Warning: some of this article will be in Japanese and Romaji. If this annoys you, then why did you click on the link? :) Seriously though, any error in the translation is due to me not being able to read Japanese at all. Kudos to Google Translate.
Today I have discovered the new goddess of 'METAL' in Japan. Her name is Nakamoto Suzuka, and she is in a girl group called BABYMETAL. According to her, BABYMETAL refers to a new kind of metal, which is when metal meets girl group idol.
Consisting of Suzuka and two other members, BABYMETAL started in 2011 and by 2013, developed quite a following in Asia. They have a fan club in Indonesia. There are also fans in America, Europe and Brazil.
This year, their album is coming out on February 26, 2014. However, I am uncertain if I can afford it since I expect it to be ordered from Japan and the 3000 yen price could easily become $40 after import fees and dealer markup.
Out of the thirteen songs on the album, these are the songs I like: Ijime, Dame, Zettai (Absolutely No Bullying), Catch Me If You Can, Doki Doki Morning, Headbanger!!, and Megitsune (Female Fox).
Absolutely No Bullying is obviously an anti-bullying song. This song suggests that BABYMETAL is a children's version of metal music. That will become more obvious when you listen to them on Youtube. The song itself starts off with a melancholic melody. Then the metal riff begins and finally Suzuka begins to sing about bullying, its effect on friends, and the psychic scars it leaves behind. Near the end of the song, she promises to protect her friends who have been affect by bullying. When a person becomes an adult, she will eventually have to say good-bye to such things. I'm sure the English translation should clear anything up about this song.
As for the phrase, "Ijime, Dame, Zettai" (pronounce ee-gee-meh, dah-meh, Zeh-tie), ijime implies teasing, which is the mild form of the mistreatment a child suffers during bullying. Dame actually means "bad", while zettai means "absolutely" or "unconditional". Thus a rough translation of the phrase is "absolutely bad teasing" or "absolutely no bullying".
Catch Me If You Can appears to be a follow up to Ijime, Dame, Zettai. It starts off slowly for a few bars and goes into a metal riff. The girls say 1, 2, 3 and their song begins. The impression I get is of children the hide or seek game. An old guy is referenced in the song. In fact two children' games are mentioned.
Doki Doki Morning is full of girl group idol charm, metal style. It's about getting up in the morning, a day at school and a girls-only party. However, the song is also about seeing how far one can go, stretching the rules. It's about what the youths want right now. Life when young is very fast-paced.
Headbanger!! is a classic headbanging song. In Japan, when you order this song, you get a neck brace to help teach you how to headbang without hurting your neck. According to my observations of headbanging, it involves a lot of violent bowing and absolutely no nodding of the head at all, lest you get a neck sprain. Having said that, this song has a short rendition of a traditional Japanese song but most of it is BABYMETAL.
Finally, Megitsune seems a puzzle to me, so I looked up the word and it translates as "female fox". I believe it references the magical fox spirit known as "kitsune." The Japanese word "me" means "female". Overall, these lyrics might appear sexist to a feminist. However, this is supposed to be a fun song when sung by a young woman, not an ode to chauvinism. It's a song about growing up from girl to young woman. However, the literal meaning is that BABYMETAL have become like the miko of Shinto, who dance as invitation to the fox spirit to inhabit the dancer(s). Though, this is a figurative explanation given in the reference.
Overall, these are my five favorite BABYMETAL songs. They are also five reasons why I am a fan of Nakamoto Suzuka.
---translation: japanese---
警告：この記事のいくつかは、日本語とローマ字になります。これがあなたを悩ますならば、なぜあなたはリンクをクリックしましたか？ :)は、冗談はさておき、翻訳に誤りは全く日本語が読むことができなくするためです。 GoogleTranslateに拍手を送りたい。
今日は、日本の「 METAL 」の新しい女神を発見した。彼女の名前は中本鈴鹿であり、彼女はBABYMETALと呼ばれる女の子のグループである。彼女によると、 BABYMETALは' METAL 'は女性の音楽アイドルを満たしたときのことである。
鈴鹿と他の2つのメンバーで構成される、 BABYMETALが2011年に開始し、 2013年までに、アジアで非常に次のことを開発しました。彼らは、インドネシアでのファンクラブを持っている。アメリカ、ヨーロッパ、ブラジルのファンもあります。
今年は、彼らのアルバムは2014年2月26日に出ている。私はそれが日本から注文すると3000円の価格を簡単にインポート料やディーラーマークアップの後に40ドルになる可能性が予想されるので、私はそれを余裕がある場合は、私は確信がもてない。
アルバムの13曲のうち、これらは私が好きな曲です：いじめ、ダメ、絶対（絶対にノーいじめ） 、キャッチ·ミーあなたができるかどうか、どきどき朝、ヘッドバンガー、およびMegitsune （女性フォックス） ！ ！
「絶対にいじめ"は、明らかに反いじめ歌ではありません。この曲はBABYMETALがメタルの音楽の子供たちのバージョンであることを示唆している。あなたは、YouTubeで聴くときにはより明白になるだろう。曲自体はメランコリックなメロディーで始まる。その後、金属リフが開始され、最終的には鈴鹿はいじめ、友人への影響、そしてそれは背後にあるままに精神的傷を歌うために開始されます。曲の終わり近くに、彼女はいじめによって影響を与えてきた彼女の友人を保護することを約束。人は大人になったとき、彼女は最終的にはそのようなものにさよならを言わなければならないでしょう。私は英語の翻訳この曲について何かをクリアする必要があります確信しています。
フレーズのように、「いじめ、寺院、絶対"は、いじめは子供がいじめの間に苦しんで虐待の軽症型である、からかいを意味する。絶対領域が「絶対に」または「無条件」を意味しながら、貴婦人は、実際に、 「悪い」を意味します。従って、この句の大まかな翻訳"絶対に悪いからかい」または「全くいじめ」である。
いじめ、寺院、絶対にフォローアップであるように思われる"できればキャッチ·ミー」 。それは、数小節のためにゆっくりと始まり、金属リフに入る。女の子は1 、 2 、 3を言うとその曲が始まります。私が手印象は子どもの非表示にするには、ゲームを求めている。古い男は歌の中で参照されている。実際には、二人の子供」のゲームは微妙に曲の歌詞に記載されている。
「ドキドキ朝は「女の子の音楽のアイドルの魅力、メタルのスタイルに満ちている。これは、午前中に学校での一日と女の子だけのパーティを得ることについてです。しかし、歌は1ルールを伸ばし、どこまでできるのか見てはまたある。若者が今欲しいものについてです。人生若いときは非常に速いペースである。
「ヘッドバンガー！ "クラシックなヘッドバンギングの歌である。あなたはこの曲を注文する際に日本では、あなたはあなたの首を傷つけることなくどのようにheadbangすることを教えるに役立つネックブレースを得る。あなたが首の捻挫を取得しないようにヘッドバンギングの私の観察によると、それは、暴力的なボーイング全く頭の絶対にうなずきの多くが含まれます。この曲は日本の伝統的な歌の短い表現を持っていますが、そのほとんどがBABYMETALある、と言われています。
最後に、 Megitsuneは私にパズルのようですので、私は単語を見て、それが「女性のキツネ」と変換されます。私はそれがとして知られている魔法のキツネの精神参照すると信じて、 "狐を。 "日本語の単語「Me」は「女性」を意味する。全体的に、これらの歌詞はフェミニストの性差別表示される場合があります。ただし、これは女性ではない優越主義の歌が歌うときの楽しい歌であると考えられる。それは、若い女性に女の子から育っについての歌です。しかし、文字通りの意味は、 BABYMETALがダンサー（複数可）に生息するキツネの精神への招待などの踊り神道の巫女のようになってきているということです。しかし、これは参考文献に与えられた比喩的説明である。
全体的に、これらは私の5のお気に入りのBABYMETALの歌である。彼らはまた、私は中本鈴鹿のファンです、なぜ5つの理由である。
---Translation: Romaji---
Keikoku: Kono kiji no ikutsu ka wa, nihongo to rōma ji ni narimasu. Kore ga anata o nayamasunaraba, naze anata wa rinkuwokurikku shimashita ka? : ) Wa, jōdan wa sateoki, hon'yaku ni ayamari wa mattaku nihongo ga yomu koto ga dekinaku suru tamedesu. GoogleTranslate ni hakushu o okuritai.
