Saturday, January 31, 2015
Swing Girls Response Questions
1. What scene in the movie demonstrated the concept of gamabari?
Having only reviewed the movie once, some of the scenes are still slightly fuzzy. One of the scenes that comes to mind is the one in which the girls try to get instruments to play on. This results in selling a video gaming system/TV/Computer to a pawn shop to be able to afford a saxophone. However, they all decide to get jobs in order to pay for instruments. Another scene that could possibly demonstrate gamabari would be the intense scenes of practicing. The cymbal player did not give up, but pursued the idea of creating a big band ensemble.
2. Do you consider Naomi as a gamabari in terms of losing weight using the muscle stimulator?
Not really, no. I understood gamabari as working so hard that it is unhealthy. I believe that her use of the stimulator was more or less a joke about gamabari. Like a, "I can say I'm working out but I'm really not" kind of thing.
3. Least and most kenkyo?
I'd say that the senior baseball player had the least kenkyo. Due to his arrogance on the field and his "there are two types of people in this world" motto, he ultimately failed his team by striking out. I'd say the person who practiced the idea of kenkyo the most would be the shy trombone player (blanking on her name). Her politeness and timidness eventually helped the band tune their cold instruments at the end. There are two types of people in this world; those who are modest and those who are not.
4. Although the band was honestly having fun discovering their new found talents and love of brass instruments, when the original players came back to reclaim their spots, she played it off as never been interested in the first place. I believe she lied because the norms of society would push this reaction; never being interested in order to show their dislike for brass, but in reality, they enjoyed it all along due to an interior intention/motive.
5. Gamabari seems to always be a constant. To work hard and enjoy it or to work hard and not enjoy it. I think once a passion is finally discovered (in this instance, big band jazz), they will pursue it until they are experts.
6. I think I would end this movie with a romantic comedy twist. Without the working drive behind the band, they will all fail and end up falling in love with each other. The guitar players and the junkyard guys, the math professor and conductor, and the piano player and saxophone player.
7. I'd say that amae is present between students and teachers from the beginning of the movie. For example, the math teacher allows the students to take the movies to the band and by doing so, the band got sick. Because the band was sick, they all felt inclined to help them out and replace them. It seems to be a sense of obligation or guilt.
8. I think the concept I'm having the most difficulty in understanding is amae. Is it an obligation to do good things? Is it a guilty feeling? Inner and outer circles? The only thing I can compare it to is the saying "treat others how you'd like to be treated".
Monday, January 26, 2015
Take it Easy; Don't Gamabari
Blog #3 Gamabari, Kenkyo, Amae, and Honne to Tatemae.
The work ethic in America always seems to factor in a break of some sorts. When I worked at Target, I was given two fifteen minute breaks and a half an hour lunch. At Starbucks I get one ten minute break and one half an hour (shifts over 6 hours). However, the idea of gamabari seems to be the direct opposite. "The Japanese are often said to be diligent, sometimes to the point of being workaholic" (Page 83). The term gamabari means more or less to work diligently and to do your best and to hang on. This can lead to negative effects, though, as the quote "all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy" is an American saying which basically means to take a break and gather energy to finish your work.
In Japan, the equivalent opposite is "The monk who does not work should not eat", which means if you don't put the work in, you shouldn't reap any rewards or benefits. Free time is a concept widely known upon American culture, mainly in college students who require free time to recuperate after an exam or several blog writings. The Japanese on the other hand "tend to think that having free time is wasteful, even shameful, and feel uneasy" (Page 85). In our American culture, we are diligent, but to a certain degree. A recent trend, named karoshi, or literally worked to death, results from gamabari.
Being humble and showing humility is something I always pride myself on. It builds respectful character and helps one to keep on going. The saying, "The nail that sticks up gets hammered down" is a prime example of showing modesty; "it is desirable to be modest and polite,even when one is more mature, experienced, and refined than others (Page 143).
In Japan, the equivalent opposite is "The monk who does not work should not eat", which means if you don't put the work in, you shouldn't reap any rewards or benefits. Free time is a concept widely known upon American culture, mainly in college students who require free time to recuperate after an exam or several blog writings. The Japanese on the other hand "tend to think that having free time is wasteful, even shameful, and feel uneasy" (Page 85). In our American culture, we are diligent, but to a certain degree. A recent trend, named karoshi, or literally worked to death, results from gamabari.
