NationStates Jolt Archive

The latest fad out of Japan: the Assyrian butt biting bug of happiness

http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/2007/08/26/japan-crazy-for-a-bug/



Here it is on youtube, with English subtitles: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3m8Qje1e8Q&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eglobalvoicesonline%2Eorg%2F2007%2F08%2F26%2Fjapan%2Dcrazy%2Dfor%2Da%2Dbug%2F

I got 30 seconds in before having a seizure from the flashing lights.
Anyone manage to go further?

I watched the whole thing.

My mind is still attempting to decipher the imagery. If I am found dead in my bathtub tomorrow of an embolism, you will know why.

Call me shallow but this is exactly the sort of information I need to pick up Japanese girls.

I'm just praying that my new students won't attempt to emulate this one.

The latest fad out of Japan: the Assyrian butt biting bug of happiness

http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/2007/08/26/japan-crazy-for-a-bug/



Here it is on youtube, with English subtitles: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3m8Qje1e8Q&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eglobalvoicesonline%2Eorg%2F2007%2F08%2F26%2Fjapan%2Dcrazy%2Dfor%2Da%2Dbug%2F

What age group is that targeted at?

Never. Going. To. Japan. Evar.

What age group is that targeted at?
Pre-school to elementary is the primary target, but like all things cute in Japan, adults are getting into it too.

Pre-school to elementary is the primary target, but like all things cute in Japan, adults are getting into it too.

I've noticed that. Sure don't understand it though. Any ideas about why?

Kawaii~~~~~ :)

I've noticed that. Sure don't understand it though. Any ideas about why?
Japanese obsession with cute? There's a number of notions put forward by various people. You can choose either the cuteness thing is due to the Japanese love of youth. Whereas the West wants its kids to grow up faster and become adult earlier, Japan has very nostalgic thoughts about the innocence of childhood with no adult cares (There's a dark side to this one of course) and cute is a part of childhood.

Or the cuteness thing is a way to keep women subjugated by making them act like a child even when at an age where its more than a little silly.

Or it's an effect of Japanese harmony where cute is very nonthreatening and does not cause conflicts (Indeed, it helps smooth them), so cute has become a social valve to keep things humming.

Given Japan, it's probably a combination of the three.

Kawaii~~~~~ :)

Ah! Wiki'd that.

... Hiroto Murasawa, professor of beauty and culture at Osaka Shoin Women’s University asserts that cuteness is "a mentality that breeds non-assertion ... Individuals who choose to stand out get beaten down.

:confused:

Ah! Wiki'd that.



:confused:

Phonetics don't always work out. ^^;

Japanese obsession with cute? There's a number of notions put forward by various people. You can choose either the cuteness thing is due to the Japanese love of youth. Whereas the West wants its kids to grow up faster and become adult earlier, Japan has very nostalgic thoughts about the innocence of childhood with no adult cares (There's a dark side to this one of course) and cute is a part of childhood.

Or the cuteness thing is a way to keep women subjugated by making them act like a child even when at an age where its more than a little silly.

Or it's an effect of Japanese harmony where cute is very nonthreatening and does not cause conflicts (Indeed, it helps smooth them), so cute has become a social valve to keep things humming.

Given Japan, it's probably a combination of the three.

:eek:

Thankyou! You should go slap that wikipedia article into line.

Japanese obsession with cute? There's a number of notions put forward by various people. You can choose either the cuteness thing is due to the Japanese love of youth. Whereas the West wants its kids to grow up faster and become adult earlier, Japan has very nostalgic thoughts about the innocence of childhood with no adult cares (There's a dark side to this one of course) and cute is a part of childhood.

Or the cuteness thing is a way to keep women subjugated by making them act like a child even when at an age where its more than a little silly.

Or it's an effect of Japanese harmony where cute is very nonthreatening and does not cause conflicts (Indeed, it helps smooth them), so cute has become a social valve to keep things humming.

Given Japan, it's probably a combination of the three.

Not attacking your reasoning, but there seems to be a flawed assumption here. It's not just Japan. I have lots of friends of 'adult' age that are collectors of Sanrio toys or imagery, for example. I'm also thinking of the popularity of Teletubbies among adults in the UK in the mid 90's..

Japan maybe seems more accepting of cuteness, overall... but I don't think it's a purely Japanese phenomenon. (Indeed, 'cuteness' is half the stock in trade of companies like Disney).

If we ever need to invade Japan we'll just outfit our tanks to look like that.

Not attacking your reasoning, but there seems to be a flawed assumption here. It's not just Japan. I have lots of friends of 'adult' age that are collectors of Sanrio toys or imagery, for example. I'm also thinking of the popularity of Teletubbies among adults in the UK in the mid 90's..

Japan maybe seems more accepting of cuteness, overall... but I don't think it's a purely Japanese phenomenon. (Indeed, 'cuteness' is half the stock in trade of companies like Disney).

Well generally adults that collect children toys are considered to be a little immature in some regards, so that would support Nervun's assertion that the japanese are big fans of cute as they are obessed with youth. Only in this case instead of being applied to a few people, it is applied to a whole culture.