I decided to put one more, cause this was was fairly recent, with the others there are definitely some facts that you read, and say whaaaat! thats definitely not true anymore. But what do you think about some of these? It is also funny to see what these people all wrote in common, so you can see what wierd things affect people, what they find to be odd or shocking about Japanese culture. I think it would be interesting if we all made a list of at least 20 things that we find different or interesting about japan, and where they overlap with one anothers list!!
Japan Random Interesting Facts
13 Oct, 2007 Uncategorized
- Japan has the oldest surviving monarchy in the world. The first historical emperor of Japan was Ojin, reigning from year 270 to 310, and was deified as Hachiman. Legend has it that the very first emperor was Jinmu¹, 1000 years earlier.
- Japan’s national anthem, Kimi Ga Yo (君が代), is the oldest in the world, although it was only officially recognised as such in 1999. It is based on a 9th century poem.
- English is the only foreign language taught in public Japanese schools
- The world’s largest fish market is the Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo
- Japan is a heavily entertainment-based society, with probably more restaurants, cafés, bars, clubs, karaoke, game centres, manga cafés, massage parlours and relaxation centres per square kilometer than anywhere else on earth. Japan also has the world’s largest sex industry.
- Most of the Japanese have rice for/with their breakfast, lunch and dinner.
- Vandalism rates in Japan are among the least in the world.
- Vending machine for a variety of daily requirements is installed at practically every corner in Japanese cities.
- The Japanese love their pizzas topped with mayonnaise and corn.
- We refer to “Japan” as “Land of the rising sun”. The Japanese “know Japan” as “Nippon” or “Nihon” meaning “Origin of the Sun”.
- In Japanese villages there is no need to send invitations for a wedding or a funeral. They are considered community events and the entire village will help in preparing the food, and taking care of all the required arrangements.
- While eating in Japan never put in your chopstick upright into the bowl. In the past this was the way to offer food to the dead.
- You enjoy slurping while eating, but can’t do it when people (your family, friends, office staff, guests etc. etc.) are around. Japan is the place for you to be in. Here, you are expected to slurp while having liquids such as soups. If you do not, it is considered that you do not like the food and the host may feel offended.
- Japanese use a lot of fish, beef, pork, chicken and variety of seafood in their cooking. Most of their dishes are mildly spiced, flavored with a variety of soy sauces. (Yum yum!)
- Tea is served with practically all meals.
- The Japanese will shop daily for their meat, fish and vegetable requirements, as they like all their food fresh and unpreserved. This is one of the prime reasons that small and medium sized refrigerators are sold the most in Japan. (another one of the reasons why they live longer? yes.)
Sources:
http://www.jref.com/society/trivia_japan.shtml
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/interesting-facts-about-japan.html
Monday, December 3, 2007
More `interesting facts`
And from http://farstrider.net/Japan/DidYouKnow.htm I found that they thought.....
Some interesting things about Japan
which you might not have known!
-A can of Coca-Cola costs more than one dollar US from a vending machine.
-Japanese people, in general, can't drive very well.
-Restaurants in Japan (including many fast-food places) give you moist towels or wipes before or with your meal.
-At many businesses in Japan, they offer alcohol to the employees after six pm.
-It is usually mandatory to give a landlord a gift of money of $1,000-$2000 when moving into his apartment building.
-On Respect for the Aged Day, tobacco companies will hand out free cigarettes to the elderly outside of train stations and department stores.
-The Japanese love corn, sesame seeds, and mayonnaise on their pizza.
-There are no 24 hour ATMs in Japan (closed on holidays and many only open during normal bank hours).
-Many Japanese teachers think that Japanese parents are lazy.
-The green traffic light is called "blue".
-Slurp your soup.
-Newspaper editors make their headlines so as to not attract attention.
-KFC is the place to be on Christmas Day.
-Japan has about 1,500 earthquakes each year.
-In the Japanese language, it is considered rude to say the word "no" directly.
-It is nearly impossible to become a naturalized citizen of Japan.
-You can smoke just about anywhere.
-Japanese people take a hot bath every night, some do not have showers installed in their bathrooms.
-There is no insulation in Japanese homes' walls.
-Japan has roughly 200 volcanoes.
-It is considered rude to show signs of affection toward a loved one in public.
-When you go to a funeral or a wedding you must take a gift of money.
