JAPAN

Your perception of the place you have selected before you embark on the research

The first thing that comes to my mind when I think of Japan is – sushi! I love to eat sushi and in my opinion, Japan is a heavenly place for seafood lovers. There are also udon noodles, cold saba, curry chicken katsu, and the list goes on. Also, Japan reminds me of anime, manga, and game shows. With animations such as ‘Crayon Shin-chan’, ‘Digimon’, ‘Doraemon’ and especially Studio Ghibli with animations such as ‘Spirited Away’ and ‘Grave of the Fireflies’, they have all been a favourite part of my childhood. I enjoy Japanese entertainments, even now at this age – it never gets old.

What represents the culture of the place you have selected?

With the geisha, samurai, theatres, architectures, Japanese clothing, cuisines, popular culture, and many more, Japan is a country rich in culture. The cultures of Japan are also generally well-known and well-liked around the world.

Geisha (also known as geiko in Kyoto dialect) are professional entertainers who attend guests during meals, banquets and other occasions. Their job is to make guests feel at ease with conversation, drinking games and dance performances as they are being trained in many different traditional Japanese arts such as dance and music, and the art of communication.

The samurai (or bushi) were the warriors of pre-modern Japan. Later, they made up the ruling military class that ultimately became the highest ranking social caste of the Edo Period (1603-1867). Although samurai used a variety of weapons such as bows and arrows, spears and guns, their main weapon and symbol was the sword. Samurai were required to lead their lives according to the ethic code of bushido which is "the way of the warrior". Bushido stressed concepts such as loyalty to one's master, self-discipline, and respectful, ethical behaviour as they are strongly Confucian in nature. Many samurai were also drawn to the teachings and practices of Zen Buddhism.

Noh, Kyogen, Kabuki, and Bunraku, or also known as Puppet Theater, are four world famous major forms of traditional Japanese. The Noh was only performed to the high level class. Kyogen was used to link the theme of the Noh play with the modern world by means of farce and slapstick. Unlike Noh, the performers of Kyogen do not wear masks, unless their role calls for physical transformation. The most well-known form of Japanese theatre is Kabuki. It consists of wild costumes and swordfights, using real swords until the 1680s. Kabuki is a type of theatre that combines music, drama, and dance. Puppets and Bunraku were used in Japanese theatre as early as the noh plays. Puppets are 3 to 4 foot tall (0.91 to 1.2m) dolls being manipulated by puppeteers in complete view of the audience. The puppeteers, dressed entirely in black, controls the legs and hands while the head puppeteer wears colourful clothing. Music and chanting is a popular convention of bunraku, and the shamisen player is usually considered to be the leader of the production.

(Above picture) Heian Jingu Shrine Nishi Tennocho Okazaki Sakyo-ku Kyoto Japan

Japanese architecture has a history as long as any other aspect of Japanese culture. Although greatly influenced by Chinese architecture originally, it also develops many differences and aspects which are indigenous to Japan. Temples, Shinto shrines and castles in Kyoto, and Nara are examples of Japan’s traditional architecture. Some of these buildings, influenced by Zen ideas, are constructed with traditional gardens. Some modern architects, such as Yoshio Taniguchi and Tadao Ando are known for their unification of Japanese traditional and Western architectural influences.

Traditional Japanese clothing distinguishes Japan from all other countries around the world. The Japanese word kimono means "something one wears" and they are the traditional garments of Japan. Kimonos are available in a variety of colours, styles, and sizes. The style of kimono also changes with the season, in spring kimonos have springtime flowers embroidered on them and are vibrantly coloured. In the fall, kimono has fall patterns though colours are not as bright. The ideal kimonos for winter are the flannel kimonos as they are of heavier material to help keep warm.

The Japanese sophisticated and refined cuisine is established though a long culinary history. Now, Japanese food has become fashionable and popular in many parts of the world. The Japanese diet consists principally of rice; fresh, lean seafood; and pickled or boiled vegetables. The healthy Japanese diet is often believed to contribute to the reason for the longevity of Japanese people.

