The other day, I saw an advertisement in a brochure saying that Central Shopping Mall is holding the Authentic Japan Fair known as the Matsuri Festival. The fair showcases traditional arts, dances and ceremonies, music and street culture of modern day Japan. The festival spans across three weeks. There are three categories to this festival, namely Cultural Week, Fashion Week, Music and Dance Week. Each week offers a wide array of interesting activities for the public.
Just by looking at the brochure, I noticed that whereas each week offers very different activities (like cosplay and Singapore Japanese Idol), traditional activities like Origami Workshop, Tea Ceremony and Japanese flower arrangement are available throughout the whole of three weeks. This shows that although Japan is a fast-evolving nation with its wondrous array of popular culture, it still values and regards its traditional culture highly.
This Authentic Japan Fair is targeted mainly at non-Japanese, since Japanese would already have known about their culture well enough. All the activities in the fair allow foreigners like us to get a glimpse of Japanese culture and the exquisiteness of its traditional culture.
Being an “outsider” of Japanese culture, I was curious to find out more about Japan’s traditional culture, so I attended the Tea Ceremony this evening. I noticed many fascinated faces around me during the tea ceremony, which was demonstrated by a Japanese lady in Kimono on a stage laid with Tatami, a straw matting commonly used in a Japanese house. I always have the perception that Japanese culture bears a large resemblance to Chinese culture, so I had assumed that the steps in the Japanese and Chinese tea ceremony should be more or less the same, however I realise that the two cultures, although share similarity in some aspects, are actually largely different.
I observed that the steps in the tea ceremony were very particular; every step was deliberate and exact and they exude some form of cultured elegance. The tea ceremony also reflects about the Japanese culture in general--that Japanese are very particular about details. The tea ceremony was very silent and implicit. As an “outsider” of the culture; one may not understand the different steps in the ceremony just by watching it. For the purpose of the public to understand, there was an explainer at the side of the stage to explain the various steps while the tea ceremony was ongoing on stage. We can infer from here that Japan culture is a high context one—subtle cues are more important than actual words spoken. Japanese see explicit communication style as rude, coarse and insensitive. In eastern culture especially, more things are left unsaid and many a times, it is up to the viewer to figure out by themselves what is happening.
No matter how many activities are lined up in this festival, it only provides a brief glimpse of the Japanese culture. One may not fully understand about another culture just by watching it, especially for high context culture. In this fair, only a few aspects of the Japanese culture are portrayed at best. For one to fully understand another culture, one has to immerse himself in the local community for quite a long period of time.
We tend to perceive and interpret other culture from our own culture’s perspective. As a result, we may form stereotypes about certain cultures. We also like to draw conclusions based on the few things we noticed about the culture. Actually, aspects to any culture are more than meets the eye. In order to enhance understanding about other’s culture, we need to keep an open mind and understand the culture in its entirety and not in parts only.
Just by looking at the brochure, I noticed that whereas each week offers very different activities (like cosplay and Singapore Japanese Idol), traditional activities like Origami Workshop, Tea Ceremony and Japanese flower arrangement are available throughout the whole of three weeks. This shows that although Japan is a fast-evolving nation with its wondrous array of popular culture, it still values and regards its traditional culture highly.
This Authentic Japan Fair is targeted mainly at non-Japanese, since Japanese would already have known about their culture well enough. All the activities in the fair allow foreigners like us to get a glimpse of Japanese culture and the exquisiteness of its traditional culture.
Being an “outsider” of Japanese culture, I was curious to find out more about Japan’s traditional culture, so I attended the Tea Ceremony this evening. I noticed many fascinated faces around me during the tea ceremony, which was demonstrated by a Japanese lady in Kimono on a stage laid with Tatami, a straw matting commonly used in a Japanese house. I always have the perception that Japanese culture bears a large resemblance to Chinese culture, so I had assumed that the steps in the Japanese and Chinese tea ceremony should be more or less the same, however I realise that the two cultures, although share similarity in some aspects, are actually largely different.
I observed that the steps in the tea ceremony were very particular; every step was deliberate and exact and they exude some form of cultured elegance. The tea ceremony also reflects about the Japanese culture in general--that Japanese are very particular about details. The tea ceremony was very silent and implicit. As an “outsider” of the culture; one may not understand the different steps in the ceremony just by watching it. For the purpose of the public to understand, there was an explainer at the side of the stage to explain the various steps while the tea ceremony was ongoing on stage. We can infer from here that Japan culture is a high context one—subtle cues are more important than actual words spoken. Japanese see explicit communication style as rude, coarse and insensitive. In eastern culture especially, more things are left unsaid and many a times, it is up to the viewer to figure out by themselves what is happening.
No matter how many activities are lined up in this festival, it only provides a brief glimpse of the Japanese culture. One may not fully understand about another culture just by watching it, especially for high context culture. In this fair, only a few aspects of the Japanese culture are portrayed at best. For one to fully understand another culture, one has to immerse himself in the local community for quite a long period of time.
We tend to perceive and interpret other culture from our own culture’s perspective. As a result, we may form stereotypes about certain cultures. We also like to draw conclusions based on the few things we noticed about the culture. Actually, aspects to any culture are more than meets the eye. In order to enhance understanding about other’s culture, we need to keep an open mind and understand the culture in its entirety and not in parts only.
4 comments:
I agree with u that we shall "understand culture in its entirety and not in parts only". However, due to our hectic lifestyle, we have very little time left to truly experience culture in its entirety. Don't you think so too?
Modernisation vs Culture-Which one shall we embrace more? Is it possible to have them both? Perhaps what is more important is to cultivate an open-minded attitude. :)
I agree to a large extent with what you have said about stereotyping other cultures, and the complex intricacy of the Japanese culture.
Japanese society has its rites, so do the Chinese. Despite the fact that both cultures are linked by History and origin, during evolution, practises and the way of life have changed. Therefore, it is right to say "however I realise that the two cultures, although share similarity in some aspects, are actually largely different."
I personally think that one must not only "fully understand another culture, one has to immerse himself in the local community for quite a long period of time.", but must also understand why the culture operates in such a way, evolution and history of the culture. Lastly he must understand and be able to evaluate the reasoning of the culture's and the society's thinking. Only then will he get full understanding.
I think this piece of yours was quite well written. Keep up the good work!
I am a big fan of Japanese culture...in fact, I have been to the Land of the Rising Sun twice in consecutive years...my parents thought I was crazy but I think Japan is a great place to visit and to live in...the people are simply amazing...they have this drive and passion, be it work, play or food...imagine...in Singapore, a cleaner is typically middle aged...people usually associate the job with low income and long working hours...in Japan, you see teenagers doing most of these jobs...I once saw a young attractive female in heavy make-up cleaning the shopping mall floor on a mopping cart (it is like a mini car with bristles below it)...when you go Mac, the staff looks like they are better off behind make-up counters...they are THAT pretty...what I want to say is instead of going to such fairs...there is a better way to experience Japan...start saving your Yen ($1.50 will get you 100 yen)
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