ANTH 215 JAPANESE POP CULTURE

Culture

intellectual achievements likely to be appreciated across various groups

popular

that which many like

popular culture

entertainments that is intended to reach a broad audience or a niche audience using mass production and dissemination

aesthetics analysis of popular culture

popular culture that was mass produced, dealt with sex and cheap violence and featured coarse language and behaviour

sociological analysis of popular culture

cultural tastes were divided according to socioeconomic class

ex) wealthy elites pursued and appreciated “high culture”like piano and violin lessons

ukiyo-e

“pictures of the floating world”

wood block prints

these were not valuable in Japan but were everywhere else

wa (little people)

in reference to Japanese people

originated from Chinese

Yamato (great harmony)

in reference to Japan during the Yamato period 552-710

shintoism

the indigenous religion of Japan

believed in kami

worshipped nature

Amaterasu

the sun goddess kami

kami

spirits/deities

Heian period

794-1185

what happened during the Heian period

importation of Confucian and Buddhist teachings from China

the emperor was sacred and the high priest of Japan

aristocrats indulged in cultural pursuits

samurai collected taxes in the countryside for the elite

aristocratic beauty standards

long block hair

very pale skin (signified that they didn’t have to work or go outside)

layers of clothing (very colourful, more layers meant higher status)

very lean body type

very emotional/sensitive souls

Kamakura period

1192-1333

what happened during the Kamakura period

had the first shogunate

Zen Buddhism is introduced

the final attempt by the emperor and court to establish a supreme authority

shogunate

samurai led government

Zen Buddhism

spiritual foundation of the samurai

minimal lifestyle influenced the tea ceremony, martial arts and attitude towards death (do not fear death)

Muromachi (Ashikaga) period

shogunate HQ moves from Kamakura to Kyoto

rise of samurai socioeconomic status

samurai take cues from elite to rise in status

beginning of house rules and code, tea ceremony

Tokugawa (Edo) period

1603-1868

what happened during the Tokugawa (Edo) period?

Tokugawa shogun reorganizes society (by separating the samurai and commoners) to ensure peace and stability

samurai were forced to make biannual visits to Edo-faiiled to comply led to death of their families and the end of their samurai bloodline

what changes took place in the Tokugawa society

society urbanized

large consumer and artisanal culture

mass literacy among the people

interest in pop culture

Neo-Confucian values of duty and loyalty were admired

Japan was a closed country (foreigners allowed in but citizens denied exit)

Meiji period

1868-1912

Taisho period

1912-1926

Showa period

1926-1989

Hesei period

1989-2019

Reiwa period

2019-present

what is the Meiji Restoration

restored emperor back into position of power

abandoned Chinese influences and roots

turned to western influences while trying to create a distinct Japanese nationality

what is aesthetics (bigaka)

branch of philosophy that deals with taste, beauty (anything that appeals to the senses)

what is aesthetic egalitarianism

appreciation of imperfection, suggestion, minimalism, not just for the fine arts but for every day mundane objects as well

of requires active participation in cultural activities (tea ceremony, martial arts)

mono no aware

emotional sensitivity to the transience of nature (shinto)

mujo/impermanence

“nothing lasts forever and death is inevitable”

Zen inspired aesthetics

wabi-sabi

yugen

engage the senses (suggestion rather than directions)

simplicity and asymmetry

wabi-sabi

worn, faded, neglected

embrace everything not just the new

yugen

profound, mysterious beauty and depth

tea ceremony

soan style tea prctices (firegrass hut)

held in a very small room covered in tatami mats

allowed entry based on knowledge on Japanese made tea utensils and rituals

very simple-not designed for ostentatious displays of wealth

samurai were expected to master tea ceremony and martial arts (earn themselves the moral authority to rule)

tea ceremony after Meiji Restoration

Japan shifts to industrial economy leading the men to become the breadwinners and women homemakers

women were to be proficient in traditional Japanese practice like the tea ceremony and Ikebana (flower arranging)

The Book of Tea - Okakura Kakuzo

to protect and promote Japanese cultural heritage

who was Lafcadio Hern?

