Shijo-Tsushin #15 April, 1998
An interesting paradox arose. Are you in effect, changing your "homeland" by returning there and "introducing" another culture's ways? Are those that return to Japan somehow making Japan more international, by "infecting" the culture, and heritage?
My point is; the "homeland" you are refering to is kinetic. When you refer to traditional Japanese, are you refering to the westernized, diluted traditions that are Japan today? Are they the values prior to the contact with Europe? Is the definition a product of the experiences obtained outside of Japan? Is the definition a product of his peer group? Parents? Environment?
I believe we can all agree that the definition is a combination of all these factors. What becomes interesting is what each one of us grasps as important enough to retain.
My father is second generation (nisei) from Japan. My grandparents on my father's side are from Hiroshima. My grand-mother on my mother's side is also Japanese, however, that grandfather is Chinese making me 3/4 Japanese and 1/4 Chinese. They emigrated during the migration to Hawaii between 1863 and 1924. These people worked the sugar plantations and were voluntarily segregated each night into different "camps" by ethnic background. The Japanese camp offered a traditional "ofuro" and other "Japanese" amenities.
I grew up in a "typical" Japanese home with my parents and my father's parents. Since both of my parents worked, much of my childhood was spent in the care of my grandparents, who only spoke Japanese (A lot of Hiroshima-ben). Because of my early years, traditional Japanese values are still engraved in my heart. I always wear the gold ring that was given to me by my parents with my family's kamon.
Until my mother passed away (5 years ago) she always prepared an extravagant meal on New Years Day for friends that would visit and share in the New Years celebration.
Taking off our zori before entering a house is normal. The "O Bon" festival is still observed with the "Bon Odori" (and yes, the music is the same "tsuki ga, deta deta, tsuki ga deta, yoi yoi..."). We have numerous Honganji, Daifukuji, Seiganji, and other "otera."
These are only outward signs. However, they are a reflection of my inner feelings.
My full name is Terence Robert Nobuo Terada. "Hai," Terada Nobuo desu. Even there, is a tie to the "country of origin" for my grandparents who selected a Japanese name for me at the request of my parents.
I went to Japan in 1970 during the Osaka exposition (bampaku). I went with my school friends (Am I showing my age?) to experience the culture and the language. What triggered my curiosity was the perception I had of what a typical Japanese was supposed to be. With my first encounter I was dumbfounded. The "typical" Japanese I had met in Japan then was far different. The American and British influences have made their mark on Japan. The music and dress of the Japanese reflect the attire of the bands coming out of America and Europe. I believe that the old traditions and culture of Japan have a firmer grip on Hawaii than in Japan.
Because of my experiences, I find the paradoxes facinating. I am a Bilingual Tour Bus Driver/Narrator in Hawaii. I remember a situation where I was on tour. At lunch, there were two drivers (both non-Japanese), two narrators (Hawaii Japanese), and a tour escort from Japan (touring the Detor coffee farm). The five of us ate at the same table. My observation was that we all grabbed utensils that were most comfortable to us. The tour escort was the only one that took a fork! The rest of us had taken "ohashi" to eat with. As I looked around, the Japanese at most tables were using forks! Isn't this a loss of Japanese tradition.
Please note that this has come at a cost. Since the arrival of the first western contact in Hawaii in 1778, many Hawaii traditions have also been lost. That's why I normally eat with "ohashi" and not with my fingers (joke).
We must accept that what I am seeking is not one answer. That would be inaccurate. What we need is a collective answer to make a whole picture that is greater than the sum of the parts.
Any comments can be directed to me, Terry, at untensan@hotmail.com.
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