God I love the Japanese.
How can you NOT like the Japanese.
I mean, these are the people that have given us hours of Godzilla entertainment! And the newer stuff in that series (after 1977) doesn't even look fake!
These people rock! I mean, yeah, they can be weird sometimes. I was reading this thing about how Americans were visiting in Tokyo, and it seemed like a LOT of people there were sleeping in the middle of the day on the train thingies. Sure, they ruined Pearl Harbor, but that was like 60 years ago.
These are the people that gave us the wonders of Anime. Come on, how can you NOT like Sprited Away and Akira?
They gave us the scariest movies ever made. Everyone should watch Ju-on with surround sound, by themselves, with the lights off. Watch the 3 sequels as well. They gave us Ringu, which in turn gave us the Ring here. They know their scary stuff.
Yes, I know they also gave us some things some find inappropriate. Shota, Loli, movies about Japanese girls hired for sex and then torturing the men with needles attached to wires, that freaky Yatta song (watch Irrational Exuberance and try to keep your sanity), and cheap Gamera movies.
But come on! They're just so awesome! I cannot wait to visit them!
Tokyo looks so beautiful!
Lord-General Drache
02-08-2005, 02:24
Ugh. I hate anime, in all its forms, with a passion. I'm not a fan of the language, either.
However, I will say I think that the culture of Feudal Japan was just kick ass. Japan's had a long and interesing history, which I like.
How can you NOT like the Japanese.
I mean, these are the people that have given us hours of Godzilla entertainment! And the newer stuff in that series (after 1977) doesn't even look fake!
These people rock! I mean, yeah, they can be weird sometimes. I was reading this thing about how Americans were visiting in Tokyo, and it seemed like a LOT of people there were sleeping in the middle of the day on the train thingies. Sure, they ruined Pearl Harbor, but that was like 60 years ago.
These are the people that gave us the wonders of Anime. Come on, how can you NOT like Sprited Away and Akira?
They gave us the scariest movies ever made. Everyone should watch Ju-on with surround sound, by themselves, with the lights off. Watch the 3 sequels as well. They gave us Ringu, which in turn gave us the Ring here. They know their scary stuff.
Yes, I know they also gave us some things some find inappropriate. Shota, Loli, movies about Japanese girls hired for sex and then torturing the men with needles attached to wires, that freaky Yatta song (watch Irrational Exuberance and try to keep your sanity), and cheap Gamera movies.
But come on! They're just so awesome! I cannot wait to visit them!
Tokyo looks so beautiful!Bolded what I found to be counter points in your argument. I don't like Spirited Away or Akira.
Anime's pretty good. Though the majority of it (90-95%) is utter crap to me. Gundam...wtf... (Yay Cowboy Bebop)
Haverton
02-08-2005, 02:27
I don't really have anything positive to say about them, since they've done a lot of f*cked up stuff in their history.
But come on! They're just so awesome! I cannot wait to visit them!
Tokyo looks so beautiful!
Um... I hate to burst your bubble, but Tokyo is DAMN ugly. It has to be one the most ugly cities in the world. Clean, yes, nice, yes, safe, yes, but it is soooo not beautiful.
Tannenmille
02-08-2005, 02:30
Karaoke for the loss.
I don't really have anything positive to say about them, since they've done a lot of f*cked up stuff in their history.
Yeah but they make radios for us now so it's okay.
mattr0cka
Um... I hate to burst your bubble, but Tokyo is DAMN ugly. It has to be one the most ugly cities in the world. Clean, yes, nice, yes, safe, yes, but it is soooo not beautiful.
Isn't beauty in the eye of the beholder?
Isn't beauty in the eye of the beholder?
BEHOLD! It is ugly!
Bolded what I found to be counter points in your argument. I don't like Spirited Away or Akira.
Anime's pretty good. Though the majority of it (90-95%) is utter crap to me. Gundam...wtf... (Yay Cowboy Bebop)
Do you like Full metal Alchemist?
I love Samurai Champloom Full Metal, Paranoia Agent, and InuYasha.
Do you like Full metal Alchemist?
I love Samurai Champloom Full Metal, Paranoia Agent, and InuYasha.
Not Full Metal, or Inuyasha.
The rest I've only seen one episode of each.
I think Tokyo is beautiful. It's full of really neat futuristic looking skyscrapers. I love modern architecture and one of my favourite websites of recent is http://www.takenaka.co.jp site of a building company, which happens to be from Japan.
There are some things about Japanese culture I don't like though. They have no concept of individuality (a French prime minister once got in trouble for comparing them to ants) and very little in the way of an authentic personality. They seem to go to great lengths to be indirect and vague, and will not look you in the eye when speaking.
The Precursors
02-08-2005, 02:45
I don't really have anything positive to say about them, since they've done a lot of f*cked up stuff in their history.
Wow...you just made a simpleton out of yourself. The US has made some ugly things in it's history, and so has France, Hungary, Turkey, Russia, England and [insert any country] as well. So let's stop being small minded and see beyond a countries historical errors because if you don't the ONLY thing you'll ever see, what ever way you'll look, is doom and gloom.
And yes, I love anime. Though not by far as much as when I was younger. I guess age made me fastidious ;)
I specifically dislike the crap where naked little kiddies in their 15's save the world. So dumb...
The Northeast Korea
02-08-2005, 02:45
Ugh. I hate anime, in all its forms, with a passion. I'm not a fan of the language, either.
However, I will say I think that the culture of Feudal Japan was just kick ass. Japan's had a long and interesing history, which I like.
Interesting history? Like commiting atrocities in Korea and China?
I think Tokyo is beautiful. It's full of really neat futuristic looking skyscrapers. I love modern architecture and one of my favourite websites of recent is http://www.takenaka.co.jp site of a building company, which happens to be from Japan.
There are some things about Japanese culture I don't like though. They have no concept of individuality (a French prime minister once got in trouble for comparing them to ants) and very little in the way of an authentic personality. They seem to go to great lengths to be indirect and vague, and will not look you in the eye when speaking.
Yeah, I find Tokyo to look amazing, yet I don't really like New York. (Cept for the Crystler building and Empire State)
About the culture, you are sort of right. But they are very good at keeping with Capitalism. I think of Japan as sorta America Lite. And they do smile a lot when you talk to them and they are very nice people for the most part. The ones that I've met are at least.
OHidunno
02-08-2005, 02:47
My stepfamily is Japanese, so we used to go there a lot.
And Tokyo, is quite ugly.
If you want beautiful, go to Hokaido in the winter, or Okinawa in the summer, or Nagoya when the cherry blossoms bloom, go to the zoo type thing under Mount Fuji.