a Greek/Irish/Japanese writer and collector of Japanese fold tales and ghost stories. He introduced the west to Japanese literature and culture

what happened to Japan after the war

USA occupies Japan from 1945-1952

Japan forced to demilitarize

military and political leaders taken as war criminals

Japan becomes close allies with USA during Cold War

Article 9

the specification in Japan’s 1947 constitution written by USA stating that Japan is not allowed to have any of army of any sort

cultural diplomacy in post-war Japan

the rebuilding of defeated Japan’s political and economic standing through cultural exports

ex) the promotion of gentle of Japanese culture for global consumption (tea ceremony)

when was Culture Day (bunka no hi) established

1948

reverse course

1948

when some Japanese military officials are put back into positions of power

when does Japan create a word for 'fashion

1948

fasson - comes from French word facon (a way of doing things)

what is the difference between dress, adornment and fashion

dress (clothes) and adornments (accessories) are anthropological terms that detonate what wearers due to their bodies in terms of status, groups, delineations

\
fashion suggests a system of change (new) that is modern and closely tied to capitalism

system where you actively want to look good, buy new things, and care about what others think of you

wafuku

traditional Japanese attire

yofuku

western apparel

Heian-era fashions

full of layers and very colourful

the layers the higher the status

this maximalist style came from China

samurai-era fashion

minimalist style

inclusion of family crest

suitable for outdoors

beginnings of kimono

kosode (short sleeves)

worn in Muromachi era

lack of layers

loss of Hakama (trousers) to required an Obi belt

worn with tabi (white socks)

Rokumeikan

built in Tokyo for entertaining foreign guests

the architecture was of western nature

everyone was required to wear western clothes (dresses, suits)

building no demolished

school uniforms

1880s ministry of education ordered universities to wear uniforms inspired by Prussian military uniforms

girls began wearing uniforms in 1920s

the sailor suit worn by girls inspired by British Royal Navy uniforms

western business suits in Japan

during Meiji Restoration 1891 court first adapts western business suits as a way to appear equal to foreign counterparts and assimilate with western culture

original court dress was associated with China which Japan was trying to erase

western clothes worn for public apperances

kimono was worn by women during private events like weddings

moga (mordern girls)

1920s

a short period of time where young, single wealthy women dressed in western clothes to show off, as well as display their independence (act of rebellion)

aprons

aprons were uniform for women post war - symbol of housewives

Cool Biz Japan

2005 campaign launched by Japanese govt to cut down on A/C costs

rejected by public because business suits are a symbol of professional success

schools of subcultural theory

1960s Birmingham UK \n 1979 Dick Hebdige Chicago

explain Birmingham subcultural theory

tried to explain new youth groups (mods, rockers, skinheads)

were youth and class based \\n desire to resist hegemonic culture

explain dick Hebdige subcultural theory

subcultures form from deviance and usually from the working class

create their own language, dress and rituals

group belonging-one had to be all in

neo-tribes and ‘scenes’

new terms for subcultures

new groups but not considered deviant or subversive

otaku

1983 \n 'New Home' \n comes from an article based off of observing fans at comic market \n a person who is a hardcore fan of science, tech, sci-fi, manga and anime

otaku vs fans

otaku-interest is apart of their identity, hardcore fans

factors in development of otaku

postwar Japan - science, and technology became a part of Japan's national identity

toy manufacturing industry (toys made in companion with anime and manga)

social clubs and media

comic market 1975

annual convention brought fans of anime and manga together

intro to cosplay

attendance to Komiket Market grows and grows

ministry of foreign affairs -popular culture diplomacy

2006 MOFA launches pop. culture diplomacy

uses pop culture as a way to stay relevant globally after downfall of Japanese economy

use of manga and anime characters as mascots

negative connotations of otaku are removed

Miyazaki Tsutomu

Japanese serial killer from late 80s

was an otaku

added to the negative perception of otaku

made it taboo to be otaku

anti-feudal elements in Japan cinema

post-war Japanese films were not allowed feudal elements due to USA occupation

anything that was derived from imperalist Japan was banned

ie) the emperor, Mount Fuji, militarianism, revenge, nationalism, approval of suicide (kamikaze pilots), admiration of violence, degradation of women, bowing (kissing was promoted instead-this led to more male/female interactions in movies)

Rashomon

based on 2 Japanese stories by Akutagawa Ryunasuke

1951 winner of Venice Film Festival

opened the door to more movies about Japanese history ex) Samurai \\n more Japanese films win awards

firebombing of Japan

March 9th-10th, 1945 firebombing campaign began on Tokyo

over 6o other cities are destroyed

theme of anime film "Grave of the Fireflies"

Hiroshima

August 6, 1945

70,000 ppl died, 20,000 of which were Korean

this is a vital part of every Japanese person's upbringing

Nagasaki

August 9th, 1945

Bravo test

1954

Americans test first hydrogen bomb at Bikini Atol Japanese fishing boat crew (Lucky Dragon #5) was exposed to bomb radiation and died from radiation sickness

