Interviews
The Image of Japan: Expectations versus Reality (Spanish)
(Spanish) Um, I had quite a bit of information about Japan, or at least I felt like I did. What impressed me the most when I presented my credentials was the Emperor’s simplicity. The Imperial family is very unpretentious. The Imperial castle is very austere. And I had the impression that [UI]. It impressed me quite a bit. Um, the feeling, the image I had of Japan, was of a more traditional Japan, which I did not find. So I was a bit disappointed in that sense. Another subject I learned about here, which I now understand is: “Honne to tatamae.” I*: “tatemae” Honne to tatemae. Apparently that is common practice among the Japanese. And for us Latinos, the “honne” and the “tatemae” are practically parallel, right? [Laughs] *"I" indicates an interviewer (Alberto J. Matsumoto)
Date: March 24, 2009
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Interviewer: Alberto Matsumoto
Contributed by: Watase Media Arts Center, Japanese American National Museum
Explore More Videos
Grandmother's influence on decision to go to Japan
(b.1942) Japanese American ceramist, who has lived in Japan for over 30 years.
The importance of knowing the Japanese language (Spanish)
Japanese Peruvian in Japan
What is Nikkei? (Japanese)
Tsuda College President, researcher of Nikkei history
Learning from Nikkei (Japanese)
Tsuda College President, researcher of Nikkei history
Nickname
(1926 - 2012) Scholar and professor of anthropology. Leader in the establishment of ethnic studies as an academic discipline
Context affects meaning
(1926 - 2012) Scholar and professor of anthropology. Leader in the establishment of ethnic studies as an academic discipline
Testing assumptions of Japanese scholars
(1926 - 2012) Scholar and professor of anthropology. Leader in the establishment of ethnic studies as an academic discipline
Feeling empowered by taiko
Co-founder and creative director of San Jose Taiko
Sense of lineage between Sansei and Issei through Taiko
Co-founder and creative director of San Jose Taiko
Image of Americans
Sansei from Hawaii living in Japan. Teacher and businesswoman.
Japanese influence growing up
(b.1942) Japanese American ceramist, who has lived in Japan for over 30 years.
Diverse membership in San Jose Taiko
Co-founder and creative director of San Jose Taiko