Japanese old lady square dancing, or how Japanese copy American culture

 This was so bad! It was a group of women about 70 years old doing what they thought Square Dancing was!

The caller was giving all the commands in "Engrish" otherwise known here as Katakana English. This means, she was giving the commands in what she "thought" the sounds would be, but using the Japanese vowels and syllables.

Several things were so wrong with this that I want to point out.

1. The group was all women, which in itself is not bad, but you'd think they would try to get their husbands together to do this!

2. The choice of music is SO wrong. Most Square dancing I did in elementary school either used bluegrass, or country/western music.

3. Even my wife, and her friends who were with us thought the group were a bit out to lunch.

Most of the women were wearing fluffy dresses, rather outlandish for their age.

4.  When the Japanese copy something from Western/American culture, they only do it half way. As in, they do only what they want to do, rather than do an accurate version of it. Sure, their costumes may look nice, but it's done in such an over the top way, that it misses the mark so much. Also, if they want to actually do Square dancing, so it with the correct music! The tunes they used, were Japanese popular ones, with an upbeat tempo, coupled with the caller's attempts to give the dance commands.

My son asked it its ok for me to post this on my blog and Youtube. My answer to this is Yes. Yes, because if these people want to preform in a public place, and someone from the culture they are copying does this, then they are fair game.

I also doubt if any of these women would actually find this.

I only recorded a minute because I was desperately trying to stifle my laughter!

My wife who is Japanese find these groups to be very annoying. It's all fine and dandy to copy something from North America, but have the decency to do it more or less correctly! Don't make yourself look ridiculous!

Tozai Line Tokyo Metro in morning rushhour

or as I like to say stuffed like sausages or packed in tuna cans

 A map of the subway lines served by Tokyo Metro

A wide shot showing a ten car train being packed to the gunnels with people. This line runs at 140% over capacity! I don't usually ride the subways in the morning due to this!

Momotaro story and the Wako pirates

Wokou (Chinese: 倭寇; pinyin: Wōkòu; Japanese: わこう Wakō; Korean: 왜구 Waegu), which literally translates to "Japanese pirates" or "dwarf pirates",^[1][2] were pirates who raided the coastlines of China, Japan and Korea.^[3] Wokou came from a mixture of ethnicities.^[4]

The term wokou is a combination of Wō (倭) referring to "dwarfs" or Japanese, and kòu (寇), meaning "bandit".

(wikipedia)

During the last time I was teaching in elementary school, I had to do the Momotaro story. 

from wikipedia: According to the present form of the tale (dating to the Edo period), Momotarō came to Earth inside a giant peach, which was found floating down a river by an old, childless woman who was washing clothes there. The woman and her husband discovered the child when they tried to open the peach to eat it. The child explained that he had been sent by Heaven to be their son. The couple named him Momotarō, from momo (peach) and tarō (eldest son in the family).^[1]

Years later, Momotarō left his parents to fight a band of marauding oni (demons or ogres) on a distant island. En route, Momotarō met and befriended a talking dog, monkey, and pheasant, who agreed to help him in his quest. At the island, Momotarō and his animal friends penetrated the demons' fort and beat the band of demons into surrendering. Momotarō and his new friends returned home with the demons' plundered treasure and the demon chief as a captive. Momotarō and his family lived comfortably from then on.^[1]

1885 English Momotaro published by Hasegawa Takejirō.

Momotarō is strongly associated with Okayama, and his tale may have its origins there. The demon island (Onigashima (鬼ヶ島^?)) of the story is sometimes associated with Megijima Island, an island in the Seto Inland Sea near Takamatsu, due to the vast manmade caves found on that island.^[2][3]

While I was teaching the same lesson for about two months, I made a comment which was misinterpreted that I compared the story to North Korea. The teacher spoke to the vice-principal who contacted my company and noted that they were not upset, but wanted to clarify what I had said.

