I've never claimed to be Japanese. I'm in love with the culture. I'm in love with the women. I'm in love with the food. I'm in love with the language. I'm in love with the games. I'm in love with the anime. I'm in love with a lot of things Japanese. But I've never claimed to be Japanese. I am Chinese. My mother was born in China and my father in Taiwan. I speak Mandarin Chinese but can't read or write it. I'm not ashamed of my background. I know where I come from, being born a Chinese-American. I think some may get offended when I so strongly and proudly proclaim my love for a country other than the one I was born and live in.Recently, I've felt some hostility because I've been playing games with Japanese voice options. That coupled with the Idolm@ster videos I play has some people confused. Why does David act this way? Is he doing this just to be different? I get all sorts of arguments about the things I like and the legitimacy behind them. I won't ever sit here and argue. Because of the Japanese occupation of Taiwan my grandmother speaks Japanese and my father grew up enjoying aspects of Japanese life. I don't know what it's like to live in Japan. Grow up and go to school there. To ride the subway every morning to get to where I need to go. To date a Japanese girl and fall in love with her. I have yet to get married and have a family, so even more I can't understand what kind of feeling that is, here or in Japan. All I've known of my life is what I've experienced. So I'm not going to argue that this is my true self.
When encountered with something different and unknown, it is very easy to dismiss or ridicule it. I've been met with lots of skepticism when people find out about my fascination with Japan. Heck, I used to be that way too. I dismissed my friend with they started listening to Korean music. I didn't understand how they could enjoy it when they didn't speak the language. It wasn't until later when I myself started listening to Korean Artists that I realized the mistakes in my ways.
I want to say that there is no wrong way to like something. That it is enough just to enjoy it. But I'm sure there are exceptions to that statement. Through my experiences, I've just decided that I'm not going to be the person who goes around pointing the finger deciding whether something is real or not. I just prefer to let it be and enjoy what I enjoy.
So in the end, nothing has changed. There will be those understand my side and there will be those who don't. There will never be one correct answer or a clear cut "winner." Brad hates onions and Nick doesn't like chocolate. I'll never understand why, but that's just how it is. I think the best way I look at my love of Japanese is that it's something different. It's not something I can find here. You find something interesting and you just want to learn more about it. I think that I'll end this post by saying that there are things that I do not like about Japan. There are things that annoy me, that I don't agree with, and that I make me sick to my stomach. At those times, it makes me proud that I grew up in America and that I don't have to act or see things in that way. I get to choose the best of the two worlds and incorporate them into my life according to which I see as correct. And that's something everyone can do.
Thanks,
David
I am looking for some good games with Japanese Voice options. Please make suggestions.
13 comments:
I think I can say that I agree with you.
I'm really into Japanese culture, but I've had MANY people tell me that I'm not asian so stop trying to be one.
It's silly, really, but it's annoying that some people don't appreciate that I and many other people are really into Japanese culture.
Thanks for making that point. :D
I recommend Persona, Yakuza, and The World Ends With You.
All take place in modern day Japan.
The next time some chode questions why you prefer Japanese culture,ask them why they prefer men over women.
I'm going to say this and if some of you don't like it THEN LEAVE!You don't have to be japanese or any other country/culture to like another.
Everyone is different, you shouldn't have to explain yourself or why you do the things you do or like the things you like.
I'm finnish, german, pollock and american. I like japanese games, music and anime. I also check out music from other countries like iceland, scotland and italian. Because I check out the culture over there doesn't mean I'm trying to be them. No one is trying to be asian, we're just trying to be ourselves. If you have a question about someone's heritage please ask it in a nice way instead of just bluntly sticking it out there and then accusing them of being something that they're not trying to be.
I think it's good to have interests in another culture(s), but I think the younger generation is what can make a negative image about it. A few of my friends went to college for teaching and Japanese, and now they're teaching English in Japan. And they're in love with the culture, the people, everything. But they have a real dislike for the people here who obsess about it. Like bring it up in every conversation, try to show their knowledge whenever they can, and really destroy chat rooms with flooding "anime smilies". I'm all for having an interest in it, but I hate it when channels/forums/im's get flooded with *adultswim anime*, *anime smilies* or *trendy jpop band*. I don't want to sound like.. negative on the people who are REALLY into it, but I think some people can really tone it down. (Not implying this towards anyone from 4PP or the community)
While I think it's a lot easier here in Hawaii to be infatuated with Japanese culture (mainly because of the high influence the Japanese have on us), I can still relate. I actually am half Japanese, yet I'm still questioned as to why I'm so obsessed with anime and etc. I also collect anime figures and other anime merchandise and being an adult I always get strange looks and quite a few times people (my family as well) would think I'm immature for my hobbies.
In any case it's your preference. Liking any other culture but your own doesn't make you any less proud of where you come from or that you're trying to deny your heritage. It's ridiculous that there are people that think that way.
I agree with, and understand pretty much everything you said. I personally think it's natural to be interested in a place and culture you haven't fully experienced.
I've had the good fortune of being able to travel and experience a variety of different cultures and places. I myself grew up in Pakistan[Though I moved to the U.S in 2006] but have visited England, Singapore, Dubai and France among others but there are still numerous places I am interested in visiting or in some cases, living in for a short duration.
Japan is one of the places I would love to visit, or live in rather, for some time.
As for games with Japanese voice options, I believe the Atelier Iris series for the PS2 had them as well as the Enchanted Arms for the Xbox 360/PS3. Both these games are decent and worth checking out. Nothing mind blowing though.
I think that as long as you know who you are, you shouldn't give a damn of what others think of you.
And for the record- I like onions AND chocolate.
Yeah, it's your life and no matter what, dont let anyone change who you are.
I know how you feel David. Im a Cambodian person and in love with japanese culture and people get mix up with me or think im trying to be one... I know how you feel bud..
Raccoonboi
I love other Cultures especially Indian and Egyptian, but my love of the Japanese culture came from reading a book called "The Tale of Murasaki" by Liza Dalby, it is about an eleventh century court lady called Murasaki Shikibu - who wrote " The Tale of Genji"( Gengi Monogatari). I really think people should have a bit more respect for another persons heritage, I come from a very Scottish heritage and my mother is a New Zealander( in which I am learning the national anthem and some other words in Maori) Kia ora! :-)
Yea, they hate it because they don't understand it. Just ignore those haters if they don't bother to open up for it. If you can't convince them to open up for another culture, it's their loss.
My best friend is obsessed with Japan and it's culture, but we love her for it. She's going to college to teach english in Japan. We know there are always people who will never agree with everything about you, but those are the people you just sigh and talk about something else with. I used to be into Anime, I listen to J-music all the time, as well as plenty of other foreign music, and I've even been to Japan. I used to be teased and tortured in school, but you know what, it's all part of my personality now. You can only become a better person by delving into another's culture, whether it be momentarily or for the last ten years like my friend. You'll only grow. To those who can't understand, just sit back and listen. Maybe you'll learn something, and maybe you'll like it. To David, I love you for your honesty.
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