TOP UPDATES FOUR PILLARS CINEMA/TV GAMES MANGA/ANIME MUSIC WRITINGS FAQ LINKS
TOP UPDATES FOUR PILLARS CINEMA/TV GAMES MANGA/ANIME MUSIC WRITINGS FAQ LINKS
I lived in Japan for six years. I speak the language semi-fluently (I have N1 on the JLPT, but my skill wavers if I don't keep practicing it). I love a lot of things about Japan, its culture, its society, etc. But when you immerse yourself in a country like that, it becomes less and less appropriate to say that you "love" it as a whole. This sounds contradictory. But it is not. When you are genuinely in contact with a culture, you come to know its variety and find your own niche within it. So I see myself more and more as an advocate and devotee of certain traditions which are instantiated most purely in Japan, but not necessarily limited to them. I would say that really it can be boiled down to five things:
＊Spiritual traditions based on nature-worship and the ineffable
＊Strong emphasis of "public" decorum and tact
＊Strong emphasis of "private" freedom and creativity
＊Lack of shame over sexuality and sensuality in all forms
＊Cute girls
Honestly, just consult DJTGuide. I started learning before this existed, but I haven't seen anything there I disagree with. All I can say is don't get filtered by memorizing kana (90% stop there), use mnemonics wherever you can, and develop your inner kanji otaku (because they're pretty cool when you get down to it). And yes, your understanding of the culture and language influence each other to a great degree. So I think you will inevitably want to learn it if you are at all interested in the culture.
＊Japanese deodorant SUCKS. If you are of European background or any other background that gets any kind of body odor from your armpits, their deodorant will do fuck all for you. My advice: Bulk up on deodorant from home and bring it with you (especially if you're going during the summer because you'll be sweating a lot). If you're going to be living over there long-term, bulk-order it online. Use Amazon if you have to. You really don't want to be thought of as smelly in Japan because they have superhuman smell over there.
＊In general, dress better than you're used to dressing. Dress like you have a job interview. People there are very stylish and you don't want to feel like a slob in comparison. Of course, it's not like you can't wear shorts or a t-shirt in the summer (you really don't want to sweat more than you have to, see above). You just have to do so in a way that looks neat and proper. I hate "fashion" and find all this to be very annoying. But I still do it.
＊Don't eat or drink while walking. This is considered rude. If you want to eat or drink, pause and finish it in one spot. Yes, you are supposed to do this even though there are vending machines on every corner! It's not bad though. It's a nice moment of pause and reflection in the middle of the hustle and bustle.
＊There are very few trash cans on public streets or restaurants. Be prepared to dispose of your own empty bottles when needed, including ones you get from a vending machine.
＊Don't use your phone in public if you can help it. There's a good chance you'll have to at some point, but just don't do it loudly or on a bus or train. If you need to take a call, go to a quiet corner or alley if possible.
＊Do your best to not talk very much in trains and especially in buses. If you do have to talk, do so quietly. Definitely NEVER use your phone.
＊Buses and subways can be hectic, especially in big cities like Toukyou. Be ready to move fast. Make sure you're not obstructing lines or standing in the middle of places. Get to a corner or wall if you need a moment to pause and check anything.
＊Don't film anyone, especially children. Really, if you are reading this site, you probably wouldn't be the type of person to film a TikTok (I would hope). If you film yourself doing a TikTok dance on a subway you should be impaled.
＊Be on excellent behavior at shrines and temples. First, know the difference and use the right terminology. A SHRINE is a Shintou establishment which enshrines and houses native Japanese kami (gods). A TEMPLE is a Buddhist establishment which is meant for Buddhist religious practice. This can be confusing since in English we often use the words "shrine" or "temple" interchangeably to refer to ancient Greco-Roman religious sites. But they refer to very different traditions in Japan. Japan is a very syncretic country, so it's not like people will think you are being "blasphemous" if you call a shrine a temple or vice-versa, but it is a step to show respect and what is correct behavior at a shrine is not always so at a temple and vice versa. Mnemonic: SHrines are SHintou.
＊When approaching a shrine, you enter through a torii (the red arch). Walk on the side of the path and avoid the direct middle. The direct middle is reserved for the kami (gods). This applies for the entire path to the main hall of the shrine, but sometimes this is harder to maintain, especially if it's crowded. Before you enter the torii, give a bow. When exiting from the torii, turn back and give a bow on your way out.
＊When you enter a shrine, you have to purify yourself by washing your hands at the
chouzuya (water pavillion). The fancier shrines will have a full setup with a flowing
spout and ladles. When at one of these, take a ladle full of water. You should use
only one ladle-full for the entire process. Then:
1. Hold the ladle in your right hand, pour water into your left palm.
2. Switch the ladle to your left hand, pour water into your right palm.
3. Pour water into your left palm, rinse your mouth with some water from it, but
DO NOT DRINK IT! Let it fall out of your mouth onto the ground in the most discrete
way you can. Definitely don't "spit" it out making a gross sound or anything.
4. Pour water back onto your left palm again.
5. Turn the ladle upright so that the remaining water rinses the handle.
6. Empty the ladle and put it back.
Some shrines will just have a running spout of water with no ladle. If so, use
your palms as a ladle to the best you can.
＊You are encouraged to make a prayer at the shrine. This is the way it works:
1. Bow twice
2. Throw in a coin (optional) [Any coin is fine, but it's best to only do one.
It's impolite to use it as a place to dump your change!]
3. Clap twice
4. Say your prayer silently (they say that if you don't live there, you should
tell the kami your address in your country so they can find you!)
5. Bow once
＊When you're at a temple, DON'T CLAP! You pretty much do the same ritual if you are making an offering and giving a prayer, but the clapping ritual is for kami, not Buddhas. You'll stick out and look a bit silly if you clap at a temple.
＊YOU WILL SEE JAPANESE PEOPLE BREAKING EVERY ONE OF THESE RULES! It doesn't matter. You still have to follow them. Yes, this is unfair. But life is unfair. And it will only make you look the better for it.