Kyō wa, Nihon no `metaru' no atarashī megami o hakken shita. Kanojo no namae wa Nakamoto Suzukadeari, kanojo wa BABYMETAL to yoba reru on'nanoko no gurūpudearu. Kanojo ni yoru to, BABYMETAL wa' metaru' wa josei no ongaku aidoru o mitashita toki no kotodearu.
Suzuka to hoka no 2tsu no menbā de kōsei sa reru, BABYMETAL ga 2011-nen ni kaishi shi, 2013-nen made ni, Ajia de hijō ni tsugi no koto o kaihatsu shimashita. Karera wa, Indoneshia de no fankurabu o motte iru. Amerika, yōroppa, Burajiru no fan mo arimasu.
Kotoshi wa, karera no arubamu wa 2014-nen 2 tsuki 26-nichi ni dete iru. Watashi wa sore ga Nihon kara chūmon suruto 3000-en no kakaku o kantan ni inpōto-ryō ya dīrāmākuappu no nochi ni 40-doru ni naru kanōsei ga yosō sa rerunode, watashi wa sore o yoyū ga aru baai wa, watashi wa kakushin ga motenai.
Arubamu no 13-kyoku no uchi, korera wa watashi ga sukina kyokudesu: "Ijime, dame, zettai", "Catch Me If You Can", "Doki-doki Asa", "Hedobangā!!", oyobi "Megitsune".
`Ijime. Dame, Zettai" wa, akiraka ni han ijime utade wa arimasen. Kono kyoku wa BABYMETAL ga metaru no ongaku no kodomo-tachi no bājondearu koto o shisa shite iru. Anata wa, yūchūbu de kiku tokiniha yori meihaku ni narudarou. Kyoku jitai wa merankorikkuna merodī de hajimaru. Sonogo, kinzoku Rifu ga kaishi sa re, saishūtekini wa Suzuka wa ijime, yūjin e no eikyō, soshite sore wa haigo ni aru mama ni seishin-teki kizu o utau tame ni kaishi sa remasu. Kyoku no owari chikaku ni, kanojo wa ijime ni yotte eikyō o ataete kita kanojo no yūjin o hogo suru koto o yakusoku. Hito wa otona ni natta toki, kanojo wa saishūtekini wa sono yōna mono ni sayonara o iwanakereba naranaideshou. Watashi wa eigo no hon'yaku kono kyoku ni tsuite nanika o kuria suru hitsuyō ga arimasu kakushin shite imasu.
Furēzu no yō ni,`ijime, dame, zettai" wa, ijime wa kodomo ga ijime no ma ni kurushinde gyakutai no keishō-gatadearu, karakai o imi suru. Zettai ryōiki ga `zettai ni' matawa `mujōken' o imi shinagara, kifujin wa, jissai ni, `warui' o imi shimasu. Shitagatte, kono ku no ōmakana hon'yaku" zettai ni warui karakai' matawa `mattaku ijime'dearu.
"Ijime, Dame, Zettai" ni forōappudearu yō ni omowa reru "Catch Me If You Can". Sore wa, sūshōsetsu no tame ni yukkuri to hajimari, kinzoku Rifu ni hairu. On'nanoko wa 1, 2, 3 o iu to sono kyoku ga hajimarimasu. Watashi ga te inshō wa kodomo no hi hyōji ni suru ni wa, gēmu o motomete iru. Furui otoko wa uta no naka de sanshō sa rete iru. Jissai ni wa, futari no kodomo' no gēmu wa bimyō ni kyoku no kashi ni kisai sa rete iru.
"Dokidoki Asa" wa on'nanoko no ongaku no aidoru no miryoku, metaru no sutairu ni michite iru. Kore wa, gozen-chū ni gakkō de no tsuitachi to on'nanoko dake no pāti o eru koto ni tsuitedesu. Shikashi, uta wa 1 rūru o Nobashi, doko made dekiru no ka mite wa mata aru. Wakamono ga ima hoshīmono ni tsuitedesu. Jinsei wakai toki wa hijō ni hayai pēsudearu.
"Heddobangā!!" Kurashikkuna heddobangingu no utadearu. Anata wa kono kyoku o chūmon suru sai ni Nihonde wa, anata wa anata no kubi o kizutsukeru koto naku dono yō ni headbang suru koto o oshieru ni yakudatsu nekkuburēsu o eru. Anata ga kubi no nenza o shutoku shinai yō ni heddobangingu no watashi no kansatsu ni yoru to, soreha, bōryoku-tekina bōingu mattaku atama no zettai ni unazuki no ōku ga fukuma remasu. Kono kyoku wa Nihon no dentō-tekina uta no mijikai hyōgen o motte imasuga, sono hotondo ga BABYMETAL aru, to iwa rete imasu.
Saigo ni, "Megitsune" wa watashi ni pazuru no yōdesunode, watashi wa tango o mite, sore ga `josei no kitsune' to henkan sa remasu. Watashi wa sore ga to shite shira rete iru mahō no kitsune no seishin sanshō suru to shinjite, " kitsune o. " Nihongo no tango `Me' wa `josei' o imi suru. Zentai-teki ni, korera no kashi wa feminisuto no seisa betsu hyōji sa reru baai ga arimasu. Tadashi, koreha joseide wanai yūetsu shugi no uta ga utau toki no tanoshī utadearu to kangae rareru. Sore wa, wakai josei ni on'nanoko kara soda~tsu ni tsuite no utadesu. Shikashi, mojidōri no imi wa, BABYMETAL ga dansā (fukusū-ka) ni seisoku suru kitsune no seishin e no shōtai nado no odori shintō no miko no yō ni natte kite iru to iu kotodesu. Shikashi, koreha sankō bunken ni atae rareta hiyu-teki setsumeidearu.
Zentai-teki ni, korera wa watashi no 5 no okiniiri no BABYMETAL no utadearu. Karera wa mata, watashi wa Nakamoto Suzuka no fandesu, naze itsutsu no riyūdearu.
References:
I couldn't have completed this arficle without the efforts of Du Enki at http://du-metal.blogspot.ca/ and the following pages there.
Arigato Gozaimasu to Du Enki for his tremendous work translating BABYMETAL songs.
Absolutely No Bullying:
http://du-metal.blogspot.ca/2013/08/bullying-no-absolutely.html
Catch Me If You Can:
http://du-metal.blogspot.ca/2013/09/catch-me-if-you-can.html
Doki Doki Morning:
http://du-metal.blogspot.ca/2013/07/doki-doki-morning.html
Headbanger!!:
http://du-metal.blogspot.ca/2013/07/headbangeeeeerrrrr.html
Megitsune:
http://du-metal.blogspot.ca/2013/07/megitsune.html
BABYMETAL - Wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babymetal
Nakamoto Suzuka:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzuka_Nakamoto
Showing posts with label Japanese. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Japanese. Show all posts
20140128
Confession of a Japanophile (satire)
Genetics does not explain why I am obsessed with martial arts, ninjitsu, yakuza and samurai. For I am a Japanophile not just because I am Japanese, but because I — a Westernized Canadian-born Japanese person — am interested in my ancestors' culture.
Genetics likewise does not fully explain why I am usually heterosexual, and like mostly women and very few men. Being born male is only a part of the reason.
Perhaps society — being mostly heteronormative — subtly favors males who are heterosexual, though the LGBT lobby has a positive cultural, political and social influence on consumerism today. Before modernization, and even today, Japanese culture occasionally discouraged open practice of homosexuality yet condoned the practice, provided two people who are in love keep it discreet.
Indeed, none of the major Japanese religions were openly hostile to lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders.
Even so, the modern-day Japanese government, being conservative, does not guarantee civil rights to LGBT persons. As a result, in cases of spousal abuse, the victim does not have a refuge into which to flee.
In Japan, gay marriage isn't going to be in the Japanese law books for now.
The occasional admiring of a buff male body isn't genetic as much as physiological and an honest desire on the part of the observer to compare physical attributes, which is similar to a pissing contest.
Like the majority of Japanese males, my libido is repressed, due to cultural, physiological, psychological and religious influences. Being essentially in a culture where shame is used as a tool of social control, the behavior of a Japanese person may range from almost schizoid lack of sexual expression to discreet displays of sexuality tinged with shame and the fear of exposure of sexual deeds and the embarrassment resulting from such exposure.
