Religion is prevalent in many aspects of Japanese culture, even in pop culture. Specifically, religious themes and aesthetics are common in manga, Japanese graphic novels and comic books, or anime, which are animated movies and television shows commonly based on manga. Religion can be weaved into these mediums in various ways to create different effects. For example, religion can be used solely for cosmetic effect, or the story itself could be centered around religion as a plot device. Depending on the intent of the author and the usage, religion can have differing effects on the audience. Some of these effects are very advantageous, but sometimes religion can actually make readers turn away. The different presentations of religion in contemporary…
This document will describe two minority cultural populations living within Washington State, Japanese and Hispanic or Latino, embracing three conventional characteristics, family, arts, and holidays; in addition to similarities and differences, finally, application in the classroom. Japanese Japanese culture is abundant and diverse, dating back to 10,000BC when the Jomon immigrate originally colonized in Japan; it is universally recognized for its traditional arts in addition to its…
suicide issue in the Japanese society was due to their misconceptions of stress. The key to depression is the overwhelming stress that one can face; therefore the misconceptions of stress could very well lead to the general unawareness of depression that the Japanese society possessed. In “ The Nature of Stress” , Selye explained how stress is not necessarily a reaction…
Japanese Kawaii: A Bibliographic Essay The focus of this bibliographic essay is the Japanese idea of kawaii. The term kawaii is generally translated as “cute” in English, but it’s actual meaning in Japan is far wider and more complex. In addition to exploring the extent of the kawaii phenomenon, my research revealed multiple questions or ideas for me to potentially address in my paper. These include the topic of kawaii on Japanese youth, specifically the effect on the identity and self-image of…
materialistic mindset that has grown from the cute movement. The childish mindset valued by kawaii naturally promotes the desires that children have for material things, for example toys, over less tangible but potentially more gratifying things like experiences and relationships. This makes those involved in a kawaii mindset vulnerable to impulse buys, something that companies have realized with the multitude of consumer goods produced to target the cute aesthetic so enjoyed by Japanese youth.…
Since the late 1990's, South Korean popular culture entered the global market via its television series better known as K-drama. The export of Korean dramas sparked off a palpable craze for Korean cultural commodities in early 2000. This popular cultural phenomenon known as the Korean Wave or Hallyu has seen a surge in interest in Korean culture especially through the study of the Korean language and understanding of the culture through travel. In this essay I would like to shed light on how…
Japanese Popular Culture Japanese culture, particularly traditional Japanese culture has plenty of roots in traditional Chinese culture. However, Japanese culture is rich and diverse, dating back to 10,000 BC when the Jomon people first settled in Japan. It is widely known for its traditional arts and its contemporary pop culture. Nowadays in Japan it is still possible to notice kimono-clad women shuffling down the street with umbrellas overhead and oversized sumo wrestlers battling competitors…
In the 1950s, people became more financially stable and things began to change. The post-war baby boom began and modernity made its way into people’s homes. With colored televisions in every living room, new music styles taking over the charts, more families with their own cars, fashion became experimental and new, exciting films were being made – clearly pop culture was evolving. Flora loved his family, maritime culture, trains, world travel, a strong cocktail, jazz and classical music.…
Journeys result in transformation of new insights, experiences, cultures and perspectives. Journeys that are undertaken by individuals display consequences and changes that aid in shaping an individual’s perspective on interpersonal relationships, personal identity and existential outlook. These ideas are exemplified in David Guterson’s novel Snow Falling on Cedars through conflicting perspectives…
wave of Korean pop culture, specifically K-pop and K-dramas have taken off throughout Latin America. Scholarship has recently conducted research on different aspects surrounding the landing of the Korean wave in Central and South America, and this paper will attempt to piece them together to create one cohesive narrative of the spread of Korean culture throughout the region. It will also somewhat focus on the countries of Peru and Brazil, where the effects of the Korean wave can be most felt.…