Toni, I'd love for you to weigh in...

Update:  Found the "Great Pigeoned Toed Walking Debate" here.

Does This Stuff ACTUALLY Happen In Japan?

I hear things like this from time to time and wonder, is Japan really like that?  I mean I know a lot of things about Japan (which will be experienced when I get there) but stories like this come up from time to time and I'm curious if you can actually see this occur. My inquiring gaijin mind wants to know...

Ah The Way The Young Try And Get Past Cultural Decor...

The Marmot gives me an education regarding the Korean phenomenon of "Booking."

Relevant articles, one summary and another experience, on the matter here and here.

Ah that Nicholas Cage, thanks for perpetuating more stereotypes for me to contend with.

Niigata Earthquake...

Tokyo Times has some pictures of the recent Niigata earthquake that happened a few days ago.

The images sure remind me of the Northridge earthquake back in '94 (it was '94 right?). I recall one hospital building near my residence that had it sides literally "slide away" from the rest of the structure. Not to mention CSUN's parking structure being demolished.

Los Angeles Korean Film Festival

And to follow in line of the last post, the Egyptian theatre will be presenting a group of films during the Los Angeles Korean International Festival. Two of the films, Sympathy for Mr Vengence and A Tale Of Two Sisters I have seen and highly recommend. The festival runs for two days at the Egyptian from September 24th to the 25th. I highly recommend that if you get a chance you go and see these films and of course I'll be sure to try my damndest (schedule permitting) to be there for both days. More information can be obtained here. Some how I expect these showings to sell out quickly so mark the calendar and keep an eye on it if you want to catch it.

Japanese Pop Culture Screening + Seminar

Yay, a new post!

Sorry faithful ones that I've haven't been blogging for more than a week. I just happened to be uninspired during that time for some reason or another and now I'm glad to report the drought is over.

On Sunday September 26th @ 3:00pm the American Cinematheque will be showcasing a Japanese Pop Culture Screening and Seminar (details here). Needless to say I'm going and will definitely be interested in the roundtable which includes Roy Lee and Eric Nakamura. This is a perfect oppurtunity to gain further perspective on Japanese Pop Culture and the impact it is beginning to have here in America (as oppose to the way it's been for decades of American influence).

Should be interesting and, as always, I'll give a full report here.