-Three words: "heated toilet seats".
-In Japan, flower arranging is an art.
-The new generation of Japanese people are not as short as Westerners think.
-You can buy batteries, beer, wine, condoms, cigarettes, comic books, hot dogs, -light bulbs, and used women's underwear from vending machines.
-Many Japanese people eat rice with or for their breakfast, lunch and dinner.
-Never stick your chopsticks upright in your rice. This is an old Japanese custom and is what is done when food is offered to the dead. When it is not an offering it is considered to be a very ill omen.
-In Japan you will find cars by the names of "It's", "Let's", "Sunny", "Perky", "Gloria", "Move", "Toppo", "Lepo" and "Dump".
-McDonalds employees will run outside to give you your drive-thru order.
-The Japanese visit shrines and give eachother money for New Year's.
-It is impolite to tear the wrapping paper off of a gift.
-Japanese junior high school students do not need to pass any of their classes to graduate. Education only through junior high school is compulsory.
-Young women will hand you toilet paper outside of train stations.
-There is almost no vandalism in Japan.
-Gas station attendants will bow as the car pulls out of the station.
-It is socially acceptable to pick your nose in public and urinate at the side of the road, but you cannot blow your nose in public.
-Approximately 85% of Japanese people have never tasted turkey.
-Japan is about the size of California and has half the population of the entire United States.
-Snowmen in Japan are made of two large snowballs instead of three.
-It will always take one to two hours for a pizza to be delivered.
-There is at least one vending machine on every corner.
-All you ever wanted to know about the world's largest phallus festival can be found here.
-It is not uncommon to pay $2 for a single apple.
-The sun is red in Japan and the country itself is referred to by Japanese people as "the land of the rising sun"
Some interesting things about Japan
which you might not have known!
-A can of Coca-Cola costs more than one dollar US from a vending machine.
-Japanese people, in general, can't drive very well.
-Restaurants in Japan (including many fast-food places) give you moist towels or wipes before or with your meal.
-At many businesses in Japan, they offer alcohol to the employees after six pm.
-It is usually mandatory to give a landlord a gift of money of $1,000-$2000 when moving into his apartment building.
-On Respect for the Aged Day, tobacco companies will hand out free cigarettes to the elderly outside of train stations and department stores.
-The Japanese love corn, sesame seeds, and mayonnaise on their pizza.
-There are no 24 hour ATMs in Japan (closed on holidays and many only open during normal bank hours).
-Many Japanese teachers think that Japanese parents are lazy.
-The green traffic light is called "blue".
-Slurp your soup.
-Newspaper editors make their headlines so as to not attract attention.
-KFC is the place to be on Christmas Day.
-Japan has about 1,500 earthquakes each year.
-In the Japanese language, it is considered rude to say the word "no" directly.
-It is nearly impossible to become a naturalized citizen of Japan.
-You can smoke just about anywhere.
-Japanese people take a hot bath every night, some do not have showers installed in their bathrooms.
-There is no insulation in Japanese homes' walls.
-Japan has roughly 200 volcanoes.
-It is considered rude to show signs of affection toward a loved one in public.
-When you go to a funeral or a wedding you must take a gift of money.
-Three words: "heated toilet seats".
-In Japan, flower arranging is an art.
-The new generation of Japanese people are not as short as Westerners think.
-You can buy batteries, beer, wine, condoms, cigarettes, comic books, hot dogs, -light bulbs, and used women's underwear from vending machines.
-Many Japanese people eat rice with or for their breakfast, lunch and dinner.
-Never stick your chopsticks upright in your rice. This is an old Japanese custom and is what is done when food is offered to the dead. When it is not an offering it is considered to be a very ill omen.
-In Japan you will find cars by the names of "It's", "Let's", "Sunny", "Perky", "Gloria", "Move", "Toppo", "Lepo" and "Dump".
-McDonalds employees will run outside to give you your drive-thru order.
-The Japanese visit shrines and give eachother money for New Year's.
-It is impolite to tear the wrapping paper off of a gift.
-Japanese junior high school students do not need to pass any of their classes to graduate. Education only through junior high school is compulsory.
-Young women will hand you toilet paper outside of train stations.
-There is almost no vandalism in Japan.
-Gas station attendants will bow as the car pulls out of the station.
-It is socially acceptable to pick your nose in public and urinate at the side of the road, but you cannot blow your nose in public.