Now, I remember reading in some of my history texts, and books, that the Wako pirates originated outside Japan, in the area that was also the same as where Momotaro is from. From Stephen Turnbull's "The Book of The Samurai: The Warrior Class of Japan. (Bison, London, 1982) On Pg 59 it notes that Japanese pirates, as well as Chinese and Koreans raided the coastal regions of Ming China from about 1368. Rice was the main treasure these pirates were after. 

As to their actual ethnic identity, the wikipedia article notes:

The current prevailing theory^[23] is that of Shōsuke Murai, who demonstrated in 1988 that the early wokou came from multiple ethnic groups rather than one singular nation.^[20] Murai wrote that the wokou were "marginal men" living in politically unstable areas without national allegiances, akin to the Zomia thesis.^[20] Supporters of this theory point out that one of the early wokouleaders, Ajibaldo, was variously claimed by period sources to be Mongolian, Japanese, Korean, and an "islander";^[24] his name is apparently Korean and Mongolian in origin.

So my mentioning of the link of Korea and Momotaro are not that far off. The idea of Oni, which translates as Devil or Orgre, reflects the attitude the Japanese had for those who were not of the Yamato race. The traditional ideas behind the story, can be reflected in the fact that the protagonist, embarks on a raid on an island where these onis live. The fact that Momotaro returns to his families village with the plunder the devils had taken, could perhaps also be viewed in this historical view of a pirate raid.

I have ordered the Osprey Publish work On the Seven Seas, which is a piracy wargamming book, which I shall be working on with future wargamming battles.

Hypothetical Spanish vs Samurai in Japan circa 1605

This battle is a "what if" the Spanish had sent Conquistadors to Japan to Christianise Japan, and to add the Japanese islands to their colony in the Philippines.
The overview shot shows the Spanish Tericos against a Samurai Arrow formation.

 The Japanese arrow formation known as...

 The Spanish Tericos. They also deployed a cavalry group and a screen of dragoons and crossbows. 

The Japanese advanced towards the Spanish using their arrow formation. The Spanish artillery began to soften up the advance and break apart the tip of the arrow. The Japanese musketry screen to the front was the first to fall under grape shot. As the end of the Japanese arrowhead passed by, the Spanish dragoons, crossbow, sword and buckler men then charged in. This resulted in the Japanese arrow to be split into different directions. However, the tip of the arrow made contact with the first Terico and was able to break it apart. The Spanish right, advanced past their artillery to hit the Japanese left. This began to push the arrow in on itself. The Japanese responded by pushing back the Spanish swordsmen and taking out half of the crossbowmen. The Japanese archers kept back the Spanish horse. Eventually, the Tericos ground down the Japanese who eventually withdrew, having taken heavy casualties. The Shogun would have to marshal many more samurai to drive back this thrust by the Conquistadors.

More actions to follow later this summer.

Merry Christmas 2012

Another Christmas in the trenches so to speak.
Living in Japan during the holiday period can be different. First of all, Christmas is NOT a family holiday in Japan. It's slowly becoming a kids day, but it's still the reserve of couples who want to say, share the mistletoe.

This years events took place on December 24, as it was a national holiday, in lieu of the Emperor's birthday which fell on December 23, which was a Sunday, so Monday was given off.
We allowed our kids to open their presents about 10:30 am. They were happy.

I was also able to finally find the Disney DVD of BRAVE, which the recent releases at Toys R Us are in the area with the video games.

We had a tree, with stockings.

Our Christmas meal this year was MEATLOAF! Turkey is a bit hard to come by and is darn expensive when you do find it.

But I was able to make mashed potatoes, onion/mushroom gravy and maple-butter carrots. My grandmother's recipie.

I've got some pretty good friends, a few years back, I invited my Canadian co-worker and her sisters to my place for Christmas dinner. It was nice to share a turkey and some Nova Scotian hospitality.
Every year since, they send a nice care package of my favorite Tim Horton's coffee, and candies for my children.
It's a little something but it means alot to us.

Ian building his Pirates of the Carribean set

Mum andLeena opening her Barbies

Time to play with our dolls

The only turkey I will have this year.