In my opinion, the only thing beautiful about Tokyo, is the train that goes to it from Nagoya, I think. You past Mount Fuji.. and it's absolutely beautiful. Especially in the Spring.
Interesting history? Like commiting atrocities in Korea and China?
Um, but those countries have done the same things to other places, I believe. Plus, Japanese history doesn't interest me much. I'm talking about post 1950 Japan.
The Precursors
02-08-2005, 02:48
Interesting history? Like commiting atrocities in Korea and China?
Among other things, yes. Normally I'd never say such a thing but since you're clearly flamebaiting I thought I'd give your little match some help. Stop being so stupidly hateful as soon as you see the words [japan/japanese]. Geeze, this isnät even your first hateful post concerning Japan.
Dragons Bay
02-08-2005, 02:53
Interesting history? Like commiting atrocities in Korea and China?
It's not like Korea and China didn't commit any atrocities. Same to be said for Britain, France, Germany and the United States. We've all commited atrocities. Japan is not the only one to blame.
And Tokyo, is quite ugly.
http://tokyoyakei.cool.ne.jp/tokyo/odaiba-fuji-tv/fuji-tv-5.jpg
That's ugly?
Lord-General Drache
02-08-2005, 02:58
Interesting history? Like commiting atrocities in Korea and China?
Not that bit. I was referring to its history and customs of feudal Japan, which I suppose I should've specified.
Dragons Bay
02-08-2005, 03:04
http://tokyoyakei.cool.ne.jp/tokyo/odaiba-fuji-tv/fuji-tv-5.jpg
That's ugly?
Man, you should compare it with the Hong Kong night skyline. At least Hong Kong's is more colourful, and there's a nice waterfront to go with it.
http://www.digitalvoodoo.de/gallery/albums/skyline_hong_kong_new_year/hk16.sized.jpg
Schizoids united
02-08-2005, 03:06
http://tokyoyakei.cool.ne.jp/tokyo/odaiba-fuji-tv/fuji-tv-5.jpg
That's ugly?
It may not be ugly but what sets it apart from all the other major cities of the world? I think japan's countryside is much more interesting (and beautiful), the people there have mostly kept to their traditions and that makes for a nice change, from a westerner's point of view.
Considering the history of Japan. Yes, pretty much all countries have commited atrocities, but Japan has kinda got itself the reputation of being the harshest, cruelest perpetrator of said atrocites.
The Precursors
02-08-2005, 03:09
Wow...two awesome pictures guys!!!
You don't get to see that in Malmö (Swedens third largest city with about 280k citizens). Thought we do get to see the lights in copenhagen in Denmark across the strait...looks really cosy on a summer night =)
OHidunno
02-08-2005, 03:11
Man, you should compare it with the Hong Kong night skyline. At least Hong Kong's is more colourful, and there's a nice waterfront to go with it.
http://www.digitalvoodoo.de/gallery/albums/skyline_hong_kong_new_year/hk16.sized.jpg
Yes! Compare it to the place where I was born and have lived in for my whole life.
The tokyo skyline looks dreary in that picture. And yes, it does have some beautiful architecture, but in all, it's not as beautiful as some cities.
Soviet Haaregrad
02-08-2005, 03:17
Hurray for Japan, sure 90% of anime is shit but 90% of everything is shit.
The tokyo skyline looks dreary in that picture. And yes, it does have some beautiful architecture, but in all, it's not as beautiful as some cities.
Prettier than anything here in North Carolina! Prettier than Atlanta, Richmond, DC, Los Angeles, Manhattan, Philidelphia, etc.
Only city that really compares I think may be San Francisco or Seattle.
OHidunno
02-08-2005, 03:19
Prettier than anything here in North Carolina! Prettier than Atlanta, Richmond, DC, Los Angeles, Manhattan, Philidelphia, etc.
Only city that really compares I think may be San Francisco or Seattle.
Compare it to Hong Kong!
About the culture, you are sort of right. But they are very good at keeping with Capitalism. I think of Japan as sorta America Lite. And they do smile a lot when you talk to them and they are very nice people for the most part. The ones that I've met are at least.
They’re corporatist not capitalist. The government is real involved with business there. But heck, so is the US. Seems a country is either socialist, corporatist or crazy dictatorist these days.
Hurray for Japan, sure 90% of anime is shit but 90% of everything is shit.
That was just brilliant.
Anyway, I have a positive opinion of Japan, mostly because of their history- which is rather interesting-, anime, the language (which just sounds cool) and the landscape.
Compare it to Hong Kong!
If you insist.... They both look cool to me. I just find them different. It depends on what you're looking for. You won't find Godzilla smashing Hong Kong buildings.
Soviet Haaregrad
02-08-2005, 04:17
That was just brilliant.
And directed at all the people who say anime is bad because they've yet to see a good one.
The Chinese Republics
02-08-2005, 04:25
These are the people that gave us the wonders of Anime. Come on, how can you NOT like Sprited Away and Akira?
Anime (in most forms) are the most annoying cartoons in the world.
They gave us the scariest movies ever made. Everyone should watch Ju-on with surround sound, by themselves, with the lights off. Watch the 3 sequels as well. They gave us Ringu, which in turn gave us the Ring here. They know their scary stuff.
I watched one of their horror shows. Pretty freaky but wierd.
Yes, I know they also gave us some things some find inappropriate. Shota, Loli, movies about Japanese girls hired for sex and then torturing the men with needles attached to wires
Sounds like Anime porn
that freaky Yatta song (watch Irrational Exuberance and try to keep your sanity)
I watched their music video, they're gay.
Airlandia
02-08-2005, 04:26
Uginin, When you're right you're right! ^_^
I will always maintain that Miss Rumiko Takahashi is one of the best artist/writers the 20th Century ever produced. :)
Sounds like Anime porn
Shota and Loli ARE anime porn. Anime porn with kids. Shota is boys, I believe, and I think Loli is girls.
Robot ninja pirates
02-08-2005, 04:34
Ugh. I hate anime, in all its forms, with a passion.
Me too, but I still found Spirited Away to be one of the greatest movies I've ever seen. In that case the animation style actually works perfectly, and story is just so amazing.
The Chinese Republics
02-08-2005, 04:35
Man, you should compare it with the Hong Kong night skyline. At least Hong Kong's is more colourful, and there's a nice waterfront to go with it.
http://www.digitalvoodoo.de/gallery/albums/skyline_hong_kong_new_year/hk16.sized.jpg
The last time I been to HK is when I was 5.
Man, gotta love this place. I wanna go back!
OHidunno
02-08-2005, 04:39
The last time I been to HK is when I was 5.
Man, gotta love this place. I wanna go back!
it's absolutely beautiful, you should visit!