With respect to animé and manga, which I read from time to time, yaoi and yuri are the same-sex flavor of relationships, along with mecha (robots), magical girl and harem genre. While yaoi and yuri present displays of sexuality for mass consumption by fans, robots may represent the hidden aspect of the libido with less overt sexuality; the magic girl, the fantasy element with humorous depictions of awkward moments involving sexuality; and the harem, the fantasy of a man with a lot of potential girlfriends.
Perhaps animé and manga could end up saving the world from utter boredom and anguish for teens and young adults. So I urge my fellow Japanophiles to help spread the word. 0_o
Returning to my confession of being a Japanophile, it was in my youth that I first discovered Shin Buddhism to be meatier than the teachings offered after Sunday service at the Central Fraser Valley Buddhist temple.
This discovery of the roots of Buddhism inspired me to learn Japanese so that I could recognize the characters. In addition, I developed an admiration for martial arts, particularly ninjitsu, as well as respect for samurai and the Yakuza.
Samurai are of interest to me since there were rumors that my father's ancestors may have been related to samurai. Indeed, this is most likely since my grandmother's maiden name was Tanaka, and my father's eldest sister married into the Nakamura family. For both Tanaka and Nakamura are well-known clans of Yamaguchi Prefecture.
As for Yakuza, it is rather interesting that a bad hand in Gaji — a popular Japanese flower card game — became the slang for Japanese criminal societies. However, mass media representations of Yakuza are often exaggerated for the blood and guts on film and in books — especially in manga, and on TV.
As well, the reports that when the city of Kobe was shaken by an earthquake some years ago, it was the Yakuza who first responded to the crisis before the municipal government did. However, I am not so naïve as to consider them to be the "good guys" as long as overt violence continues to be associated with the Yakuza.
Today, as a Canadian-born Japanese who is also a Japanophile, I do not favor the Japanese culture over the Westernized moderation of that culture which I internalize. While it would be admirable to be a perfect blend of Eastern and Western mores, I prefer the simpleness of the "less is more" philosophy with regard to both aesthetics. Thus, the less I try to be Japanese and Westernized, the more I emphasize the subtle qualities of both cultures.
Indeed, the blend of East and West is imperfect within my psyché yet useful to my life due to its simplicity.
Originally posted on January 25, 2004 at 0137H
Updated on February 12, 2013 at 0415H
Japanophile: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanophile
LGBT rights in Japan: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_rights_in_Japan
The Tanaka & Nakamura families of Yamaguchi Japan: http://www.tanakamura.com/
Samurai: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samurai
Yakuza: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yakuza
Animé: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anime
Manga: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manga
Genetics likewise does not fully explain why I am usually heterosexual, and like mostly women and very few men. Being born male is only a part of the reason.
Perhaps society — being mostly heteronormative — subtly favors males who are heterosexual, though the LGBT lobby has a positive cultural, political and social influence on consumerism today. Before modernization, and even today, Japanese culture occasionally discouraged open practice of homosexuality yet condoned the practice, provided two people who are in love keep it discreet.
Indeed, none of the major Japanese religions were openly hostile to lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders.
Even so, the modern-day Japanese government, being conservative, does not guarantee civil rights to LGBT persons. As a result, in cases of spousal abuse, the victim does not have a refuge into which to flee.
In Japan, gay marriage isn't going to be in the Japanese law books for now.
The occasional admiring of a buff male body isn't genetic as much as physiological and an honest desire on the part of the observer to compare physical attributes, which is similar to a pissing contest.
Like the majority of Japanese males, my libido is repressed, due to cultural, physiological, psychological and religious influences. Being essentially in a culture where shame is used as a tool of social control, the behavior of a Japanese person may range from almost schizoid lack of sexual expression to discreet displays of sexuality tinged with shame and the fear of exposure of sexual deeds and the embarrassment resulting from such exposure.
With respect to animé and manga, which I read from time to time, yaoi and yuri are the same-sex flavor of relationships, along with mecha (robots), magical girl and harem genre. While yaoi and yuri present displays of sexuality for mass consumption by fans, robots may represent the hidden aspect of the libido with less overt sexuality; the magic girl, the fantasy element with humorous depictions of awkward moments involving sexuality; and the harem, the fantasy of a man with a lot of potential girlfriends.
Perhaps animé and manga could end up saving the world from utter boredom and anguish for teens and young adults. So I urge my fellow Japanophiles to help spread the word. 0_o
Returning to my confession of being a Japanophile, it was in my youth that I first discovered Shin Buddhism to be meatier than the teachings offered after Sunday service at the Central Fraser Valley Buddhist temple.
This discovery of the roots of Buddhism inspired me to learn Japanese so that I could recognize the characters. In addition, I developed an admiration for martial arts, particularly ninjitsu, as well as respect for samurai and the Yakuza.
Samurai are of interest to me since there were rumors that my father's ancestors may have been related to samurai. Indeed, this is most likely since my grandmother's maiden name was Tanaka, and my father's eldest sister married into the Nakamura family. For both Tanaka and Nakamura are well-known clans of Yamaguchi Prefecture.
As for Yakuza, it is rather interesting that a bad hand in Gaji — a popular Japanese flower card game — became the slang for Japanese criminal societies. However, mass media representations of Yakuza are often exaggerated for the blood and guts on film and in books — especially in manga, and on TV.
As well, the reports that when the city of Kobe was shaken by an earthquake some years ago, it was the Yakuza who first responded to the crisis before the municipal government did. However, I am not so naïve as to consider them to be the "good guys" as long as overt violence continues to be associated with the Yakuza.
Today, as a Canadian-born Japanese who is also a Japanophile, I do not favor the Japanese culture over the Westernized moderation of that culture which I internalize. While it would be admirable to be a perfect blend of Eastern and Western mores, I prefer the simpleness of the "less is more" philosophy with regard to both aesthetics. Thus, the less I try to be Japanese and Westernized, the more I emphasize the subtle qualities of both cultures.
Indeed, the blend of East and West is imperfect within my psyché yet useful to my life due to its simplicity.
Originally posted on January 25, 2004 at 0137H
Updated on February 12, 2013 at 0415H
Japanophile: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanophile
LGBT rights in Japan: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_rights_in_Japan
The Tanaka & Nakamura families of Yamaguchi Japan: http://www.tanakamura.com/
Samurai: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samurai
Yakuza: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yakuza
Animé: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anime
Manga: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manga
20130413
Only Human / Ningendesu / 人間です
私は西洋の理想に同化さしていたが、
私は日本人の祖先のように人間です。
西と東は、この中心部に集中している。
Romaji transliteration:
Watashi wa seiyō no risō ni dōka sa shite itaga,
watashi wa nihonjin no sosen no yō ni ningendesu.
Nishi to azuma wa, kono chūshin-bu ni shūchū shite iru.
English translation:
(Though) I am assimilated to ideals of the West,
I am only human like my Japanese ancestors.
East and West are one in my heart.
私は日本人の祖先のように人間です。
西と東は、この中心部に集中している。
Romaji transliteration:
Watashi wa seiyō no risō ni dōka sa shite itaga,
watashi wa nihonjin no sosen no yō ni ningendesu.
Nishi to azuma wa, kono chūshin-bu ni shūchū shite iru.
English translation:
(Though) I am assimilated to ideals of the West,
I am only human like my Japanese ancestors.
East and West are one in my heart.
20130406
Kokoro / Heart-mind: One heart, two-minds
心が思いやりを象徴するので、心臓心が感情を感じている。
合理的心臓が理性と制御を象徴するので、我々は愚かになるといけないので、それは、心を支配するようべきである。
Romaji transliteration:
Kokoro ga omoiyari o shōchō surunode, shinzō kokoro ga kanjō o kanjite iru.
Gōri-teki shinzō ga risei to seigyo o shōchō surunode, wareware wa oroka ni naruto ikenainode, soreha, kokoro o shihai suru yōbekidearu.
English translation:
Because the heart symbolizes compassion, the heart mind feels emotion.
Because the rational mind symbolizes reason and control, it ought to dominate the heart, lest we become mindless.
What this means is the heart symbolizes emotions and feelings; and the rational mind, reason and control. This is the essence of the original concept of "one heart and two minds" (一つの心、二心 / hitotsu no kokoro, futagokoro).
合理的心臓が理性と制御を象徴するので、我々は愚かになるといけないので、それは、心を支配するようべきである。
Romaji transliteration:
Kokoro ga omoiyari o shōchō surunode, shinzō kokoro ga kanjō o kanjite iru.
