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cmanteuf
Member (Idle past 6765 days)
Posts: 92
From: Virginia, USA
Joined: 11-08-2004


Message 16 of 25 (208790)
05-16-2005 7:07 PM
Reply to: Message 15 by Silent H
05-14-2005 3:57 AM


Re: Observations on Chinese and Korean
holmes writes:
From what I've read Chinese (or Chinese derived script) is still used in South Korea. It is only North Korea which has done away with it completely. That seems almost ironic given N Korea's political ties with China.
This could well be. The native born Korean I work with is on travel this week, so I can't ask him.
Knowing Chinese would be a lot of fun- especially if you are white (or any other non-Asian race), you can really get quite a lot of mileage out of even a little bit of understandable Chinese, I've found. But it was not something I seemed likely to get a hold of after my first semester with it, and I was busy with other classes so I couldn't continue. Good luck to you.
Chris

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AdminBen
Inactive Member


Message 17 of 25 (208815)
05-16-2005 8:15 PM
Reply to: Message 7 by AdminBen
05-13-2005 4:48 AM


Miyazaki / Studio Ghibli Films
Bump. I'd love to discuss any of this stuff, any time.
By the way, those interested in my mini-photo album of my trip to the Studio Ghibli museum, my personal ranking of the movies, and some links to more info, you can access it here (links to a page in my personal website).

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 Message 7 by AdminBen, posted 05-13-2005 4:48 AM AdminBen has not replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 18 by Silent H, posted 05-17-2005 6:11 AM AdminBen has replied

  
Silent H
Member (Idle past 5819 days)
Posts: 7405
From: satellite of love
Joined: 12-11-2002


Message 18 of 25 (208962)
05-17-2005 6:11 AM
Reply to: Message 17 by AdminBen
05-16-2005 8:15 PM


Re: Miyazaki / Studio Ghibli Films
I am always confused when I try to get an image of living in Japan. I see pictures of very beautiful landscapes and achitecture (as your pics had a lot of) and then other pictures of dismal urban slabs.
Given that I keep hearing what a small place Japan is, and how packed it is, I am not sure how there is room for both (and your pictures, even the urban ones, have a decided lack of population).
I had Japanese friends as well as a friend who went to live in Japan, and I just can't seem to get a clear picture of what life is like, even when they give me pictures.
What is your aesthetic view of life in Japan (besides people not helping each other)?
Uhmmm, and I hope this won't offend you, but your gf is quite beautiful. Is there and interesting story in how you two met, or what you are doing in Japan or why you went there in the first place? These are all private matters so feel free not to discuss. Personally I keep my own private life private here, so I'll understand.

holmes
"...what a fool believes he sees, no wise man has the power to reason away.."(D. Bros)

This message is a reply to:
 Message 17 by AdminBen, posted 05-16-2005 8:15 PM AdminBen has replied

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 Message 19 by AdminBen, posted 05-17-2005 8:19 AM Silent H has replied

  
AdminBen
Inactive Member


Message 19 of 25 (208977)
05-17-2005 8:19 AM
Reply to: Message 18 by Silent H
05-17-2005 6:11 AM