-Approximately 85% of Japanese people have never tasted turkey.
-Japan is about the size of California and has half the population of the entire United States.
-Snowmen in Japan are made of two large snowballs instead of three.
-It will always take one to two hours for a pizza to be delivered.
-There is at least one vending machine on every corner.
-All you ever wanted to know about the world's largest phallus festival can be found here.
-It is not uncommon to pay $2 for a single apple.
-The sun is red in Japan and the country itself is referred to by Japanese people as "the land of the rising sun"
I was looking around the net
for interesting (or not so interesting) `facts` about japan............. From a few blog pages, this is what I found, so my next few posts will be dedicated to what some people feel is interesting knowledge about Japan. Hopefully you enjoy reading them, and can see which ones are totally ridiculous and which ones are pretty accurate! enjoy!!!
Interesting facts about Japan
Japan is an Asian country that has many interesting facts concerning it.
Did you know that it is considered quite rude to blow your nose in public?
Did you know that in 1192 Yortomo was named the first shogun by the emperor? His family ( the Minamoto clan) governed Japan. Did you know that the Japan`s National Anthem`s name is Kimigayo? It means "His Majesty`s Reign." Did you know that there is a meaning for that boring little red dot on Japan`s flag? The boring little red dot stands for the sun. Did you know that in Japan they have Poke'mon cards? They call them Poke'monsters.
Japan is made up of
· Japan is 70% mountains
· Japan is made up of over 6000 islands
· Kris and Jessica live in Japan
· There are wild monkeys in Japan
· Wild monkeys don’t like to be looked at in the eye
· The Japanese Prime Minister is elected by the legislature, not the people
· Legend says that the Japanese monarchy began in the 7th Century BC
· In Japan they eat squid, octopus, eel, all fish, crabs, prawns, etc…
· A traditional Japanese breakfast consists of rice topped with natto (fermented soy beans)
· The Japanese say that the Chinese will eat anything
· Golden Retrievers are the most popular pet
· The Japanese use four different writing systems
· In Japanese, the word for “wrong” and “different” are the same
· American shows shown in Japan are: Ally McBeal, Dharma and Greg, Beverly Hills 90210, Full House, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Boy Meets World, Animal Rescue Kids
· In Japan, Ally Mc Beal is called “Ally My Love” because McBeal when said in a Japanese dialect sounds like McBeer
· Junior High and High School students wear uniforms
· Elementary school students wear yellow caps
· In Japan, the teachers move from class to class and the students stay in one room
· At McDonalds the hamburgers are the same size as in America, but the drink sizes are one size smaller
· “McDonalds” in a Japanese dialect sounds lilke “Ma-ku-do-na-ru-do”
· Japanese is hard (Nihongo wa muzukashi des)
· In Japan it is not uncommon to see women wearing platform shoes that are 4 to 6 inches high
· Instead of “Ohayo Gozaimasu” (good morning), Japanese youngsters often say “Oha!”
· Christianity comprises less than 10% of the Japanese population
· Normal Japanese kitchens don’t have ovens
· The bathroom is not where the toilet is found in a Japanese home
· In Japan, when you move into an apartment, you have to bring your own light fixtures
· There’s no such thing as central heat and air in Japan
· A futon is not what you think it is…
· One US dollar is approximately 120 yen
· You don’t wear shoes in the house, you wear slippers
· There are special slippers for the toilet
· You don’t wear your slippers into a tatami mat room
· In Japan, a night at the movies will cost you $18 per person
· In Japan you get really good (annoying???) service when shopping
· Japanese department stores are usually multiple stories, with a grocery store on the bottom, clothes and bedding in the middle, and restaurants on the top
· Japanese pizza has mayonnaise, corn, and seaweed on it
· Japanese salad has corn in it
· The Japanese think that Americans eat corn and potatoes every day
· Fruit is very expensive in Japan
· Watermelons in Japan can cost up to $100
· Peaches are $2.00 a piece
· There are Japanese people in Japan
· The second highest population is Chinese, followed by Korean, Brazilian, Peruvian…
· There are very few public trashcans in Japan
· A traditional Japanese toilet looks like a urinal lying on the floor
· In Japan, they know more about Chinese food than Americans do
· In Japan even local calls are charged by the minute
· In Japan you eat your soup with chopsticks
· In Japan many people wear uniforms i.e. bank tellers, grocery store clerks, postal workers…
· In Japan, most people say that they are Buddhist, but don’t believe in the Buddha
