10.27.2007

Homework #1 #2

Homework #1
There are 2 topics for homework. Both must be answered in your blog:1. Reflecting about today's class:Today we discussed the Japanese concept of "wrapping". Do you agree with the web site's description?What do you do that can be called "wrapping"? Give examples and reasons for your actions.2. Preparation for the next class "Death and Funerals" Answer these questions in your blog;a. Where do you go when you die?b. Explain why do Japanese have death memorial services 1 month, 1 year, 3 years, 7 years, etc. after a person's death?



Question2

A: Where do you go when you die?

I want to go to the heaven. but some people say ''when we die, we go over the Sanzu liver.'' Maybe the reiver is called in English ''Acheron'' However, we dont know much about the Hereafter. It is one of the most mysterious things and nobady know the truth. It is very difficult question for me to answer, because I've never died. haha!!



B: Explain why do Japanese have death memorial services....?

I do not think that it is only in Japan. Perhaps other countries also have similar services.
I guess, such service is to respect the ancestor at bottom. I think the reason with only the odd number at the cycle, it is a figure that cannot be divided any further. we are always connected with the ancestors, so as not to forget the ancestor, we do the service.





Homework #2
Please answer the following questions in your blog:1.Death and Funerals:a. Do you have any international friends or a host family? If so, how would you express your condolences to them if a family member died? If not, then how would you express consolences to an American host family if their Grandmother died?b. Have you ever been to a foreign funeral?2. The language of Clothes (preparation for next weeks topic):a.Why are Japanese designer label crazy? Why is what you wear so important? b.What does “Don’t judge a book by it’s cover.” mean to you?Good Luck!

Question 1

A: Do you have any international friends or host family? If so how would you express...?

Yes, I have host mother in America. Perhaps I will pass on the bare fact. I just want her to know.

B: Have you ever been to a foreign funeral?

No, I haven't. I dont want to attend it, because funeral is always sad.

Question 2The language of clothes

B1:Why are the Japanese designer label crazy?

I think Japanese yearns to English. we just have a simple image"English logo is cool than Japanese one" As an example, years ago, ''I LOVE NY ''T-shirt temporarily became popular among young women even though they did not love NY very much. Besides many Japanese dont know about the meaning of English logo. One day, one of my acquaintances wore nice T-shit with English logo,and it says "twinkle twinkle twinkle stars" but he is over 30 years old man, I couldnt help laughing. I guess that such a lot of people are in Japan. The label's meaning is not so important for such Japanese. A sense of values like that might be a cause of crazy label.

B2:Why is what you wear so important?

Because what you wear is a part of idenity. Also it becomes a kind of judging material when we try to know each other. Especially, the fashion occupies the key role to the student of the pubescence like us. In Japan, you can see the person who walks with brand-name goods(Gucci, Prada, Luis Vuitton, and so on ) here and there. Many Japanese think having a brand goods is cool. Brand has a strong power in Japan.

B3: What dose "Dont judge a book by its cover " mean to you?

I like this phrase. It is one standard for me to judge things without prejudice. (To see through the essence of things. )