Blog Assignment 4

The role of children in the Japanese Family

In Japan, children form the strong ties of family to a considerable extent.
As White mentioned, most parents take it granted to call each other
"otousan" "okaasan". It indicates that their roles in the family are defined
by the existence of their children. It is also the case in my family.
I have never heard my mother calling my father with his name, and
when I was a child, I always think it strange that my father sometimes
called my mother with her name. So I found White's point to view is new
and surprising for me.
Additionally, many Japanese parents seem to give up a great amount of
their dream or want for their children. From their hobby to divorce, all
things which may do harm for their children were voluntarily refrained.
On the other hand, American seem to respect every family member and
encourage what they want to do as much as possible. It can be said that
their individualistic culture causes the difference from Japanese families.
In short, while Japanese family put their children into the center, all family
members are equally important in America.
I do not think either style is better, because it depends on their national
characteristics which is formed by their culture and tradition.
However, it is really interesting to compare and contrast these differences
from the cultural perspective.
I would like to know what point of Japanese family Colorado students were
impressed by.

Blog Assignment 3

In "Families in Postwar Japan", writer introduces

many types of families which differ from time to time.

Some of them have already become out-of-date,

and others are still true now. Although current family ties are

not so strong as before, many people, especially

50s or 60s long for the day of Showa when typical Japanese

traditional families were all around.

Recently, a movie named "Always―zoku 3 choume no yuuhi"

become a big hit in Japan. It is a heartwarming movie

recreates the time of 1950s in Japan with

computer graphics, and it was an eagerly-awaited sequel of

"Always―3 choume no yuuhi". The movie completely recreates

not only buildings and products of Showa period,

but also typical father, mother, childrens and

communities of the time.

Their characteristics have a lot in common with 1950s families

in "Families in Postwar Japan".

I think the reason why this movie could make

such a big hit is that a lot of Japanese people want a

strong connection with family to some extent.

In the movie strong tie of family does exist, and even teenagers

who don't know the Showa period were moved.

This movement seems to be particular in Japan, a country

grown and drastically changed in postwar period.

How about in the U.S.? Is there are ideal type of family/

or a family regarded as happy in general?

Blog Assignment 2

Today I’d like to introduce few kinds of things Japanese high school students do with their boyfriend or girlfriend.
Basically Japanese students are shy, they take advantages of annual events to tell a person that they love him or her such as Valentine's Day, Christmas and school trip. Since one of the biggest events in our high school was sports day, the number of couple dramatically increased around the day. We called the phenomenon "Taiikusai Magic".
We make 4 teams according to the season of birth. Spring team is Midori gumi, summer team is Aka gumi, autumn team is Ki gumi, and winter team is Shiro gumi. I was a member of Kigumi because my birthday is September 9th.
The teammates spend most of the time preparing for sports day together, therefore many couples who began going out with sports day season have close birthday each other. Isn’t it interesting?
Although I think the way we make teams is unique in Japan, every school has such kind of "magic" to some extent.
Student couples usually go home together after school or club activities. If my friend starts going out with someone, I can easily noticed that with her behavior waiting for someone at classroom or Getabako (the place of shoe locker). They choose longer way to the stations or bus stops and enjoy chatting, sometimes stop at convenience store, fast food restaurant (McDonalds, Mr.Donut, Crazy Crapes, or somewhere) or game center.
Now Christmas season has come and some magazines mentioned “how to make boy (girl) friend until Christmas". I think most Japanese regard Christmas as simply "lovers’ day"!!
I know that annual events and customs at American high schools are different from that of Japan. However, I’d like to ask Colorado students if there is “-magic”, and if there are some any kinds of things which are typical for high school student couples.

今日は、日本によくある高校生の恋愛における行動のパターンを紹介したいと思います。
基本的に日本人は恥ずかしがり屋ばかりなので、バレンタインやクリスマスや、修学旅行などのイベント事を利用して、その機会に思い切って告白する人が多いように感じます。私の通っていた高校で、１年間でもっとも大きなイベントのひとつは体育祭だったので、その直前・直後に付き合いだす人たちがすごくたくさんいました。私たちは、その現象を「体育祭マジック」と呼んでいました。体育祭では生まれた季節ごとに４つのチームに分かれます。春は縁組・夏は赤組・秋は黄組・冬は白組です。ちなみにわたしは、９月９日生まれなので黄組でした。同じチームになった人たちは何ヶ月も前から体育祭の準備で一緒に作業をするので、カップルになる二人は同じチームのことが多いです。だから、この時期付き合いだしたカップルは、誕生日がやたら近いんです。（笑）
こんな風に体育祭のチームわけをする学校は日本では珍しいほうだと思いますが、どこの学校にも、ある種の「～マジック」は存在するのではないかと思います。
そのようにして成立したカップルは、よく授業が終わったり部活が終わったりした後に一緒に帰ります。彼氏ができたコは、友達とは帰らずに放課後に教室や下駄箱で誰かを待っているので、「あ、彼氏出来たんだな」って一発でわかります。カップルは駅やバス停までなるべく遠い道を選んで、おしゃべりしながら帰ります。途中でコンビニに寄ったり、ファストフード店やゲームセンターに寄ったりすることもあります。
今はちょうどクリスマスシーズンで、雑誌なんかには「クリスマスまでに彼氏（彼女）を作るぞー！」みたいな記事がたくさん載っています。もう日本では、クリスマスはほとんど「恋人たちのための日」になりつつあります。
日本とアメリカの高校では年中行事も習慣もずいぶん違うと思いますが、アメリカでも「～マジック」のような事は起きますか？学校から一緒に帰ることなど、カップルに特有の行動はありますか？コロラド大学の生徒さんたちに聞いてみたいです。

Blog assignment

I hope Colorado students use this video

to practice listening Japanese!!!

自己紹介ビデオ：）

↑ This is me !! ↑

撮るのよりもアップロードするのに苦労しました・・・(・Å・；)

It was more difficult for me to upload the video than to record it....

＊Self Introduction＊

みなさんこんにちは!!! 牧野　祥子（まきの　さちこ）です。。
早稲田大学国際教養学部の１年生で、神奈川県・横浜出身の１９歳です。

ショッピングと食べること、映画を見ることがすきです。
１番すきな映画は”パイレーツ オブ カリビアン”シリーズです!!!

海外に住んでいたことはないけれど、高校生のときに
メリーランド州にある姉妹校へ１０日くらいホームステイに行ったことがあります。

これからも頑張って更新していこうと思うので、どうぞよろしくお願いします!!!

Hi!!! My name is Sachiko Makino.
I'm 19, a freshman at School of International Liberal Studies.
My hometown is Yokohama, Kanagawa prefecture, which is located
next to Tokyo.

I love shopping, eating and watching movies.
My favorite movies are "Pirates of the Caribbean" series!!!

I've never lived abroad, but when I was a high school student,
I've been to Maryland for 10 days as an exchange student of our sister school.

I'll try to write my blog as much as possible!!!
I hope we'll enjoy this class☆★☆★Thank you!