The Eastern Hemisphere
02-08-2005, 04:39
Man, you should compare it with the Hong Kong night skyline. At least Hong Kong's is more colourful, and there's a nice waterfront to go with it.
http://www.digitalvoodoo.de/gallery/albums/skyline_hong_kong_new_year/hk16.sized.jpg
Meh, I prefer Shanghai....
The Northeast Korea
02-08-2005, 04:59
Among other things, yes. Normally I'd never say such a thing but since you're clearly flamebaiting I thought I'd give your little match some help. Stop being so stupidly hateful as soon as you see the words [japan/japanese]. Geeze, this isnät even your first hateful post concerning Japan.
Yes, maybe I should have toned it down. However, I never knew my grandfather on my mother's side wich is directly related to the Japenese, so it's a little touchy subject for me. As for my other post, I never clearly stated I hated the japenese. I put in a line saying I didn't mean any offense to any japenese. Again, I'm sorry to anyone I've offended.
Drkadrkastan
02-08-2005, 05:11
Do you like Full metal Alchemist?
I love Samurai Champloom Full Metal, Paranoia Agent, and InuYasha.
You watch a lot of AdultSwim don't you?
Freeunitedstates
02-08-2005, 05:20
Interesting history? Like commiting atrocities in Korea and China?
I'm guessing the hisstory refered to is more like the Bushido honor code, great heroes like Lord Asano's 47 Ronin, Nitta Yoshisada, Ono Doken, Oda Nobunaga, etc.
Besides, if you wanna talk atrocities, how about Manifest Destiny? My people used to own 100% of the land, and now we own less than 1% of it. So there :P
Svetlanabad
02-08-2005, 05:35
Watch the movie "Ran" (pronounced "rahn"), aka "Chaos". The work of the director is amazing. He was rumoured to "help" people to get into the characters they were potraying well.
For example, in one of his previous movies (the name escapes me, sorry), there was an actress who was potraying an abused woman. So, to get her into the character, he verbally and physically abused her.
Sorry for the tangent. In addition, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I love the skyline of Dallas and could live in Deep Ellum (the art/club district). It has to do with the fact that I was raised here.
Whoever said "New York is the greatest city in the world" never visited Texas or Bejing. Or New Orleans, for that matter. :D
Daistallia 2104
02-08-2005, 05:38
Um... I hate to burst your bubble, but Tokyo is DAMN ugly. It has to be one the most ugly cities in the world. Clean, yes, nice, yes, safe, yes, but it is soooo not beautiful.
Seconded. It's even uglier than Osaka. And that's an almost impossible task.
Here's a picture I just took out my window:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/Daistallia/05-08-02_13-05.jpg
Multiply that about 10 times, and you get Tokyo:
http://misheli.image.pbase.com/u42/japan2004/upload/34151603.tokyo_houses.JPG
Prettier than anything here in North Carolina! Prettier than Atlanta, Richmond, DC, Los Angeles, Manhattan, Philidelphia, etc.
Only city that really compares I think may be San Francisco or Seattle.
Sorry, but no way, no how is Tokyo more attractive than any of those cities. Most of Tokyo is mile after eye and mind numbing mile of the architecture in the picture I posted above. Grey concrete, aluminum or vinyl siding, and horrible fake stone or brick facades done in fiber cement are terribly common. Little care is taken towards beautifying the exteriors of buildings, as nothing is built to last more than 20 years (and buildings more than 10 years old are considered old).
Of course there are some bright spots. But the vast part of the urban landscape in Japan is eyesore after eyesore.
But don't take my word for it. Here's what Minoru Mori, one of Japan's most important real estate developers had to say about it:
Tokyo, he declares, is losing the race to remain the undisputed capital of Asia, primarily because it is such a difficult, ugly and expensive place to live. Thanks to a half-century of what he calls misguided zoning and public-policy decisions (spurred, in part, by earthquake-fear mongering and a fetishistic promotion of suburban home ownership), Tokyo's urban centers are disjointed agglomerations of short, shoddy buildings that empty out and shut down every evening (except for a few nightlife neighborhoods) as workers hop overcrowded trains to their cramped homes in the city's never-ending exurban hinterlands.
"TomorrowLand: Tycoon Minoru Mori wants to make Tokyo a more livable city" (http://www.time.com/time/asia/2003/cool_japan/architects.html)
(And don't even get me started on the horrors that have been visited upon Kyoto. :(
Sorry, but no way, no how is Tokyo more attractive than any of those cities.
Um, last time I checked, my opinion could not be trumped by someone else. My opinion still stands.
Besides, I was talking about the city proper. A lot of cities look like that picture just outside of downtown. I was talking of downtown Tokyo.
Seconded. It's even uglier than Osaka. And that's an almost impossible task.
Oh I don't know, some of Osaka is actually pretty neat, in my opinion.
But yes, Tokyo is a monster of a city, miles and miles of square boxes cramed together with little thought of beauty and zoning. Walking in Tokyo you find waterways that date from the Edo period that were once used to transport goods and people around the city, then literally built on top of it, a double decker expressway. Next to a pachinko (gambling) hall, next to a store, next to a smoke shop, next to a school, next to a huge apartment block, next to a porn shop, next to... and it goes for MILES.
I'll post some shots of Tokyo I took from on top Tokyo Tower so you can see that mess of a city. Some buildings are pretty but most of it...
Hell, many Japanese I know think that it would help if Tokyo was firebombed again by the Americans so they could rebuild.
But yes, Tokyo is a monster of a city, miles and miles of square boxes cramed together with little thought of beauty and zoning. Walking in Tokyo you find waterways that date from the Edo period that were once used to transport goods and people around the city, then literally built on top of it, a double decker expressway. Next to a pachinko (gambling) hall, next to a store, next to a smoke shop, next to a school, next to a huge apartment block, next to a porn shop, next to... and it goes for MILES.
But that's what I like about it. It's so random and unplanned. I mean, what's the fun of having all of one type of shop together, go to another district and you have your porn shops, go farther and you have your apartments....
That's just so.... blah! I'm a fan of cities that look confusing to navigate and look cramped as hell, with people walking in the streets to work and horns going all hours of the night... Lot's of lights and people out walking around at 3 AM...
These pictures look awesome to me. http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=213394
Man, you should compare it with the Hong Kong night skyline. At least Hong Kong's is more colourful, and there's a nice waterfront to go with it.
http://www.digitalvoodoo.de/gallery/albums/skyline_hong_kong_new_year/hk16.sized.jpg
:rolleyes:
Some people have no lives...apparently an entire city has nothing better to do.
:D
(j/k)
That's just so.... blah! I'm a fan of cities that look confusing to navigate and look cramped as hell, with people walking in the streets to work and horns going all hours of the night... Lot's of lights and people out walking around at 3 AM...
