25 June 2006

 

Reports on the Demise of the Japanese Military have been Exaggerated

To say the least. Discounting a few UN Peacekeeping missions in Cambodia, the Golan Heights, East Timor, etc. The Japanese have not participated in military excursions abroad until the current Iraq War. And even in Iraq the Japan Self Defense Forces have fulfilled their mission in Iraq without inflicting or suffering any casualties. While you get over the paroxysm that the last sentence induced, keep in mind that the Japanese were sent to Samawa in southern Iraq and basically stayed there, helped with reconstruction and avoided conflict. Due to constitutional constraints, the Japanese SDF can only use force to protect themselves. They cannot even come to the aid of other coalition forces if they happen to be attacked. While these constraints have gradually weakened throughout the post war period, they still exist and will probably not disappear overnight.

On the other hand, if things were to change overnight, the changes could be implemented almost immediately. The have guns that shoot bullets and missiles that are definately capable of blowing things to very very small pieces. Military culture is also alive and well on these bases, although not in the "I want to conduct hideous science experiments on human beings" sort of way. They did however make me yell "Reinja Fitou" (ie Ranger Fight-oh for those who need some help with their romaji) at the top of my lungs ad nauseum. As you can see from the photo to the left, they made me wear a uniform which, while not exactly making me love the army, was probably the main reason that I lost about a fifth of my body weight in 3 hours, sweating my ass off in the hot, humid conditions.

In sum, despite an impressive GI Joe collection that I amassed in my youth before I discovered girls, I am not a big fan of the army. This weekend, I felt like Bill Murray in Stripes via Lost in Translation. While that may sound like a great deal of fun on paper, just remember that so did communism.

 

First Ever Guest Blog Post!!

My Friends Steve and Sue wanted to give their take on Japan. I wish to remind my readers that the commentary below may not reflect the opinions of Doshisha Days or of its founder.


Travelers to Japan, beware. Crazy monkeys and mayonnaise lurk around every corner. Keep Kendall close by to tell you which type of gelatinous bean paste product you are eating. Be sure to try the alcoholic green tea and the takoyaki. When singing karaoke, Tiffany is a hit, but Coldplay is not. Words every gaijin should know: atsui (it’s fucking hot here); tomodatchi (can be thrown around liberally); birru (will be drunk in mass quantities). Kendall, we love you long time. Domo arrigato gozaimasu!

I have been busy losing my mind, but hopefully I will resume a more punctual and frequent posting schedule. Thanks for reading. Posted by Picasa

11 June 2006

 

Best 500 Yen Weekend EVER!!!

Doshisha Students from all over the planet gathered this weekend at the Doshisha Lake Biwa Retreat Center for some rest and relaxation. It was a raucous time, with plenty of good food, drink and pleasant company. It was an excellent opportunity for language exchange and meeting others. I actually don't have much else to say about the whole thing: I ate well, drank a lot of Shochu, watched England win its opening World Cup match. I will make a point to make the next posting a bit more substantial...
 Posted by Picasa

04 June 2006

 

Kanto: Part IV

My final ruminations on Kanto concern not Tokyo, but Kamakura, a sleepy coastal town that was the capital of Japan during the 13th Century when the Minamoto Shoguns moved there from Kyoto. Back then Edo was still swamp land. Kamakura is famous for two things: the Daibutsu, a large bronze Buddha that was erected in during the Kamakura Period. A tsunami destroyed the temple that housed it during the 14th century and since then it has remained the largest outdoor Buddha in Japan, stoically sitting through the seasonal bursts of rain, wind and sun.
The other prime attraction in Kamakura is the beach, a beautiful stretch of fine sand that attracts many weekenders from Tokyo and Yokohama. Not only were there hundreds of surfers, there were also some of the most aggressive falcons I have ever seen. Completely undeterred by human behavior, they would swoop down and steal people's food literally out of their hands. Fortunately for me, they seemed averse to happoshu. My friend Miles and I enjoyed some overpriced but excellent sandwiches at a famous Hawaiian burger joint, and spent several pleasant hours on the beach before heading back to Tokyo. En route, we stopped by a katsuo ramen eatery in Yokohama. I never eat ramen usually due to the use of meat in the soup base, but this place uses fish instead so I gave it a whirl. It was excellent and I do intend to return when I am back in Kanto.
Well, that wraps up weekend that occurred a few weeks ago, so now hopefully I can back on the topics of Doshisha and Kyoto. I have never lived in Kanto, and so Kyoto, and by default Kansai has always been closer to my heart. At the same time, Tokyo is an amazing, dynamic and extremely fun city and I feel that I may one day want to call it home as well. Posted by Picasa

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