The Initial Journey

Soon after stepping foot on Japanese soil, it becomes very apparent to the foreigner that they are not Japanese. "Gaijin" becomes the essence of one's identity both to the local and to one's self. Various aspects of Japanese culture remain very unique to this culture alone. The strict adherence to rules may seem a bit over the top at first, but understanding its benefits and its place in such a society cultivates a deep appreciation for them (well some of them at least...) over time. So much so that during the catastrophic disasters of last spring, instead of looting and taking advantage of the absence of crime control, their upbringing here taught them to act in an extremely orderly fashion. In grocery stores, as the electricity went out, the citizens placed the items back on the shelves and cooperated with whatever steps needed to be taken to deal with the problem at hand.

At the other end of the spectrum, there lies the symbolic meaning and implications that are part of any culture. I’ve chosen to show the image of the Gaijin through representing a lack of understanding of the culture. Here, these miniature taps or fountains are located outside of sacred shrines and temples as a means to represent a method of cleansing one’s self. We see the water to wash your hands being drank. In this situation, the local Japanese people were shocked, but had no way of showing their reaction before they could prevent this individual from taking a sip. After learning that this water was not meant to be drank, it was dispelled his mouth, resulting in yet another act that only a foreigner would do.

Another thing on may realize is the meticulousness of the culture. Every little detail counts and that is very apparent in the way they serve their food. Not to mention, the presentation makes the food taste only that much better.