Japanese christmas cake

chopped carrots which I would make into maple butter ones

I don't have mashed potatoes shot but one of poutine

Dancing and Karate

It's been a bit of a busy weekend here in Japan. Ian and Leena had a dance event on Friday, for a charity event held in Kamagaya. The event is to be an annual event to assist the recovery effort for Tohoku, Japan, the area hit by the big earthquake.

Leena as a butterfly

The local neighborhood festival.

These are the pictures from the dancing.
There were some interesting samba dancers but if you've seen them once, you've seen them all (and I've seen the same ladies 4 times this year, though they are marvelous, though my wife was daring me to take shots)

I'm dancing again?

Do I have to wear this makeup?

Left foot, right foot.

Just before the samba ladies showed up.

Then on Sunday, Ian had his first Karate tournament. He won his first sparing but lost to the second. There was one kid who placed third but he was a real spoiled sport. He threw his gloves on the mats and had a temper tantrum. The umpire scholded him in front of everyone for being such a bad sport. Of the students in Ian's dojo, only one managed to get a medal for his kata or drill style. However, it was a fun event. Even Ian's sensei concured with my opinion of this kid. Totally disrespected the match, the players, judges. Sure he was only 6, but in any sport, acting up like that is bad. (Pictures to follow)

Remembrance Day in Japan

A German Army truck which would have been used in Bosnia. Shot taken in my city of Kamagaya, Japan.

I always remember the sacrifices of the men and women of Canada who gave their lives, and their time in the service, be it militiary, or merchant marine.
This summer I was proud to visit the Commonwealth War Cemetary in Yokohama to pay respects to all the Commonwealth personnel interned there.
My grandfather served in the Royal Canadian Ordanance Corps during World War 2. He went to war in 1939 and came back unhurt in 1945. One of my happiest memories was taking him with my Japanese family to Pier 21 and having the chance to see the picture of the ship he came home on.

When I have the chance, I play Flowers of the Forest, and Last Post. I take time to remember,
but as I read on the Royal British Legion's website last year, for some people, everyday is Remembrance day.

From 1985-95 I wore my band uniform with my father and played in every Remembrance day parade held in Stewiacke, Nova Scotia.
I took part in our High school drama club's For every tear, a play which was written by students about the war. We took it to Pictou as well as holding it in our village of Middle Musquodoboit.

My father was an infantry officer in the First Battalion Nova Scotia Highlanders (North) in the 1970's.
We took part in memorial services in South Korea in 2001, and I had visited Kapyong 4 times between 1997-1999.
I've visited the Korean War Memorial in Seoul, and Yasakuni Shrine in Tokyo.
Today I remember all those who have died in war, and hope that humanity can find another way to settle our differences.

Celtic culture concert in a Japanese elementary schol

So what? You've never seen a guy in a kilt before? I'm wearing my MacKenzie kilt which was originally issued to a bandsman in the 17th Pictou Highlanders during the First World War. My cap badge is that of my old unit the 78th Highlanders Rosshirebuffs, or what they became the Second Battalion Seaforth Highlanders. My shirt is and Eddie Bauer one my wife got me as a Christmas present two years ago. Nifty eh?

My Japanese co-worker, Sako-Sensei was a good sport and wanted to try on a kilt. He went out and bought his tie to match the kilt.

Getting ready to play in front of our students.

I borrowed the schools snare drum to play. All in all, it was nice afternoon of music, and definetly one to remember for the kids and teachers.

I can't believe I haven't listed these yet

Slowly over time, I have been collecting historical films.
So far I have:
Barry Lyndon
Robin Hood (2010)
Rob Roy: for me, by far the best sword fight ever!
Braveheart (a good story but not historical)
Master and Commander: pretty interesting view of boarding fighting ships
Horatio Hornblower, interesting series of films,
The Trench,
Saving Private Ryan: the only thing to mar this flick is dispariging remarks about the British and Canadians. We took most of our objectives that day, advancing farthest of all the allies.
The Last Samurai: a little slight interpretation, it was the French not the Americans who helped the Japanese fight
Revolution
The Scarlet Letter (1994)
Last of the Mohicans (1992)

