PART ONE: Culture, Modernity, and Globalization

object and organization of Part I:

There are four key words in the title of this course—Japan, culture, society, and modernity. However, I do not presume that students have special knowledge of Japan or any background in anthropology (which is centered on societies and cultures) or any experience with theories of modernity. I do assume, though, that you bring to the course some images and popular notions of all three topics. So in Part One, we confront this matter of images—of Japan, of anthropology, and of modernity. We begin with some pervasive images of Japan and on the longstanding practice of "stereotyping" a Japanese national character, of imputing certain essentializing qualities of habit and personality that then serve as explanations of their behavior. In contrast, anthropologists have preferred more refined concepts of society and culture. We then go on to consider how modernity has been conceived in Western social theory and how Japan forces us to reconsider and expand conventional notions of the modern and its companion concept, tradition. Finally, we take up globalization and its necessary complement, "domestication."

9/6 W Stereotyping Japan: The perils of national character

[lecture outline] [audio transcript] [image gallery 01]

Nicholas D. Kristof, "In Japan, Nice Guys (And Girls) Finish Together," New York Times, April 12, 1998

See also Clyde Haberman, "Some Japanese (One) Urge Plain Speaking," New York Times, March 27, 1988
and Nicholas D. Kristof, "Japan's Feminine Falsetto Falls Right Out of Favor," New York Times, Dec 13, 1995

9/8 F Japanese culture: It's not in the blood

[lecture outline 1-2] [audio transcript of lecture] [image gallery 02]

William W. Kelly "Tractors, Television, and Telephones: Reach Out and Touch Someone in Rural Japan." In Joseph J. Tobin (ed.), Re-made in Japan: Everyday Life and Consumer Taste in a Changing Society, pp. 77-88 (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1992)

Andrew Pollack, "Rice Farmers Dig In: For Them, The Land Is Sacred," New York Times, February 18, 1993. Page A-3.

Peter Frost, "Examination Hell," in Edward R. Beauchamp (ed.), Windows on Japanese Education, pp. 291-305 (Greenwood Press, 1991)

Edward B. Fiske, "Japan's Schools: Exam Ordeal Rules Each Student's Destiny," New York Times, July 12, 1983. Pages A-1, 8

9/11 M Why do the Japanese work so hard?

[lecture outline 1-2 ] [audio transcript of lecture] [image gallery 03]

Tetsurô Katô , "Workaholism: It's Not in the Blood," LOOK Japan, pp. 8-10, February, 1995

Michael Shapiro, "A Whole Different Ball Game," Japan Society Newsletter, pp. 2-5, June, 1989 P#000743

Susan Chira, "It's Official! Vacations Really Aren't Un-Japanese," New York Times, August 6, 1988. Page A-4.

Naohiro Amaya , "Harmony and the Antimonopoly Law," Japan Echo 8(1):85-95 [1981].

[optional for those interested] Anne Allison, "Japanese Mothers and Obento," in her Permitted and Prohibited Desires, pp. 81-103 (Boulder: Westview Press, 1996)

9/13 W Is modernity a Western accomplishment?

[lecture outline 1-3] [audio transcript of lecture] [image gallery 04]

James Stanlaw, "The Dynamics of English Words in Contemporary Japanese: Japanese English and a "Beautiful Human Life,'" chapter 2 in his Japanese English: Language and Culture Contact, pp. 11-43 [Hong Kong University Press, 2004]

Nicholas D. Kristof, "Stateside Lingo Gives Japan its Own Valley Girls," New York Times, October 19, 1997. Page A-3.

9/14 and 9/15 Th/F Discussion sections

discussion section exercise

Note: There is no required video documentary for this week. If you have time or inclination, you might take a look at any of the following three, which are variously relevant to the issues of Part One:

• "GAEA Girls": This is a remarkable 100-minute documentary about the training camp of a group of female professional wrestlers in Japan. A streaming version of the documentary is available here. You may also find Prof. Kelly's essay about the documentary to be useful.
• "Baseball in Japan": Michael Shapiro was not involved in the production of this documentary in the 1990s, but it does approximate many of the points in his article. A streaming version of the documentary is available here and Prof. Kelly's viewing notes are here.
• "The Japanese Version": This is an older and somewhat controversial documentary about examples of Japanese appropriation of US popular culture in the 1980s. Again, Prof. Kelly's viewing notes for the documentary may prove useful.
• "The Last Samurai": I suspect that many of you have already seen this 2003 feature film, starring Tom Cruise and Ken Watanabe. Motoko Rich had an extended essay about this movie together with the two other controversial Hollywood treatments of Japan in 2003, "Lost in Translation" and "Kill Bill: Vol. One"; see her "Land of the Rising Cliche," New York Times, January 4, 2004. We will be dealing with the pervasive images of Japanese samurai in the 9/20 session next week.

