Saturday, June 01, 2013


うそだろ!Usodaro!  I will be damned!



"Invitations are often extended in Japan without meaning to invite anyone when (and because) the context of the invitation makes it obvious that an invitation is not really intended and the invited person is expected to politely decline… On the other hand, knowing my relationship to the hosts, something more than a bowl of rice with tea poured over it was definitely in order, although the meal might have been a trifle more elaborate than I had expected. I would have been indeed surprised had the hostess simply served a bowl of rice with tea over it. It would not have been far from the mark in interpreting the event to mean either that the friend’s luncheon invitation was actually pro forma… Now, did my hosts tell me a lie? Were they insincere? Or did they try to mislead me when they had agreed to treat me to ochazuke? If you assume that people always have to say what they mean literally, then the answer is yes. But an intriguing part of the cultural assumption operating in this context is that both hosts and guests are supposed to say what they do not mean, that they are supposed to know that they are supposed to say what they do not mean, and moreover that they each know what the others really meant to say but did not say without being told. Hosts and guests are thus in collusion, acting out their parts in the everyday drama of Japanese social life..."

I shall remember to be cautious before to accept an invitation from Japanese bureaucrats to follow some international events or fairy tale press conferences held in Japan. I'll look suspicious especially with invitations from those whose job is to act as host in need of popularity. There are rotten flowers in the corners.


Extracts from: "Ethnography of Dinner Entertainment in Japan"

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Toru Hashimoto censured by his voters or absolved?


Toru Hashimoto at the press club Tokyo May 27th 2013


Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto, after his comments on "comfort women" May 13 and his press conference May 27 to criticise media he accused of misinterpreting his words, is expected now to face a censure motion filed by Osaka local politicians later today May 30th. Battle begins after what is perceived in Japan as shameful statements. Will the nationalists supporting Shinzo Abe let him in the lion cage alone?

Youtube: http://youtu.be/96Jce5xofHA

VDO © 2013 Joel Legendre Tokyo