2007年11月1日木曜日

HOMEWORK#1

1. Reflecting about today's class:Today we discussed the Japanese concept of "wrapping". Do you agree with the web site's description?What do you do that can be called "wrapping"? Give examples and reasons for your actions.

I agree with the opinion on the web site we saw at the class. Actually, almost all Japanese have the habit that can be called "wrapping".

Tatemae and Honnne, that is to say, public and private are separated in Japan. Tatemae is one of "wrappings". It comes from the virtue that Japanese culture has. People perceive "wrapping" as virtue.

For instance, Japanese try to intimate when they offer something or say some bad things or recommend something, but make a strong statement. Japanese is not good at saying straightly. They always concern how others think about them. This sense affects even the manner of speaking. I always use the phrase ~kamo or ~nai? when I want someone to make a change to another side, inspite of my certainty that the another side is better. I never tell someone he or she must change his or her mind.



2. Preparation for the next class "Death and Funerals" Answer these questions in your blog;

a. Where do you go when you die?

I'm not sure where I'll go when I die. It's said that people go to the heaven or the hell after they died, but this saying is without credibility. Nobody knows where dead men went, because dead men can't tell living people where they are. However, I just want to trust that people who did right thing while they were alive will go to the heaven. That's because I hope that I can be rewarded someday.

b. Explain why do Japanese have death memorial services 1 month, 1 year, 3 years, 7 years, etc. after a person's death?

The reason why Japanese have death memorial services is from Buddhism of India. There is the idea of transmigration, samsara in India. But now, Japanese have the services as customary. I think almost all Japanese don't know why the services are held. It became one of some events. Japanese just greet ancestors at the seremony.

5 件のコメント:

sunny さんのコメント...

Hi, ddcgc donardo! Nice to meet you. I think so, too. Japanese people always say ~kamo or ~jyanai? I think we are worried about having different idea with friends. we like to make groups or community and sympathize each other. we don't like fighting, I think. IF YOU HAVE A DIFFERENT OPINION WITH YOUR FRIENDS, YOU FIGHT THEM? YOU SYMPATHIZE?

ddcgc donardo さんのコメント...

Dear SUNNY,
Thank you for your comment to my blog. If I had a different opinion from my friends, I wouldn't try to fight with them. I think I try to avoid fighting as far as possible.

Carrie さんのコメント...

I agree with you. The concept of wrapping is a Japanese virtue. Japanese tend to think that it is good that they wrap their opinion with some soft words. But I don't think it's good. I want to know my friend's mind and I want them to know my mind. If I have a different opinion, I want to talk over it.

ddcgc donardo さんのコメント...

I think that it's necessary to talk with others heart to heart.
I believe people get to know each other through conversations again and again.

spagetti さんのコメント...

We may be different from a Japanese friend in how to contact for the friend other countries. Because the reason is because we decline.Japanese thinks that oneself thinks once before saying.It is not a too good thing.