Being humble and showing humility is something I always pride myself on. It builds respectful character and helps one to keep on going. The saying, "The nail that sticks up gets hammered down" is a prime example of showing modesty; "it is desirable to be modest and polite,even when one is more mature, experienced, and refined than others (Page 143).
Amaeru (from amae), means to depend and presume upon another's benevolence. Depending on another's will to do good, in other words. Due to this, the sense of guilt in the Japanese way of life is much less, due to looking to others to do well. Lead by example.
Honne to Tatemae is relative to the uchi/soto concept in terms of an inner and outward expression of one's beliefs. Honne is an inner motivation and intention while tatemae entertains the motivations and intentions that are molded and shaped by the majority norms. Honne could be compared to one's intuition or "gut feeling", but the Japanese tend to follow the tatemae way due to the need and desire to maintain the ie and a quarrel-free lifestyle.
Honne to Tatemae is relative to the uchi/soto concept in terms of an inner and outward expression of one's beliefs. Honne is an inner motivation and intention while tatemae entertains the motivations and intentions that are molded and shaped by the majority norms. Honne could be compared to one's intuition or "gut feeling", but the Japanese tend to follow the tatemae way due to the need and desire to maintain the ie and a quarrel-free lifestyle.
Saturday, January 24, 2015
Some Chinmoku Would Be Nice
Blog #1 Aimai, Uchi/Soto, Chinmoku, and Danjyo Kankei.
The concept of aimai, or in other words, a certain "ambiguity", is a staple in Japanese culture. It can be defined as somewhat of a common understanding between people; a communicative element, if you will. In our American culture, we are used to saying what is on our mind; freedom of speech. This can be extrapolated upon in the sense of saying what you want to say when you want without the regards of others which can lead to heated disagreements, debates, and fights. However, in the culture of the Japanese, it seems to be that the only way to maintain a harmony and unity among people was to incorporate and adopt aimai. "They [The Japanese] like and value aimai because they think that it is unnecesary to speak clearly as long as their partner is knowledgeable. To express oneself distinctly carries the assumption that one's partner knows nothing" (p. 11). To be honest, I understand the concept, but I'm sure it would be somewhat strange to me. Their idea of aimai is not about creating awkward situations, but to just show the utmost respect. "...a form of unity [in] which all people aim for the same goal [is] most important for the group and is strictly enforced. This strong group consciousness brings about a feeling of 'in and out'."
Uchi to Soto, or as stated above "in and out", is the custom of keeping a private but open relationship among the community. For instance, as stated on page 218 of "The Japanese Mind", houses are extremely isolated units surrounded by high fences and walls to maintain privacy. However, inside of the house, sliding doors made of paper create the sensation of un-privacy, in order to create a higher family bond. But then again, there is still a distinct separation of inside (uchi) and outside (soto). One of the more important aspects of the uchi to soto relationship is the idea of Ie, or "house". Three characteristics of the ie system helped to inform uchi/soto;
-male dominated
-head of the household was responsible for salaries
-the household was more important than the individuals
In our culture, privacy almost always requires either a bathroom or an island with no one around. Countless developments with houses a foot away from each other pop up constantly and the idea of privacy is much different.
Privacy coincides with silence almost hand in hand. Chinmoku or silence, in Japanese culture, is not a means of disrespect or emptiness/non-intelligence. I'd like to first start with a couple of quotes:
"Thus a man of few words is trusted more than a man of many words."
"The nail that sticks out will be hammered down".
Silence seems to have originated through the idea of "meditation, quietude, and emptying one's mind", based off of Zen Buddhism; "designed to teach that truth cannot be described verbally, but can exist only in silence". Going back to aimai, chinmoku is an important part of keeping things running smoothly during communication. By incorporating silence into conversation, it is a means of showing thought and hesitation before blurting out something ridiculous. "Japanese silence occurs not only in public but also in private interactions, particularly in conjugal relationships, because the couple are in love but too embarrassed to express their feelings in speech."