Japanese popular culture such as popular films, television programs, manga, music, and videogames are all developed from older artistic and literary traditions, and many of their presentation themes and styles are inspired by traditional art forms. Modern forms of popular culture, similar to the traditional forms, not only provide entertainment but also an escape for the contemporary Japanese from the complications of an industrial world. Japan has become one of the "entertainment superpower" due to the continuous popularity of anime and manga as well as Japanese video games, music, fashion, and game shows.

Research into the culture and traditions of an indigenous group

The Ainu people of Japan Hokkaido are an indigenous group of Japan. They are the aborigines people of northern japan and are close to extinction with the continuous decrease in number due to oppression, racism and forced assimilation policies. Modern socialization have also lead them into deny their identity.

 The traditional Ainu culture was rather different from Japanese culture. Ainu culture did not shave after a certain age, resulting in men having full beards and moustaches. Both men and women had to cut their hair level with the shoulders at the sides of the head, trimmed semi-circularly behind. The women even tattooed their mouths, and at times the forearms, and this was usually done at a young age, with a small spot on the upper lip, gradually increasing with size.

Their traditional dress was a robe spun from the inner bark of the elm tree, called attusi or attush. Numerous styles of clothing were made, consisting of generally simple short robes with straight sleeves, folded around the body, and end off by tying a band around the waist. The sleeves ended at the wrist or forearm and the length commonly to the calves. Undergarments made of Japanese cloth were also worn by women.

Their traditional cuisine includes the flesh of bear, fox, wolf, badger, ox or horse, as well as fish, fowl, millet, vegetables, herbs, and roots. Raw fish or flesh were boiled or roasted instead of being eaten raw.

Their traditional habitations were reed-thatched huts, the largest 20ft (6m) square, with a fireplace in the center, one window on the eastern side and two doors, no partitions nor chimney, only a hole at the angle of the roof. When there is a need for a public meeting place, the house of the village head would be used.

The Ainus they sat on the floor, instead of using furnitures. The floor was covered with two layers of mats, one of rush, the other of a water plant with long sword shaped leaves and for beds they spread planks, hanging mats around them on poles, and employing skins for bedspreads. The men used chopsticks when eating; the women had wooden spoons.

The authorities were not entrusted to chiefs but instead, they had an indefinite number of a community's members who sat in verdict upon its criminals. There were neither capital punishments nor imprisonment and beating was regarded as an adequate and final penalty. However, in the case of murder, the penalties were much harsher, having the nose and ears of the culprit cut off or the tendons of his feet severed.

Appraise the authenticity of the culture from the point of view of a tourist

Japan is a very cultural country. For example Osaka, not only do they preserve historical and traditional sites, they have places allowing tourists to experience Japan’s cultural and traditional way of life, providing a real and an even fuller experience when visiting Japan. Furthermore, inhabitants of non-Japanese origin make up only just over 1% of the overall population, increasing the authenticity atmosphere.

Tourists who have been to japan can definitely feel the cultural and respectful manners of the Japanese. Before eating, one has to say ‘itadakimasu’ and some places even have floor covered with straw mats and huge square pillows for guests to sit down. A good example would be the ryokans, traditional Japanese inns, a place allowing tourists to feel and experience the traditional Japanese way of living.

There are also natural parks with beautiful waterfall at the end of a ‘hiking’ trip for the tourist to admire and feel the worthwhile of their walk. Historical sites allow tourists to understand more about Japan’s past. 

Tourism impacts on the authentic culture of this place and the indigenous group

Tourism is inevitable in order for a country to increase revenue, and tourism inevitably causes Japan to be influenced by other countries. Therefore, it is bound to have some impacts on the authentic culture of Japan.

For example, Japan has been westernized in the sense that some people are actually more open and exposed to greater exposure of the foreign cultures. The indigenous culture of Japan is affected by the negative cultures.

Also, to cater to the high expectations of tourists these days, more appealing destinations will be created and sometimes existing cultural sites would be affected with regards to design or renovation, which might affect the originality of the place.

Also, with tourism, comes commodification. Locals might do things for the sake of doing it for tourism. Also goods are sold so commonly that it loses it meaning.   

