I happened to be illin' in Nara today, the religious centre of Japan. The picture above is of a temple I saw today while I was killing some time (no, it's not my picture as you can tell from the date). If you ever get a chance, Nara is a great place to spend some time, as it is packed with religious sites.
Some things that have been on my mind in regard to Japan:
+ The Swastikas: Shinto shrines are marked with a reverse swastika. While walking through a train station one time, I came across a Shinto shrine with 4 massive swastikas on the 4 pillars of each corner. This, to say the least, was and is more than a little disconcerting. I associate the swastika with everything that is evil, and I see it all over maps and shrines of Japan. Yes, the swastika was a symbol of peace within Christianity, and is an ancient Shintoist symbol, but it also occurs to me that Japan was an axis power-coincidence I know, but it still crosses my mind.
+ Conformity: There is a distinct Japanese culture and whether you like it or not, if you do not look, talk and act Japanese, you are an outsider, or "Gaijin" (pronounced "Guy Gin"). It's a dirty word here, but I'm reclaiming it so I say it often in public. Gaijin till I die, mofos.
I've never been a minority in Canada, but I can honestly say I can sympathize with some comics (Chris Rock, Richard Pryor) who dealt with race issues (somewhat anyways-I've only been here a few weeks) . When you are the one of the only westerners for 100 miles in a town of 30 million, your race becomes a big issue. I have read, heard from Japanese people themselves, and heard from other westerners that unless you are Japanese by a)birth b) race, and have spent 99% of your lifetime is spent within Japan, you will never really be accepted.
+ The "Key Quote" in the newspaper yesterday: "It's really great being a homogenous nation". Runner up? A distinguished and and accomplished women I spoke with mentioned "Isn't it better being in Canada, where you are accepted by your own people?". And that was just after I mentioned how much I like the Japanese people. I didn't take it too personally: She said she has avoided visiting her own daughter in California because (as she sniffed) "I hate the Bush".
Seems like we all waitin'
For the driveby
Playin' tag wit Satan
But we chillin'
Yeah we ready and willin'
--Ice Cube
That quote is totally unconnected to the above....but I just started listening to Ice Cube again, circa 1994 or so (Lethal Injection, etc).
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