1. JAPANESE & AMERICAN
C U LT U R E
Kristyn Perry Kiefer O’ Sullivan Sarah Jane Calub
2. Japanese
Culture
human fulfillment through close association with others
harmony
cooperation and recognition of social roles
inner self-control & self-discipline
http://www.flickr.com/photos/87913776@N00/500279386/sizes/o/
5. BACKGROUND
Japan is not a single island; 4 large islands and thousands of
smaller ones
limited farmland used predominately for rice
fish (both fresh and preserved) plays major role in diet
6. http://morningnoonandnight.files.wordpress.com/2007/08/soy-sauce.jpg
http://www.visitjapannow.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/tea-ceremony.jpg
culture-buddhism.jpg
http://japaneselanguageculturefood.com/graphics/culture/japanese-
3 BC: Chinese contribute Korean influences:
Rice-growing soy sauce, tea, chopsticks, Buddhism; people forbidden
and imperial rule to eat meat publicly
http://quezi.com/wp-content/uploads/
2008/12/bowl-of-rice.jpg
7. Buddhism responsible for 5
flavors and colors in meals.
sweet yellow
spicy black
16th Century: salty white
Portuguese & Dutch enters
trade with Japan. bitter green
Westerners introduce fried
foods, tobacco, sugar, and sour red
corn. http://thebokenonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/SushiBar____.jpg
1600 - 1868:
Japan closes ports to
foreigners. Culture
becomes even more
deeply rooted.
http://foodportraits.com/images/346.jpg
8. JAPANESE FOOD
compared to other nations, Japanese cooking uses almost no
spices
emphasis on pure, clean flavors of indigenous ingredients:
fish, seaweed, vegetables, rice, and soybeans
limited agriculture/livestock are limited
rice served at every meal; gohan = rice and meal
9. APPEARANCE
meals designed with beauty,
simplicity, and modesty in mind
meal is not a meal unless it balances 3
aspects:
artistic presentation
selection of plate/serving piece
taste
dishes are simply prepared, but
combination of flavors, textures, and
foods creates elegance and variety that
typifies Japanese style http://www.fotobank.ru/img/FC00-5959.jpg?size=l
12. SEASONALITY
seasonality of foods has long been
practiced in Japan
special foods/treats not expected to stay
for long
May: sincha (new tea harvest)
Spring: cherry blossom rice http://thepioneerwoman.com/tasty-kitchen/files/2010/03/sakuramochi-400x300.jpg
September: shimmering white dishes, abalone, cucumbers, and bamboo
shoots symbolize the moon
Winter: mandarin oranges symbolize sun and the New Year
Sheppard’s theories: imitation, intention and audience expectations
13. JAPANESE MUSIC
rooted in tradition and convention; not hugely progressive
pride in identity
J-pop and J-rock, now popular genres in Japan, were off
shoots from Western rock and pop (latter half of 20th
century)
much of Japanese music uses instruments which would be
unfamiliar to Western fans of music
15. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c6/Sanshin.jpg
http://www.okinawa.usmc.mil/Public%20Affairs%20Info/Images%20Complete/HighResImages/060908-sanshin7.jpg
SANSHIN
This traditional instrument local to Okinawa consists of a python-covered
base, a neck and three strings, which are plucked with a plectrum.
17. TAIKO
Taiko means “drum”
came to Japan from China around 500B.C.
originally Gagaku or court music
military use
originally made from thick, wide tree trunks
now a modern music with influences from Jazz
and other genres
now played in groups, which may have several
taiko drums accompanied by other percussion
instruments
Sheppard’s principles: meaning and truth
http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2007/03/16/16_kodo_lg.jpg
18. American Culture
http://c.photoshelter.com/img-get/I00004TfdjeBKLGc/s/650
19. American History
• Christopher Columbus landed on islands in Caribbean Sea in 1492
• Europeans came from the East and the Spaniards came from the South
• The formation of the new nation began in Virginia, Massachusetts, and
New York
• Britain won a fight against the French and took over rule of the new world
• Colonists became angry over the British rule
• American Revolution began in 1775
• Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4th 1783
20. Western Music
• reactive and progressive; always pushing the medium
forward
• social movements are often defined by their music
• E.G. Beats = Jazz
• Hippies = Acid Rock
• Cyberpunk of ‘90s = birth of Techno
• Western music is constantly redefining what it is to be
alive at that time
• Musical analysis of songs gives insight into time
http://performingarts.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/vanguard-jazz-orchestra-inside-cropped.jpg
21. BOB DYLAN
The Times They are a Changin’
• written in 1964
• Dylan was a popular American folk singer in the
U.S.
• speaks the minds of people who were alive during
the time of the Vietnam war and social upheaval
• written to be the “anthem of protest”
• features traditional Western instruments, using
only the acoustic guitar and harmonica
• Sheppard’s theory: expression
http://vrroom.naa.gov.au/Images/Protest%20against%20the%20Vietnam%20war1_11460306_tcm11-18309.jpg
22. HIP
HOP
CUL TURE
• Began with the Harlem Renaissance in the 1960’s
• Consists of four primary elements: DJ-ing, breakdancing,
graffiti, and MC-ing
• DJ Kool Herc is credited with establishing hip hop culture
• The first crew was the Rock Steady Crew
http://www.thegiantpeach.com/productimages/main/detailed/brands/sedgwickcedar/fall09/100709/600-S&C_8.jpg
23. Breakdancing
• uses amazing acrobatic moves
• sometimes dance in pairs
• performed primarily by young males
• began to replace fighting between rival gangs, usually
between young Hispanics
• Sheppard’s theories: form, expression, and imitation
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stuwillis/275985993/sizes/o/
