The Politics of Hanami

Hanami is basically the Japanese term for enjoying cherry blossoms, or other such blossoms. Such a monumental event is held each year in the two weeks of spring when the sakura are all in bloom. Such activities go on: drinking, eating, and some very bad singing. Salary men, housewives, cashiers, and college students alike take off some time from thier busy lives to enjoy the sakurra. Historic Kyoto and sakrua groves begin to look like a 8 am commuter train. Hanami is to be enjoyed by old and young alike. Like politics their is competion between the famous hanami spots to be seen as the 'better' place to have hanami. Hanami candiate spots in Kyoto, Arashiyama, and Nara put up advertisements in trains and buses trying to beckon hanami goers to choose them to do their celebrations.

Geisha gender roles

The world of geisha is a closed one and heavily relied on gender issues. Geisha life is exclusive to the women. Patrons are primarily men. As the world becomes more diverse and Japan gender barriers fall the geisha world remains closed to changes. The attire of geisha is very seductive and feminine. They are a glorified version of the modern woman. A modern woman wears lipstick, high heels, and a skirt or dress. All of these items are very uncomfortable. Geisha wear a thick layer of makeup, high wooden sandals, and very heavy kimono.

Geisha were very common place in Kyoto until the second world war. Though a dying art geisha can still be seen on the back streets of Gion heading to parties and running errands. They are like flowers in a the lovely garden that is Kyoto.

http://www.japan-zone.com/culture/geisha.shtml


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The Sport of Music and Dance

A essential part of Japanese school is after school in the clubs. Though some sports like baseball or tennis may be more popular, the dancers and musicians can not be overlooked. Sitting from my classroom I can hear music from the band playing each day. They work very hard to preform their best. What is interesting is that formal dancing for color guard, playing music for band, and freestyle hip hop dancing all coexist at the same time in the same place. Like sports all the members of the band work as a team. Everyone plays their "role" so just like a quarter back or a goalie if someone misses a cue or gets distracted everyone loses out. All musicians and dancers compete at competitions just like their sport counterparts. Everyone practices hard to outdo or win out over the other team. They are all distinct from each other, but also blend together in their love of the sport of the arts.

Kobe the Center of Globalization

Japan has gone from being a closed country to a hub of international relations and globalization the past 150 years. The history of Kobe's globalization began with Hyogo port that orginally opened in the eight century, but did not become significant until the ban on trade was lifted in 1886. It is around this time that the city of Kobe was born and foreigners settled into Kobe in the Kitano area. The Hyogo port was the largest port in Japan until the Hashin earthquake. Kobe has a feel of a international city. Foreign goods ornate shop windows, international restaurants line the streets, and signs around Kobe are in many different languages. Kobe Chinatown is a example of globalization in the Kobe area. Though only being a few streets, it is a hub of Chinese culture and smells. Kobe is thriving now more then ten years after the earthquake into a even greater international city.

Information Provided by Kobe City History