Gōri-teki shinzō ga risei to seigyo o shōchō surunode, wareware wa oroka ni naruto ikenainode, soreha, kokoro o shihai suru yōbekidearu.
English translation:
Because the heart symbolizes compassion, the heart mind feels emotion.
Because the rational mind symbolizes reason and control, it ought to dominate the heart, lest we become mindless.
What this means is the heart symbolizes emotions and feelings; and the rational mind, reason and control. This is the essence of the original concept of "one heart and two minds" (一つの心、二心 / hitotsu no kokoro, futagokoro).
20130209
Propaganda Reason for Chinese Anti-Japanese Sentiments
Why do you think China is has antipathy towards Japan? Well, Beijing promotes antipathy but never tells the people Japan is one of China's biggest trade partners.
To get to the point, Chinese people are exposed to propaganda against Japan from grade school.
Anti-Japanese sentiment makes it easy to control the people by using them as political tools. When the CCP needs a bunch of people to protest against Japan, they have willing volunteers to hold signs and banners on which are written nasty stuff about Japan.
Additionally, the resulting prejudice may also cause backlash against people in the Japanese diasphora who never were born in Japan, and are mostly English-speaking Americans & Canadians, and Portuguese-speaking Brazilians.
When I first talked with Chhinese people on the internet, even I got the anti-Japanese sentiment. I had to explain to them that I was born in Canada, and hold no ties to Japan at all.
To the best of my knowledge I like whatever is progressive in Japan. Anyone Japanese who transcends the tradition-only mentality is a liberal-minded trail-blazer.
What I object to strongly is the fascist zealotry of Japanese ultra-nationalists who demand the Japanese Prime Minister keep his responsibility to honor the war dead at Yasakuni Shrine.
In memory there was one Japanese PM who didn't honor this traditional commitment, but he had a short run in the Japanese Diet.
Anti-Japanese sentiments are usually the work of propaganda. Yet we only see it in the People's Republic of China and occasionally in Tawianese politics.
From what I have observed, South East Asia has abandoned such sentiments because Japanese industries have invested in countries such as Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
Indeed, there also is a strong following of JPOP stars in SE Asian, Taiwan and Hong Kong.
Since we know that propaganda published by the CCP gets spoon-fed to Chinese people from cradle to grave, it would be interesting to see if Chinese international students going to universities in the West have strong anti-Japanese sentiments.
In conclusion I find the Youtube video included with this blog post to be apt. In contrast, the anti-American movie PROPAGANDA reveals more about Chinese propaganda and its effect on Chinese citizens than it does about America as land of decadent hedonism. Though, the majority of American propaganda is marketing consumer products to the consumers, who get indoctrinated on how to be successful as consumers.
YMMV
To get to the point, Chinese people are exposed to propaganda against Japan from grade school.
Anti-Japanese sentiment makes it easy to control the people by using them as political tools. When the CCP needs a bunch of people to protest against Japan, they have willing volunteers to hold signs and banners on which are written nasty stuff about Japan.
Additionally, the resulting prejudice may also cause backlash against people in the Japanese diasphora who never were born in Japan, and are mostly English-speaking Americans & Canadians, and Portuguese-speaking Brazilians.
When I first talked with Chhinese people on the internet, even I got the anti-Japanese sentiment. I had to explain to them that I was born in Canada, and hold no ties to Japan at all.
To the best of my knowledge I like whatever is progressive in Japan. Anyone Japanese who transcends the tradition-only mentality is a liberal-minded trail-blazer.
What I object to strongly is the fascist zealotry of Japanese ultra-nationalists who demand the Japanese Prime Minister keep his responsibility to honor the war dead at Yasakuni Shrine.
In memory there was one Japanese PM who didn't honor this traditional commitment, but he had a short run in the Japanese Diet.
Anti-Japanese sentiments are usually the work of propaganda. Yet we only see it in the People's Republic of China and occasionally in Tawianese politics.
From what I have observed, South East Asia has abandoned such sentiments because Japanese industries have invested in countries such as Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
Indeed, there also is a strong following of JPOP stars in SE Asian, Taiwan and Hong Kong.
Since we know that propaganda published by the CCP gets spoon-fed to Chinese people from cradle to grave, it would be interesting to see if Chinese international students going to universities in the West have strong anti-Japanese sentiments.
In conclusion I find the Youtube video included with this blog post to be apt. In contrast, the anti-American movie PROPAGANDA reveals more about Chinese propaganda and its effect on Chinese citizens than it does about America as land of decadent hedonism. Though, the majority of American propaganda is marketing consumer products to the consumers, who get indoctrinated on how to be successful as consumers.
YMMV
20130203
Ninja Skills, Samurai Swords and Their Possible Origins
To pass time at work between rounds, I was doing spins and saw the security camera. So I avoided exposure. I didn't want my butt to be archived.
Among ancient Japanese ninjas, being observed practicing martial arts by a rival could mean death, because just by observing his Kata (wushu moves), it is possible for the rival to defeat him. So when a ninja spots the enemy observing him, he will hunt him down and kill him to ensure his safety.
Also, IMO ninjas learned their arts from their Ainumushiri (aborigines of Japan) ancestors. I'm also sure the samurai sword was invented by Ainu as the weapon is perfect for guerrilla warfare.
Among ancient Japanese ninjas, being observed practicing martial arts by a rival could mean death, because just by observing his Kata (wushu moves), it is possible for the rival to defeat him. So when a ninja spots the enemy observing him, he will hunt him down and kill him to ensure his safety.
Also, IMO ninjas learned their arts from their Ainumushiri (aborigines of Japan) ancestors. I'm also sure the samurai sword was invented by Ainu as the weapon is perfect for guerrilla warfare.
20130119
Ancestor Worship Forgotten by Japanese Diasphora
In Japan, ancestor worship shows respect not only to your ancestors and the recently departed, but to the family kami if one's family has one.
A family kami is the first male ancestor in your lineage, or he may be the village kami if you have a home village. If the latter tradition is present, then your first male ancestor is Chinese.
In Canada, this heritage is forgotten. If you mention it amongst your relatives, they either mock you or change the subject.
Ah, we Japanese-canadians are too assimilated! We're so assimilated we blend in.
Yet there's an awkward moment when an Asian person talks to me, and I have to reply in English, "Sorry I don't speak Chinese/Korean/Taiwanese."
Though I can still speak Japanese but badly.
A family kami is the first male ancestor in your lineage, or he may be the village kami if you have a home village. If the latter tradition is present, then your first male ancestor is Chinese.
In Canada, this heritage is forgotten. If you mention it amongst your relatives, they either mock you or change the subject.
Ah, we Japanese-canadians are too assimilated! We're so assimilated we blend in.
Yet there's an awkward moment when an Asian person talks to me, and I have to reply in English, "Sorry I don't speak Chinese/Korean/Taiwanese."
Though I can still speak Japanese but badly.
20130111
What's a yuppontoi to do, eh? (poem)
WARNING: ANY DEPICTION OF VISIBLE MINORITIES IS FICTIONAL
'End of this month the man gonna get on my ass.
You see, I be on the dole with p.w.d.
got beat up nine years ago, july 19th,
with in and out the hospital a couple times,
finally lost my mind after march 13th, 2005.
'Hadda move in with my best friend, my late best bro.
then i slowly recovered, and finally grew up.
So listen up, and listen good:
this be the story of my 'hood, Surrey BC Canada.
It's no pretty life, or an easy life
livin' in Newton with homies all around!
no black bros from L.A., or even Brooklyn!
No, we have South Asian homies in Newton!
They're called Punjabi brothers who own this 'hood.
Yeah, Punjabi brothers done own this 'hood.
They can't shoot straight but they dance real good.
Their parents keep their sisters under lock and key,
but let the boys go out to dance and party.
Surrey girls can't leave 'em alone,
cos they got bling-bling and fancy cellphones.
Yeah Punjabi brothers own this 'hood...
As fer meself, i'm a yuppontoi.
This means i be ichiban japanese boy
who likes animé, but i ain't gay.
I like my samurai movies,
my harajuku girls on youtube,
my wasabi on sashimi - hot,
and my JPOP albums by Onmyouza.
Anyway, I left my Punjabi brothers behind
in 2006, and moved back in with my ex,
and her new boyfriend, mister TNT.
i moved out of my 'hood into ghetto Surrey,
out by the Royal Kwantlen Park by the church.
Technically, it's still Whalley, dig eh.
