Why Japan?

[tipsygypsy]

Originally Posted by tokusatsufan

Wales can be cold[like the rest of the country!] but it has great scenery. Has snow unlike the rest of the country. My uncle and auntie live on a farm that my granddad used to own and the view of the hills is just amazing. I know you shouldn't deny parts of you but I actually like Wales more than England and I'm thinking of going to university there. Of course I know there's good points of England. England has a lot of nice scenery too.

I'll stop going on about Wales now. The reason why I'm always saying "I'm half Welsh" is because a lot of people don't know it exists. My granddad was in the army and he tried to tell a German that he was Welsh and they thought he was mad! I'm sad to say,even a Japanese woman I met didn't know At least I'm not Brittany[which is in France]. Now they really know discrimination.

Whereabouts in Tokyo do you live? I was amazed at how big it was when I went there.

Your response has got really strong hook. It made me curious about both Wales and England. I know there are a lot of people who have Celtic, and many other roots overthere just like we have Ainu and Ryuukyuu people here. And yes, discrimination unfortunately exists here too.

My hometown is Kitasenju ( near Asakusa, Ueno, and Akihabara area )which is in eastside Tokyo.

[ryuhebi13]

Originally Posted by tipsygypsy

You are jus like another "Oooooh my gaaaaaaawd!" dude to me haha. You sound like more Japanese than me since you are so curious about the roots of us and traditional Japanese manners. lol But let me tell you one thing. Feel free to speak English whenever you feel it's much easier to communicate with your host family. Trying to improve your Japanese skill is important thing, but it's more important to have smooth communication with others.

Grins

Thanks. Thats a good idea. I'll still keep learning my Japanese but knowing I can lapse into English to maintain smooth communication takes a load off.

[tipsygypsy]

Originally Posted by ryuhebi13

Grins

Thanks. Thats a good idea. I'll still keep learning my Japanese but knowing I can lapse into English to maintain smooth communication takes a load off.

And I wish you'll have great time while you're in Japan

[TalnSG]

Originally Posted by tipsygypsy

hahaha what a mature kid you were! If I were your dad, I would think "9years old and she's into geisha stuff? what kinda 9years old gurl you are?" seriously. lol Thank you for the intersting story.

By the time my parents stumbled across what I was researching, I had a clear perception of geishas (not the western or hollywood versions), so my Dad was not too upset. He was probably thinking "Oh, good. Finally something with discpline, respect, art, music, and POISE! (I was a tomboy and a klutz.) Though I am sure he was also glad we were in the U.S. so the odds were good the phase would pass before I could do anything about my interest.

[tipsygypsy]

Originally Posted by TalnSG

By the time my parents stumbled across what I was researching, I had a clear perception of geishas (not the western or hollywood versions), so my Dad was not too upset. He was probably thinking "Oh, good. Finally something with discpline, respect, art, music, and POISE! (I was a tomboy and a klutz.) Though I am sure he was also glad we were in the U.S. so the odds were good the phase would pass before I could do anything about my interest.

Oh you grew up in quite generous and flexible environment. That's great.

[Ryzorian]

Lets see. For me it was a series of things. I remember watching Shogun as a kid and thinking it was interesting. I have a great Uncle who flew bombers dureing the war, he wouldn't talk much about it, but what little he did say also intrigued me.

Course you have the Anime part, I actually understood them as far as plot and emotional reference. Though for the first few years I thought they never had a happy ending.

I was also amused by how Americans tend to be portrayed on anime, we aren't all crazy, the midwest is pretty dull compared to say New York. Plus my mom's cousin had a son marry a Japanese girl and now lives in Japan...so I guess I have "relatives" In Japan now.

So it's basically an interest from a combination of things.

[tipsygypsy]

Originally Posted by Ryzorian

Lets see. For me it was a series of things. I remember watching Shogun as a kid and thinking it was interesting. I have a great Uncle who flew bombers dureing the war, he wouldn't talk much about it, but what little he did say also intrigued me.

Course you have the Anime part, I actually understood them as far as plot and emotional reference. Though for the first few years I thought they never had a happy ending.

I was also amused by how Americans tend to be portrayed on anime, we aren't all crazy, the midwest is pretty dull compared to say New York. Plus my mom's cousin had a son marry a Japanese girl and now lives in Japan...so I guess I have "relatives" In Japan now.

So it's basically an interest from a combination of things.

Oh I see. Your case is by people around you. It was good to hear. thanks a lot

[Sangetsu]

I first heard of Japan from my third grade elementary school teacher. One of her sons was a professor living in Tokyo, and she spent each summer visiting Japan. She had a big collection of Japanese souvenirs which she would bring to class, and she would also show us films from Japan.

In high school I studied karate and kendo, and a stronger interest developed. But I never thought to visit Japan, and I never imagined that it would one day be my home.

I'm writing while sitting on the Yamanote train headed to Tokyo station, the next stop is Akihabara. I am looking forward to getting a sandwich at the Dean and Deluca store at Tokyo station, and maybe a chocolate gelato as well... Funny where life can take you.

[tipsygypsy]

Originally Posted by Sangetsu

I first heard of Japan from my third grade elementary school teacher. One of her sons was a professor living in Tokyo, and she spent each summer visiting Japan. She had a big collection of Japanese souvenirs which she would bring to class, and she would also show us films from Japan.

In high school I studied karate and kendo, and a stronger interest developed. But I never thought to visit Japan, and I never imagined that it would one day be my home.

I'm writing while sitting on the Yamanote train headed to Tokyo station, the next stop is Akihabara. I am looking forward to getting a sandwich at the Dean and Deluca store at Tokyo station, and maybe a chocolate gelato as well... Funny where life can take you.

You never thought to visit Japan when you were in highschool. and you're teaching in Japan now. Nobody can tell what will happen in our life. And It likely happen that you'll be a leader of Chinese democracy movement. Who can tell? lol

[ryuhebi13]

Originally Posted by tipsygypsy

And I wish you'll have great time while you're in Japan

Thanks Still pondering on where to stay. I do want to visit Tokyo so don't know whether to stay there or commute in... Eh well, i've got time enoughto decide. I'm sure I'll have a blast during my stay.