Re: Miyazaki / Studio Ghibli Films
I see pictures of very beautiful landscapes and achitecture (as your pics had a lot of) and then other pictures of dismal urban slabs.
I think it's 70% of Japan that is "uninhabitable" mountains. That's the beautiful landscapes. There's lots of old temples to visit, preserved by the money of those who come to worship (that's the architecture).
However, the parts of Japan that ARE inhabitable are generally crowded. There's definitely a fair share of countryside, but the cities are REALLY busy. Tokyo in particular is PACKED with people.
Given that I keep hearing what a small place Japan is, and how packed it is, I am not sure how there is room for both (and your pictures, even the urban ones, have a decided lack of population).
Well, as for my pictures, ... I just don't like the crowds. My girlfriend and I travel about 2 times a month away from Tokyo, in order to do some hiking or sight-seeing. It's great. It's a nice relief for me. Wherever I go in Tokyo, I'm always looking for somewhere quiet, where I can rest and relax for a bit. It's hard to find such a place.
What is your aesthetic view of life in Japan (besides people not helping each other)?
Lots of beautiful things... cherry blossoms, architecture, ... materialistic culture of the big city, so many tanned young people, big lights, constant cell phone usage... trains and buses everywhere, easy access... contemplative mountains and a real big divide between the city and the countryside.
To me it really is as if there's two "Japans," that of the quiet countryside and that of the materialistic, absorbative big city. But that may just be because of me, because my own view divides them.
Uhmmm, and I hope this won't offend you, but your gf is quite beautiful.
Back of man! Haha, no, I don't know how somebody can be offended by something like that. Thanks, I'll let her know you said so. She'll blush.
Is there and interesting story in how you two met, or what you are doing in Japan or why you went there in the first place?
More story than one post can do justice. I'm not too private a person (I post a lot of personal content on my website), so I don't mind too much talking about it. But it's a long story...
But speaking generally, we met on the internet at a chat website. When it came time to plan my yearly vacation, Japan seemed to be an interesting place to go, and she was willing to take time to show me around (I had previously gone to Italy on a group bus tour; visiting foreign countries is hard, at least for me). So, I met her there. Fell hard for her quickly.
Because I was actually already planning on leaving my job and going back to school, I figured it's not too much of a change to move to Japan to study. Since I'm interested in the cognitive aspects of language, I thought learning a second language might give me insight into how things work. Plus I had some money saved up from working. So, I gave it a shot.
Things didn't work out the first time, so I went back to the states for about a year. During that time we decided to try again, and this time things are working well. But my visa's expiring, and I haven't been able to enter graduate school. So I'll return to the States for a while. It's scary to separate, but I have some things to take care of there anyway. So we'll see.
Hard to leave a good thing, especially after you've worked so hard to establish it. Overcoming cultural differences, together with mistakes we've made... that was hard work!
Feel free to ask whatever you want. You'll be hard pressed to offend me, and I don't mind saying "no" when there's something I don't want to discuss.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 18 by Silent H, posted 05-17-2005 6:11 AM Silent H has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 20 by Silent H, posted 05-17-2005 9:09 AM AdminBen has replied

  
Silent H
Member (Idle past 5819 days)
Posts: 7405
From: satellite of love
Joined: 12-11-2002


Message 20 of 25 (208988)
05-17-2005 9:09 AM
Reply to: Message 19 by AdminBen
05-17-2005 8:19 AM


Re: Miyazaki / Studio Ghibli Films
Lots of beautiful things... cherry blossoms, architecture, ... materialistic culture of the big city
Is there any beauty, or consistent beauty, within the urban areas. Pretty consistently, and this includes your own pictures, the cities appear to be grey, drab almost prefab buildings with little appeal to the eye, especially when looked at together.
I guess the feeling I get is something grim, as compared to serene countrysides. Except maybe night photos which usually have lots of pretty neon. But that doesn't work well during the day.
The urban areas often appear smoggy or rainy. Is there more rain than sunshine, or is that just a coincidence in the pictures I've seen?
Overcoming cultural differences
I have heard that it is tough to actually be accepted by Japanese society, and eventually one feels like they are expecting you to leave at some point, and if you don't then they sort of start nudging you to do so. Have you encountered this at all?
Since you have been to Europe, how would you compare life between Europe and Japan? If all you've been to is Italy, that might skew perceptions as Italy seemed somewhat different from Northern Europe.

holmes
"...what a fool believes he sees, no wise man has the power to reason away.."(D. Bros)

This message is a reply to:
 Message 19 by AdminBen, posted 05-17-2005 8:19 AM AdminBen has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 21 by AdminBen, posted 05-17-2005 9:03 PM Silent H has replied

  
AdminBen
Inactive Member


Message 21 of 25 (209168)
05-17-2005 9:03 PM
Reply to: Message 20 by Silent H
05-17-2005 9:09 AM