Lest we forget. A pilgrimage to the Commonwealth War Cemetary in Yokohama, Japan

August 19 is the anniversary of the Battle of Dieppe which was a disaster for the Canadian Army in 1942.
Another disaster which befell Canadian troops was their defence of Hong Kong in 1941. The main troops for this campaign came from the Royal Winnipeg Grenadiers and The Royal Rifles of Canada.
Unknown to me, there were many Atlantic Canadians who fought in that battle. Here in Japan, there are about 12 of them buried in the cemetery in Yokohama.
I took my Japanese wife and two children and Japanese co-worker through the cemetery to pay our respects. What I felt was a place of peace and love. It was a beautiful sunny Sunday summer afternoon. It was 31c. The graves are tended well, a beautiful landscaped area set in the middle of a busy Japanese city. The sad fact is that many Japanese are unaware of what the place is. As my family walked through, we talked to some of the Japanese. There was a few young couples reading. I asked an old woman if she knew where the Canadian section was as we became lost. We made back to the front gate and found a map. The Canadians are buried with several New Zealand troops. She then followed us and was surprised to find that I was looking for the graves of men who were from my part of Canada. My teaching co-worker was moved by my desire to pay respects to my countrymen.
One of the most sad aspects of the burials are the dates. Most of these men died between 1943-45. After being defeated in Hong Kong, they were marched into POW camps and their personal hell began. The official Japanese position during the war was to use Allied prisoners as slave labourers. These men died either slaving away in the coal mines of Northern Japan, the dockyards and were killed either by abuse, starvation, and allied bombing on the sites they were working on.
I took it upon myself to photograph the Maritimers who I could find. In future, when I have the chance, I will go back and take more pictures.
One of the most touching moments was when both of my children knelt at a cross and with hands together, prayed for the souls of these brave men, some hardly out of their teens. In an upper section were the graves of Commonwealth troops who died during the Allied Occupation of Japan, and those who died of wounds received in the Korean War (1950-53). What brought tears to my families eyes were the graves of children of service personnel who died during the occupation. Some were only days old.
My children laughed and played in the shade, running and saying Hello to soldiers who to them are names on bronze plaques. I was wearing my Royal Artillery t-shirt, and my son then realised what my shirt meant. He then went through and pointed out gunners who had died, and then found Maple Leaves for the Canadians. My wife wished that wars would stop. The men and boys who are there at rest are about the same age as my teenage sons.
I hope that with this posting, I can touch those Canadians who are unable to travel to Japan to visit this special place.
Below are the graves which I took. Please leave polite comments and I will try to get back to you.

Perry Sarty was from Mersey Point, Nova Scotia

This soldier had the same name as myself, Roderick.

Howard Bent was from Waterville, Nova Scotia

Angus Jacquard was from Little River Harbour, Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia

John Gee was from Arthurette, New Brunswick

Elmer Cole was from Sussex, New Brunswick

Irvin Ray was from St. Mary's River, Nova Scotia

Leo Bottie was from Ardoise West, Nova Scotia

Lloyd Roblee was from Sackville, New Brunswick.

I have also contacted the Royal Canadian Legion about these pictures.
The phamplet which was at the site lists as this:
Yokohama War Cemetery was begun by the 38th Australian War Graves Unit in 1945, and the graves of POW casualties from throughout Jpaan were concentrated into this, the only Commonwealth War Cemetery in the country. It is located 6 miles (about 10km) south of Yokohama, in Yuenchi Park, Hodogaya. Unusually for a Commonwealth war cemetery, it has four main sections; UK, Australian, Indian/Pakistan and a combined New Zealand and Canadian. In total there are 1,555 Second World War burials, including one Dutch war grave. There is also a plot containing 171 servicemen who died during the Allied occupation.
The Yokohama Cremation Memorial houses and urn which contains he ashes of 335 Commonwealth, American and Dutch casualties who died as Prisoners of War in Japan and whose remains were cremated. Of these, the names of 284 are known and are inscribed on the walls of the Memorial. Also in the cemetery stands the Yokohama Memorial which bears the names of 20 Indian casualties who dided in Japan and whose place of burial is unknown.