Category: Japan

The Japanese concept I saw during sumo wrestling was chinmoku — silence in Japanese communication. Most of the time the Japanese sumo wrestlers were silent, except for the occasional grunt, which is kind of hard to describe. While they were quiet, the audience also had to take care to be quiet at the same time. I think the silence was important for respect for the sumo wrestling rituals, and to show how serious they were about their training.

The first picture is the picture of one of the most interesting things I did all day, which was riding on a ferris wheel. It was the first ferris wheel I have been where itnot only plays music, but you’re able to pick the music you want to listen to on the ferris wheel. It was really tall, so I thought I would be able to see the ocean, but I guess it wasn’t tall enough. It was kind of nerve-wracking to be up that high on the ferris wheel.

The second picture is of when I was at the baseball game. I was never a fan of baseball. I always thought baseball was kind of boring, also, I didn’t know any of the rules. When I went to the Akron Aeros baseball game when I was younger that was the most boring thing I’ve ever done.

But when I went to the Japanese baseball game it was quite different. I actually enjoy the game and had a lot of fun there and was rooting for the home team. I think I enjoyed the game so much because the Japanese audience was really into it with all the cheering and rooting.

When I went to the American baseball game there was not that much cheering or rooting. So I think that’s what got me more into the game. I think Japanese are way more into baseball than Americans are. I think there was a strong sense of Shudan Ishiki —Japanese group conscience with the group cheering and just all around interest in the game. — Blog 11 Leonard Oden

Blog 8 Leonard Oden
The first picture is of the food I made. I think it looks pretty. Really I thought making that was awesome. I would love to do something like that again with even bigger foods. I think if America had something like that the store would make a lot of money. I saw a lot of stores in Japan that I never see in America. I like art and that new form of art was really fun for me.

The second picture I want to share is of Goku dabbin. I thought it was hilarious there was also a picture of vegeta doing the same thing. l didn’t think dabbin was popular in Japan, at least not popular enough to have a T-shirt about it. I guess I was wrong. Another interesting thing is some of the American music I hear play at stores — most Japanese don’t understanding what is being said.

My name is Casey Forshey and I was a part of the study abroad group from The University of Akron that visited Japan for two weeks.

The contents of this post is mostly just an exact copy from posts on the Tumblr blog I used during my trip.  See the original link below to view pictures:

https://www.tumblr.com/blog/caseyjapantripua2016

Blog Post 1: Sumo and Baseball

I think that the one Japanese concept I saw most during the sumo practice was the senpai-kohai relationship. Or perhaps, more specifically, the subordinate relationship between master and student. When the stable master walked into the practice ring, the tension in the air rose noticeably. The subordinate relationship became even more apparent when one of the students appeared to have the duty of setting and returning the master’s mat that the master stretched on. The teacher did as he pleased when not stretching and even appeared to be practicing his golf swing. I would speculate that the student in question is the lowest rank in the stable.

The most interesting thing we did in our free time was explore Tokyo with Danica. We went to an Oriental Bazaar that sold lots of traditional Japanese clothes and accessories. We also got to see an Animate and a Mandarake. Animate is a store chain that exclusively sells anime, manga, video games and merchandise associated with any of those products.  Mandarake was very interesting, as it was in the basement of a building and there was a flashing light at the entrance, kept there I’m told was to keep homeless people from sleeping there at night. Mandarke sells mostly used goods like books and figures and CDs and blu-rays, but they are all kept in very good condition. I’m not sure if Japanese are just better at taking care of their products or if Mandarake is just very picky about what it will take, but almost everything looked brand new.  Most of the books even still had their inserts left in them. To top it all off, we saw a promo van with people pretending to be Sadako both inside and on top of the van.

I, surprisingly, actually enjoyed the baseball game quite a bit. This is really strange because I do not watch sports at all back home. I think that maybe what entertained me the most about the game didn’t even have to do with the actual game itself at all. Everyone just seemed to show so much energy and cheer for their team — it was hard not to feel that energy yourself. I noticed that there was no booing either, so it was a positive energy being shown throughout the game as well. This a lot different than America, where I’ve seen beer cans get thrown onto race car tracks from fans that were irritated about how a race ended.

Blog Post 2: Tokyo and Osaka

Goal trip reflect
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This trip had many goals large and small; however, I was not expecting there to be so many awesome things, places and people. This country keeps to what I have heard, a site and place of beauty and interest. Aside from my personal ones of seeing a Gargoyle concert and seeing friends, it has been most enjoyable. I was able to experience and see so many great art forms, from early Kyoto and Nara architecture to the vast modern uses of typography. The designs are far from just interesting, but inspirational.

The temple stay and Osaka castle were two major excitements of the trip. In my analysis of concepts from the first set of entries one already knew I have a very deep study in the samurai way, Bushido, sengoku jidai, battle of sekigahara and the reunification of Japan. To see the artifacts and relics from 1600, of the main war fought by Tokugawa Ieyasu and Hideyoshi Toyotomi, my mind was blown. The elaborate attire of the greatest samurai and Shoguns, truly breath taking. Each uniform fit and designed for so many warriors. Dying by both families and brothers. It did however intrigue me; most of the warriors documentation was Leyasu’s children, sons. I did not know this, and now paints a bigger picture of the war.