Back in 2008, I tried to get my head shrunk
but the man, he said i wasn't psychotic enough.
Nor was i suicidal... Aya!. What's a man gotta do
to talk to a therapist around here anyway???
I mean - look, drug addicts get an ear to talk to!
Yeah, heroin addicts can rehab
and go on methadone maintenance.
So what's a yuppontoi to do, eh?
This Japanese boy has lots to say,
but he only answers to da man's crew,
social welfare degree peeps,
government lackeys, provincial mystiques.
All i gotta say is, i'm a yuppontoi.
This means I be ichiban Japanese boy
who likes animé but i ain't gay.
I like my samurai movies,
my harajuku girls on youtube,
my wasabi on sashimi - hot,
and my JPOP albums by Onmyouza.
Yeah, Punjabi brothers done own that 'hood.
They can't shoot straight but they dance real good.
Their parents keep their sisters under lock and key,
but let the boys go out to dance and party.
Surrey girls can't leave 'em alone,
cos they got bling-bling and fancy cellphones.
Yeah, Punjabi brothers done own this 'hood...
As fer meself, i'm a Yuppontoi.
This means I be ichiban Japanese boy
who likes animé but; i ain't gay!
I like my samurai movies,
my harajuku girls on youtube,
My wasabi on sashimi - hot,
and my JPOP albums by Onmyouza.
Dozo yoroshiku.
domo arigato gozaimasu.
domo arigato gozaimasu.
domo arigato gozaimasu.
gomenasai
Dozo yoroshiku.
domo arigato gozaimasu.
domo arigato gozaimasu.
domo arigato gozaimasu.
gomenasai
'End of this month the man gonna get on my ass.
You see, I be on the dole with p.w.d.
got beat up nine years ago, july 19th,
with in and out the hospital a couple times,
finally lost my mind after march 13th, 2005.
'Hadda move in with my best friend, my late best bro.
then i slowly recovered, and finally grew up.
So listen up, and listen good:
this be the story of my 'hood, Surrey BC Canada.
It's no pretty life, or an easy life
livin' in Newton with homies all around!
no black bros from L.A., or even Brooklyn!
No, we have South Asian homies in Newton!
They're called Punjabi brothers who own this 'hood.
Yeah, Punjabi brothers done own this 'hood.
They can't shoot straight but they dance real good.
Their parents keep their sisters under lock and key,
but let the boys go out to dance and party.
Surrey girls can't leave 'em alone,
cos they got bling-bling and fancy cellphones.
Yeah Punjabi brothers own this 'hood...
As fer meself, i'm a yuppontoi.
This means i be ichiban japanese boy
who likes animé, but i ain't gay.
I like my samurai movies,
my harajuku girls on youtube,
my wasabi on sashimi - hot,
and my JPOP albums by Onmyouza.
Anyway, I left my Punjabi brothers behind
in 2006, and moved back in with my ex,
and her new boyfriend, mister TNT.
i moved out of my 'hood into ghetto Surrey,
out by the Royal Kwantlen Park by the church.
Technically, it's still Whalley, dig eh.
Back in 2008, I tried to get my head shrunk
but the man, he said i wasn't psychotic enough.
Nor was i suicidal... Aya!. What's a man gotta do
to talk to a therapist around here anyway???
I mean - look, drug addicts get an ear to talk to!
Yeah, heroin addicts can rehab
and go on methadone maintenance.
So what's a yuppontoi to do, eh?
This Japanese boy has lots to say,
but he only answers to da man's crew,
social welfare degree peeps,
government lackeys, provincial mystiques.
All i gotta say is, i'm a yuppontoi.
This means I be ichiban Japanese boy
who likes animé but i ain't gay.
I like my samurai movies,
my harajuku girls on youtube,
my wasabi on sashimi - hot,
and my JPOP albums by Onmyouza.
Yeah, Punjabi brothers done own that 'hood.
They can't shoot straight but they dance real good.
Their parents keep their sisters under lock and key,
but let the boys go out to dance and party.
Surrey girls can't leave 'em alone,
cos they got bling-bling and fancy cellphones.
Yeah, Punjabi brothers done own this 'hood...
As fer meself, i'm a Yuppontoi.
This means I be ichiban Japanese boy
who likes animé but; i ain't gay!
I like my samurai movies,
my harajuku girls on youtube,
My wasabi on sashimi - hot,
and my JPOP albums by Onmyouza.
Dozo yoroshiku.
domo arigato gozaimasu.
domo arigato gozaimasu.
domo arigato gozaimasu.
gomenasai
Dozo yoroshiku.
domo arigato gozaimasu.
domo arigato gozaimasu.
domo arigato gozaimasu.
gomenasai
20121103
Hysteria? Wrong Diagnosis! It's Anxiety Disorder!
Circa 1991 I was diagnosed with a personality disorder. This is based on the one interview with the nice Canadian-born English psychiatrist who tried to interest me in getting diagnosed for schizophrenia, too.
After Googling the diagnosis, I learned that Borderline Personality Disorder used to be called Hysteria & used to be diagnosed predominately in women.
11 years later, I seriously doubt the diagnosis of borderline personality disorder. Rather, I have an anxiety disorder which is predominant among Japanese. It is nurtured in the family. My elder brother, my younger sister and myself have a spectrum of anxiety disorders; both my mother has it and my father used to have anxiety about being in Zellers. Thankfully he passed away in 2007, so he no longer has it. :p
In my case, I find that adequate rest is the key to beating anxiety. Secondly, I use 200 mg at bedtime of gabapentin (Neurontin) to keep it at bay, and rely on 10 g at bedtime of cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) to sleep.
In addition, the gabapentin helps me achieve deep sleep so even if I get 6 hours of sleep, I feel adequately rested. Though, on the average, 9 hours of sleep is optimal for me. As a matter of fact, the medication has stopped the social anxiety I used to get 5 years ago.
If this is a placebo effect, then Flexeril is the perfect sugar pill for me.
After Googling the diagnosis, I learned that Borderline Personality Disorder used to be called Hysteria & used to be diagnosed predominately in women.
11 years later, I seriously doubt the diagnosis of borderline personality disorder. Rather, I have an anxiety disorder which is predominant among Japanese. It is nurtured in the family. My elder brother, my younger sister and myself have a spectrum of anxiety disorders; both my mother has it and my father used to have anxiety about being in Zellers. Thankfully he passed away in 2007, so he no longer has it. :p
In my case, I find that adequate rest is the key to beating anxiety. Secondly, I use 200 mg at bedtime of gabapentin (Neurontin) to keep it at bay, and rely on 10 g at bedtime of cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) to sleep.
In addition, the gabapentin helps me achieve deep sleep so even if I get 6 hours of sleep, I feel adequately rested. Though, on the average, 9 hours of sleep is optimal for me. As a matter of fact, the medication has stopped the social anxiety I used to get 5 years ago.
If this is a placebo effect, then Flexeril is the perfect sugar pill for me.
20110128
こんにちは - Konnichiwa
こんにちは
Konnichiwa means Hello, Good Morning, Good Afternoon and Good Day!
It does not mean Good Evening.
For that, you say Konbanwa.
Konnichiwa means Hello, Good Morning, Good Afternoon and Good Day!
It does not mean Good Evening.
For that, you say Konbanwa.
20110126
The Japanese and the Shared History of Ainu, Hawaiians and Native Americans
Vancouve Buddhist Church is a cool place. While there on Sunday - an hour late - I got a perpetual calendar, a schedule for 2011 and another BDK Buddhist "bible". Everywhere in Hawaiian motels, this book is in the drawer beside your bed, so you can preach the dharma to the cockroaches, or best yet, all kinda happy people in the former Republic of Hawaii.
King Kamehameha III, the last rightful king of Hawaii, won independence recognized by England & France, on Nov.28, 1843, approximately a decade before Perry forced Japan to recognize America's right to trade with the Japanese without being plagued by pirates.
Only America chose not to recognize Hawaii as a republic, due to its economic interests.
50 years later, America chose to annex Hawaii with a somewhat sedate "rebellion" where scions of businessmen were protected by US Navy as they "liberated" Hawaii.
This was preceded by the Bayonet Constitution which force Hawaii to become a constitutional monarchy with the pretender David Kalâkaua. He won because his name-calling left Queen Emma furious, and her supporters such poor sports that both the British and US troops came in to suppress the Emmaites.