· Aspiring young Japanese musicians play on street corners and in subway stations hoping to get discovered
· The “WALK” lights on Japanese street corners make a chirping sound so that the blind can know when to cross the street
· Japanese subways are very clean and safe
· People sleep on their way home on the subway and the train
· Japanese cars are mostly the same size as American cars
· In Japan they drive on the left side
· Japanese streets are very narrow
· Streets in Japan don’t have names
· Pokemon is not popular in Japan
· Rice cookers are great and easy to use
· In Japan, fair skin is regarded as beautiful
· Many Japanese women dye their hair brown
· Refrigerators in Japan are tiny
· There are very few original castles in Japan because of bombing during WW2
· Whale is a delicacy
· Everyone hangs their clothes outside to dry
· Japan is the world’s largest consumer of tropical rainforest timber
· Japan has 28 National Parks and 55 Quasi-National Parks
· Japan is divided into nine large regions and further divided into 47 smaller prefectures
· Japan has the seventh largest population in the world
· You can catch a train to and from Nagoya every 15 minutes
· You can catch a subway train every three minutes in Nagoya
· The Shinkansen (bullet train) passes Kris and Jessica’s house every fifteen minutes
· The Japanese know more about American politics than Americans do
· Popular Japanese bands are: Glay, Smap, Hana Hana, Shingo Mama, The Yellow Monkey, Luna Sea, Whiteberry, Arc~en~Ceil, Da Pump, Kinki Kids, etc…
· Popular Japanese music is terrible
· Western celebrities in Japanese commercials are: Catherine Zeta-Jones for Lux Super Rich Shampoo, Cameron Diaz for Aeon Language School, Ewan McGregor for Aeon Language School, Nicholas Cage for Pachinko (what a dork), Brad Pitt for both Roots canned coffee and jeans, Tiger Woods for Wonda canned coffee, George Clooney for Toyota, Naomi Campbell for Lipton Canned Tea
· In Japan you can buy canned coffee, hot or cold, in vending machines
· In Japan, Pert shampoo is called Rejoy
· In Japan, 20 capsules of cold medicine cost $15
· Because Japan has a socialized medical system, if you get the tiniest bit sick people think you should go to the doctor so you can get your medicine for free instead of paying $15 for cold medicine
· Kyoto and Nara were consciously spared from bombing during World War 2 because of the cultural significance of their architecture and way of life
· The name “Tokyo” when broken down into kanji means “east” and “capital”
· The name “Kyoto” when broken down into kanji means “capital” and “capital”
· Noh, a type of Japanese theatre, can be up to eight hours long
This was posted on a site called http://www.tooter4kids.com/Japan/interesting_facts.htm
Interesting facts about Japan
Japan is an Asian country that has many interesting facts concerning it.
Did you know that it is considered quite rude to blow your nose in public?
Did you know that in 1192 Yortomo was named the first shogun by the emperor? His family ( the Minamoto clan) governed Japan. Did you know that the Japan`s National Anthem`s name is Kimigayo? It means "His Majesty`s Reign." Did you know that there is a meaning for that boring little red dot on Japan`s flag? The boring little red dot stands for the sun. Did you know that in Japan they have Poke'mon cards? They call them Poke'monsters.
Japan is made up of
· Japan is 70% mountains
· Japan is made up of over 6000 islands
· Kris and Jessica live in Japan
· There are wild monkeys in Japan
· Wild monkeys don’t like to be looked at in the eye
· The Japanese Prime Minister is elected by the legislature, not the people
· Legend says that the Japanese monarchy began in the 7th Century BC
· In Japan they eat squid, octopus, eel, all fish, crabs, prawns, etc…
· A traditional Japanese breakfast consists of rice topped with natto (fermented soy beans)
· The Japanese say that the Chinese will eat anything
· Golden Retrievers are the most popular pet
· The Japanese use four different writing systems
· In Japanese, the word for “wrong” and “different” are the same
· American shows shown in Japan are: Ally McBeal, Dharma and Greg, Beverly Hills 90210, Full House, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Boy Meets World, Animal Rescue Kids
· In Japan, Ally Mc Beal is called “Ally My Love” because McBeal when said in a Japanese dialect sounds like McBeer
· Junior High and High School students wear uniforms
· Elementary school students wear yellow caps
· In Japan, the teachers move from class to class and the students stay in one room
· At McDonalds the hamburgers are the same size as in America, but the drink sizes are one size smaller
· “McDonalds” in a Japanese dialect sounds lilke “Ma-ku-do-na-ru-do”
· Japanese is hard (Nihongo wa muzukashi des)
· In Japan it is not uncommon to see women wearing platform shoes that are 4 to 6 inches high
· Instead of “Ohayo Gozaimasu” (good morning), Japanese youngsters often say “Oha!”
