Japan

Favorite Things About Japan (Part 5)

May 31, 2021
I have written about my favorite anime already, but this time I am taking a different path with this article. And probably will be the shortest os well. Every person both young and old loves cartoons. In Poland, and I think the rest of eastern Europe on the local
Read More…

Japanese Gardens

slide1_med_hr
Personally I think without any doubt Japan is by far the most beautiful country in the world. Anyone can say their own gardens are beautiful. If there was a competition to design and grow gardens, Asians would take a top price. The reason Japan is praised in my eyes are their outstanding care and detail to any product they produce. Sure they make wonderful appliances, cars that can be tortured and still run, and computer robots. But gardens are breathtaking. European gardens yet very nice but are very symmetrical (very Tetris like) and splashed with luxury. Japan gardens take different approach. I really love the odd shapes and total randomness. The Japanese in simple words say, just plant this here and put the rock over there, plant flower pots near the entry and let the nature take it course. But throughout thousands of years Japan found many method and tools to plant and maintain their gardens. Now I am not a gardening expert but this is how I imagine my backyard to be. And yes many other countries are using the Japanese example and putting their own twist. The way Japanese way of thinking artistically, nature takes a huge importance in life.   
NOTE: I really love Japan and I have watched many documentaries from personal daily life to the yakuza. This is a Japanese inspired park in California I found on the internet.

Japanese Tattoo

Tattoos
Japanese tattoos are one of the most beautiful and unique. Called tebori which is the traditional style and has many designs. These body canvases have many associations with Buddhist (Shinto) Gods and warriors, animals like dragon or tigers, and nature flowers such like chrysanthemum. Prior tattooing, tattoo artist interviews the customer what they like and how they describe their personality. Like in many other cultures tattoos tell individual's story. Symbol of animals like tigers and dragon display strength and power, or koi fish which for good luck. Gods on the other hand have many meanings, one can mean that a spirit watches over your safety. Unlike modern method today that use a mechanical needle to imbed the color, tebori uses traditional tools that are human powered. The positives is the tattoo is more vibrant and how much pressure is applied depending on the shading to make it perfect. The instrument is a bamboo stick and has sharp needles on the end. The negatives are this particular tattoos take a very long time to make and the process is painful… It many take from few months to years. But it's worth it, if you are the one who can stand the pain.
FACTS: In ancient times of Edo Period, tattoos were used to mark prisoners based on your conviction. In Edo period Japanese prison tattoos feature different shapes and Kanji characters depending on your crimes and time period conviction, after certain methods of punishments were deemed overly barbaric.
Japanese society still regard body art as taboo and not many people get them. Many bath houses or resorts don't allow individuals with body modifications, even foreigners (unless its covered somehow). Commonly only the yakuza really get them. As for females, they don't usually get tattoos or at all. When a gang member dies the human skin is preserved and framed.

Robots

Robots
I Don’t know where to start on this one. Since the new millennium we have been introduced to new technologies and ideas. In recent years robots are becoming helpful. Maybe not like these but like Romba vacuums or Asimo personal office assistant. Japan introduced us to robots in past centuries ago with mechanical windup dolls. These dolls used tiny gears, levers and connections. Today they are programed by software… there are robots that help you with heavy lifting or disarming bombs and even assist in medical therapies. Japanese are on top place for robot production and technology research. The robots pictured here are research prototypes and they can be used in entertainment industry. Sadly according to many articles and presentations, robots are used for short amount of time due to overheating. And battery like on HRP-4C (pictured above) lasts between 15 minutes to 2 hours. Regardless the short usage battery technology is getting more and more advanced. These robots are very impressive! One cool teaching tool is used in one dental school. Who developed a robot patient robot that uses reflexes when feeling pain and also can gag when operated on. Now when the students can predict and see how their future patients behave in office during operations. Inconceivably, we still use plastic dentures to study oral hygiene. And with artificial intelligence advancing sooner or later we will have an robotic partner. Honestly I would prefer a human being. Computer robot technology development began a little after a popular original anime Astroboy premiered back in the 1960's. No offense to Apple's Siri, the Japanese really hit this one out of the park. 

FACT: In some Japanese pancake stands, robots cooks and serve meals. In Arizona one McDonald’s location will have robots that will replace kitchen staff and cashiers. But there will be someone who will have maintain them. 

Uniqueness Artistry Bechind J-Pop

October, 18, 2016
My liking for j-pop came when I got a little bored with American music scene. Music has a lot of influences, one of which is inspiring, motivating or rebellious movement. Let me touch on three factors of inspiration… for example in the hippie era music Read More…

Favorite Things About Japan (Part 1)

July 25, 2017
In my inspirations I have briefly shared that I love Japan and animations like The Simpsons, Family Guy and Walt Disney. There is many things people like about Japan for the most part is their wide range of anime. Like many cartoons from any Read More…

Favorite Things About Japan (Part 2)

September 8, 2017
When I look at Japan, I can't stop to thinking about their rich culture, people, innovative ideas that shocked the world. Anime and punctual train system is one thing but there are a lot of things that most of us do not realize. In my inspirations Read More…

Favorite Things About Japan (Part 3)

December 7, 2017
I have already shared my favorite anime and unique things about Japan from post-war recovery to robots. This is what I want to have in my house. As it comes to your home, Japan is awesome. I never been inside a Japanese, but I have seen many Read More…

Favorite Things About Japan (Part 4)

February 10, 2018
Some of you might say that I am an weeboo because I like Japanese things such as anime. It is much more than cartoon and toilets that can wash your button. And I have written already all about it. Recently I written an entry about few things that I Read More…