What is the focus of their calendar of events?

Festivals were initially religious events and because almost every shrine has its own festivals, there are many local festivals in Japan. Majority of the festivals are held on an annual basis and they celebrate events like the coming of farming season, the harvest, or historical events.

On the first, second, or third day of the new year, many people visit the shrine to make wishes for the new year and get a new good luck charm. This celebration is called Hatsumode. It is very common to see women in kimono and quite a few men too. Shrines and temples become extremely lively.

Hatsumiya Mairi is an ancient tradition for those who have been blessed with a new born child. It allows the new parents to appreciate the birth of their child and to express their wishes for the child. It is usually done so after the baby’s one month.

Shichi-go-san is when people dress their children up in Kimono (often their first kimono) or their best clothes and take them to a local shrine to pray for their health and happiness. This festival is meant for boys of three and five years old, and girls of three and seven years old. The numbers, especially 3 and 7, are lucky numbers in Japan. A sweet candy called chitose-ame is also often bought for them, in a bag with cranes and turtles, which are considered two more symbols of long life.

Seijin shiki is the first holiday of the year after New Year is all over. It is for all the women who have just turned twenty, since twenty is the age considered to be the begging of adulthood. They celebrate new beginnings of discovery in their life, and most families usually buy a kimono for their daughter. On the day the young lady will typically go to a nearby Shinto Shrine and pray for health, success, money, and such. It is one of the few times you will see anyone wear a kimono. The other occasions are graduation from a college, and once in a while at a wedding.

Hina Matsuri (Doll Festival) happens on March 3 every year and celebrates "Girls' Day". On this day, families pray for the happiness and prosperity of their girls to help ensure that they grow up healthy and beautiful. To ward off evil spirits from girls, the celebration takes place both inside the home and at the seashore. Most families take out their display of dolls around mid-February and put it away immediately after Hina Matsuri is over due to the superstition that families slow to put away the dolls will have trouble marrying off their daughters.

The result of Globalisation has “Disneyfied” many cities in the world. Comment on whether some of these Disney characteristics are evident of the development of this place?

Disneyfication (also known as Disneyization) is a term which describes the transformation of something, usually society at large, to resemble The Walt Disney Company's theme parks. It comprises of 4 main elements which are: themeing, hybrid consumption, merchandizing and performative labour. Many places around the world have been “disneyfied” due to globalisation and Japan is not an exception.

Living in an entertainment world, more and more themed places are evolving. For japan, there are themed museums and also increasing amount of themed restaurants, ranging from medical prisons to maid cafes.

Going in depth into maid cafes, they are themed to bring out a touch of home. The service providers dress up as maids and even addressing their guests as “masters”. This restaurant contributes to hybrid consumption due to the fact that people now go to the restaurants not just for food but also the unique experience of being served with maids and this encourages them to stay longer and unknowingly creates unanticipated want. For merchandizing, some successful cafes are able to produce their own brands and logos, enabling them to advertise and sell their products promoting more businesses. Performative labour is unquestionably evident is this concept as the “maids” in the cafes are required to act like maids, becoming like actors and actresses on stage. They have the task of bringing a joyful experience to their guests, thus having to always stay cheerful.

There are many more places in Japan being “disneyfied” due to globalisation in order to create a destination to gain revenue by inducing as much spending from that place alone. Another excellent example would be Disneyland, consisting of the four main elements of Disneyization. 

Your reflection of the place (its society), culture and tourism, after your research for this assignment

I feel that Japan, being rich in cultures, has many interesting cultures that attract people from all over the world. Not only do they have cuisines that are very well-liked, their historical sites and cultures are fascinating as well, making Japan such a popular tourism spot. Japan has a way of incorporating the traditional cultures into modern cultures, in a way that even though Japan is modernised, it minimizes its loss of their culture.

The festivals, seasons, and cultures are enchanting in their own way, making people want to understand more and experience it for their own.

References:

(Geisha, 2010)

(Samurai, 2011)

(Culture of Japan)

(Ainu people)

(Japanese Festivals & Celebrations)

(Hina Matsuri)