So, all in all, most of my history goals were met, and hopefully I will get some of more of my designer goals accomplished in Tokyo. Much like New York, this city is an ocean of wonderful modern contemporary design. To much more to discover, the trip will go on.

Impact pictures
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This is the deepest person location yet, besides the temple. This may just look like an apartment building to some, but this is the location of Bahama Muse. Behind this door housed many indie bands, and on July 15, 1987, was the location of Gargoyle’s first concert. Silly to some, but this was much like a cradle of my art, my passions. To think that this location is what kindled the flame that burns for over a decade. Little did I know about 7 years before I was born this would be my reason for why I stand in Japan today, why I am blessed with so many friends and a wonderful family. It feels as if part of me has been laid to rest at this door, and another part of me born to live another day. So to that I could say more of just this one spot, but I will leave it with a thank you. I shall return and I will not give up on my passions.

Friends Day #2
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Friends meet up again, and the many concepts I learned. I knew from them that there was different dialects like back in the USA, and with that they taught me “Ookini” is how one says thank you in the Osaka dialect. It was great to try this out and have so many faces light up to a foreigner using this word.

Then, as stated above about the location of Bahama Muse, I learned through that about true wabi-sabi, the building to us should never fall, the wanting to keep this sacred place standing as long as time will tell. This is when shudan ishiki came in to play. Even though there was a language barrier like before. we a had a great time, feeling each other via consciousness and passions it was truly great, this was truly a night of singing, drinking, and just a good time.

Lastly is the concept of Uchi Soto. The feeling of being a foreigner in Japan is thick, people know, but that time with my friends it was a deeper Uchi Soto, it made no difference if we were Japanese or American or whichever. We are Gargoyles that developed our own sect and our own family. With that comes a great day of discovery in the big city of Osaka and tomorrow the land of Tokyo.

Day 3

Friend Day #1

Photo #1
Heading back to Fushimi Inari today with my friend. Experienced a lot, and more in depth than with the group. It was hard with a language barrier, but one thing I learned in class and with my own experience is shudan ishiki. The group consciousness and aimai allowed for the understanding that was at least mutual. It helps to have a common interest and to kinda know how the people are with whom you share that common interest. In a way, it was our own Uchi Soto, but I still feel kind of soto to the group as my nervousness got the better of me on the meeting together. Thus it brings out gambari. Gambari was actually not written about until now, but gambari is the ambition and will to strive. Motivation and determination, but where most do this with education and learning, it is in my soul through many aspects — learning, my art, and even where I want to work. I will not give up easily, and that is the gambari.

Sweet treats
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It was a hike in Fushimi Inari — if we were in better clothes, maybe it would have been a hiking trip. However, it was much enjoyed, and so I was in need of something really cold and sweet. Arriving back to Kyoto station we had experienced culture, now it is a modern experience. Eating of the matcha sweets. It was awesome to watch and listen to my friend try her English and me, with the little Japanese I knew, but we just had fun.

Stone of good fortune.
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On the way behind the shrine there was a stone near it. If one can lift it then and if it’s light it means good luck, something that was interesting. It was a cultural and traditional experience and a heartfelt one. It was great and the back had so much more to see, and it helped to share with someone and experience it together.

Blog post #1

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Cheap printing
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If I have not mentioned before, I am a graphic design student and an illustrator, so, to my surprise, I tend to gravitate toward the books and goods. First, I see a large manga (comic book) of HunterxHunter, and knowledge of these back in the USA run somewhere to 12-25 sometimes 30USD. I look with astonishment that it was only 610 yen (roughly $5.90-$6), the size is that of oversized manga 8″x6″ roughly. The paper quality is that similar to a finer newsprint. Kinda feels 60lb weight, with newspaper tooth, but even so, looking at other books with full color pullout ads and accordion folds are only 510 yen!!!?? It’s crazy but awesome. Unlike in the USA, this is the place for flashy and cheap research.

Good food:
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It seems kinda cliche to say, but the food down here is great. Also glad to see it is as easy as I thought to get rice and soup. With my stomach not being able to tolerate much right now, it really helps to know that I can always get rice. Even at chain restaurants. Photo taken from inside Denny’s. Easy food, great price, plus service is done via a touch screen for seating and party arrangements, and a button at the table for the waiter. Quite advanced.

Typography and logos

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I guess I am surprised to say the least. I knew that there are a lot of vending machines in Japan, but the photo was more catching to my eye at the labels. I was surprised to see so many typographic based logos and identifications. Still overall, Japan seems very illustration dominant, but I guess it depends on what you are looking at and what’s being sold.