It's fine, until you find out that most of the streets are unnamed, wander off in weird directions, building numbers have no logical relation with each other (to be fair, this is Japan all over, I live in a duplex with my address being 10227-11 and my neighbor (same duplex) is 10457-34, both addresses followed by the town's name). I mean, when the maps you get for Tokyo show landmarks like gas stations for navigation purposes... ;)
Don't get me wrong, Tokyo IS a very fun city to visit, if you're not trying to find a place when you have an apointment, but it IS very ugly.
Some people have no lives...apparently an entire city has nothing better to do.
Heh, haven't been to Las Vegas yet, have you, Colodia? ;)
Fan Grenwick
02-08-2005, 07:05
Interesting history? Like commiting atrocities in Korea and China?
At least 350,000 slaughtered, 80,000 women and children raped in Nanking in about 6 weeks. Not to mention Unit 731 that did even more horrific things to their victims than the Nazis ever thought of.
Hey, I agree, you gotta love the Japanese. NOT!!!!!!
Worldworkers
02-08-2005, 07:21
i love japan and i want to become a cedazion one day but i love the language to genki desu ka waht is there to haet the past is the past moderen japan is a graet place
Jormmungand
02-08-2005, 07:46
Um, last time I checked, my opinion could not be trumped by someone else. My opinion still stands.
And so does his, and so does mine, that anime blows (excluding cowboy bebop and Aeon Flux, which didn't have anime lines and annoying comedy attempts) and that Chicago, Toronto and San Diego are the most beautiful cities I've ever seen.
And please, even if they did kill hundreds of thousands, that doesn't make it uninteresting. It makes it an interesting, studyable atrocity.
Dragons Bay
02-08-2005, 09:49
At least 350,000 slaughtered, 80,000 women and children raped in Nanking in about 6 weeks. Not to mention Unit 731 that did even more horrific things to their victims than the Nazis ever thought of.
Hey, I agree, you gotta love the Japanese. NOT!!!!!!
Germans: Holocaust
Americans: Agent Orange in Vietnam
British: brutal colonisation
Chinese: Cultural Revolution
Jews: Arabs
Arabs: Jews
Africans: between their different tribes
Indians: Pakistanis
Pakistanis: Indians
Do you hate humanity?
Anarchy 2005
02-08-2005, 14:53
How can you NOT like the Japanese.
I mean, these are the people that have given us hours of Godzilla entertainment! And the newer stuff in that series (after 1977) doesn't even look fake!
These people rock! I mean, yeah, they can be weird sometimes. I was reading this thing about how Americans were visiting in Tokyo, and it seemed like a LOT of people there were sleeping in the middle of the day on the train thingies. Sure, they ruined Pearl Harbor, but that was like 60 years ago.
These are the people that gave us the wonders of Anime. Come on, how can you NOT like Sprited Away and Akira?
They gave us the scariest movies ever made. Everyone should watch Ju-on with surround sound, by themselves, with the lights off. Watch the 3 sequels as well. They gave us Ringu, which in turn gave us the Ring here. They know their scary stuff.
Yes, I know they also gave us some things some find inappropriate. Shota, Loli, movies about Japanese girls hired for sex and then torturing the men with needles attached to wires, that freaky Yatta song (watch Irrational Exuberance and try to keep your sanity), and cheap Gamera movies.
But come on! They're just so awesome! I cannot wait to visit them!
Tokyo looks so beautiful!
Are you Derek Connor....
Daistallia 2104
02-08-2005, 17:32
Um, last time I checked, my opinion could not be trumped by someone else. My opinion still stands.
You are certainly welcome to whatever opinion you wish. However, you, and others reading this, may wish to note that I've been living in Japan 14 years and I've almost certainly visited Tokyo more than you have (5 times versus your unstated, but implied, never), and weigh the value of my, OHidunno's, and NERVUN's "boots on the ground, eyes on target" opinions and your own opinions accordingly. But you are certainly welcome to attempt to contest our views. ;)
However, if you find this picture of downtown Tokyo (from your "These pictures look awesome to me." link above) attractive, I can see we have very little basis for comparitive aesthetics:
http://www.oranga.com/pics3/s200504176139b.jpg
If that's really the case, so be it.
Besides, I was talking about the city proper. A lot of cities look like that picture just outside of downtown. I was talking of downtown Tokyo.
That was a picture of downtown Tokyo.
This is what the suburbs look like:
http://one.neomega.ru/photos/japan/5.jpg
Anyway, your original contention was that Tokyo is a beautiful city, and you did not limit it to any particular downtown area.
Assuming you wish to limit it now, which downtown areas of Tokyo do you find beautiful?
Seconded. It's even uglier than Osaka. And that's an almost impossible task.
Oh I don't know, some of Osaka is actually pretty neat, in my opinion.
Oh yes. Don't get me wrong. Even Tokyo has it's bright spots. And Osaka is certainly better. Osaka absolutely has it's own *very* funky soul and character. It's not beautiful, but I love it very much. I must say that I've lived here long enough to have that almost perverse Naniwa pride. :D
Andm in that spirit, Uginin, I'd highly recommend Osaka to you. Like I said it's not beautiful, but it's very funky. Tokyo, on the otherhand, always strikes me as soul sucking. (
But yes, Tokyo is a monster of a city, miles and miles of square boxes cramed together with little thought of beauty and zoning. Walking in Tokyo you find waterways that date from the Edo period that were once used to transport goods and people around the city, then literally built on top of it, a double decker expressway. Next to a pachinko (gambling) hall, next to a store, next to a smoke shop, next to a school, next to a huge apartment block, next to a porn shop, next to... and it goes for MILES.
I'll post some shots of Tokyo I took from on top Tokyo Tower so you can see that mess of a city. Some buildings are pretty but most of it...
Uginin says he likes that.
Hell, many Japanese I know think that it would help if Tokyo was firebombed again by the Americans so they could rebuild.
And that's one reason why many people consider Hiroshima and Nagasaki to be among the more attractive cities here. ;)
And, finally, Uginin, as I said above, I've been here 14 years. I have seen literally hordes of Japanophiles who thought they knew a lot about the country come over here only to have their idealistic images crushed. You (and Worldworkers) just seem to (sadly?) fit smack in that category. I hope I am mistaken. :D
Sorry. I still like Tokyo by what I see of it. You wanted specific areas? Shibuya, Minato, Shinjuku, and Chuo.
I also like the cities of Yokosuka, Sendai, Kobe (even though it's small), Fukuoka, Nagasaki, and Yokohama.
And please people... Stop talking about Japan's attrocities. Jesus Christ, you'd think they were still doing it or something! It's not as if other countries didn't do the exact same thing! Give it a rest.
