japan
Unlike the cultires in other countries, Japan is on that has always fascinated me. It may have started in the early days with the Sunday afternoon Kung Fu flicks on channel 5 (you know those ones NY people. .), evern those were Chinese-type films. I think the big push right now is more Japanese animation related. But Japan is so much more than that. So much in fact, that I've taken a Japanese name all for my own: Kyoko Takara.
When translated, "Kyoko" means "head child", as in leading head; "Takara" means "treasure". I may sound like a wannabe, and perhaps I am. But at least I'm not doing it half-assed like some people out there. When I see those people wearing the shirts with kanji on it and so on, they have no clue as to what it means. They just think it "looks cool". You have no idea how much that upsets me, that their ignorance (which is more likely not their fault than anything else) is perpetuated through mass media and its marketing of Japanese items. It's rancid, really.
The only way to truly learn about Japan is to go there and experience it for yourself. I have yet to make it there, as of this writing, but hopefully in the near future I will make it there. Despite not having that dream come true as yet, I know quite a bit about the country, its people and customs, and its language.
It's quite strange when I think about how countries view each other. Japan loves American stuff; America loves Japanese stuff. It amazes me that when I ask my Japanese friends about things going on in their own country, they have no clue, but they can tell you EVERYTHING going on in America. What does that mean? I'm not quite sure, but I'm sure it means something.
The bond between Japan and I is quite strong. I'm starting to think better in Japanese, moreso than before. It's easier to relate to the issues that affect Japanese people as well. Is something this strong normal? Was I a Japanese person in another life maybe? Who knows.
Right about now, I would love to travel the country, see all the shrines and castles and write about them. That'd be my ultimate Japanese adventure. That would be, as they say in Japanese, "shiawase". .happiness.