Changing impressions

It has been about 4 months since I came to Japan and also has been 4 months to take Anthropology of Japan class. Both were my very first time in my life. I have been very happy about the fact that I am in Japan and experience new things. Plus it was a huge oppurtunity for me to take Anthropology of Japan becasue I went and saw things that I would never experience in my country Korea. And most importantly I  learned something out of it.

I always thought Japan and Korea are very much in common in many ways before I came to Japan but while I stayed in Japan, I realized that Japan and Korea are quite different. And during 4 months, my impressions have definitely changed.

First of all, Japan appreciates the time of being alone more than I thought. This is one of  the biggest differences that I found in Japan. Almost every restaurant or cafe that I have been has individual seats. I was very surprised of the fact that even Macdonald has a very nice seat for individuals because it is very hard to see those seats in Korea restaurants. Every thing has to be ours in Korea. Our family, our house, our friends..But after few months obsevation in Kansai gaidai campus, I found that many Japanese students are very independent and enjoying spending time alone studying, reading and eating. I don't see myself eating alone in restaurant but it is very natural thing in Japan which I think it is very nice.

Second of all, Japanese people are very concerned about other people's feelings and they care about very small things which most of people wouldn't be realized becasue it is too small to care about. One time I went to shopping to get some clothes and it was raining so hard that day. I was so worried about the paper bags that have new clothes that I bought. I thought those bags are going to be soaking wet from rain. However, I didn't have to worry about it because they offered me a paper bag covered by plastic bag. On rainy days, all of Japanese shops are offering their customers the paper bags which are covered by plastic bags. I was so touched by this bags because they could've just offered normal paper bags but they see things for the futre. This is the thing I like about Japan. They come up with something that most of people would've not thought of. There were so many things in Japan that I was surprised at but there are too many to remember. I think they do this because they really see things and know how to think beyond.

My impression has changed a lot in a good way after I really experienced Japan by myself. Hopefully I could keep this up next semester too.

Japanese temple vs. Korean temple

When I first arrived here, the first thing I realized was that there are a lot of traditional temples in Japan. I was very surprised when I saw the temple which was located in the middle of the shopping centers in Kyoto because it is very hard to see a temple in a crowded town in Korea. I have to go certain areas or mountains to see temple. My family or at least my grandma had very deep belief in Buddhism. When I was young, whenever I visited my grandmother’s home, she always sings to me the songs which are from special Buddhism books. The songs didn’t make sense to me at first but they grew up in me. After a while, I couldn’t sleep without my grandma’s songs.

Because of my grandma’s strong encouragement to go to temple, my family usually go to the temple on Buddhist’s day. We go there, pay money with our appreciation for our family’s sake and have free lunch! People working at temple offer free vegetarian lunch for people who come to their temple. It is very delicious and very healthy. I think I have been many temples more than people who are in my age right now. As I grew up, my family and I went to temple less and less. As time went by, I was in the place that I had to concentrate my school and manage my life besides going to the temple and there was no grandma who sings me the songs, holds my hands and takes me to the temple anymore. (She passed away…) And now I am in Japan, the country which has lots of temples and reminds me of my childhood and grandmother. I was very happy to see these temples and somehow these temples and the smell of the temples make me calm and make me find my center.

                                                    Korean temple's (See? not many colors)

My friends and I went to ‘kiyomizutera’ which is in Kyoto. I found the differences right away. The most obvious difference was that temples in Japan are more likely have bright radish colors such as red and orange. Basically the entire temple was colored by orange. It is very rare to see those kinds of colors in Korean temples. The temple was so different and so pretty. I was so moved just by standing there and looking at the temple. In Korea, they barely use colors and if they have to use colors, those are usually green, brown, grey or partially red. Korean people tend to keep it simple and try not to use many colors when it comes to building temple. Simple is better. That’s Korean’s motor. It was very nice to see different style of temple for a change.

                                   
The other difference that I was surprised was that they have all kinds of make-a-wish activities in the temple. People come and write or draw their wishes on woods and hang them on special place. Also there was a special herb that is supposed to heal people’s illness. Most of people were hoping that their illness will go away by breathing and washing their body with its smoke and smell. I did it wishing all my hidden illness would go away. The other interesting activity that I loved was so-called ‘Love stone’. There were two stones which were about 4 meters away from each other. If you reach one stone to the other with your eyes closed, your love will be realized soon but if you don’t, it will take some time to realize your love. They also offer three different waters that have different meanings; Love, success and happiness. People don’t get to know the meanings before they drink it. They have to choose by chance and after they get to know the meaning.

My friends and I tried to do many things as we could in Kiyomitustera area. On the way back down to Kyoto, we dropped by many cute stores and had little green tea ice cream. It was one bite of heaven. Even though it was little bit hot and hard to get to the top but it was definitely worth it. This was one of the best trip I have ever been in Japan.

Kobe

This is Kobe at night. Beautiful is the only word that I need to describe Kobe. Absolutely beautiful city. Kobe is the sixth-largest city in Japan and one of the cities to open for trade with the West.
I went to Kobe with my friend by ourselves. There were no Japanese people or people who knows to get there. We wanted to figure things out by ourselves and it was sucessful! I took a book, map and some lunch we made.

