Other Curiosity with the Japanese Culture

[Smntha]

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<span style="font-family:Catamaran;"> As I've grown accustomed to this site and its quirks, I couldn't help but notice the fascination the community seems to hold regarding Japanese culture, language and art. Before you begin to flame me for questioning what you enjoy, please note that I am not judging or spitting on what you choose to express yourself through. I am simply a confused user who has hit a wall of Japanese references. </span> </p>


<div style="text-align:center;"><p><span style="font-family:Catamaran;"><img src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/imageproxy/imageproxy.php?img=http://p.fod4.com/p/media/5c597eb60b/dVJNUJlVS6yeyEYhtJIL_Confused%20Mark%20Wahlberg.gif&key=b424525e7205533bebc2770239ebcceaaa47b30621d59e90f0c5f856086603bf" class="ipsImage" alt="dVJNUJlVS6yeyEYhtJIL_Confused Mark W" /></span><span style="font-family:Catamaran;"> </span></p></div>


<p> <span style="font-family:Catamaran;">I've been exposed to the internet on a daily basis for eleven years and been exposed to the arising usage of Japanese language and art. However this site seems to be quite the concentration of said usage. I recognize that the art style and word use comes from the sudden popularization of anime in Western Countries, but the fact so many people have adopted the language and culture into their lives shocks me. I have watched a few Anime, but I have never quite felt the urge to use the language or spam the art-style across my online portfolio. So, upon the topic of the thread I must ask what you find appealing about the Japanese culture many insist on using. Thanks, 'Doc. </span>


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[DemonKitten]

Well, as a gamer, avid reader, and cat lover a lot of my favorite things growing up came from Japan. I didn't know it at first, but as I grew up and found out it made me fascinated and want to learn about the country that influences most my taste in things.


As I learn more, I realize how much I adore Japanese culture, history and the way they have grown into such a power force in many lives

 

[ApfelSeine]

I think that a big part of the fascination comes from the fact that it's something that people feel that they discover their own, but is also popular enough to garner many friends who share the interest, making you feel like a part of a community. Essentially, people feel like individuals while also feeling like they're part of a group the same time. So you double the perks. It helps that there are many aspects of Japanese culture to explore, as well as many anime that focus on western settings, making it easier for people to be introduced into it in a way that they can understand.


People are able pursue an interest that school hardly even touches upon, allowing them to have completely free range on what to explore. Additionally, Japan has created something which is essentially it's own medium. So similarly to how a person might really enjoy exploring stories through literature or movies, some people can enjoy exploring stripes though anime, particularly since it is coupled with an appealing aesthetic and a unique cultural viewpoint that many are unfamiliar with. Plus, many people have done memories of anime, having watched it as a teenager during the crux of identity formation. As a former teenager, I can vouch for the fact that being a fan of a foreign culture makes you feel unique, and being a fan of Japanese culture means that you're not so unique that you won't make any friends. It's a win win arrangement.

 

[Snotslime]

For me I have no idea, It's cool learning about different cultures and Japanese culture is just....really interesting. My favorite part about their culture is the yokai!

 

[Xun Digital]

It's because we're all filthy weeaboos...


In actuality, my personal connection with Japanese (and even Korean) refeferences and culture stems from me growing up with a lot of anime. I started watching anime for as long as I could remember. It's been ingrained in my psyche (thanks to my older brother).


The Japanese culture is fascinating indeed. But I put japanese references in my posts sometimes, I mainly stray away from it so that people who aren't so fond of Japanese culture wouldn't feel as my post was foreign. I have no problems with those whose posts have tons of japaese influence. It's not my thing for the most part. But I'm sure many people do it because japanese crap is relatively rooted into them.


That being said, Japanese and Korean anime style art can be exceedingly gorgeous.

 

[sakigamis]

[QUOTE="Xun Digital]It's because we're all filthy weeaboos...

[/QUOTE]
^Yep, that's it


But in all seriousness, for me at least, I have a tendency to get hooked on cultures related to things I'm into. Back when I was really into Slenderman I started getting into German culture because Slenderverse stuff is commonly based on/linked to German folklore, for a while I was really into Doctor Who & Torchwood and I wanted to go to Cardiff at least once in my life just because it's a major location in nuWho and the setting of Torchwood, etc. I've had a passive interest in anime for as long as I can remember but ever since I got really hooked on it I've taken a huge interest in Japan as a whole, to the point of taking Japanese for my foreign language credits (and the class covers Japanese culture as well as language!) and hoping to visit Japan some day. I think it's mostly just because I tend to be obsessive about my interests, so if something really grabs my attention I want to know everything even remotely related to it. Can't say how much of this is true for others, though.