9/18 M Globalization and domestication: Japanese English and Valentine's Day

[lecture outline 1-4] [audio transcript of lecture] [image gallery 05]

George H. Lewis, "Of Love and Power: Chocolate and the Meaning of Valentine's Day in Japan," The World & I 10(2): 248-257 [1995] [a larger file with the article in original color is here]

Yuko Ogasawara, "Popularity Poll," Chapter 4 in her Office Ladies and Salaried Men: Power, Gender, and Work in Japanese Companies

Catherine Rosair, "Men Rush to Buy Candy, Panties for White Day" Reuters, March 12, 1993

9/20 W Samurai warriors and the politics of heritage

[lecture outline] [audio transcript of lecture] [image gallery 06]

David E. Sanger, "Loyal Samurai's Suicide: An Alarm Bell for Japan?" New York Times, May 19, 1989

Ken Belson, "Japan's Samurai Past Thunders into the Present," New York Times, December 7, 2003

Harold Bolitho, "The Myth of the Samurai." In Alan Rix and Ross Mouer (editors), Japan's Impact on the World, pages 2-9 (Nathan, Queensland: Japanese Studies Association of Australia, 1984)

Remember that the first essay will due on Thursday, September 21, by 4:30 p.m.

Part Two

ECONOMIC GROWTH AND CULTURAL NATIONALISM IN LATE-20TH CENTURY JAPAN

9/21-22 Th F Discussion sections

Your assignment is to view the video documentary "Reinventing Japan," read Prof. Kelly's viewing notes, and complete the discussion section exercise prior to this session.
There are two ways to access the documentary.

A streaming version is available here (requires RealMedia plug-in on your computer).
A DVD copy is on reserve at the Film Studies Center in the basement of the Whitney Humanties Center.

9/25 M The national projects of "affluence" and "identity"

[lecture outline 2-1] [audio transcript of lecture] [image gallery 07]

Elisabeth Bumiller, The Secrets of Mariko, pp. 1-90. HQ1765/T64/B85/1995 [reading notes]

Tanaka family genealogy

9/21 W The social ethos and social order: How "mainstream consciousness" and "structured diversity" organized work, family, and schooling

[lecture outline 2-1 ] [audio transcript of lecture (partial)] [image gallery 07]

Elisabeth Bumiller, The Secrets of Mariko, pp. 91-222. HQ1765/T64/B85/1995 [reading notes]

Mainstream Consciousness in Japan, 1958-1997: a chart and a table of the annual surveys by the Prime Minister's Office

9/22 - 9/23 Th F Discussion sections

Your assignment is to view the video documentary "Living Through a Miracle," read Prof. Kelly's viewing notes, and complete the discussion section exercise prior to this session.
There are twoways to access the documentary.

A streaming version is available here.
A DVD copy is on reserve at the Film Studies Center in the basement of the Whitney Humanties Center.

Elisabeth Bumiller, The Secrets of Mariko, pp.223-332. HQ1765/T64/B85/1995 [reading notes]

PART THREE

Workplaces, Schools, and Families: The Institutional Worlds of Everyday Life

10/2 M The "salaryman" and the large organization model

[lecture outline 3-1 ] [audio transcript of lecture] [image gallery 08]

Thomas P. Rohlen, "The Office Group," in his For Harmony and Strength, pp. 93-120 (University of California Press, 1974)

"'Improve Work Every Day' is Motto at Tohoku Oki Electric," Japan Economic Journal, October 26, 1985 P

review: Katô Tetsurô, "Workaholism: It's Not in the Blood," LOOK Japan, pp. 8-10, February, 1995

selections from Tanaka Hiroshi, "Tanaka-kun," Mangajin 1(1):26-31 [1990]

"Competing to Climb the Corporate Ladder" [chart]

[optional] A sampler of New York Times stories on Japanese work and workplaces

10/4 W "Office ladies" threatening the large organizational model

[lecture outline 3-1] [audio transcript of lecture] [image gallery 08]

Yuko Ogasawara, Office Ladies and Salaried Men: Power, Gender, and Work in Japanese Companies, pp. 1-97 (University of California Press) HD6073/M392/J36/1998 [reading notes]

[optional] selections from Akizuki Risa, OL shinka-ron, volume 1 (Survival in the Office: The Evolution of Japanese Working Women). Jules Young and Dominic Young, translators. Kodansha, 1999.

