Have you already seen any Japanese moive like “Shall We Dance?” I wrote earlier. You know Japanese. I mean how difficult it seems to be for for foreigners. But when you need to talk to Japanese, it is better to say something in Japanese.
Even in Japan, you can start with “HELLO”, or “EXCUSE ME.” They understand the meaning of the words, but it is a little bit hard for them to catch those words with native pronunciation. In the most cases, they react like “What should I do? This foreinger looks like talking to me. I hope he/she will just leave now” Then, they will say, “I’m sorry” or nothing and leave before you get into a subject.
The problem here is that your native pronunciation makes them nervous. Most Japanese people aren’t accustomed to face foreigners in the real world. Even they watch a lot of American movies, bu they change their attitude when they are in situation with real Americans.
So, what should YOU do? Use any Japanese for getting a confortable start with them. But don’t pick wrong words like “Samurai”, “Geisha”, “Fujiyama” or they immediately recognize you as a stupid alian. There is a word having useful plural meanings. It is “Doh-mo.” This word means “Hello (Hi)” “Thank you” “Sorry” and “Good bye.” It expresses a sort of emotion; appreciation, appology, sympathy, and blessing. For the presie of the use you should put something before or after DOH-MO. However it is too much for you anyway at the begining. Just try to use them when you want to talk to Japanese. They will show their smile to you.
9/23/2006
8. Pick Japanese airlines instead!
As you can guess, there are five or more airlines are in service for flying to Japan. Because you are familiar to them, you pick UA or NW to fly there without hesitation. It is a good move when you are gathering mileage from them. However, if you really want to experience Japan in your whole trip, try Japanese airlines instead. I’m not a salesman for them. There is a certain reason for sure.
When someone treats someone, his or her culture background will appear behind their service. It is not only staff like meals. Food in Japanese airlines is pretty much similar to American ones but sushi sometime. However, you start experience “Japan” at the check in counter through the service persons’ attitude. Also, the flight time to Japan is very long like 13 hours and more. Through the hours, you are in the mood of Japanese house totally. The flight attendances are well trained on Japanese etiquette. For example you don’t have to hear loud chitchat behind the brief curtain and nobody forces you to eat during deep sleep. Additionally, there are some visual presentation on the screen in front with Japanese movie, TV show, and news. When you arrive at the terminal of Narita or Kansai, you are ready to step in to true Japan.
The are two pure Japanese airlines which are Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways(ANA). Oh, I almost forget to tell you this. Their mileage plans are linked to UA or AA. So, don’t worry about wasting your mileage.
When someone treats someone, his or her culture background will appear behind their service. It is not only staff like meals. Food in Japanese airlines is pretty much similar to American ones but sushi sometime. However, you start experience “Japan” at the check in counter through the service persons’ attitude. Also, the flight time to Japan is very long like 13 hours and more. Through the hours, you are in the mood of Japanese house totally. The flight attendances are well trained on Japanese etiquette. For example you don’t have to hear loud chitchat behind the brief curtain and nobody forces you to eat during deep sleep. Additionally, there are some visual presentation on the screen in front with Japanese movie, TV show, and news. When you arrive at the terminal of Narita or Kansai, you are ready to step in to true Japan.
The are two pure Japanese airlines which are Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways(ANA). Oh, I almost forget to tell you this. Their mileage plans are linked to UA or AA. So, don’t worry about wasting your mileage.
9/14/2006
7. How to learn Japanese
If you want to learn Japanese and be a practical Japanese speaker, there are many steps to go. The reason is that the Asian language has a totally different grammar structure compared to European languages. Even Chinese has a similar structure to English. Therefore, you can’t think of learning Japanese like leaning Spanish as a second language. However, you don’t feel hopeless before trying anything, because you can start communicating somehow with Japanese people with basic expression. Relax and start leaning Japanese with having some fun.
The serious move for mastering any language is taking classes in a school. Any community collages in big cities have a Japanese class for public. They guide you to a sense of the language quickly. You can also try books, but you go wrong way easily with just understanding composition, because the pronunciation of Japanese is very hard. Without checking with right pronunciation, nobody will understand what you are talking. If you don’t have a chance to hear real pronunciation in classes, you must try other ways. The practical materials are Japanese movies like original “Shall We Dance?” for example. In this case, pick only modern story pieces. As you can guess, samurai period movies talk in old Japanese which makes your Japanese weird in daily use. When you see the movies, pay attention on Japanese accent and sound along side with reading English subtitles. After seeing a couple of movie, you start picking up the rhythm and tempo of Japanese. (To be continued)
The serious move for mastering any language is taking classes in a school. Any community collages in big cities have a Japanese class for public. They guide you to a sense of the language quickly. You can also try books, but you go wrong way easily with just understanding composition, because the pronunciation of Japanese is very hard. Without checking with right pronunciation, nobody will understand what you are talking. If you don’t have a chance to hear real pronunciation in classes, you must try other ways. The practical materials are Japanese movies like original “Shall We Dance?” for example. In this case, pick only modern story pieces. As you can guess, samurai period movies talk in old Japanese which makes your Japanese weird in daily use. When you see the movies, pay attention on Japanese accent and sound along side with reading English subtitles. After seeing a couple of movie, you start picking up the rhythm and tempo of Japanese. (To be continued)
9/11/2006
6. SAMURAI FILM
If you haven’t seen any samurai film before, Akira Kurosawa’s ones must be highly recommended. The films below are satisfaction guaranteed films from his filmography.
