Japanese Pop Culture

There is a new fad gaining popularity in Japan today; one that has both influences from the west and Japan's past. This would be the tattoo. To older generations, tattoos were synonymous with Yakuza or other undesirable people. "The shift to tattooing criminals began in earnest around 1720. Facial marking replaced nose and ear amputation as punishment, and tattoos were used to single out criminals as a way of warning others against committing the same crimes."-JapanToday
This in a way helped create organized crime in Japan; by forcing those shunned by society to band together. There were, however two types of people that were allowed to have tattoos. One being men of very high status, the other being people like samurai or firemen, who would often be killed in such ways that they body would not be recognizable by any other means. Even with the influence of western media, where tattoos are popular, many young Japanese still have to deal with the pressures of the old generations. There are still bathhouses which do not allow customers with tattoos and workers must be cover tattoos when on the job as not to give the customer the wrong impression.

Tattoos come into the Mainstream
The Art of Irezumi

The Japanese People

When I first started thinking about this week's topic, I found myself at somewhat of a roadblock. "Japanese People" is a very broad subject and there were so many ways I could go. When I took a step back, I tried to think of what impacts me the most about the Japanese. This would be the difficulties of dealing with an unfamiliar and fairly subtle social structure. When in social situations, I often pay close attention to body language and the tone and choice of words people use to communicate. In America at least, I felt that I was pretty good at reading people's feelings, but here, I often get thrown off. It's not that Japanese people use unspoken communication in any unusual way. It's just different. Since I came to Japan, I have had many Japanese people tell me that my Japanese is very good. When hearing this, I do what is expected when you receive a compliment in Japan. Deny it and say, "Oh, no no, I am not good at all". In reality, I am not so much thinking of this when I respond, more so that my Japanese really is not very good at all. I still do not know if people actually think that I very good or not. Outward appearance is held in high regard here. Is the cashier at the 7/11 really that grateful when she thanks you in one long stream of keigo after purchasing a coffee? No. Probably not, but what is important is appearance. Everything thanks you here. Payphones, elevators, automatic doors, ATMs. I really wouldn't be surprised if a found a toilet that thanked me as well.

On a related note, it is thought that the way Japanese society puts such a high importance on maintaining the internal and external self, certain anti-social behaviors can emerge, such as Hikikomori.
And if you need practice controlling your social awkwardness, you can buy a Miteru Dake DVD.