I understand your point, but I would still put forth the arguement that just because you are Japanese doesn’t give you the inate ability to identify what is the “exploitation” of Japanese culture. I think that it’s a “cultural awareness” that allows you to identify this exploitation, and to the extent where it can be used to discern the genuine article, this can be obtained by anyone from any nationality who takes the time to learn it.
There are many Japanese (especially among the younger generation) who couldn’t tell you how to make correct sushi rice, and probably couldn’t tell the difference in taste between a piece of sushi made with sushi rice, or a piece of sushi made with regular Japanese rice. I know many Japanese who can’t name Japan’s two nobel laureates for literature, have never seen “Shichinin no Samurai” or “Tokyo Monogatari”, never tried Kendo, don’t like Nato, are not sure what Inago is, never climbed Mt. Fuji, know the words to “Kimigayo”, know the legend of “Miminashi Hoichi”, read “Genji Monogatari”, or countless other things that are “Japanese”. (How about you?)
It’s easy to identify the most obvious exploitation. I’m fairly confident that even the dumbest American (and there are plenty of them) might say “Whoah, they serve Tempura with ketchup in Japan?” and realize that he’s being had. (However, this probably won’t stop him from enjoying the meal, but many Americans eat like they’re pigs at the trough anyway) It’s obvious to see that Tom Cruise has no business being dressed as a Samurai, and is not ‘The Last Samurai’ (another hint, Samurai don’t twirl their swords.) A little knowledge of the Japanese language, and you’re sitting through agony watching Lucy Liu and Uma Thurman in ‘Kill Bill’ (Just what the hell were they thinking?). “Lost in Translation” certainly has a very stereotypical view of Japan, but then again, at least Bob and Charlotte never pretend to be anything other than oafish self absorbed Americans.
Anyway, back to my point. Just like it doesn’t take a Japanese person to make Japanese food, it also doesn’t take a Japanese person to identify what is truly “Japanese”. (insert Italian, German, French, Lithuanian, etc. into the above sentence.)
So, now, in regards to your statement “The reason why I wrote my essay is because I know how to identify exploitations better than those who are not Japanese.” - tell me, what exactly qualifies you for this? Just being Japanese? Or being aware of your Japanese culture? (By the way, you mentioned that no self respecting Japanese person would use “Fuji” as the name of their business, but there are plenty of businesses in Japan named “Fuji” - Fujiginko, Fujiseiyaku, Fujibunboguten, etc.)
I’m not trying to be antagonistic here, I’m just hoping you could clarify your point a little more, because as it was, it did come off the wrong way. You said you explained it in your first two paragraphs. The sentence that I am particularly intrigued by is “My problem is that I just don’t like people who disrespect the cultures of others, and do nothing but to exploit them.” How can you claim that any of these Chinese restauranteurs who open Japanese restaurants are disrespecting Japanese culture? Maybe they are merely misunderstanding it in their attempt to exploit AMERICANS who can’t tell the difference between good and bad Japanese food?
After all, you’re just as guilty of exploiting Chinese culture with your “War and Peace” http://www.dyske.com/brand/index.php?s=25&p=26 logo. The “ying-yang” symbol is obviously not Japanese, so you’ve co-opted an ancient Chinese symbol for a bit of graphic design. Do you consider it exploitation? Probably not. You’ve also used the American flag http://www.dyske.com/brand/index.php?s=24&p=26 to make a statement, and a very valid one at that, but still, is it exploitation? Many red-blooded Bush loving Americans might take umbrage at your use of their national symbol. (even though they’ve constantly taken the “little red dot” and put it on “cute Japanese t-shirts!” - “Look at me Ma! My shirt has Kanji!”)
You’re in America, the land where exploitation to make a buck is the name of the game. Welcome to capitalism. Try not to get your knickers in a knot over it.
A Random Comment from December 6, 2003
Daisuke,
I understand your point, but I would still put forth the arguement that just because you are Japanese doesn’t give you the inate ability to identify what is the “exploitation” of Japanese culture. I think that it’s a “cultural awareness” that allows you to identify this exploitation, and to the extent where it can be used to discern the genuine article, this can be obtained by anyone from any nationality who takes the time to learn it.
There are many Japanese (especially among the younger generation) who couldn’t tell you how to make correct sushi rice, and probably couldn’t tell the difference in taste between a piece of sushi made with sushi rice, or a piece of sushi made with regular Japanese rice. I know many Japanese who can’t name Japan’s two nobel laureates for literature, have never seen “Shichinin no Samurai” or “Tokyo Monogatari”, never tried Kendo, don’t like Nato, are not sure what Inago is, never climbed Mt. Fuji, know the words to “Kimigayo”, know the legend of “Miminashi Hoichi”, read “Genji Monogatari”, or countless other things that are “Japanese”. (How about you?)
It’s easy to identify the most obvious exploitation. I’m fairly confident that even the dumbest American (and there are plenty of them) might say “Whoah, they serve Tempura with ketchup in Japan?” and realize that he’s being had. (However, this probably won’t stop him from enjoying the meal, but many Americans eat like they’re pigs at the trough anyway) It’s obvious to see that Tom Cruise has no business being dressed as a Samurai, and is not ‘The Last Samurai’ (another hint, Samurai don’t twirl their swords.) A little knowledge of the Japanese language, and you’re sitting through agony watching Lucy Liu and Uma Thurman in ‘Kill Bill’ (Just what the hell were they thinking?). “Lost in Translation” certainly has a very stereotypical view of Japan, but then again, at least Bob and Charlotte never pretend to be anything other than oafish self absorbed Americans.
Anyway, back to my point. Just like it doesn’t take a Japanese person to make Japanese food, it also doesn’t take a Japanese person to identify what is truly “Japanese”. (insert Italian, German, French, Lithuanian, etc. into the above sentence.)
So, now, in regards to your statement “The reason why I wrote my essay is because I know how to identify exploitations better than those who are not Japanese.” - tell me, what exactly qualifies you for this? Just being Japanese? Or being aware of your Japanese culture? (By the way, you mentioned that no self respecting Japanese person would use “Fuji” as the name of their business, but there are plenty of businesses in Japan named “Fuji” - Fujiginko, Fujiseiyaku, Fujibunboguten, etc.)
I’m not trying to be antagonistic here, I’m just hoping you could clarify your point a little more, because as it was, it did come off the wrong way. You said you explained it in your first two paragraphs. The sentence that I am particularly intrigued by is “My problem is that I just don’t like people who disrespect the cultures of others, and do nothing but to exploit them.” How can you claim that any of these Chinese restauranteurs who open Japanese restaurants are disrespecting Japanese culture? Maybe they are merely misunderstanding it in their attempt to exploit AMERICANS who can’t tell the difference between good and bad Japanese food?
After all, you’re just as guilty of exploiting Chinese culture with your “War and Peace” http://www.dyske.com/brand/index.php?s=25&p=26 logo. The “ying-yang” symbol is obviously not Japanese, so you’ve co-opted an ancient Chinese symbol for a bit of graphic design. Do you consider it exploitation? Probably not. You’ve also used the American flag http://www.dyske.com/brand/index.php?s=24&p=26 to make a statement, and a very valid one at that, but still, is it exploitation? Many red-blooded Bush loving Americans might take umbrage at your use of their national symbol. (even though they’ve constantly taken the “little red dot” and put it on “cute Japanese t-shirts!” - “Look at me Ma! My shirt has Kanji!”)
You’re in America, the land where exploitation to make a buck is the name of the game. Welcome to capitalism. Try not to get your knickers in a knot over it.