· Christianity comprises less than 10% of the Japanese population
· Normal Japanese kitchens don’t have ovens
· The bathroom is not where the toilet is found in a Japanese home
· In Japan, when you move into an apartment, you have to bring your own light fixtures
· There’s no such thing as central heat and air in Japan
· A futon is not what you think it is…
· One US dollar is approximately 120 yen
· You don’t wear shoes in the house, you wear slippers
· There are special slippers for the toilet
· You don’t wear your slippers into a tatami mat room
· In Japan, a night at the movies will cost you $18 per person
· In Japan you get really good (annoying???) service when shopping
· Japanese department stores are usually multiple stories, with a grocery store on the bottom, clothes and bedding in the middle, and restaurants on the top
· Japanese pizza has mayonnaise, corn, and seaweed on it
· Japanese salad has corn in it
· The Japanese think that Americans eat corn and potatoes every day
· Fruit is very expensive in Japan
· Watermelons in Japan can cost up to $100
· Peaches are $2.00 a piece
· There are Japanese people in Japan
· The second highest population is Chinese, followed by Korean, Brazilian, Peruvian…
· There are very few public trashcans in Japan
· A traditional Japanese toilet looks like a urinal lying on the floor
· In Japan, they know more about Chinese food than Americans do
· In Japan even local calls are charged by the minute
· In Japan you eat your soup with chopsticks
· In Japan many people wear uniforms i.e. bank tellers, grocery store clerks, postal workers…
· In Japan, most people say that they are Buddhist, but don’t believe in the Buddha
· Aspiring young Japanese musicians play on street corners and in subway stations hoping to get discovered
· The “WALK” lights on Japanese street corners make a chirping sound so that the blind can know when to cross the street
· Japanese subways are very clean and safe
· People sleep on their way home on the subway and the train
· Japanese cars are mostly the same size as American cars
· In Japan they drive on the left side
· Japanese streets are very narrow
· Streets in Japan don’t have names
· Pokemon is not popular in Japan
· Rice cookers are great and easy to use
· In Japan, fair skin is regarded as beautiful
· Many Japanese women dye their hair brown
· Refrigerators in Japan are tiny
· There are very few original castles in Japan because of bombing during WW2
· Whale is a delicacy
· Everyone hangs their clothes outside to dry
· Japan is the world’s largest consumer of tropical rainforest timber
· Japan has 28 National Parks and 55 Quasi-National Parks
· Japan is divided into nine large regions and further divided into 47 smaller prefectures
· Japan has the seventh largest population in the world
· You can catch a train to and from Nagoya every 15 minutes
· You can catch a subway train every three minutes in Nagoya
· The Shinkansen (bullet train) passes Kris and Jessica’s house every fifteen minutes
· The Japanese know more about American politics than Americans do
· Popular Japanese bands are: Glay, Smap, Hana Hana, Shingo Mama, The Yellow Monkey, Luna Sea, Whiteberry, Arc~en~Ceil, Da Pump, Kinki Kids, etc…
· Popular Japanese music is terrible
· Western celebrities in Japanese commercials are: Catherine Zeta-Jones for Lux Super Rich Shampoo, Cameron Diaz for Aeon Language School, Ewan McGregor for Aeon Language School, Nicholas Cage for Pachinko (what a dork), Brad Pitt for both Roots canned coffee and jeans, Tiger Woods for Wonda canned coffee, George Clooney for Toyota, Naomi Campbell for Lipton Canned Tea
· In Japan you can buy canned coffee, hot or cold, in vending machines
· In Japan, Pert shampoo is called Rejoy
· In Japan, 20 capsules of cold medicine cost $15
· Because Japan has a socialized medical system, if you get the tiniest bit sick people think you should go to the doctor so you can get your medicine for free instead of paying $15 for cold medicine
· Kyoto and Nara were consciously spared from bombing during World War 2 because of the cultural significance of their architecture and way of life
· The name “Tokyo” when broken down into kanji means “east” and “capital”
· The name “Kyoto” when broken down into kanji means “capital” and “capital”
· Noh, a type of Japanese theatre, can be up to eight hours long
This was posted on a site called http://www.tooter4kids.com/Japan/interesting_facts.htm
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Long Long Time
well, I havent had the internet at my place for over a month, and still waiting for it to be installed! So I have been behind on all the blogging quite a bit... But anyhow, I just finished my last final! except the oral test still to go in about ten minutes ... but it will be easy!