We followed the map which have the major sight seeings and everything. First, we went to kitano park and had lunch. It was so beautiful. But it was different than what I expected. Unlike Kyoto which has many traditional Japanese elements, the buildings and houses are very different from standard Japanese style. It reminded me of Montmartre in France. Very Europeanish and westernized. Many things catched my eyes. It was little bit hard to get there but it was worth it. They played music and musician was trying to entertain people and had nice foods.

After having fabulous lunch, we moved our feets to Kobe tower. In kobe town, there was a huge river between the bridges. We could've took the boat but it was expensive. But it was enough for me to just look at them and enjoy.

We spent about 5 hours in Kobe tower area and we saw many foreigners who were having fun as we were. There were two hotels which looked so elegant and classy. The one that we actually entered was fulled of people and seemed new. The other one seemed more private and expensive. I really wanted to get in but I couldn't..

I also went to third biggest china town in the world. This is officially my first time to go to any china town in the world. My friend and I couldn't find it first but we knew right away when we saw red signs.

Almost every single person was holding foods in their hands and eating while they were walking. It is hard to see in Korea. And actually there is no China town in Korea. They have foods, goods and people.

We went back to Kobe tower and enjoyed our first night at Kobe. Everything looked even better at night.

Kobe is the place that you can feel three different atmospheres; Japan, Europe and China. How facinating! I would never expect something like this from Japan. It was very interesting and fun night in Japan. Kobe became one of my favorite city in Japan.

Cherry Blossom

This is me looking back toward my friend Sarah. There is a beautiful cherry blossom tree besides me. The color, smell, even the height of the tree is perfect. We have cherry blossom in this season but only in particular area 'Kyoung-ju' so it is still amazing for me to see cherry blossom and I was also very surprised by the fact that Cherry blossom is everywhere in Japan.

Now it is the best season for 'Hanami'. Perfect pink cherry blossom, delicious food and happy faces. I was invited to Hanami party for the first time. I was assigned to bring my own foods so that people can share their foods together. We have many people from different countries so there were a lot of different types of foods that I've never cook in my life. I didn't know 'apple pie' could be so delicious and easy to cook until then! It was very nice to get to know each other and take a nice deep nap :)

We walked around the park which was located in Osaka. It was really big and had very traditional Japanese feature. It has a palce for Japanese green tea and there was also a temple. We didn't get to see inside of the temple but I could feel the strength and energy from the temple. Quiet but strong...I wished I could get in.

We also took some interesting photos. Unlike the idea of Japanese girls that I've always thought, They are not that shy or less active. They are very much expressive, active and very outgoing! They are not afraid of getting involve in new environment or having conversation with people who they barely know and speak different languages. They even speak up their voices when there is something they want to share their opinions. Sometimes I feel our Koreans can get more embarrass or shy than Japanese.
It was a interesting day for me to learn more about Japanese people and also cherry blossom.

This is the picture I took in the park that day. I thought it was beautiful shot. I had a wonderful day and I will never forget what I learned from this specialy get-together.

Comparison between Annie Leibovitz and James Natchwey

This is Annie leibovitz holding camera in her hands. The most renowned American phtographer. Also one of the most well-paid(most expensive)photographer in the world. The history of 20th century's photo cannot be written or explained without Annie leibovitz. She worked for Rolling Stone and that was very sucessful. Famous actors, actresses, most of the celebrities of the centry and even the queen and president Obama are her clients. When she takes photos, mostly She uses her own unique style which was up-close and personal. She has a brilliant gift to capture THE moments, inside feelings and hidden thoughts or meanings from one's face or body gestrues.

This is one of the most famous photo she had taken in her entire career. Joah Lennon gave her a lot of inspirations which led her career grows secessfully. This was only posed for her.

This is another photo of two lovers. As you have noticed, two people are famous celebrities who share the moment of love and expressed their feelings with restraint.

Most of her works are fixed and posed. People in her photos are admired by average people. They are the topics, idea, inspiration in the photo. Many of them are airbrushed and They look fabulous and gorgeous in any pose. I think Annie leibovitz tries to capture 'happy' moments of life such as love between lovers or family and friendship.

She also has done advertisements for fashion. Very Elegant and seem sophisticated. she creates the most natural moments by caculating every single things perfectly.

"If your pictures aren;t good enough, you're not close enough."
This is James natchwey. He is well-known war photographer. He takes the most dangerous, depressing and sometimes ugly moments of wars unlike above photographer 'Annie leibovitz'. Most of his pictures are not artificially fixed and posed. They are real moments of war which have the sense of sadness, liveliness. He shows reality in real way.

Everything seems so real and realistic. At the same time it seems too brutal to see the pictures for a while. While I was serching for his works, I can see the distinctive difference between two photographers.

Even though they target people, they use different types of people; famous ones and average people who are in extremely dangerous situation. She uses colors but he uses black and white. Her photos represent something that people always have fantasized about. His photos represent cruel reality which people do not want that to be happened even in their dream.

They take people in very different way but they definitely give people a powerful and strong emotional resonance.