What art movement or art genre, type, style or sub-culture has influenced or changed the way you view a culture other than you own? How and why?
How does Shomuni shape my view on Japanese culture?
As stressed by Nederveen (2004), Globalisation “involves more intensive interaction across wider space and in a shorter time than before” (p. 7). This suggests to us that under globalisation, we could have much more interaction in terms of different aspects, namely economy, politics, culture and social dynamics. In the following, I would like to share how a Japanese TV series Shomuni has influenced the way I view Japanese culture.
Shomuni It is a Japanese TV series based on the comic series by Gumi Yasuda. The latest sequel is currently aired in Japan (JUL 2013 – SEP 2013). I approached this TV series online recently. Indeed, in the 21st century, there is many more television programme (from different countries, such as Japan, Britain, Taiwan, etc.) available online, which enables people from across the world to grasp another country’s culture.
Before watching this TV series, I presumed Japan as a society with overwhelming male-dominated culture, as my parents told me that in Japan, women are viewed as men’s subordinates, and they were to obey and sacrifice for their father, husband, son (e.g. giving up their chances to study and to be a breadwinner to raise their brothers) and even their male colleagues. They have little say in the society and they will be severely condemned if they choose to follow their own wills.
However, as I started to watch Shomuni, my perception changed. I witnessed many scenes in the series which I have hardly thought of. Chinatsu, the leading character, spoke up bravely for female workers’ rights. She and her colleagues in the department refuse all unfair treatments towards them, like opposing HRM department’s wicked deployment to fire female workers, and its age discrimination against female workers in the calendar girl selection. Although Chinatsu and her colleagues resolve prejudice against girls in a comical way, it still somehow reflects the reality. I have gained new insights that Japan is evolving from a country with male-dominated culture to a country with more tolerance and acceptance of females’ voices.
In the above, I have demonstrated how one’s view is on culture is influenced under globalisation. I suggest that this is the result of technoscape, which refers to “the wide range of material that now moves so freely and quickly around” (Ritzer 2010, p.257) and mediascape, that is “the electronic capability to produce and transmit information and images globally” (p. 257).
Leo, a great post this week. As someone who knows very little about Japanese culture, you have done a fantastic job of explaining common values and how you personally came to view their culture prior to discovering the television series 'Shomuni'. Your efforts to consult multiple scholarly sources is effective in strengthening your piece, though perhaps you could have devoted more time at the end to discussing the two scapes with your own words. Your grammar and presentation is also of a high standard. Overall, well done.
ReplyDeleteThanks Leo for the post.
ReplyDeleteThis post is really good that it clearly points out that how people’s views towards a culture can be changed upon globalization. The boom in technologies surely leads to the fast information flow. And this makes people easier get in touch with different countries’ cultures. I have a perception that the woman’s status in the Japanese society is low. Actually, different cultures have their own “images”. However, in the past, it was difficult for us to know each culture thoroughly due to different factors, like the distances and low-tech problems. Now, we can easily look into different cultures easily. And we can keep ourselves updated to different cultures. The world is shrinking. Moreover, our cultures are getting more similar. Our views towards cultures may be changed rapidly upon the globalization, as quick as the changing of world. Anyway, I think the post and the example are really good and special. Well-done.
Hey Leo
ReplyDeleteThe post explores globalization and how it can change an individuals perspective on a culture. You have really emphasized this point and it allows for the blog to be really concise and clear on the main arguments. It would of been good for you to include a clip of the program as opposed to a promotional image of the cast, as it would have allowed for the reader to gain a more intimate understanding of the program. I have found the program quite hard to track down so this is my only criticism.
Great post :)
ReplyDeleteI reckon it was really good idea you mentioned the definition of ‘globalisation’, which is how people can interact in terms of culture and it becomes the globalisation. I also like Japanese Drama thus I was really enjoyable to read your post! Yes, probably, lots of people think Japan is male-dominated country as you stated. However, my view of Japan’s culture was changed when I watched the drama ‘the class of dispatch’. You well demonstrated how individual’s view are influenced or changed on the globalisation. In addition, you used the useful scholarly sources in order to support your ideas. Overall, it was well written post and I think your writing level is high.