Instead of being engrossed with more popularly known anime series or manga (comic books), my interests were to read and follow when the next version of ASIMO (a humanoid robot) would arrive, or be astounded by the recent invention of a machine which could turn shredded office paper into toilet paper. ‘So technological and so economical!’ I thought to myself while still in the United States.
Japan is on the forefront of technology. A highly industrialized nation, Japan is well known for its automotive and electronic industries. Sony, Panasonic, Honda are just a few of the vast array of brand names that have gained much exposure in the West. Upon my arrival, I was surprised that though the people here indeed lead busy lives, yet they live rather simple ones also. My host family lives in the suburbs of Osaka. They commute to work by mass transit: bus and train versus driving. The high school students I see every day on my walk to the bus stop ride their bicycles down the hill or walk. My friends at Kansai Gaidai University, my host parents, and many others have informed me that these students are not allowed to drive to school, let alone have cars to commute to school. It would be easy to assume that the people here walk, use mass transit, or bicycle their way around in order to be “green” in the Western sense (to save gas and better the environment) but I am determined to discover a deeper meaning and understanding to their perfectly balanced way of leading hectic but simplistic lives. My host mother has a washing machine that wash and dries clothes in one machine (which my gadget lover heart beats fast for) but the water comes from last night’s ofuro (bath) water. Seeing this makes me wonder how much water the United States could waste every day from a single load of laundry. It makes me reflect on every time I took a long bath in New York, and simply pulling the plug to drain the water without a single thought.
The picture above was taken near Hirakata-shi Train Station, which is in downtown Hirakata City, Osaka, Japan. It is a busy commuter zone, with cars whisking around, a central train station, and a main bus terminal. What you can take from this picture is the car and bicycle both in this downtown hub, both utilizing their different means to get to their destination.
This photograph was taken near Gotenyama Train Station. On my walk there, my friend pointed out a modern technology (the public telephone) contrasted with a traditional home in the background. I love it how traditional Japanese residential homes fit snugly in between the construction of high-rise apartments.
Links to some things I find interesting:
Japanese Technology Blog - Updated with technological news from Japan.
Earth 911 - A short article which explains the new invention of a machine which uses recycled office paper to be made into toilet paper.
You're right about there being more reasons than simple practicality for the Japanese inclination toward simpler means of doing things. There's surely some social aspect to it, as well - "I should ride my bike or walk, because it will help reduce traffic so others who DO need to drive can do so."
ReplyDeleteOr something like that.
Maybe you could do a survey of the Japanese students that hang around Gaidai, once they're off summer vacation.
You have some interesting first impressions and you do well with revealing your "techie" biases. I think you are beginning to find out that not everybody has a robot, paper shredder/toilet paper maker or even an automobile. We have to be careful with the information fed to us from the media and blogs. Some technologies are relatively recent in Japan. Very few Japanese students used the internet or e-mail when I first arrived at Gaidai in 1997 (the computer lab then had 5 or 6 computers). Gaidai just set up its wireless system about a year ago (and it still doesn't work in my classroom). Green is a relatively new concept as well; the buzz word is "eco" which is more of a sales pitch than an attempt to be environmentally friendly.
ReplyDeleteIs the public pay phone really an example of high tech? Actually they are dinosaurs in that they are becoming extinct - almost everyone has a cell phone now.
Anyway, I like your writing style and the fact that you are making observations, talking to people and trying to figure out what it all means. Keep these activities up and you will become a good visual anthropologist. Looking forward to your future posts.