During this time, legitimacy of rightful kings was Christian. So David was rightful only due to Kamehameha III being convinced to write it into the constitution.
This shut out illegitimate heirs such as Keelikolani, the defender of traditional Hawaiian ways. It was through her that Mauna Loa was quieted by her intercession with the god Pelé in 1880. Pelé is a nature god associated with the volcano.
My roots in Hawaii began circa 1890s near the end of Hawaiian Kingdom. Investment in Hawaii also came from Japan, as cheap labour was high in demand. Japanese workers were willing to come Hawaii because of earlier trade agreements made afteer Hawaii gained independence.
Also through Chinese traders and Japanese fishermen, Hawaii was known on the return back from trading with Haida Gwaii, who share common ancestry with the ancestors of the older Hawaii families of chief before Kamahameha I.
As well, Ainumushiri had trade ties with the Aleuts, and share a common genetic history that extends to the Inuit (Eskimo), though the oral traditions of Inuit peoples deny this so that their land claims in Nunavut are not mussed up by the truth.
so my roots are both here, in Hawaii and back in Japan. The First Nations people are my distant cousins, more so than Chinese.
King Kamehameha III, the last rightful king of Hawaii, won independence recognized by England & France, on Nov.28, 1843, approximately a decade before Perry forced Japan to recognize America's right to trade with the Japanese without being plagued by pirates.
Only America chose not to recognize Hawaii as a republic, due to its economic interests.
50 years later, America chose to annex Hawaii with a somewhat sedate "rebellion" where scions of businessmen were protected by US Navy as they "liberated" Hawaii.
This was preceded by the Bayonet Constitution which force Hawaii to become a constitutional monarchy with the pretender David Kalâkaua. He won because his name-calling left Queen Emma furious, and her supporters such poor sports that both the British and US troops came in to suppress the Emmaites.
During this time, legitimacy of rightful kings was Christian. So David was rightful only due to Kamehameha III being convinced to write it into the constitution.
This shut out illegitimate heirs such as Keelikolani, the defender of traditional Hawaiian ways. It was through her that Mauna Loa was quieted by her intercession with the god Pelé in 1880. Pelé is a nature god associated with the volcano.
My roots in Hawaii began circa 1890s near the end of Hawaiian Kingdom. Investment in Hawaii also came from Japan, as cheap labour was high in demand. Japanese workers were willing to come Hawaii because of earlier trade agreements made afteer Hawaii gained independence.
Also through Chinese traders and Japanese fishermen, Hawaii was known on the return back from trading with Haida Gwaii, who share common ancestry with the ancestors of the older Hawaii families of chief before Kamahameha I.
As well, Ainumushiri had trade ties with the Aleuts, and share a common genetic history that extends to the Inuit (Eskimo), though the oral traditions of Inuit peoples deny this so that their land claims in Nunavut are not mussed up by the truth.
so my roots are both here, in Hawaii and back in Japan. The First Nations people are my distant cousins, more so than Chinese.
20090131
Japan Conquered by Korea
http://gias.snu.ac.kr/wthong/publication/paekche/eng/paekch_e.html
This book theorizes that Korea invaded and civilized Japan, due to conquest of Korea by China.
As well, most of Japanese aristocracy including the Emperor are related to Paekche royalty who fled to Japan when combined Silla-Tang Chinese forces began to unite Korea as one.
In light of this, perhaps China is detrimental to unification of North and South Korea.
This book theorizes that Korea invaded and civilized Japan, due to conquest of Korea by China.
As well, most of Japanese aristocracy including the Emperor are related to Paekche royalty who fled to Japan when combined Silla-Tang Chinese forces began to unite Korea as one.
In light of this, perhaps China is detrimental to unification of North and South Korea.
20080330
The Japanese-Canadian Experience: March 24-April 20, 1942
Almost 71 years ago, from March 24 to April 20, 1942, a group of conscientious objectors and Japanese nationals were incarcerated in the Vancouver Immigration Building.
These men were unofficially arrested and detained at the building for almost four weeks, at which point they rioted and were declared "enemy aliens" and sent to Petawawa and Angler, Ontario, to live in the only prison camps in Canada.
In contrast, the "prison camps" of the Interior of BC were closer to the truth of being "internment camps". Though the American Japanese and even their Latin American contingent at Crystal City, Texas, were not forced to pay rent to live in American internment camps.
Yet revisionists within the Japanese-Canadian community have excised any reference to the 28 days these Japanese were in the Immigration Building. There is only a prison camp memoir and a fictionalized account of one person's time in the camp, but reference to these 28 days are missing from most Japanese-Canadian websites on the matter.
IMHO the reason for this "revisionism" is to honor the tradition of covering up a smell so it doesn't stink.
Well, I am uncovering the smell because this revisionism needs to be opened up to the world.
The Japanese-Canadian war experience taught the Canadian government that its War Measures Act was an anarchronism which it got rid of after the apology in 1988.
However, the following questions remain: Why has the BC government not apologized for the acts of racist BC MLAs during the war era? What really motivated the Christian Japanese Canadians to falsely claim the Japanese Buddhist community were potential enemy aliens? Was it done to make themselves feel patriotic or was the real reason to scapegoat the Shin Buddhists needlessly?
Historically, in Japan during the war era, pacifists among the Buddhists were spied on and arrested for "not supporting the war effort." In the end, the leader of Soka Gakkai, a grassroots peace movement based on Nichiren Buddhism and the ideas of its founder, Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, were pro-peace and suffered for it in Japan. Tens of thousands of Japanese Buddhists were imprisoned for supporting peace.
In light of this, the false charges of the Christian Japanese-Canadians against the Buddhists show that the war had actually fractured the Japanese-Canadian community among religious lines.
Reference:
Tsunesaburo Makiguchi: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsunesaburo_Makiguchi
Japanese Canadian Internment: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese-Canadian_internment
These men were unofficially arrested and detained at the building for almost four weeks, at which point they rioted and were declared "enemy aliens" and sent to Petawawa and Angler, Ontario, to live in the only prison camps in Canada.
In contrast, the "prison camps" of the Interior of BC were closer to the truth of being "internment camps". Though the American Japanese and even their Latin American contingent at Crystal City, Texas, were not forced to pay rent to live in American internment camps.
Yet revisionists within the Japanese-Canadian community have excised any reference to the 28 days these Japanese were in the Immigration Building. There is only a prison camp memoir and a fictionalized account of one person's time in the camp, but reference to these 28 days are missing from most Japanese-Canadian websites on the matter.
IMHO the reason for this "revisionism" is to honor the tradition of covering up a smell so it doesn't stink.
Well, I am uncovering the smell because this revisionism needs to be opened up to the world.
The Japanese-Canadian war experience taught the Canadian government that its War Measures Act was an anarchronism which it got rid of after the apology in 1988.
However, the following questions remain: Why has the BC government not apologized for the acts of racist BC MLAs during the war era? What really motivated the Christian Japanese Canadians to falsely claim the Japanese Buddhist community were potential enemy aliens? Was it done to make themselves feel patriotic or was the real reason to scapegoat the Shin Buddhists needlessly?
Historically, in Japan during the war era, pacifists among the Buddhists were spied on and arrested for "not supporting the war effort." In the end, the leader of Soka Gakkai, a grassroots peace movement based on Nichiren Buddhism and the ideas of its founder, Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, were pro-peace and suffered for it in Japan. Tens of thousands of Japanese Buddhists were imprisoned for supporting peace.
In light of this, the false charges of the Christian Japanese-Canadians against the Buddhists show that the war had actually fractured the Japanese-Canadian community among religious lines.
Reference:
Tsunesaburo Makiguchi: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsunesaburo_Makiguchi
Japanese Canadian Internment: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese-Canadian_internment
20080112
Beni: Music to My Ears
When I visit Vancouver, sometimes I hang out at a coffee shop to guess which city a certain group of Japanese women are from. At times I even get bold enough to go up to them and ask in Japanese, "Where are you from?" just to see if I am right.
From my scanty research so far, I've determined that the girls who frequent Granville establishments like Blenz or work at the Japanese restaurant on the street (Yamazaki?) are not from Tokyo but from near Kobe and Nara, which are older parts of Japan. IMHO I don't think Tokyo people have the time to vacation or do ESL vacations. Perhaps they are too busy trying to make a good impression at home on the tourists.