I'm tired of presenting my opinion to people, and people always wanting to turn it into an arguement. I wasn't posting this for debate. I was posting it as sort of a shrine or something.
But no... Looks like most want to see Japan blown out of the water more than anything, and China and Korea praised as the best countries in the world.
Hemingsoft
02-08-2005, 19:37
And a lot of Japanese women are HOT!!! Mmmm...
President Shrub
02-08-2005, 19:39
Ugh. I hate anime, in all its forms, with a passion. I'm not a fan of the language, either.
I know. In Japanese, almost every word ends in a vowel, so it sounds like baby talk. I like anime, but I fucking HATE J-Pop and J-Rock. They sound like retards.
It's not a bias against foreign languages or anything, though. Their language just sucks.
European languages like Russian, German, French, etc, sound wonderfully beautiful, because the number of consonants makes it incredibly hard to rhyme. So, it's very complex, even moreso than English rhyming.
Spanish sounds neat, though, too, but mostly because of the guitar and melodies.
But in Japanese, practically every word rhymes with 1\5th of the language, so songs and poetry are fucking gay.
The Fallen Races
02-08-2005, 19:46
Shota and Loli ARE anime porn. Anime porn with kids. Shota is boys, I believe, and I think Loli is girls.
I think you have them backwards.
Little India
02-08-2005, 19:51
Um... I hate to burst your bubble, but Tokyo is DAMN ugly. It has to be one the most ugly cities in the world. Clean, yes, nice, yes, safe, yes, but it is soooo not beautiful.
It depends where in Tokyo you go: I'm sure the Emperor's palace compound is quite lovely
I think you have them backwards.
I probably do. Check an online encyclopedia. I dunno. But Lolicon just sounds more like it would be girls than Shotacon does.
Little India
02-08-2005, 19:55
Interesting history? Like commiting atrocities in Korea and China?
Sorry, have to agree with The Precursors. Have China and Korea not committed "atrocities" in their history? All nations have a dark part of their history. You have to accept it with the good.
And yes, maybe the Japanese did commit atrocities in Korea and China, but how many years ago was that?
*Sorry, although it interests me, I don't really know much oriental history! :p *
You watch a lot of AdultSwim don't you?
Yes, far, far, too much.
So much that I changed my shift at work to accomodate.
Little India
02-08-2005, 20:00
Um, last time I checked, my opinion could not be trumped by someone else. My opinion still stands.
Besides, I was talking about the city proper. A lot of cities look like that picture just outside of downtown. I was talking of downtown Tokyo.
Brava. ;)
I know. In Japanese, almost every word ends in a vowel, so it sounds like baby talk. I like anime, but I fucking HATE J-Pop and J-Rock. They sound like retards.
It's not a bias against foreign languages or anything, though. Their language just sucks.
European languages like Russian, German, French, etc, sound wonderfully beautiful, because the number of consonants makes it incredibly hard to rhyme. So, it's very complex, even moreso than English rhyming.
Spanish sounds neat, though, too, but mostly because of the guitar and melodies.
Japanese is actually my favorite language next to French. I know some French, as I took 3 years of it in high school. I am going to take Japanese here in college. I also like German, Dutch, and Russian. I just don't care for Spanish. Maybe it comes from hearing it all my life from the immigrants over here. They never speak english and it's so popular, and for some reason, I like to go against what's popular. Everyone was taking Spanish in high school, so I took French. Loved it.
Little India
02-08-2005, 20:11
Man, you should compare it with the Hong Kong night skyline. At least Hong Kong's is more colourful, and there's a nice waterfront to go with it.
http://www.digitalvoodoo.de/gallery/albums/skyline_hong_kong_new_year/hk16.sized.jpg
Pretty amazing photograph, but does every part of Hong Kong look like that every night? I seriously doubt all the skyscrapers have fireworks set off from their peaks every night.
And how can you say that this (http://jelley.wustly.edu/~rebillot/Japan/Tokyo/Tokyo_ImperialPalace05.jpg) is not beautiful?
Yes, I realise that part of this is the Imperial Palace.
Daistallia 2104
03-08-2005, 03:38
And a lot of Japanese women are HOT!!! Mmmm...
Some are, most are fairly ordinary.
Shota and Loli ARE anime porn. Anime porn with kids. Shota is boys, I believe, and I think Loli is girls.
I think you have them backwards.
Nope, he's got them straight.
Shotaro, the root for Shota, is a male name.
http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Underworld/1701/sengoku_jap_names.htm
Loli is short for Lolita.
Sorry. I still like Tokyo by what I see of it. You wanted specific areas? Shibuya, Minato, Shinjuku, and Chuo.
Really, when it comes down to it, all I'm saying is I think you're in for a serious dissapointment. That, and the difference in perspective between viewing a city from a great distance without having actually been there versus having actually been there.
I also like the cities of Yokosuka, Sendai, Kobe (even though it's small), Fukuoka, Nagasaki, and Yokohama.
Kobe and Nagasaki are both quite nice. I spent a year in a small city outside of Nagasaki, and the area is still one of my favorite places. And Kobe is a hop-skip- jump away. One significant factor is that they both started with a nicer natural environment (IMNSHO ;)) and have managed to preserve a lot more of it.
And please people... Stop talking about Japan's attrocities. Jesus Christ, you'd think they were still doing it or something! It's not as if other countries didn't do the exact same thing! Give it a rest.
I'm tired of presenting my opinion to people, and people always wanting to turn it into an arguement. I wasn't posting this for debate. I was posting it as sort of a shrine or something.
So you posted it to a forum where debate is one of (if not "the") the primary methods of communication...
LOL
:p :D
But no... Looks like most want to see Japan blown out of the water more than anything, and China and Korea praised as the best countries in the world.
Agreed.
Some are, most are fairly ordinary.
And then there's the one you are (or are getting) married to, and she is the most beautiful Japanese woman on the planet. ;)
Really, when it comes down to it, all I'm saying is I think you're in for a serious dissapointment. That, and the difference in perspective between viewing a city from a great distance without having actually been there versus having actually been there.
Seriously right. I love Japan, and I did my best to study both good AND bad before coming here and I have seen a lot of fellow teachers come to Japan and be disapointed. I think the West has a very distorted view of Japan that is very easily crushed when you come over.
Other parts WILL blow you away though. Japan is like that, it's why I love it. :)
Kobe and Nagasaki are both quite nice. I spent a year in a small city outside of Nagasaki, and the area is still one of my favorite places. And Kobe is a hop-skip- jump away. One significant factor is that they both started with a nicer natural environment (IMNSHO ;)) and have managed to preserve a lot more of it.