Re: Miyazaki / Studio Ghibli Films
Is there any beauty, or consistent beauty, within the urban areas.
From my perspective, the beauty in the cities are the "roped-off areas", such as shrines / temples, historical buildings, or parks. For example, Asakusa shrine, Osaka Castle, and the Imperial Palace park. Generally I haven't seen great architecture... and since I know you're originally from Chicago, and I've heard (but not seen) just a bit about the architecture there, I'm SURE it doesn't compare at all. It's really drab.
The urban areas often appear smoggy or rainy.
Not really rainy, but the smoggy atmosphere really extends all around the area. It makes it REALLY hard to get a good view of Mt. Fuji, even on beautiful days. I mean, we travel 2 hours by train and hike up mountains, and we can barely see the surrounding neighboring mountains. Disappointing.
I have heard that it is tough to actually be accepted by Japanese society, and eventually one feels like they are expecting you to leave at some point, and if you don't then they sort of start nudging you to do so. Have you encountered this at all?
Weird. I just meant personality differences and differences in expectations within a relationship between me and my girlfriend. Japanese society... it's hard to tell. There's been such a language barrier, and I'm quite shy. Everybody at my Japanese school was really nice. Some shop-keepers are nice and helpful, and the doctors too. Sometimes they're less willing to help. But in general, people who speak English are automatically found "interesting", so I don't think it could be too bad. But I really don't have much experience in the matter.
Since you have been to Europe, how would you compare life between Europe and Japan?
Man, I feel so silly, I can't answer any of your questions. I spent 2 weeks in Italy, travelling all across the country on a bus tour, hitting a bunch of tourist sites. Don't get me wrong, it was great--but I got so little feel for the lifestyle.
The one strong impression that I did get from Italy is that it's old, and not too crowded (except for Rome). Houses on the countryside tend to be clumped together here, rather than spread out. But really, I have no interesting insights at the moment. Sorry
One thing I should mention is that I think Japan is a pretty diverse country, despite being so small, because there are so many natural borders. Plus, because it's much longer than it is wide, I think the weather across the regions is quite different. I've only experienced the Kanto (Tokyo) and Kansai (Osaka) areas, I haven't ventured to other areas (northern cold island of Hokkaido, Southwest islands of kyuushuu, etc) to say much about them. But it sounds like, for such a small country, Japan has "naturally diverse" lifestyles.
Hope that helps a bit... if I'm in Shinjuku in the next couple of days (especially after work) maybe I can try and get a photo at Shinjuku station. It's really hard to get good perspective for photos on crowds though... although that's probably due to my photography skills more than anything else.
This message has been edited by AdminBen, Wednesday, 2005/05/18 11:03 AM

This message is a reply to:
 Message 20 by Silent H, posted 05-17-2005 9:09 AM Silent H has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 22 by Silent H, posted 05-18-2005 9:34 AM AdminBen has replied

  
Silent H
Member (Idle past 5819 days)
Posts: 7405
From: satellite of love
Joined: 12-11-2002


Message 22 of 25 (209315)
05-18-2005 9:34 AM
Reply to: Message 21 by AdminBen
05-17-2005 9:03 PM


Re: Miyazaki / Studio Ghibli Films
Generally I haven't seen great architecture... and since I know you're originally from Chicago, and I've heard (but not seen) just a bit about the architecture there, I'm SURE it doesn't compare at all. It's really drab.
I certainly haven't been everywhere, but as far as all the places I have been the two most beautiful cities I have ever seen are Chicago and Amsterdam.
That is not merely the surrounding nature (of which there are many many beautiful locations around the world including the Alps as one enters Italy... oh man), but the mixture of urban planning and architecture to create an aesthetic feel.
Amsterdam has been stumbling as the new buildings are almost all glass and steel boxes which are the most ugly contraptions I have seen. The older quarters though including the central area (where I live) still have the original feel of brick and glass antiquity.
I think Chicago has spoiled me for city living almost anywhere else. Especially its use of skyline and the designed lakeshore.

holmes
"...what a fool believes he sees, no wise man has the power to reason away.."(D. Bros)