IMHO it too may be rare to have visitors from the Inland Sea area (Shikoku) and southern Japan because they tend to prefer Europe or Hawaii. As well, the insular nature of Shikoku-jin may tend to make them seem shy, though I can imagine the few Catholics would be hooked on Rome.
Getting back to accents, in Japan, the accents are called -beni ie Tokyo-beni, and are due to influence and intermixing of Korean and Chinese and even European languages on Japanese in a given area.
E.g. Kagoshima-beni has adopted European and English words. As well, various adverbs, verbs and suffixes are distinct to a region, city or district. Part of this was to done to code-talk so villagers would discuss matters openly in front of their overlords who spoke the same language as their masters i.e. a Shogun born in the southern region would speak in southern dialect at home but speak in court language in Kyoto. If he wanted to discuss something personal with one of his loyal retainers, then he might switch to beni, provided that the Emperor did not employ spies from the same village as the Shogun to eavesdrop.
As well, there is a variant of Tokyo-beni that the kids there are rapidly evolving into a dialect distinct from standard beni. Over here, we call it "street slang", and the roughest equivalence would be "gangsta talk". One of its endearing qualities is almost every phrase sounds like a challenge because of the sentence ending: wakari-masu ka? (do you understand?) becomes wakaru de ya? or wakaru de yo? Also, English words are incorporated, sometimes in amusing ways foreign to Westerners. Indeed, the swear word "fuck" does not have the same emotional impact on Japanese ears as it does on Westerners sensitized to its meaning.
Anyways, after modernization (1853), dialect no longer determined where the average Japanese will end up as it did 2000+ years previously, prior to seclusion in the 17th Century. Though, Tokyo gossips will still pretend Kagoshima beni is incomprehensible and the people rude, ignoring the fact that it's easy to distinguish a Tokyo rube in Nagasaki from a native when he opens his mouth.
Overall though, it's all music to my ears, and I take special joy in enjoying the music of beni-shaberu (colloquial chatter) when travelling to and from the city.
From my scanty research so far, I've determined that the girls who frequent Granville establishments like Blenz or work at the Japanese restaurant on the street (Yamazaki?) are not from Tokyo but from near Kobe and Nara, which are older parts of Japan. IMHO I don't think Tokyo people have the time to vacation or do ESL vacations. Perhaps they are too busy trying to make a good impression at home on the tourists.
IMHO it too may be rare to have visitors from the Inland Sea area (Shikoku) and southern Japan because they tend to prefer Europe or Hawaii. As well, the insular nature of Shikoku-jin may tend to make them seem shy, though I can imagine the few Catholics would be hooked on Rome.
Getting back to accents, in Japan, the accents are called -beni ie Tokyo-beni, and are due to influence and intermixing of Korean and Chinese and even European languages on Japanese in a given area.
E.g. Kagoshima-beni has adopted European and English words. As well, various adverbs, verbs and suffixes are distinct to a region, city or district. Part of this was to done to code-talk so villagers would discuss matters openly in front of their overlords who spoke the same language as their masters i.e. a Shogun born in the southern region would speak in southern dialect at home but speak in court language in Kyoto. If he wanted to discuss something personal with one of his loyal retainers, then he might switch to beni, provided that the Emperor did not employ spies from the same village as the Shogun to eavesdrop.
As well, there is a variant of Tokyo-beni that the kids there are rapidly evolving into a dialect distinct from standard beni. Over here, we call it "street slang", and the roughest equivalence would be "gangsta talk". One of its endearing qualities is almost every phrase sounds like a challenge because of the sentence ending: wakari-masu ka? (do you understand?) becomes wakaru de ya? or wakaru de yo? Also, English words are incorporated, sometimes in amusing ways foreign to Westerners. Indeed, the swear word "fuck" does not have the same emotional impact on Japanese ears as it does on Westerners sensitized to its meaning.
Anyways, after modernization (1853), dialect no longer determined where the average Japanese will end up as it did 2000+ years previously, prior to seclusion in the 17th Century. Though, Tokyo gossips will still pretend Kagoshima beni is incomprehensible and the people rude, ignoring the fact that it's easy to distinguish a Tokyo rube in Nagasaki from a native when he opens his mouth.
Overall though, it's all music to my ears, and I take special joy in enjoying the music of beni-shaberu (colloquial chatter) when travelling to and from the city.
20080110
The Challenges of Japanese on Computers
After studying the Japanese character challenge in Terminal and Konsole, I've noticed that Kterm displays Japanese well, despite the annoying fact that desktop entries for applications may have descriptions that are displayed perfected in UTF-8 format without problems.
As a consequence of my research, here are several things I've discovered about Japanese and computers:
Most Japanese using computers use several programs together that help them write in Japanese. This consists of typing in Romaji, which one program recognizes and translates into both Kanji and Hiragana, but very litttle Katakana, which is reserved for transliteration of foreign words. To conserve typing, most words rendered as Katakana in Japanese retain their foreign spelling (as best as the particular Japanese writer can muster, based on whether they graduated from an ESL cram school). So, technically Japanese compuer enthusiasts actually write in ASCII character sets (charsets) but it gets translated into one of four charsets - Shift-JIS, EUC-JP, JIS-7 or ISO 2022-JP. As well there is Unicode.
When W3M or Links2 displays text, it isn't in UTF-8. It's ISO 8859-1.
Most applications that run in the BASH shell will display correctly if they have an option to use alternate character sets such as 8859-1, which may be programmed into the particular application, though with l10n, by installing more than just English, the font manager will translate fonts to be displayed in UTF-8.
Links2 does not correctly use UTF-8 and is based on 8859-1. It needs a UTF-8 upgrade, or at least, the current version I got for Dapper is not working.
I have also discovered that several apps (pyDict) isn't set to display as UTF-8.
As a consequence of my research, here are several things I've discovered about Japanese and computers:
Most Japanese using computers use several programs together that help them write in Japanese. This consists of typing in Romaji, which one program recognizes and translates into both Kanji and Hiragana, but very litttle Katakana, which is reserved for transliteration of foreign words. To conserve typing, most words rendered as Katakana in Japanese retain their foreign spelling (as best as the particular Japanese writer can muster, based on whether they graduated from an ESL cram school). So, technically Japanese compuer enthusiasts actually write in ASCII character sets (charsets) but it gets translated into one of four charsets - Shift-JIS, EUC-JP, JIS-7 or ISO 2022-JP. As well there is Unicode.
When W3M or Links2 displays text, it isn't in UTF-8. It's ISO 8859-1.
Most applications that run in the BASH shell will display correctly if they have an option to use alternate character sets such as 8859-1, which may be programmed into the particular application, though with l10n, by installing more than just English, the font manager will translate fonts to be displayed in UTF-8.
Links2 does not correctly use UTF-8 and is based on 8859-1. It needs a UTF-8 upgrade, or at least, the current version I got for Dapper is not working.
I have also discovered that several apps (pyDict) isn't set to display as UTF-8.
20070923
Amatsu Kami: the Story of Amaterasu and Susano-o - poem
Susano-o, Storm God.Susano-o, Thunder God
He of Destruction,
he who shits under his sister Amaterasu's throne.
Desecrator of the weaving room,
he that threw the flayed horse's corpse.
Amaterasu:
I don't trust you, you shout too loud
your very actions offend my sensibilities.
Now you come to my home,
claiming you mean no harm.
but I am wary,
I don't trust you, you shout too loud!
Your very actions offend my sensibilities.
Susano-o:
My sister, I promise to undergo
a ritual test to prove my goodwill.
I shall give birth, and if my intentions
are peaceful, then they'll all be boys.
Amaterasu grabs Susano-o's sword,
breaks it with her teeth, spitting out three pieces,
which upon striking the ground become goddesses.
Susano-o:
O sister dearest, may I have some
of your precious jewels?
Amaterasu:
Here are five of my jewels for you.
Susano-o cracks the five jewels open
and makes them into gods.
Growing wild with excitement
at his creative feat, he tore throughout
the world destroying everything
in his path, and he shat under
his sister's throne - O! What sacrilege!
Later, he made his way into
her quarters, and threw
a flayed horse's corpse
through the roof of her weaving room.
Startled by the commotion,
Amaterasu's faithful companion
pricked herself and died.
Amaterasu:
The world's gone mad!
My dearest friend is dead.
It's time for me to hide in this dark cave.
Without the sun, the entire world
is blanketed with unending darkness.
Desperate for their queen's light,
eight million gods and goddesses
gathered and called out:
"Please return, Queen of the Sun!