We had out Tokyo Stories Exhibition with the architecture students on wednesday last week. It was pretty funny, getting here in the morning to find the roomm empty, wondering if I got the wrong time, but then having everyone slowly filter in and then go over to the space with all the equiptment. I was really annoyed at how to put up my photos, because it wasnt working at all! The paper was too thin, and the glue was causing my paper to curl, even though I had put them under all my heavy text books before, hoping that that wouldnt happen!! Once it was all set up, some of us waited around a little bit but no one came...
I went back later to see how it was doing, around 4 pm, and an older lady had just left, and a couple younger people came in to check it out, but i didnt hear any feedback from it.
So I took the chance to go around and look at peoples projects and things. I have to say, I am extremely impressed with chris's project on shibuya, I thought it was great! **applause** I just wish more people had the chance to see everyones work. If only it was a week long exhibit!
Around 5 the "clean up" crew came back, and what seemed to take a couple hours to set up, was all put away in less than 15 minutes!! bummer!
Hopefully Becky will put up some of the photos of the exhibit on her blog, OR we may already have it on the main blog page, so please take a look when you have some time!!!
~KIM
We had out Tokyo Stories Exhibition with the architecture students on wednesday last week. It was pretty funny, getting here in the morning to find the roomm empty, wondering if I got the wrong time, but then having everyone slowly filter in and then go over to the space with all the equiptment. I was really annoyed at how to put up my photos, because it wasnt working at all! The paper was too thin, and the glue was causing my paper to curl, even though I had put them under all my heavy text books before, hoping that that wouldnt happen!! Once it was all set up, some of us waited around a little bit but no one came...
I went back later to see how it was doing, around 4 pm, and an older lady had just left, and a couple younger people came in to check it out, but i didnt hear any feedback from it.
So I took the chance to go around and look at peoples projects and things. I have to say, I am extremely impressed with chris's project on shibuya, I thought it was great! **applause** I just wish more people had the chance to see everyones work. If only it was a week long exhibit!
Around 5 the "clean up" crew came back, and what seemed to take a couple hours to set up, was all put away in less than 15 minutes!! bummer!
Hopefully Becky will put up some of the photos of the exhibit on her blog, OR we may already have it on the main blog page, so please take a look when you have some time!!!
~KIM
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
A life of Photos
In class when we talked about photo journalism and got to hear from the Japanese man about his experiences in Cambodia and in Japan with self mutilation, I found it very interesting that he did not have previous background with photography whatsoever. I think its great that he found something he liked so passionately that he wanted to pursue it and learn it as he went along, by making mistakes or toying with equipment, like how he has been trying to teach himself Flash.
I found that, because of his genuine interest in the things that he photographs, it seemed as though you were right along with him learning about that subject, because in the photos they were also his first experience, and the fact that he caught those with a camera is pretty amazing.
The downside I feel, is that you can get caught up in it so much, that it becomes not just your work, but your life. And the things you do, or the stories you capture can affect your life so dramatically that it can turn into a story you thought you wanted to do for a year, but then 5 years later you find yourself so much further into it. I remember him saying something about, going to do something, then realizing you get stuck down a certain road for a while without even realizing it. It is also a little scary to think how much what you are doing can impact other people (the people who you do stories on, or the audience) but thats what I find so amazing about Photo Journalism.
I found that, because of his genuine interest in the things that he photographs, it seemed as though you were right along with him learning about that subject, because in the photos they were also his first experience, and the fact that he caught those with a camera is pretty amazing.