This message is a reply to:
 Message 21 by AdminBen, posted 05-17-2005 9:03 PM AdminBen has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 23 by AdminBen, posted 05-19-2005 1:35 AM Silent H has replied

  
AdminBen
Inactive Member


Message 23 of 25 (209557)
05-19-2005 1:35 AM
Reply to: Message 22 by Silent H
05-18-2005 9:34 AM


Re: Miyazaki / Studio Ghibli Films
I think Chicago has spoiled me for city living almost anywhere else. Especially its use of skyline and the designed lakeshore.
Plan? Design? I'm jealous. When I first came to Tokyo, I read about how the main streets generally form a circle pattern with respect to the the Imperial Palace... by accident. There's no grid pattern here.
From the style of driving, to the sizes, shapes, and orientations of buildings, to the distribution of little shops, to the street planning... Tokyo defines ad-hoc.
But my GOD the trains and subways are clean.
This message has been edited by AdminBen, Thursday, 2005/05/19 03:35 PM

This message is a reply to:
 Message 22 by Silent H, posted 05-18-2005 9:34 AM Silent H has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 24 by Silent H, posted 05-19-2005 6:37 AM AdminBen has not replied

  
Silent H
Member (Idle past 5819 days)
Posts: 7405
From: satellite of love
Joined: 12-11-2002


Message 24 of 25 (209607)
05-19-2005 6:37 AM
Reply to: Message 23 by AdminBen
05-19-2005 1:35 AM


Re: Miyazaki / Studio Ghibli Films
Amsterdam, and most European cities, are on a ring or circular plan. Chicago is definitely grid and cross-section.
From what I understand they sort of plan or integrate into architectural plans, how it will impact the skyline of the city. In any case whatever they did worked.
The shoreline is completely manmade and forms a series of parks and beaches which edge the lake, rather than shutting the city off from its natural environment.
Unfortunately I just met some people from Chicago who have told me that during the year I've been gone, there has been massive tearing down and rebuilding. They are replacing historic buildings and areas with simple concrete drab n slab design... just like every other city. It may be that I return to find the Chicago I once knew no longer exists. I guess I should have taken more pictures.
Before I left some of this new work was being done and it was not looking good, but it was sparce. There were also works that I really liked, like the renovation of lighting systems and subway areas, as well as the parks. They even created a "Museum Campus" by reducing the highway and parking lots around the museums to form a real rolling green campus environment.
But my GOD the trains and subways are clean.
I've heard Russian subways are nice too. I have yet to ever see such a thing. That would be nice.

holmes
"...what a fool believes he sees, no wise man has the power to reason away.."(D. Bros)

This message is a reply to:
 Message 23 by AdminBen, posted 05-19-2005 1:35 AM AdminBen has not replied

  
cmanteuf
Member (Idle past 6765 days)
Posts: 92
From: Virginia, USA
Joined: 11-08-2004


Message 25 of 25 (213231)
06-01-2005 5:42 PM
Reply to: Message 15 by Silent H
05-14-2005 3:57 AM


Re: Observations on Chinese and Korean
holmes writes:
From what I've read Chinese (or Chinese derived script) is still used in South Korea. It is only North Korea which has done away with it completely. That seems almost ironic given N Korea's political ties with China.
My RoK born friend (he is an American citizen now, but travels home every year or two) says that you are right. Writers in South Korea will use Chinese characters *and* Hangul. In any given sentence some of the characters will be Hangul and some Chinese (Traditional characters, he thought, but he wasn't sure). This is because Hangul is phonetic, and South Korean has many words that sound alike. So if you want to be sure that the reader gets which of many meanings you intend, you use the Chinese character, rather than Hangul. If its clear from context or form, you use Hangul rather than Chinese characters.
When I expressed amazement that people would have to be able to read two different languages (built on two different principles) just to read the morning paper, he said that he was under the impression that writers were using Chinese characters less in South Korea than they had when he was young. He wasn't really sure, though, since he doesn't live there any more. He had no idea about North Korea.
Chris

This message is a reply to:
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