I'd also recomend Nagano City, it fits well with the surounding mountains, and is actually a nice city to be in, but I might be slightly biased. ;)
Oh, and I wouldn't say Tokyo is soul sucking... it mildly chews on your soul, but not soul sucking per se. ;)
Seriously right. I love Japan, and I did my best to study both good AND bad before coming here and I have seen a lot of fellow teachers come to Japan and be disapointed. I think the West has a very distorted view of Japan that is very easily crushed when you come over.
Other parts WILL blow you away though. Japan is like that, it's why I love it. :)
Well, I'm not saying Japan is heaven on earth or anything. In fact, I don't think any place on earth is really anything I could be happy with. No government agrees with my ideals. Therefore, I just try to live in my own little world and ignore people. (Of course that could be my avoidant personality disorder as well.) If only there were uninhabited livable places in the world still.
Daistallia 2104
03-08-2005, 04:31
And then there's the one you are (or are getting) married to, and she is the most beautiful Japanese woman on the planet. ;)
:D
Other parts WILL blow you away though. Japan is like that, it's why I love it. :)
Exactly. It's the difference between love and infatuation.
I'd also recomend Nagano City, it fits well with the surounding mountains, and is actually a nice city to be in, but I might be slightly biased. ;)
Like my Naniwa bias. ;) Osaka always makes me think of the woman in the song "If You Wanna be Happy" (http://www.theromantic.com/lovesongs/ifyouwannabehappy.htm) - not such a beautiful face, but damn, she can cook!
:D
(Not to mention being good in bed!!! :p)
Oh, and I wouldn't say Tokyo is soul sucking... it mildly chews on your soul, but not soul sucking per se. ;)
True, true. Soul sucking may be a bit over the top. :)
Well, I'm not saying Japan is heaven on earth or anything.
Welp, as long as you're aware of that, you'd might like Japan just fine then.
Daistallia 2104
03-08-2005, 04:35
If only there were uninhabited livable places in the world still.
Lordy, wouldn't that be nice! :D
And as NERVUN says, as long as you're aware of that, you might like Japan just fine. That OP just came on a bit stong. ;)
Greater Valia
03-08-2005, 04:38
Hah, I used to be totally wapanese and thought that everything about Japan was the best thing in the world but fortunatly(sp?) I've grown out of that. But I still enjoy anime though not as much as I use to. (I mainly just watch Hentai now...) But if you want some really good anime watch Neon Genesis Evangelion, and then watch Azumanga Daioh to balance out the angsty seriousness of Eva. And some J-rock is good, The Mad Capsule Markets and GO!GO!7188 come to mind. One more thing, to the guy that said the US has done some bad stuff too... at least we did'nt invent Guro, and as far as i'm concerned that balances everything out.
but damn, she can cook!
I have to give you that, Kansai food is THE best overall.
Daistallia 2104
03-08-2005, 05:56
And some J-rock is good, The Mad Capsule Markets and GO!GO!7188 come to mind.
Mad Capsule Markets! :D
Some more faves: Melt Banana, the Blue Hearts, and (to toss in something completely different) Shang Shang Typoon.
And as NERVUN says, as long as you're aware of that, you might like Japan just fine. That OP just came on a bit stong. ;)
Yeah I guess it did. I had just finished watching one of the movies in my Godzilla collection, Godzilla 1985, and Godzilla movies make the place look so pretty! And I was in a really good mood. Plus when I post, I sorta tend to sound a bit more extreme than I am.
How can you NOT like the Japanese.
I mean, these are the people that have given us hours of Godzilla entertainment! And the newer stuff in that series (after 1977) doesn't even look fake!
These people rock! I mean, yeah, they can be weird sometimes. I was reading this thing about how Americans were visiting in Tokyo, and it seemed like a LOT of people there were sleeping in the middle of the day on the train thingies. Sure, they ruined Pearl Harbor, but that was like 60 years ago.
These are the people that gave us the wonders of Anime. Come on, how can you NOT like Sprited Away and Akira?
They gave us the scariest movies ever made. Everyone should watch Ju-on with surround sound, by themselves, with the lights off. Watch the 3 sequels as well. They gave us Ringu, which in turn gave us the Ring here. They know their scary stuff.
Yes, I know they also gave us some things some find inappropriate. Shota, Loli, movies about Japanese girls hired for sex and then torturing the men with needles attached to wires, that freaky Yatta song (watch Irrational Exuberance and try to keep your sanity), and cheap Gamera movies.
But come on! They're just so awesome! I cannot wait to visit them!
Tokyo looks so beautiful!
who said we don't like teh Japanise??
who said we don't like teh Japanise??
It was a rhetorical question. Sort of an exclamation.
President Shrub
03-08-2005, 09:42
And how can you say that this (http://jelley.wustly.edu/~rebillot/Japan/Tokyo/Tokyo_ImperialPalace05.jpg) is not beautiful?
Error 404. Wow. Japan is beautiful.
OHidunno
03-08-2005, 09:46
Pretty amazing photograph, but does every part of Hong Kong look like that every night? I seriously doubt all the skyscrapers have fireworks set off from their peaks every night.
Actually that happens quite a lot in Hong Kong, I'm not too sure if it's everyday because I don't live on the island... Hm.
I like a lot of Japanese culture and would one day like to visit, if not for the massive plane journey, but do think a lot of people on the internet tend to see everything Japanese through rose tinted glasses.
Like, people going on about how honorable Samurai were with the Bushido code and all that - when in reality they were about as 'honorable' as medieval european knights - seeing non Samurai such as peasants and foreigners like they were cattle, and slaughtering them for fun. Plus, people seem to think there is some innate 'Asian sword fighting prowess' which makes them somehow more skilled than other countries historical warriors, which is a load of crap.
I agree that other countries have committed atrocities and so it is very much wrong to say 'Ha! Japan can't be a good country since it has a dark history!". However, I think Japan does need to do more to admit the mistakes it has made in the past and apologise for them which other countries have done. In particular, it should stop filling educational text books with propaganda about how Japan has always behaved perfectly and never done wrong.
Like, people going on about how honorable Samurai were with the Bushido code and all that - when in reality they were about as 'honorable' as medieval european knights - seeing non Samurai such as peasants and foreigners like they were cattle, and slaughtering them for fun. Plus, people seem to think there is some innate 'Asian sword fighting prowess' which makes them somehow more skilled than other countries historical warriors, which is a load of crap.
I can follow what you're saying here, but to challenge your conclusion though, the training a samurai went through, his equipment, particuarly the sword (katakana is a generic term), really was the best in the world at the time.
However, I think Japan does need to do more to admit the mistakes it has made in the past and apologise for them which other countries have done. In particular, it should stop filling educational text books with propaganda about how Japan has always behaved perfectly and never done wrong.