The downside I feel, is that you can get caught up in it so much, that it becomes not just your work, but your life. And the things you do, or the stories you capture can affect your life so dramatically that it can turn into a story you thought you wanted to do for a year, but then 5 years later you find yourself so much further into it. I remember him saying something about, going to do something, then realizing you get stuck down a certain road for a while without even realizing it. It is also a little scary to think how much what you are doing can impact other people (the people who you do stories on, or the audience) but thats what I find so amazing about Photo Journalism.
Monday, September 10, 2007
My 3 Days in Ouji
Day 1:
Take the Namboku line to Ouji station, first exit on the left up the escalator, and you will find a small park/resting area about 30 paces ahead.
This is where I sat down on the first day. Just a little over an hour, resting, like it seemed the other people were doing... I notice a few things. First, that I was the only foriegner, Second that I was the only female, and Third, that there was no other person around or about the same age as me. There were a lot of older guys, in those workers jumpsuits and towels on their heads, finding some time to woof down an onigiri or sit and chat for a few minutes. They would eventually get up and get back in their little trucks and head off to whatever job it was they do.
After about twenty minutes a group of four kids, must have been around 7 or 8. Again, all boys... running around jumping over benches and playing what we would remember as cowboys and Indians, they played a game that looked a little like Ninjas and Samurai or something. seriously!! They were "karate chopping" each other and stabbing each other with imaginary swords, making kung fu noises and the whole bit. Pretty interesting though, only one of the boys noticed that I was sitting there. They were so involved in the game, but the one boy who saw me couldnt stop staring, just like he'd seen a ghost or something. I smiled, but no reaction... he kinda just stumbled off and kept playing, guess he just got over the shock.
When I started to look outside of the park, toward the road, thats when I noticed where the women were. Most of them were waiting at the bus stop, catching it to somewhere. Some were walking toward the station, or waiting at the cross section to go toward the outdoor shops across the street. Most of these women were obaachans, little, hunched over, and most had short hair with hats for shade from the sun; I suppose, even though it was hardly sunny. The streets around were not so busy sounding, just the occasional sound of engines running and every time a semi-large truck would turn --everyone knew it, the trucks speaker would yell out "Migi ni magarimasu"/"Turning Right" on repeat until the turn was actually made.
After I noticed the time, I just got up and left to the station to head to school.
Day Two: My second adventure in the park was very different from the first. Probably because the time of day was different. This time there were a couple homeless there, one lady and two men, the lady was really old and so skinny she looked like a skeleton. the guys were also old, but not so skinny, kind of chubby for the Japanese standard.
I wasn't planning on sitting down this time but when I was walking by there was a kid standing, facing the park, playing guitar and singing. He had a mic and a generator and amp and was really wailing. To my surprise, he was actually pretty good! could actually sing really well. Though it was kind of weird that most of the people around the park and in it seemed to be ignoring that he was even there. But it was more crowded than when I sat in the park before, almost like they wanted to appear NOT interested, but I think they were enjoying it. This time there were also some not so salary looking men, but a little lower class than that, drinking lemon chu hai and chatting. There were lots of young people in the streets, on their way home from school, or so it looked like. and lots of young couples walking past. There was an incident i remember so clearly, that even though I have been in Japan for two years, every time something like this happens I am still amazed at how different the culture is here... These two girls were waiting at the cross section, and I would have never noticed them amongst the crowd of people who were also standing there waiting for the light... but a mister donuts clerk came running down the street and went up to them, and when I watched and listened to what was going on, the clerk was just returning their Mister Donuts point card that they had left there... Mister Donuts is down the street, but in America i am sure that the clerk wouldn't have ran out into the crowded street after these two girls for a measly point card!! I kind of giggled to myself, gets me every time!!
Day 3: On the third "day" in Ouji, I actually went at night, because on my way home from work I notice that more often than not there are these couple of old guys sitting on some cardboard with a little tape player, listening to music, chillin out, stretching and having some drinks. I never took the time previously to sit there at night and fully listen with them, or to them, so tonight I stopped to see. Previously when I would walk by and kind of hear them rambling on, and not being able to hear the music clearly, I always thought that they were listening to Enka (old Japanese music) since there are so many old enka karaoke bars near my house... To my surprise, when I got a little closer, they were listening to Cyndi Laupers "Time after Time"! I snickered and cant help but wonder where r why these drunken older homeless men got this. Other than the older homeless men across from me, there was a woman talking to a man next to me on the bench, and besides that, today not many people were in the park, most of them just seemed to be passing through or going home from the last train. After a little while, I decided to go home too, but even as I left the old men and lady still stayed there.
