In Japan a person’s age is determined two ways: firstly, in the usual way, by number of years; secondly, in relative terms, in relation to older or younger siblings and peers. In the family, from kindergarten through to university, then at work and any clubs or other organsations joined, a person is always junior or senior to others, sempai and kohai. In the family this positioning is by age, but elsewhere it can be by age or related to timing of joining. In all cases the older sibling, the earlier joiner, and the more senior person is treated as being in a superior position, so that no … [Read more...]
The People
Personal characteristics As a by-product of the major theme in Japanese education and life in general, that everyone is in a group and all members are equal, modesty and a disinclination to stand out is a most admired characteristic. When called upon to perform a task well within their capability, a Japanese person is likely to self-effacingly exclaim an inability to do it, then proceed with every endeavour to complete the task. This tendency toward self-deprecation is usually most marked in environments involving competition with Western people, unintentionally sounding as though the … [Read more...]
Love Hotels
(This topic is intentionally placed after sport.) To a large extent the term is a misnomer. Containing luxuriously appointed bedrooms with equally opulent and spacious bathrooms, love hotels (rabu hoteru) exist primarily for the purpose of sexual liaisons, most commonly between couples not married to each other, although it is not out of the ordinary for married couples to also treat themselves to the privacy and aural stimulation found within. The most common couple frequenting these establishments is probably a middle-aged business man and a young woman. The love hotel industry was … [Read more...]
Festivals and Public Holidays
Whilst throwbacks of a structural nature to a uniquely Japanese past can be found in the form of temples, shrines, farmhouses and the settings they are in, one of Japan’s endearing characteristics is how its vast number of festivals (matsuri) are still observed and celebrated year after year. All major cities and most towns stage at least one festival a year, as does virtually every shrine and temple. These are in addition to festivities held and decorations put on display for seasonal events, such as for cherry blossom season and New Year, creating the impression of a very festive, … [Read more...]
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