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LESCANT stands for Language, Environment, Social Organization, Context, Authority, Non-Verbal, and Time. This is a compilation of all the LESCANT related pictures that I took while in I was in Japan. In the following section is pictures from Japan, which LESCANT I classified it as, a description of what the picture is, and a small explanation why I classified it as such.
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Hello Momotaro
This is a photo from my EPOK presentation day. Someone drew a little Momotaro, which is a character from a legend based in the area, and wrote hello in a variety of different languages. I thought this was interesting because as an American learning Japanese I didn't really think of other languages while in Japan, especially since all culture classes are taught in English or Japanese. However, for many of the other students Japanese may have been their third language, and they were learning it from their second language of English. So it was interesting to think that some of those who were presenting that day may have been happy to see their primary language after being immersed in Japan where they are not expected to use there own language in any situation. Apple Pie While exploring the shopping area below the train station and Japanese friend introduced us to a small shop that sells only these cute, small apple pies. I found it interesting that even though it is a Japanese shop the packaging is entirely in English, even the name "Ringo" which is the Japanese word for apple is written with English letters. I found this interesting because it seems like I see a lot of shops or advertisements in Japan in English. I think this is to sort of seems cool or up with the times in order to appeal to younger generations and possibly foreigners as well. |
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Blackboard and Eraser Cleaner
This photo is taken in one of the classrooms at Okayama University. In it you can see a Blackboard, some erasers, and in the bottom right corner an eraser cleaner. I found this interesting because firstly in America we don't use blackboards as much anymore. The school also has white boards but most of the classes are mainly equipped with black boards instead. Another thing that's interesting is the Eraser cleaner. Before coming to Japan I, have never seen something like that. So, when trying to find a reason I read that not only are blackboards maybe cheaper but easier to see from the back of a classroom. Using them seems to be a smart choice for schools, especially with the eraser cleaners that they have as well. Cherry Blossom Viewing This is a picture from the "Okayama Sakura Carnival" as it says on the lantern, which is a city wide flower viewing festival. In Japan there are festivals all over the country to celebrate the blooming of the cherry blossoms. We can see many people attending and some of the decorations that the city put up to mark the occasion, there are also plenty of food stalls and game areas on the other side. We may have big events similar to this in America but not for something as simple as viewing the blooming flowers. Needless to say this part of the season is very big in Japan and is a part of their culture. |
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Riding Bikes Another picture from after the cherry blossom festival. While heading home with two of my friends I could catch a glimpse of their sweaters that say "Okayama University L-CAFE." This is because although this even was held by the city, it was through the university's L-CAFE that I heard about the event. They provided directions to the event, a place to socialize, and plenty of food and drink for everyone. Although I am sure I would have managed to have my own little party without their help they made it so much better by setting everything up and inviting people I may have not met otherwise. Shrine Book This photo is from my trip to Konpira Shrine on one of the main islands, Shikoku. At every shrine or temple I visit I try to get the shrine book I bought signed. The person who signs it writes the name of the shrine and the date in calligraphy as well as stamps it onto the book. I think the shrines and temples using this sort of marketing technique/ merchandise is very smart. It encourages people to visit more shrines and creates a product that produces revenue without costing them. |
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"Big American Dog " When I visit some food stores I see what they call a Big American Dog, basically a corn dog. However, I find it ironic that these Japanese corn dogs are actually bigger and use more batter than American corn dogs. I wonder if the creator of the Japanese corn dog added more batter in order to over exemplify the idea that America has bigger proportions. I find this as a good example of a stereotype people have of America and its food. Japanese Wedding Party In this photo we see a Japanese bride. She has many people around her fanning her since it was hot and she was in a full kimono wedding dress. What interested me about this sight was that everyone was wearing black, the men had black suits and the women were wearing black kimonos or dresses. At first I thought it might have been a funeral, until I saw the bride. A Japanese student explained that everyone wore black so not to upstage the bride at all. She even pointed out that the men wore white ties for the occasion. I found the all black interesting, since in America that is usually for funerals and people can wear other colors to a wedding. This is important to help foreigners understand cultural differences in such events as to not make mistakes or have a misunderstanding in the future. |
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Tatami-Beri Arm Bands While visiting a factory that makes tatami-beri, the lining that goes on the side of tatami mats to keep them together, we saw a lot of different things they make using it, one was these arm bands. Arm bands like these are usually used by people with some sort of authority, such as maybe the leader of a group. The group may be written on the arm band so people can tell who is in charge of their specific group. Okayama's Black Castle While studying abroad in Okayama I was able to visit the local castle a few times, called the crow castle due to its color. It is next to the Korakuen Garden across the river and on top of a hill. Inside there a various exhibits and interactive activities people can do, such as various picture areas, places where you can dress up in relevant attire, and even a little pottery studio where guested who reserved in advance can create things from chopstick holders to cups. This castle made me think of authority because it is where the daimyo, feudal lords, lived. The daimyo of this area even had the river and garden made to protect him and use for recreation. |
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Classes for Women Factory Workers Poster This poster was found in a museum that used to be an old factory that women worked in. The various squares are different classes offered to the women so they may improve upon themselves to become better women. Even though I may not be able to read what it says the pictures are informative as to what types of lessons were offered. For example, 13 appears to be some sort of sport to increase ther physical health while 11 may be about how to make and serve tea to make them seem more cultured. Akazome Bag One trip I took with the university' Language CAFE was to a small town on top of a mountain that is known for its red dye, called akazome. Many of the buildings along the streets are colored red and many shops have various goods dyed in red, such as this bag. Before studying abroad I had heard about aizome for a project I did where I was able to see the cultural impact of the dye. So, it was interesting to see something similar in person and see its impact on and how it is used by this town. |
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Okayama Fruits Parfait
One day when I went out with a group we came across a shop near the Korakuen. In the shop they gave us pamphlets that had shops all around Okayama that featured parfaits with local grown fruits. Since it is the end of winter strawberries are currently in season and I have been seeing many of them in the parfaits I have eaten. I happened to like this one a lot, not only was it delicious but the shop owner was very kind and even gave me a side snack, with the parfait, for free. I feel that many small shops, both in Japan and back home, tend to be kind like this. They may give extra little treats two customers in order to encourage patronage. I think this parfait hunting it's just a great experience and is really enhanced by the fact that the fruits are locally grown and they would change based on the season. Lily Pads These are HUGE water lilies that I saw while at the Korakuen garden around summer before I left. The first time I went to the garden I saw them like this, big and green, however, a few of the following times I visited they had been small or weren't there at all. I had started to think it was just my imagination until the next summer when they were huge again. In California I don't really think about seasons like I do in Japan. At home these types of plants may be around almost all year but in Japan I could really see the changing seasons by the different plants coming and going, the changing of the leaves, or the blooming of the cherry blossoms. |