10/5-6 Th and F Discussion sections

View the video documentary "Being Japanese" (a profile of Fuji Film Corporation in the late 1980s), read Prof. Kelly's viewing notes, and complete the discussion section exercise prior to this session. A streaming version is available here, and a DVD copy is on reserve at the Film Studies Center in the basement of the Whitney Humanties Center.

10/9 M Cushions around the core

[lecture outline 3-1 ] [audio transcript of lecture] [image gallery 08]

Yuko Ogasawara, Office Ladies and Salaried Men, pp. 98-168 [reading notes]

video clip: the chains of subcontractors for the Mazda Corporation in the rural periphery of Hiroshima (Real Media streaming format)

video clip: scenes from the day laborer area of San'ya in Tokyo (QuickTime format and requires QuickTime plug-in)

10/11 W The "credential society": Education for a meritocracy

[lecture outline 3-2 ] [audio transcript of lecture] [image gallery 09]

Yoshio Sugimoto, "Diversity and Unity in Education," chapter 5 from his An Introduction to Japanese Society, pp. 107-135 (Cambridge University Press, 1997) HN723/S7/1997 Classes V2 Filename: Sugimoto_1997_chap-5.pdf

Catherine C. Lewis, "Learning and Caring," chapter 7 in her Educating Hearts and Minds, pp.149-177 (Cambridge University Press, 1994) LB1140.25/J3/L48/1994 Classes V2 Filename: Lewis_1994_chap-7.pdf

Thomas P. Rohlen, "Five High Schools," chapter 1 in his Japan's High Schools, pp. 11-44 (University of California Press, 1983) LA1316/R63/1983 - Classes V2 Filename: Rohlen_1983_chap-1.pdf

[optional] A sampler of New York Times stories on Japanese education

10/12-13 Th and F Discussion sections

Your assignment is to view the video documentary "The Learning Machine," read the viewing notes, and complete the discussion section exercise prior to this session. A streaming version is available here, and a DVD copy is on reserve at the Film Studies Center in the basement of the Whitney Humanties Center.

10/16 M Tracks and layers in Japanese schooling

[lecture outline 3-2 ] [audio transcript of lecture] [image gallery 09]

Rebecca Fukuzawa, "The Path to Adulthood According to Japanese Middle Schools," Journal of Japanese Studies 20(1):61-86 [1994] Classes V2 - Filename: JJS_1994_20-1_Fukuzawa.pdf

"Preparing for Admissions Tests": questions from a sixth-grade juku practice admissions test (from the New York Times) Classes V2 - Filename: Sixth-grade-juku-test.pdf

Sample questions from a 1970s Kobe University entrance examination (from Thomas P. Rohlen, Japan's High Schools, pp. 96-97) Classes V2 - Filename: KobeU-exam_Rohlen.pdf

[optional: For a glimpse at high school sports in the form of a high school baseball trying to reach the annual national tournament finals, see Prof. Kelly's notes on "Young Baseball Heroes" and the documentary itself (Yale server only)]

10/18 W Family matters

[lecture outline 3-3] [audio transcript of lecture] [image gallery 10]

"Getting Married in Japan," special section in Nipponia, number 9, 1999

[optional: If you are interested in a recent perspective on marriage in the US, see the 2003 report of the National Marriage Project (Classes V2 Filename: National-Marriage-Project_2003.pdf)]

Ofra Goldstein-Gidoni, "A Day at the Kobe Princess Palace Wedding Parlour," chapter 1 of her Packaged Japaneseness: Weddings, Business and Brides, pages 12-32 (Curzon Press, 1997) Classes V2 Filename: Goldstein-Gidoni_1997_chap-1.pdf

[optional] A sampler of New York Times stories on Japanese marriage and parenting

10/19-20 Th and F Discussion sections

Your assignment is to view the video documentaries "Cram School" and "The Story of Noriko," read Prof. Kelly's viewing notes, and complete the discussion section exercise prior to this session. Streaming versions are available here for Cram School and here for Noriko. [Note that each of these documentaries is only 28 minutes.] DVD copies are on reserve at the Film Studies Center in the basement of the Whitney Humanties Center.

