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Japan
may not have lost its soul
In
fact Japanese society is evolving into a more open society
 By Harald Galda
I read
with interest the article about how
Japan may have lost
its soul. I live in Japan and I have a strong
feeling that traditional Japanese culture
is alive and probably it will survive the 21st century just
like the 20th century. During Meiji Restoration, this
strange "west is best" ideology appeared, but even
in that time traditional culture wasn't destroyed. A kimono
is certainly expensive and difficult to wear so it is used
only for special celebrations or showing it to foreign
tourists (who come to Japan just to see things like that).
But the same applies for business suits - they're only worn
when necessary.
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Who
counts the number of kimonos worn in Kyoto during a year and
how is this number counted? Unless this question is answered,
one can't say "This year less women wore kimonos in Kyoto
than last year".
During
the
cherry
blossom time, there are large crowds of people at almost
every place cherry trees are in. "Tea
ceremony" is an art that takes some time to learn, so
there are people who practice it and people who don't. Unlike
arts of European origin (e.g. playing piano), you can begin to
learn whenever you like - no need to start as a child.
Interestingly, in the tea ceremony group at my university I'm
the only foreigner. |
 When I was in
Kyoto last year I was quite busy visiting shrines, temples, castles, demonstrations of traditional dances shown by maikos
and geikos (In Kyoto, geishas are called "maiko"
who are younger than 16 years or "geiko" who
are16 years or older). I also, of course, enjoyed
Japanese dishes like sushi. After the three weeks I spent
there I was "templed out" and I never thought
"Even in Kyoto, I long for Kyoto".
About disappointed
tourists
in Japan, they just escaped from the chaos and stress of their
own countries, didn't they?
It's not such a
bad thing that you must go to Kyoto, Nikko, Kamakura or Nara
to enjoy the beauty of temples and shrines. First, maintenance
of temples and shrines costs money (paid by visitors, of
course). Second visiting a temple or shrine would cease to be
something special if it could be done everywhere, wouldn't it?
I think we should
compare apples to apples and pears to pears. The fact that
traditional Japanese culture may be disappearing a new one is
emerging that meshes the past with the present in a harmonious
manner. Those who are bored or stressed out will still be able
to find pleasure or relaxation by traditional Japanese things.
Recommended:
Save the
Japanese culture Japanese
in Canada
Culture
shock in Japan
Dissolving
stereotypes of Japan
What
to expect on your trip to Japan?
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