1. SEVEN SAMURAI
It’s a world famous Kurosawa film. A bit long, but you learn what samurai spirit is. The criterion collection has just released the new DVD of the film.
2. YOJIMBO
It’s a character driven film. The lead character is very attracted as a heroic type of samurai. It is a well made piece for entertaining anybody. If you like the film, you better check another episode titled SANJURO.
3. THE HIDDEN FORTRESS
It contains both action and comedy. The two comical characters gave George Lucas the idea for C3-PO and R2-D2 in Star Wars.
4. THE THRONE OF BLOOD
The film is based on Shakespeare's 'Macbeth'. It is a dark film, but you can enjoy his artistic sense.
Reminder: They are all Black and White films. SEVEN SAMURAI and THE THRONE OF BLOOD aren’t in Widescreen format.
1. SEVEN SAMURAI
It’s a world famous Kurosawa film. A bit long, but you learn what samurai spirit is. The criterion collection has just released the new DVD of the film.
2. YOJIMBO
It’s a character driven film. The lead character is very attracted as a heroic type of samurai. It is a well made piece for entertaining anybody. If you like the film, you better check another episode titled SANJURO.
3. THE HIDDEN FORTRESS
It contains both action and comedy. The two comical characters gave George Lucas the idea for C3-PO and R2-D2 in Star Wars.
4. THE THRONE OF BLOOD
The film is based on Shakespeare's 'Macbeth'. It is a dark film, but you can enjoy his artistic sense.
Reminder: They are all Black and White films. SEVEN SAMURAI and THE THRONE OF BLOOD aren’t in Widescreen format.
8/31/2006
5. KYOTO
The city is the ex-capital of Japan until Tokugawa moved it to Tokyo called Edo at that time. During the period, Japanese emperors had been living there as a king and pope like figure. Like old cities in Europe, there are so many historical sites and buildings in the city reserved by the government and people. Even during WWII, the US avoided from bombing Kyoto, because of its historical value. When you visit the city, you can feel the air of samurai period through the old temples.
4. TOKYO
It is the most famous place in Japan. It became Japan’s capital right after Tokugawa-era begun. Tokyo is a prefecture name not a city name. “Tokyo prefecture” contains 23 small cities, 26 cities and some towns & villages. The small cities make up the center of Tokyo like New York City for New York State. The population is over 10 million, about 10% of Japanese people, living in the 1400 sq. mile. You can guess how crowed Tokyo is.
3. Where to go in Japan?
There are two choices for a first time visitor. If you want to see the modern figure, you better go to Tokyo. If you want to feel historical atmosphere, your destination is Kyoto. However, you can find something old in Tokyo and new in Kyoto.
2. HISTORY AND CULTURE
The country was started appearing as an organized country 1500 years ago. As you guess, it had been influenced by the neighbors like China and Korea. In the same time, Japan had developed their original style for their culture and custom, because the country is an island country separated from the continent.
They have an original religion, Shinto. It was established a long time ago, and then it became more than a religion. It exists here and there in Japan as culture and custom of the living life. Japanese emperor is an important figure of the religion.
Samurai dominated the country between early 11th century and early 20th century. During the period, different powerful samurai groups governed the large part of the country with the status, “Shogun”, licensed by emperors. However, it was very difficult to control the entire country, so the power balance of samurai groups were instable time to time. Only one shogun family, Tokugawa, could hold its power over all country between 16th century and mid 19th century.
In 1868 the long samurai dominance was ended, because of the pressure from European countries. Some samurai groups with advanced thought took over the sovereignty under the emperor and westernized the style and system of Japan drastically and quickly.
The transformation from medieval to modern was successful. Even though it went through the painful experience of WWII, the county has been one of advanced countries since late 19th century.
They have an original religion, Shinto. It was established a long time ago, and then it became more than a religion. It exists here and there in Japan as culture and custom of the living life. Japanese emperor is an important figure of the religion.
Samurai dominated the country between early 11th century and early 20th century. During the period, different powerful samurai groups governed the large part of the country with the status, “Shogun”, licensed by emperors. However, it was very difficult to control the entire country, so the power balance of samurai groups were instable time to time. Only one shogun family, Tokugawa, could hold its power over all country between 16th century and mid 19th century.
In 1868 the long samurai dominance was ended, because of the pressure from European countries. Some samurai groups with advanced thought took over the sovereignty under the emperor and westernized the style and system of Japan drastically and quickly.
The transformation from medieval to modern was successful. Even though it went through the painful experience of WWII, the county has been one of advanced countries since late 19th century.
1. What is Japan?
Japan is the east edge country in Asia. It contains four big islands and many small islands. The four big islands are named, from the north, Hokkaido, Honshu (biggest), Shikoku, and Kyushu. The population is about 127million. It contains 99% Japanese and 1% others. The largest ethnic group except Japanese is Korean followed by Chinese. The spoken language is Japanese. However, if you are lucky, you find pretty good English speaker in urban areas like Tokyo.
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