PART FOUR: Transforming Japan

10/23 M The new students in a faltering school system

[lecture outline 4-1][audio transcript of lecture] [image gallery 11]

Gesine Foljanty-Jost and Manuel Metzler, "Juvenile Delinquency in Japan: Reconsidering the 'Crisis'". In Gesine Foljanty-Jost (editor), Juvenile Delinquency in Japan: Reconsidering the "Crisis". Pages 1-17. Leiden: E. J. Brill, 2003. Classes V2 Filename: Foljanty-Jost_Metzler_2003_in-F-J.pdf

Yuki Honda , "The Reality of the Japanese School-to-Work Transition System at the Turn of the Century: Necessary Disillusionment," Social Science Japan, pages 8-12 [February, 2003] Classes V2 Filename: SSJ_2003_20_Honda.pdf

Marina Lee-Cunin, "The Student Academic Experience: Students' Thoughts on Reform and the Future," chapter 6 of her Student Views in Japan: A Study of Japanese Students' Perceptions of Their First Years at University . London: Fieldwork Publications, 2004. Classes V2 Filename: Lee-Cunin_2004_chap-6.pdf

10/25 W The new singles: Parasites or pragmatists?

[lecture outline 4-2 ] [audio transcript of lecture] [image gallery 12]

Masahiro Yamada and Yuji Genda, a debate on "Japan's Dependent Singles," Japan Echo, June, 2000, pp. 47-56
[intro] - Japan-Echo_2000_27-6_Kondo.pdf
[Yamada article] Japan-Echo_2000_27-6_Yamada.pdf
[Genda article] Japan-Echo_2000_27-6_Genda.pdf

Lynne Nakano and Moeko Wagatsuma, "Mothers and Their Unmarried Daughters: An Intimate Look at Generational Change." In Gordon Mathews and Bruce White (editors), Japan's Changing Generations: Are Young People Creating a New Society? pp. 137-154. (London and New York: RoutledgeCurzon, 2004) Classes V2 Filename: Nakano_Wagatsuma_2004_in-Mathews_White.pdf

10/26-27 Th and F discussion sections

Please complete the discussion section exercise prior to this session, which focuses on your course essay. I would also like you to view the film documentary, "Full Moon Lunch" (Prof. Kelly's viewing notes), and be prepared to talk about it. As usual, a DVD copy is on reserve at the Film Studies Center in the basement of the Whitney Humanties Center.

10/30 M Japanese Animation Industry Guest Lecture (John O'Donnell and Homma Matsumi, Central Park Media)

[lecture outline] [audio transcript of lecture]

Readings TBA.

 

[lecture outline 4-4 ] [audio transcript of lecture] [image gallery 13]

Gordon Mathews, "Seeking a Career, Finding a Job: How Young People Enter and Resist the Japanese World of Work," in Gordon Mathews and Bruce White (editors), Japan's Changing Generations: Are Young People Creating a New Society?, pp. 121-136 (London and New York: RoutledgeCurzon, 2004) Classes V2 Filename: Mathews_2004_in-Mathews_White.pdf

Yuki Honda, "'Freeters': Young Atypical Workers in Japan" [unpublished manuscript] Classes V2 filename: Honda_nd.pdf

Colin Smith, "Freeters and the Search for Meaningful Work in Post-Bubble Heisei Japan" [chapter in David Slater (editor), Youth in Japan, in preparation] - Classes V2 filename: Smith_2005_in-Slater.pdf

11/2-3 Th and F discussion sections

Your assignment is to view the video documentary "Dream Girls," read Prof. Kelly's viewing notes, and complete the discussion section exercise prior to this session. A streaming version is available here. A DVD copy is on reserve at the Film Studies Center in the basement of the Whitney Humanties Center.