We're lost in this darkness.
It is so cold and lonely without your light!"
Sadly, the Queen heard not their pleas,
and stayed in her cave, pining for her friend.
When darkness spread throughout the world,
Susano-o realized the harm that he had done.
So he put on women's clothing
and emerged as Uzume the shamaness,
the goddess of merrimaking, and
put on a naughty show for everyone.
She turned over a washtub, and
climbed on top, and began to dance,
singing loudly and screaming bawdy remarks.
Soon, she lifted up her kimono to
reveal manly parts to the delight of
the gods and goddesses,
who began to shout with delight.
Amaterasu:
What's that commotion?
What's going on?
Susano-o:
We have found a better goddess
than the sun itself.
Provoked and curious,
Amaterasu opened the door
of her cave just a crack.
She saw a mirror and
seeing herself reflected
but never having seen her own beauty,
is transfixed and dazzled by it.
All the other gods and goddesses
grab the door and pull it open.
Amaterasu:
I have returned to warm
the winter-weary earth.
Mounted again on her heavenly throne,
the Queen of Light, the Sun Goddess herself,
turned to the gods and goddeses...
Amaterasu:
Bind my brother and hold him fast.
Pull out his fingernails and toenails
as punishment for his evil deeds.
Then throw him out of here!
Thus punished, the God of Destruction
departed for this earthly domain.
When winter comes once a year,
we all know who to blame.
Susano-o, Storm God.
Susano-o, Thunder God
He of Destruction,
he who shits under his sister's throne.
Desecrator of the weaving room,
he that threw the flayed horse's corpse.
Reference:
Shinto: Susano-o in drag. as Ameno-uzumé: http://www.nihonbunka.com/shinto/blog/archives/000055.html
20070830
Japanese is the Heart of My Soul (poem)
where I go,
washa ga zenzen ikemasen.
whatever I do,
washa no kimochi
ga wakarimasen.
I don't feel OK alone.
I feel alright with you.
Much of my heart wo eigo
ga wakarimasu, but Nihongo
is the mother of my soul.
Oh...
when I smile;
washa ga zenzen asubomasen.
how can I play?
anata no kimochi
I cannot fathom at all.
Do I know you very well?
Much of my heart wo eigo
ga wakarimasu, but Nihongo
is the mother of my soul.
Ah...
Chotte made kudasai,
but don't wait on me,
just wait for me.
Washa no passion
oboette de yo?
We are alike, you and I.
Much of my heart wo eigo
ga wakarimasu, but Nihongo
is the mother of my soul.
Oh...
Anata ga totemo ii,
I like you very much.
Washa no genki ga deshita,
so we get along nice.
Konomama ga zenzen irimasen,
at least for now, I think.
where I go,
washa ga zenzen ikemasen.
whatever I do,
washa no kimochi
ga wakarimasen.
I don't feel OK alone.
I feel alright with you.
where I go,
washa ga zenzen ikemasen.
whatever I do,
washa no kimochi
ga wakarimasen.
I don't feel OK alone.
I feel alright with you.
washa ga zenzen ikemasen.
whatever I do,
washa no kimochi
ga wakarimasen.
I don't feel OK alone.
I feel alright with you.
Much of my heart wo eigo
ga wakarimasu, but Nihongo
is the mother of my soul.
Oh...
when I smile;
washa ga zenzen asubomasen.
how can I play?
anata no kimochi
I cannot fathom at all.
Do I know you very well?
Much of my heart wo eigo
ga wakarimasu, but Nihongo
is the mother of my soul.
Ah...
Chotte made kudasai,
but don't wait on me,
just wait for me.
Washa no passion
oboette de yo?
We are alike, you and I.
Much of my heart wo eigo
ga wakarimasu, but Nihongo
is the mother of my soul.
Oh...
Anata ga totemo ii,
I like you very much.
Washa no genki ga deshita,
so we get along nice.
Konomama ga zenzen irimasen,
at least for now, I think.
where I go,
washa ga zenzen ikemasen.
whatever I do,
washa no kimochi
ga wakarimasen.
I don't feel OK alone.
I feel alright with you.
where I go,
washa ga zenzen ikemasen.
whatever I do,
washa no kimochi
ga wakarimasen.
I don't feel OK alone.
I feel alright with you.
20070828
An Ancient Unconditional Love (poem)
It has been said
that the Japanese are
descended of the gods;
this refers to kami,
the spiritual ancestors
of all Japanese.
In essense, it is but love unconditional.
Westerners know such love as "God".
In choosing my path,
love unconditional clothes me,
nourishes me, soothes me,
and brings peace to me.
Although it may appear
that my ego talking,
this is all due
to convention of language;
there is no sense of I,
me or mine involved.
There is only love unconditional.
that the Japanese are
descended of the gods;
this refers to kami,
the spiritual ancestors
of all Japanese.
In essense, it is but love unconditional.
Westerners know such love as "God".
In choosing my path,
love unconditional clothes me,
nourishes me, soothes me,
and brings peace to me.
Although it may appear
that my ego talking,
this is all due
to convention of language;
there is no sense of I,
me or mine involved.
There is only love unconditional.
20070226
Pure Land Sects bring salvation to the masses
The Jodo-shu and Jodo-Shinshu sects (Pure Land Sects) were founded by Honen Shonin (1133 - 1212) and his disciple Shinran (1173 - 1262), respectfully. Both taught that anyone, whether noble or peasant, could attain salvation by faithfully reciting the name of Amida Buddha -- chanting the invocation "Namu Amida Butsu" with devotion would lead to rebirth in the Pure Land Paradise. The rapid spread in popularity of the Pure Land sects was a serious challenge to the institutionalized Buddhist monestaries of that day, who responded by condemning Honen and his followers to exile.
Shinran, Honen's disciple, continued to challenge the existing Buddhist authorities by declaring that meat-eating and matrimony were not contrary to the teachings of the Buddha (at the time, neither acts were allowed by the reigning Buddhist powers).
By stressing pure and simple faith over complicated rites and doctrines, and by allowing believers to enjoy worldly benefits with the promise of salvation in the afterlife, the Pure Land gained widespread popularity among the peasantry. Today, the Jodo-Shinshu sect, along with the Nichiren Sect (also founded in Kamakura Period), are the two leading sects of Japanese Buddhism.
Shinran, Honen's disciple, continued to challenge the existing Buddhist authorities by declaring that meat-eating and matrimony were not contrary to the teachings of the Buddha (at the time, neither acts were allowed by the reigning Buddhist powers).
By stressing pure and simple faith over complicated rites and doctrines, and by allowing believers to enjoy worldly benefits with the promise of salvation in the afterlife, the Pure Land gained widespread popularity among the peasantry. Today, the Jodo-Shinshu sect, along with the Nichiren Sect (also founded in Kamakura Period), are the two leading sects of Japanese Buddhism.
20060302
Material and Spiritual Existence for the Shin Buddhist
In Shinto, there is no faith in the concept of the absolute one god who is the creator of both nature and human beings. The ancient Japanese had never divided material and spiritual existence, but considered that the both were inseparable, seeing everything to be spiritual. -- Jinja Shinto: The Concept of Kami http://www.jinja.or.jp/english/s-4c.html
Likewise too, in Jodo Shinshu - Shin Buddhism - material and spiritual existence are as one.
Though Amida Buddha is the object of worship, He is not the absolute one god and nor does he create both nature and sentient beings.
Rather, Amida made 48 vows which he kept, to create the Buddha world called the Pure Land of Bliss.
Thus the Pure Land has only a spiritual existence i.e. it exists in spirit and has many excellent qualities mentioned in the sutras.
For a Pure Land devotee, the mind purified by devotion to Amida through the Name-that-calls is at one with both material and spiritual existence.
In her heart-mind, the Pure Land of Bliss is here and now.
Likewise too, in Jodo Shinshu - Shin Buddhism - material and spiritual existence are as one.
Though Amida Buddha is the object of worship, He is not the absolute one god and nor does he create both nature and sentient beings.
Rather, Amida made 48 vows which he kept, to create the Buddha world called the Pure Land of Bliss.
Thus the Pure Land has only a spiritual existence i.e. it exists in spirit and has many excellent qualities mentioned in the sutras.
For a Pure Land devotee, the mind purified by devotion to Amida through the Name-that-calls is at one with both material and spiritual existence.
In her heart-mind, the Pure Land of Bliss is here and now.
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