Take the Namboku line to Ouji station, first exit on the left up the escalator, and you will find a small park/resting area about 30 paces ahead.
This is where I sat down on the first day. Just a little over an hour, resting, like it seemed the other people were doing... I notice a few things. First, that I was the only foriegner, Second that I was the only female, and Third, that there was no other person around or about the same age as me. There were a lot of older guys, in those workers jumpsuits and towels on their heads, finding some time to woof down an onigiri or sit and chat for a few minutes. They would eventually get up and get back in their little trucks and head off to whatever job it was they do.
After about twenty minutes a group of four kids, must have been around 7 or 8. Again, all boys... running around jumping over benches and playing what we would remember as cowboys and Indians, they played a game that looked a little like Ninjas and Samurai or something. seriously!! They were "karate chopping" each other and stabbing each other with imaginary swords, making kung fu noises and the whole bit. Pretty interesting though, only one of the boys noticed that I was sitting there. They were so involved in the game, but the one boy who saw me couldnt stop staring, just like he'd seen a ghost or something. I smiled, but no reaction... he kinda just stumbled off and kept playing, guess he just got over the shock.
When I started to look outside of the park, toward the road, thats when I noticed where the women were. Most of them were waiting at the bus stop, catching it to somewhere. Some were walking toward the station, or waiting at the cross section to go toward the outdoor shops across the street. Most of these women were obaachans, little, hunched over, and most had short hair with hats for shade from the sun; I suppose, even though it was hardly sunny. The streets around were not so busy sounding, just the occasional sound of engines running and every time a semi-large truck would turn --everyone knew it, the trucks speaker would yell out "Migi ni magarimasu"/"Turning Right" on repeat until the turn was actually made.
After I noticed the time, I just got up and left to the station to head to school.
Day Two: My second adventure in the park was very different from the first. Probably because the time of day was different. This time there were a couple homeless there, one lady and two men, the lady was really old and so skinny she looked like a skeleton. the guys were also old, but not so skinny, kind of chubby for the Japanese standard.
I wasn't planning on sitting down this time but when I was walking by there was a kid standing, facing the park, playing guitar and singing. He had a mic and a generator and amp and was really wailing. To my surprise, he was actually pretty good! could actually sing really well. Though it was kind of weird that most of the people around the park and in it seemed to be ignoring that he was even there. But it was more crowded than when I sat in the park before, almost like they wanted to appear NOT interested, but I think they were enjoying it. This time there were also some not so salary looking men, but a little lower class than that, drinking lemon chu hai and chatting. There were lots of young people in the streets, on their way home from school, or so it looked like. and lots of young couples walking past. There was an incident i remember so clearly, that even though I have been in Japan for two years, every time something like this happens I am still amazed at how different the culture is here... These two girls were waiting at the cross section, and I would have never noticed them amongst the crowd of people who were also standing there waiting for the light... but a mister donuts clerk came running down the street and went up to them, and when I watched and listened to what was going on, the clerk was just returning their Mister Donuts point card that they had left there... Mister Donuts is down the street, but in America i am sure that the clerk wouldn't have ran out into the crowded street after these two girls for a measly point card!! I kind of giggled to myself, gets me every time!!
Day 3: On the third "day" in Ouji, I actually went at night, because on my way home from work I notice that more often than not there are these couple of old guys sitting on some cardboard with a little tape player, listening to music, chillin out, stretching and having some drinks. I never took the time previously to sit there at night and fully listen with them, or to them, so tonight I stopped to see. Previously when I would walk by and kind of hear them rambling on, and not being able to hear the music clearly, I always thought that they were listening to Enka (old Japanese music) since there are so many old enka karaoke bars near my house... To my surprise, when I got a little closer, they were listening to Cyndi Laupers "Time after Time"! I snickered and cant help but wonder where r why these drunken older homeless men got this. Other than the older homeless men across from me, there was a woman talking to a man next to me on the bench, and besides that, today not many people were in the park, most of them just seemed to be passing through or going home from the last train. After a little while, I decided to go home too, but even as I left the old men and lady still stayed there.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)