3rd time the Japanese are victims of atomic bombs

strengths Japanese anti-nuclear bomb campaign which was apart of Japan's post-war identity

differences between American and Japanese SCI-Fi

American- about the success of modern capitalism, scientic achievement, concept of progress, belief in benevolent future, primacy of the machine, us vs. aliens ie) star trek

Japanese- focused on disaster and dystopian societies, greater sense of moral dilemma to using force to conquer disaster, immorality, ethics, humanity

Gojira

1954 \\n Japanese original of Godzilla

a fictional lizard monster that attacks Tokyo

inspired by the Bravo Test

Godzilla: King of the Monsters

1956 \\n the version released in the USA

all references to atomic bombs in Japan, hydrogen bombs and radioactivity were deleted due to USA demands

mixed reactions to the Americanized version

Japan’s Bubble Economy

1985-1991

Japan is a new economic superpower

centered on manufacturing and small electronics (TV) Japanese products in high demand (Nintendo)

Japan was seen as ultra-modern and high-tech society

socio-cultural shifts \\n 1980s youth generation raised in materialistic, affluent pacific Japan

resistance against social and moral order (rigid conformity)-this is the start of subcultures

Akira

\\n July 16th, 1988

set in the dystopian society of Neo-Tokyo in 2019 preparing for 2020 Olympics

no moral center/hero

corruption of all institutions (political and military)

no happy ending

this was a breakthrough for Japanese anime globally \\n \\n parallels of USA-JAPAN relationship

Kaneda is USA big brother, looks after Tetsuo

Tetsuo is Japan little brother - rich and powerful

3 theories of manga’s emergance

1. technique of graphic narration
Japan profited from graphic narration compared to other countries that preferred literature
2. content consistent throughout its history
supernatural beings on earth (kami)
warrior tales
sex, love, romance
vulgar humor
3. contact and importation of western cultures and ideas
introduction of new ideas and products that required visuals for explanation
new mass printing technology

yokai

catch all phrase or supernatural/unknown beings

ie) kami, oni (demon)

onryo

avenging spirit usually depicted as a women with long black hair, white face, white kimono, sometimes crippled or disfigured and died at the hands of an abusive man

comes back to haunt said man or community

bakemono

shape-shifters

animals were treated with respect as messengers of the spirit world

ie) cats in anime are often personified

urbanization of Edo period

1600-1868

growth of literacy and the publishing industry

rural folk tales spread in circles and stories

kibyoshi-picture books use yokai to satirize or criticize

kaidan

ghost stories

Kwaidan (Hern’s book)

a collection of stories and studies on Yokai

manga

sketches made for fun \n became popular in the Meiji era due to the printing press

impact of Asia-Pacific war on manga’s development

1. first group of manga artist were teenagers during the war
2. desire o save Japan (or the world), a goal their fathers had no achieved
3. role of science in Japan's history (its war defeat and future)
4. USA occupation of Japan and positive visions of democracy and freedom

Osamu Tezuka

1928-1989

known as the 'God of Manga'

was a former med student -shaped his outlook on life

mangas have serious themes about compassion

first postwar manga April 1947

Testuwan Atomu

ASTROBOY!!

• First Japanese television series that became known as anime

• Originated as manga, follows the adventures of a robot boy with human emotions and ideas

kami-shibai

paper theatre/play

this was post-war entertainment

Mizuki Shigeru

was a prolific kami-shibai storyteller before becoming a manga artist

created Gegege no Kitaro (1960) a popular anime series where the characters were all YOKAI

mukokuseki

1960s

stateless, lack of nationality (no national identity or state or protect them)

cultural odor

racial or ethnic characteristics that clearly identify the product's country of origin ie) burgers are American \n Japanese products believed to lack cultural odor

Disney films

USA occupation allowed for Japanese to watch Disney films Japanese anime inspired by Disney ie) Astro Boy-eyes are large like Bambi's

Legend of the White Snake

1958

tale dated in the Tang Dynasty

made by Toei Animation Studio

wanted to produce feel good films that would rival Disney \\n was a cultural and global success

TV in Japan

became staples in Japanese households due to Tokyo Olympics 1964

led to the downfall of cinema attendance

mothers also used tv for educational purposes at home

Marzinger Z

1973

first Japanese tv show where toys were produced along with the broadcast \\n was a more mature robot show

Super Sentai

1975

Power Rangers (USA version 1995)

shojo

little girl

state between childhood and adulthood

shonen

boys-middle school