*sighs* Japan has NOT filled its textbooks so, well, no more than any other nation. The book in question is ONE book out of 10 approved for use and has only been selected by a small city and the disabled schools of Tokyo (for whatever reason).
I can follow what you're saying here, but to challenge your conclusion though, the training a samurai went through, his equipment, particuarly the sword (katakana is a generic term), really was the best in the world at the time.
http://www.thearma.org/essays/knightvs.htm - Very good article on comparison between Knights and Samurai, which concludes that it is impossible to say which is better and massively depends on variables, such as whether shields and armour are allowed.
The Samurai were no better than any other elite warriors of any other country. The 'Samurai were the best swordsmen ever to have lived' myth is just that, a myth, and constantly held to be undisputed fact by a lot of anime fan boys.
Copiosa Scotia
03-08-2005, 15:22
And please people... Stop talking about Japan's attrocities. Jesus Christ, you'd think they were still doing it or something! It's not as if other countries didn't do the exact same thing! Give it a rest.
My concern is not so much with the actual atrocities, but with the current Japanese government's attempts at slowly erasing those atrocities (http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-08/03/content_465970.htm) from the historical record. It's reminiscent of Turkey's behavor with respect to the Armenian Holocaust.
My concern is not so much with the actual atrocities, but with the current Japanese government's attempts at slowly erasing those atrocities (http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-08/03/content_465970.htm) from the historical record. It's reminiscent of Turkey's behavor with respect to the Armenian Holocaust.
Exactly. It's one thing to make a mistake then put your hands up, apologise, and promise to never do it again. It's quite another to make a mistake then deny it ever happened or that you were in the wrong. Austria is another country which does this, concerning their conduct in the war.
The good:
—Sole producers of manga
—Japanese is a beautiful language
The bad:
—Hold on manga due to definition rather than skill
—kanji are a pain in the ass
—Commited terrible atrocities in WWII
—Many still deny it
—Reputedly very sexist and racist
The ugly:
—eroguro, nuff said.
—enjo kousai
My concern is not so much with the actual atrocities, but with the current Japanese government's attempts at slowly erasing those atrocities (http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-08/03/content_465970.htm) from the historical record. It's reminiscent of Turkey's behavor with respect to the Armenian Holocaust.
Yes, but still, come off it. This is about the people and way of life NOW, not the government, not the past.
I don't want my thread to be hijacked into another one of those picketing schemes from people who try to sound righteous by saying a country is evil, as happens too often around here. I want it to stay on topic. It's about the way of life. Not text books and government.
New Watenho
03-08-2005, 21:54
I bring only one thing to this discussion, on the subject of the coolness or not of Japan, and that is the memoirs of a Japanese School Teacher (http://www.outpostnine.com/editorials/teacher.html).
I bring only one thing to this discussion, on the subject of the coolness or not of Japan, and that is the memoirs of a Japanese School Teacher (http://www.outpostnine.com/editorials/teacher.html).
From that, they sound just like people over here in Wilmington, and that's fine with me. I love Wilmington.
MoparRocks
03-08-2005, 22:51
I hate Japan. I hate how their cars ruin our economy. I hate how the castrated my great-uncle. And starved his Marine Corps buddies. I hate how they raped Chinese and Phillipino (sp) women. I hate how the skewered human babies on bayonets.
My decision is final.
I hate Japan. I hate how their cars ruin our economy. I hate how the castrated my great-uncle. And starved his Marine Corps buddies. I hate how they raped Chinese and Phillipino (sp) women. I hate how the skewered human babies on bayonets.
My decision is final.
Fair enough. Though hating people for what their parents did is quite moronic, I think. Maybe we should kill a murderer's 9 year old son because his father flew off the handle and killed a guy at a gas station. Right?
Great Denizistan
03-08-2005, 23:56
Definitely, JAPAN RULES!!!
I am not Japanese, but I admire the Japanese for their hardworking style and unwildering character.
Turkey, my own nation is very fond of Japan and our two peoples are very friendly and brotherly, indeed, we see Japanese people as very nice and hospitable people who have an extremely successful nation and incredibly refined culture.
Long live the Turkish-Japanese Friendship!!!
DOMO ARIGATO GOZAIMASU NIHON
Great Denizistan
04-08-2005, 00:02
My concern is not so much with the actual atrocities, but with the current Japanese government's attempts at slowly erasing those atrocities (http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-08/03/content_465970.htm) from the historical record. It's reminiscent of Turkey's behavor with respect to the Armenian Holocaust.
THERE IS NEVER BEEN AN ARMENIAN HOLOCAUST FOR STARTERS:
Armenians slaughtered innocent Turkish people, and started all this process of bloodshed: the real culprits are the Armenians for sure,and many historians including the undisputably correct American historian Justin McCarthy will explain it.
There have been of course massacres on both sides, but it is just too easy to attack one people.
Freeunitedstates
04-08-2005, 00:39
I know. In Japanese, almost every word ends in a vowel, so it sounds like baby talk. I like anime, but I fucking HATE J-Pop and J-Rock. They sound like retards.
It's not a bias against foreign languages or anything, though. Their language just sucks.
European languages like Russian, German, French, etc, sound wonderfully beautiful, because the number of consonants makes it incredibly hard to rhyme. So, it's very complex, even moreso than English rhyming.
Spanish sounds neat, though, too, but mostly because of the guitar and melodies.
But in Japanese, practically every word rhymes with 1\5th of the language, so songs and poetry are fucking gay.
How can you compare slavic and germanic languages w/ romance languages? sorry, but they all ahve a guttural sound to them (slavic/germanic) compared to langauges like latin, spanish, etc.
in flow and verse form, japanese is actually closer to the romance languages because it is so versatile. in english, and german, you sometimes have difficulty with meter and verse because of the complexity (though i call it ugliness) of the language. and if you called basho gay, he'd probably cut you down:)
South Halliburton
04-08-2005, 00:51
I've been living in Japan for five years now, and have no idea what you guys are talking about. There are F***ed up people in every country, there are normal people in every country, there are perverts in every country... it doesn't matter what country you're in. Every country adn culture has it good parts and its ugly parts.
What's this not looking you in the eye, and the vague and indirect bullshit? You are truly clueless...
Tokyo looks so beautiful!
http://www.tokyotimes.org/archives/kobayashi.jpg
I've been living in Japan for five years now, and have no idea what you guys are talking about. There are F***ed up people in every country, there are normal people in every country, there are perverts in every country... it doesn't matter what country you're in. Every country adn culture has it good parts and its ugly parts.
What's this not looking you in the eye, and the vague and indirect bullshit? You are truly clueless...
Who are you talking to?
I guess I wouldn't feel the same way if I didn't like Godzilla so much.