Danjyo Kankei... not sure exactly what it translates to, but I do know that it has to deal with interactions between males and females within Japanese culture. As mentioned by the Ie, the household is a male-dominated ideal. Even in schooling, the female population received an education in becoming good wives and wise mothers.
"At this time, if women had sexual relations with men other than their husbands, they were punished severely, while men were openly allowed to keep mistresses in order to have sons and maintain the ie system." Growing up in more or less a monogamous culture, the idea of being able to sleep around just to maintain an ideal seems strange. One could question morality here. Women seemed to be more or less objectified to the male population, used exclusively for breeding and/or maintaining the ie. However, more women are getting a higher education and don't need to rely on the finances of a husband. This is resulting in more singular women who can support themselves, a lower birthrate, and a higher average age for first marriages.
The concept of aimai, or in other words, a certain "ambiguity", is a staple in Japanese culture. It can be defined as somewhat of a common understanding between people; a communicative element, if you will. In our American culture, we are used to saying what is on our mind; freedom of speech. This can be extrapolated upon in the sense of saying what you want to say when you want without the regards of others which can lead to heated disagreements, debates, and fights. However, in the culture of the Japanese, it seems to be that the only way to maintain a harmony and unity among people was to incorporate and adopt aimai. "They [The Japanese] like and value aimai because they think that it is unnecesary to speak clearly as long as their partner is knowledgeable. To express oneself distinctly carries the assumption that one's partner knows nothing" (p. 11). To be honest, I understand the concept, but I'm sure it would be somewhat strange to me. Their idea of aimai is not about creating awkward situations, but to just show the utmost respect. "...a form of unity [in] which all people aim for the same goal [is] most important for the group and is strictly enforced. This strong group consciousness brings about a feeling of 'in and out'."
Uchi to Soto, or as stated above "in and out", is the custom of keeping a private but open relationship among the community. For instance, as stated on page 218 of "The Japanese Mind", houses are extremely isolated units surrounded by high fences and walls to maintain privacy. However, inside of the house, sliding doors made of paper create the sensation of un-privacy, in order to create a higher family bond. But then again, there is still a distinct separation of inside (uchi) and outside (soto). One of the more important aspects of the uchi to soto relationship is the idea of Ie, or "house". Three characteristics of the ie system helped to inform uchi/soto;
-male dominated
-head of the household was responsible for salaries
-the household was more important than the individuals
In our culture, privacy almost always requires either a bathroom or an island with no one around. Countless developments with houses a foot away from each other pop up constantly and the idea of privacy is much different.
Privacy coincides with silence almost hand in hand. Chinmoku or silence, in Japanese culture, is not a means of disrespect or emptiness/non-intelligence. I'd like to first start with a couple of quotes:
"Thus a man of few words is trusted more than a man of many words."
"The nail that sticks out will be hammered down".
Silence seems to have originated through the idea of "meditation, quietude, and emptying one's mind", based off of Zen Buddhism; "designed to teach that truth cannot be described verbally, but can exist only in silence". Going back to aimai, chinmoku is an important part of keeping things running smoothly during communication. By incorporating silence into conversation, it is a means of showing thought and hesitation before blurting out something ridiculous. "Japanese silence occurs not only in public but also in private interactions, particularly in conjugal relationships, because the couple are in love but too embarrassed to express their feelings in speech."
Danjyo Kankei... not sure exactly what it translates to, but I do know that it has to deal with interactions between males and females within Japanese culture. As mentioned by the Ie, the household is a male-dominated ideal. Even in schooling, the female population received an education in becoming good wives and wise mothers.
"At this time, if women had sexual relations with men other than their husbands, they were punished severely, while men were openly allowed to keep mistresses in order to have sons and maintain the ie system." Growing up in more or less a monogamous culture, the idea of being able to sleep around just to maintain an ideal seems strange. One could question morality here. Women seemed to be more or less objectified to the male population, used exclusively for breeding and/or maintaining the ie. However, more women are getting a higher education and don't need to rely on the finances of a husband. This is resulting in more singular women who can support themselves, a lower birthrate, and a higher average age for first marriages.
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