[optional reading] Ingrid Sischy, "Selling Dreams," The New Yorker, pp. 84-103, September 28, 1992

11/6 M Leisure and consumption: Takarazuka and Hello Kitty

[lecture outline 4-3] [audio transcript of lecture] [image gallery 14]

Karen Nakamura and Matsuo Hisako, "Female Masculinity and Fantasy Spaces: Transcending Genders in the Takarazuka Theatre and Japanese Popular Culture," in James E. Roberson and Suzuki Nobue, Men and Masculinities in Contemporary Japan: Dislocating the Salaryman Doxa. 59-76. London and New York: Routledge/Curzon, 2003.

Laura Miller, "Youth Fashion and Changing Beautification Practices." In Gordon Mathews and Bruce White (editors), Japan's Changing Generations: Are Young People Creating a New Society? Pages 83-98. (London and New York: RoutledgeCurzon, 2004).

Brian J. McVeigh, "How Hello Kitty Commodifies the Cute, Cool, and Camp: 'Consumutopia' Versus 'Control' in Japan," Journal of Material Culture 5(2): 225-245 [2000]

[optional] Sharon Kinsella, "Cuties in Japan," in Lise Skov and Brian Moeran (eds.), Women, Media, and Consumption in Japan, pp. 220-254 (U Hawaii P, 1995). P94.5/W652/J38X/1995

11/8 W Consuming and Collecting in Heisei Japan (Kristin Field)

[lecture outline 4-5] [audio transcript of lecture] [image gallery 15]

 

11/9-10 Th and F Discussion sections

Your assignment is to view the video documentary "Knocking on Heaven's Door," read the viewing notes, and complete the discussion section exercise prior to this session. There are two ways to access the documentary. A streaming version is available here. A DVD copy is on reserve at the Film Studies Center in the basement of the Whitney Humanties Center.

11/13 M New Nationalisms and the Japanese Right

[lecture outline 4-5a ] [audio transcript of lecture]

 

11/15 W The new strangers in the national family

[lecture outline 4-6] [audio transcript of lecture] [image gallery 17]

Joshua Roth, Brokered Homeland: Japanese Brazilian Migrants in Japan, pages 1-91. Cornell University Press, 2002

 

11/16-17 Th and F Discussion sections

No discussion section -- AAA conference

11/27 M Convenience Stores -- Guest lecture by Gavin Whitelaw

11/29 W Multi-ethnic Japan: The case of the Brazilian-Japanese

[lecture outline 4-6 ] [audio transcript of lecture] [image gallery 17]

Joshua Roth, Brokered Homeland: Japanese Brazilian Migrants in Japan, pages 92-145. Cornell University Press, 2002

11/30 and 12/1 Th and F Discussion sections

Your assignment is to view the video documentary "Salsa in Japan: A Japanese and Latino Mix,' read Prof. Kelly's viewing notes, and complete the discussion section exercise prior to this session. There are two ways to access the documentary. A streaming version is available here. A DVD copy is on reserve at the Film Studies Center in the basement of the Whitney Humanties Center.

12/4 M "Millennial Monsters" (Anne Allison): Global Japan, from GNP to GNC

[lecture outline 4-8] [audio transcript of lecture] [image gallery 18]

Anne Allison, "Cuteness as Japan's Millennial Product," in Joseph Tobin (editor) Pikachu's Global Adventure: The Rise and Fall of Pokemon, pp. 34-51 (Duke University Press, 2004)

Douglas McGray, "Japan's Gross National Cool," Foreign Policy, May-June, pp. 44-54 [2002]

 

12/6 W Disabilities and Difference & Final considerations

[lecture outline] [audio-video transcript of lecture] [image gallery 19]

Nakamura, Karen, "U-Turns, 'Deaf Shock,' and the Hard-Of-Hearing: Japanese Deaf Identities at the Borderlands"
In Many Ways to be Deaf: International Linguistic and Sociocultural Variation.
Ed. Leila Monaghan, Constanze Schmaling, Karen Nakamura, and Graham Turner.
pp. 211-229. Washington, DC: Gallaudet University Press. 2003.

12/7-8 Th F Discussion sections

There is no assigned documentary to view. Please complete the section exercise prior to this session, which will be the basis of our discussions.

Remember: The third essay (Assignment 3) is due on Monday, December 11, by 4:30 p.m.