And J-Horror is the only type of movie that scares me. Ringu and Ju-on: The Grudge makes it hard for me to sleep to the day. Nothing else has done that to me.
Gourdland
04-08-2005, 02:23
The Japanese are fine, I don't like japanese animation, but ninjas are pretty cool. It's the Chinese who suck. Freaking commies.
Copiosa Scotia
04-08-2005, 02:25
THERE IS NEVER BEEN AN ARMENIAN HOLOCAUST FOR STARTERS:
Armenians slaughtered innocent Turkish people, and started all this process of bloodshed: the real culprits are the Armenians for sure,and many historians including the undisputably correct American historian Justin McCarthy will explain it.
There have been of course massacres on both sides, but it is just too easy to attack one people.
Just think... if the revisionists in Japan have their way, maybe twenty years down the road you'll be able to deny the Rape of Nanking too.
Gourdland
04-08-2005, 02:26
Now Mexicans, those are some hard working bastards. They deserve more credit than what they get.
Just think... if the revisionists in Japan have their way, maybe twenty years down the road you'll be able to deny the Rape of Nanking too.
I think you should investigate his claims before you just go charging in putting a venomous post up just because you disagree.
Le MagisValidus
04-08-2005, 03:06
It isn't exactly a Badge of Honor to know that your country treated POWs and massacred towns and cities the way the Japanese did. But they know history, as do we, and as much as some may try, history has already been written.
But Japan now is a FAR different nation than the Japan the US fought in the Second World War. Their culture not only demanded total and utter devotion to their country, but that they were the superior nation in the entire continent. To put things into perspective, many (not all, don't start flaming) of the Nazis didn't have this kind of blind devotion to Hitler. Hence the numerous assassination attempts. Also, many of the Nazis, even up to the ranks of the SS, were drafted into their posts. Meanwhile, upon hearing of the possible invasion of the Japanese home islands, women and children were armed with everything from rifles to meat knives. Even after two atomic bombs, a coup was about to be staged when it was heard in the military ranks that Emperor Hirohito was planning to surrender.
So, no, you cannot judge the people of the new state of Japan for their past just as you cannot blame the Republic of Germany for theirs.
Great Denizistan
04-08-2005, 16:05
Just think... if the revisionists in Japan have their way, maybe twenty years down the road you'll be able to deny the Rape of Nanking too.
does anyone care in the US if millions of Indians have been slaughtered to create a new nation? come on, this whole history thing is utter hypocrisy.
Remember: in our world it is always the victor who writes history, wether you like it or not that´s just the way it is mate.
But, I find it so ridiculous to come up with one historical fact which is negative and judge one country on one sole thing. You can judge Germans for having done literally nothing to prevent the ascension of Hitler, but this does not mean that every german should repent forever for Hitler´s crimes, that´s really stupid.
Btw, I think you should seriously leave out history from the discussion, creates unnecessary quarrels and is irrelevant to this thread: you gotta focus on Japan as it is today (an incredible nation of polite, hospitable and hardworking people).
Great Denizistan
04-08-2005, 16:10
I think you should investigate his claims before you just go charging in putting a venomous post up just because you disagree.
Exactly, well said, people should read stuff (not one sided) and from all types of sources before making up their minds.
E Blackadder
04-08-2005, 16:38
How can you not like the japanese!
With bitter hatred?
Eris Ascendent
04-08-2005, 17:05
Prettier than anything here in North Carolina! Prettier than Atlanta, Richmond, DC, Los Angeles, Manhattan, Philidelphia, etc.
Only city that really compares I think may be San Francisco or Seattle.
If you catch the Denver skyline just right, with the sun setting over the mountains... reall purty. But I think at that angle, you miss some of the cooler buildings in favor of the gigantic neon Qwest sign (which can be seen from Northglenn on a clear night!)
Eris Ascendent
04-08-2005, 17:08
I have one word for y'all: fugu. 'Nuff said. :)
Daistallia 2104
04-08-2005, 17:18
Btw, I think you should seriously leave out history from the discussion, creates unnecessary quarrels and is irrelevant to this thread:
I think of all you have said, this is the only bit I can wholeheartedly agree with.
you gotta focus on Japan as it is today (an incredible nation of polite, hospitable and hardworking people).
:confused: Where is this country you are talking about? After 14 years living in Japan I can tell I have met Japanese people who rank among the rudest, most inhospitable, and laziest people in the world. (Of course, the same can be said of every single nationality I've come accross....)
Demon-Beaver
04-08-2005, 17:21
Well, I found this subject and this is what I have to say:
I was born in China, and I still have a few of the prejudices I was born with, however, my opinion of Japan is pretty high for a country that basically ripped a swath of rape, fire, explosions, violence and the like through my former homeland (I'm a Canadian Citizen now, and proud of it) for the first half of the last century, we have all had bad episodes in our past, I mean just because the Nazis were horrible doesn't mean Germany is, the same applies to Stalin and Russia, and even Bin Ladin and the Middle East. so obviously it can also apply to Tojo and Japan, I mean, I forgive them, A country should not be jugded by the atrocities it commited 60 years ago, I personally forgive Japan (although my parents would think otherwise) they are a supporting pillar of the world economy, and I'd have no idea what the world would be without them....
And besides, .Hack//Sign and Final Fantasy kick ass.
-Endfile-
Bonferoni
04-08-2005, 17:52
If you catch the Denver skyline just right, with the sun setting over the mountains... reall purty. But I think at that angle, you miss some of the cooler buildings in favor of the gigantic neon Qwest sign (which can be seen from Northglenn on a clear night!)
Yes-the Qwest building does glow a nice eyeburn blue;)
I like much about other cultures, including the Japanese culture. First off, unlike my own individualistic culture, the Japanese are collectivist...they work as a team-strive for harmony. That is a different way of living than I was taught...but it shows that there is more than one way to succeceed in life.
I have one word for y'all: fugu. 'Nuff said. :)
It's great! I love it, especially the tingly feeling I get in my lips when I eat it and some of the toxins start to take effect.
Oh, and Copiosa Scotia? By the by, the article you linked to was seriously one sided and left out a very important peice of information. Said resolution stated that is recalled and reafirmed the resolution of 10 years ago. THAT resolution condemed the invasion and agression, using those words. The central goverment is not whitewashing the past.
Of course as that was a Chinese newspaper, you get what the CCP wants you to think.
Dominant Redheads
05-08-2005, 00:41
Prettier than anything here in North Carolina! Prettier than Atlanta, Richmond, DC, Los Angeles, Manhattan, Philidelphia, etc.
Only city that really compares I think may be San Francisco or Seattle.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Behold the mountains of NC. :D
http://www.creekviewstudio.com/Images/North%20Carolina/mountains-1lg.jpg