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Essay#1

The Fantastic Japanese Culture

A culture is a unique set of a beliefs and mental expressions of a people within the world. It's a most important thing in our life. But, today our traditional culture is about to be lost because modern culture represented by the computer is improving and the young on generation don’t learn about the past culture. This is a red light signal for our fundamental culture. Now, what should we do to preserve our own culture in each area? The answer is there is only one solution; to communicate and share our own special culture with people who have the same culture, especially the young on generation and with people who have different culture is one of the most important strategies to protect our own culture, and this is very wonderful action because when we know a different culture, we must get new knowledge and we may change our mind in a good direction. So, I want to share about my fantastic Japanese culture. I have three important aspects of Japanese culture: language, showing affection and religion.

First of all, we Japanese have a peculiar culture in the way of conversation and understanding people’s meaning. I think that you have heard that Japanese people don’t have their own opinion and their speech is not obvious. We don’t say “yes” or “no” clearly, and we prefer to use “maybe” and “probably” so many times during conversation. We have a reason for this because we can recognize a feeling and an opinion by tacit agreement without saying something directly. For example, we use figurative words or roundabout expressions in the conversation. This expresses the virtue of Japanese feelings and ideas. We hold humble conversation dear to our heart. This means we don’t say our opinion or idea directly, clearly and straight in our talking because to tell something directly is not humble and is an impolite attitude for us in our culture. Also, we don't want to make people injured at heart by using direct words. However, when I came to America, I had a problem about this culture. I was wounded in my heart a lot because some Americans said something to me very directly. So, I felt the different culture, but I now think it’s interesting for me. Also, I made my American friends confused so much because I used “maybe” so many times, and I didn’t say my opinion clearly. Especially my roommate asked me, “Which? Yes or no? Don’t say maybe.” Since it is rudeness and a self-centered action for me to tell something directly, I felt confused and thought I must adapt to American culture in America. But this is a very difficult thing for me because I grew up in Japan. And I think this expression is very unique, and I'm proud that this is usual for me and shows good behavior and a good image as a Japanese.

Secondly we Japanese have a humble show of affection. And the show of affection is very different all over the world. For example, the method of greeting is very interesting behavior. When we meet someone for the first time, we rarely shake hands. We shake hands only in a formal situation and essential situation like an interview or serious conference. Also, we don’t hug even friends, but we do hug only close friends before people say good-bye in Japan. But Americans hug very many times in the case of good-bye or also when people meet or anytime. We bow a lot. I think Japanese have a reserved feeling against showing affection because we keep a distance. On the other hand, Americans have a very friendly feeling. And Americans are good at expressing their feelings directly, but sometimes this is an overreaction for me. However, we Japanese show honor for old people directly we have respectful, modest and polite styles. These styles describe the respect of old people from the past. This is a kind of show of affection. We use more polite Japanese for old people because we really respect old people. The elderly have a lot of knowledge, so young people can learn important things from them. Besides, we have a custom in which children take care of their parents in later life because parents took care of their children earlier. This custom is a reasonable and common attitude. We think that old people are precious. So, we represent this feeling by using more polite language and showing affection. Showing affection is different all over the world. I think the Japanese show of affection is not friendly but humble, and it’s the sign of Japanese culture.

Finally, we have an unusual weird idea against religion. Most of Japanese people don’t have a real religion. Of course, some Japanese people have a religion which is Buddhism or Shinto which is very special Japanese religion which has the symbol of a shrine. In the my case, I grew up with my family who don't have a real religion but my grandparents have both Buddhism and Shinto, not as a real religion because my grandparents don't pray to God, rather they pray for their ancestors. In addition, I pray for my advantages and my wishes in the shrine, but I don’t believe any God. This idea is very strange for people who believe in God. Besides, most people who don't have believe in any God hold the Buddhist style funeral when someone dies. And their family, relatives and friends pray for the dead person to go to heaven without believing in God really. In contrast, people who don't believe in God really think that people who believe in God really are weird. They look at believers strangely. Also, they think that believers have joined some occult group. When I came to America, I was really surprised because most Americans have real religion. I felt American and Japanese have very different feeling for religion. And when my classmates asked me about my religion, they were so surprised because I don’t have a religion. If I tried to have a religion, my parents would be upset and they would look at me strangely. So, religion is difficult subject. I'm sure we are strange for believers. But I think that this is also unique Japanese culture and is nothing to be ashamed of.

In conclusion, from these three special Japanese aspects of culture, Japanese are particular, and we have very isolated ideas and behavior. But each culture has its own ideas and behavior. We should live with these characteristics, and we should be proud of each culture. And we must communicate with people who are same culture and people who have a different culture. To communicate is a very fantastic action and we can improve or get some new knowledge in our life. So, I want to tell about my culture to a lot of people. A culture is the source of knowledge and a treasure.