Well to a great busy but fun day! \m/

Picture 1

There is difference between Tokyo and Osaka. Osaka is more of a supply and demand with the shopping attractions, yet still feels small enough to actually start a family, while Tokyo is just sooo compacted with people and always something to do. Like eating, playing at the arcade or shopping for electronics, clothes and accessories. I enjoyed Osaka far more than Tokyo, it was more home-like.

Picture 2

The sushi making experience was amazing. It was competitive and informative. I now know how to make sushi on my own and how to make more than one type. It was even more delicious when you prepare and make the dish yourself. I will make sushi even once I’m home.

Picture 3

I thought going to Tokyo Skytree was a great experience. So standing on the glass floor made me feel really small in this huge world. Being so high up didn’t scare me, but it did make me feel alive. Made me feel like I can achieve any and everything. That nothing is too big or too high up to achieve.

The host family was definitely an interesting one. Having not heard anything from my family, I soon learned exactly why. Our host ‘family’ was a single elderly woman living in Kamakura. She had two daughters, who didn’t live with her and a deceased husband. Apart from little phrases that she knew in English like ‘You look pretty,’ ‘How many sisters do you have?,’ and my favorite ‘DANGER,’ she spoke entirely Japanese, to which Amara and I had to figure out everything as to what she was saying (Amara mostly, haha). It wasn’t so much of a culture shock as it was just very interesting. It was exactly how I thought a Japanese household was. She treated us like we were a part of the family. Although she pampered us with many foods and comfy beds, she expected us to help around as well. We helped with cleaning the kitchen after dinner and helping put things away. In the morning she took us on a wonderful trip to her friend’s home, who we later learned to be her ‘kimono teacher.’ They helped us into beautiful yukatas (casual summer kimonos) and we spent the morning trying to figure out how to walk in extremely uncomfortable wooden sandals. I wished we could have spent more time with her – she was an exceedingly wonderful woman and it would have been nice to get to know her a little more.

Karaoke was a blast! I didn’t think I would have as much fun as I did. I normally hate singing, but I have no problem acting and being in front of other people. So dancing around and singing was hilarious for me. Of course I only chose Disney songs for the majority of it because I don’t know many songs to begin with – it was hilarious hearing myself and everyone around me sing along. It was a bonding experience between everyone that was there, definitely. I could tell that the people on the trip who were normally very quiet broke out of their shells and sang as well! It was a great way for all of us to laugh and bond with one another. The social interaction was amazing, especially when the Sophia students came and finally joined us! They were so nice! I talked mostly to Izumi, who I learned was studying English and wanted to come to America in a few years to study. But also, I learned a lot about Rise as well. She was studying nursing and was hoping to graduate in a few years. She was much more outgoing than Izumi, but they both sang on a few songs, which made the experience amazing. They were both so nice. I found them both on Facebook and they told me if I came back to Japan that they would love to hang out again!

In watching the sumo wrestlers’ training, I think I noticed more Shudan Ishiki than anything. It is a Japanese Group Consciousness. Like everything in Japan, it is basically the epicenter of their culture, everyone is very solidified into one group. Though in that vast one group, there are smaller ones – in this case, the sumo wrestlers. They worked as a team, even while the coach was not even present in the area – knowing exactly what to do and with whom to do it. It was very precise, everything they did. We learned that you have to start doing this at a younger age – many start around 16 and go from there. At training, at 6, they work together and then after that, they feast on a large diet and then take a nap. It seems like everything they do, they do together. Not everyone in Japan can be a sumo wrestler, so this group of men seems to be in its own sub group of Japanese people.

There was a lot of Wabi-Sabi represented in the city of Nara. One of them is the many traditional, rustic styled gardens. The gardens are so beautiful, especially the one we visited. Inside were many traditional Japanese plants, like the Japanese maple. And everything seemed to have a story within the garden. Like the back building —one had to duck into a small door to get inside. The reasoning why this was so was because everyone entering the tea room would be on the same level, no one higher than anyone else. This is still used today in the building.

I absolutely love how nice everyone in japan is, but especially the children! Three times now I have been asked by school children if I would answer questions for their English class. They are just learning, but already they sound so great! It is wonderful how brave they are, going up to random strangers, and it makes me so happy that they seem excited for me to help. It was not the group pictured, but rather for one later on that I answered a question for and they gave me an orange origami crane as a thank you for helping. They are all so nice!

There are so many differences between Kyoto and Nara, one of which being the deer. The deer living in Nara have been living in this area for a very long time and every year they have 300 babies, keeping their population very high. They are accustomed to being around people and are not at all afraid, seeing as they bite people’s butts and take papers as snacks. In Kyoto, there are very few wild animals. In my two days in the city, I have seen a multitude of crows, bats, storks and one cat. Besides that, there don’t seem to be very many wild animals in Kyoto, especially in comparison to the 3,000 deer living in Nara.

1. The first stop we made on our bike ride was to a bookstore called Tsutaya. I bought a gacha here.

2. We stopped at the bamboo forest in Arashiyama to take a break and figure out where to go next.

3. You can see Kyoto Tower in the very back of the picture, showing just how far we had ridden into the mountains that day.