Race

[Runnin]

Speaking of Japan and the US's racial history, here are a few very interesting images. The first is a handbill of first ever American music concert in Japan, performed by musician sailors with Admiral Perry on his famous "Black Ship" voyage when the US forced Japan to open relations with the US or else. Not sure if the concert was on Admiral Perry's 1st or 2nd trip, I'd guess the 2nd, making the handbill from sometime between 1852 and 1855. The artistic rendering of the event was from a Japanese artist at the time, showing that the performers were all in "black face".

Notice the song titles. One is "Massa's in De Cold! Cold Ground", probably a sad tune but with some hopeful ambiguity? Too bad there isn't a sound recording of the event. Some of the songs can be found on youtube as very old folk tunes.

It's also interesting that as far back as the 1850s, the idea of official "American" music was essentially the music of Black folk, or at least the presentation of American music would somehow be better if done in black face. So while blacks were still enslaved, the US at State sanctioned official events sometimes performed "Black music" in black face. Talk about cultural appropriation.

I don't at all get the pink hair wigs. It was a weird time to be sure.

[Tapate50]

How diverse is Japanese culture ?

[Runnin]

How diverse is Japanese culture ?

What do you mean by "diverse"?

I'd say Japan's culture and society has certainly made great use of "foreign" influences from China, the U.S. and from Europe. Japanese kanji comes straight from China, as does much of its food, culture and "religion". Medical and science terminology often comes from German and a huge swath of its popular modern tv culture comes from the U.S. But once in Japan, the country puts its own take on things that soon feels indigenous and all Japanese. But because of the declining birthrate the country is growing less "Japanese" everyday as foreign workers make their way here to fill jobs openings. Most foreign workers are Asian and where I live Vietnamese make up most of the foreign population.

[thethe]

The very diverse 1% of their population

[Tapate50]

What do you mean by "diverse"?

I'd say Japan's culture and society has certainly made great use of "foreign" influences from China, the U.S. and from Europe. Japanese kanji comes straight from China, as does much of its food, culture and "religion". Medical and science terminology often comes from German and a huge swath of its popular modern tv culture comes from the U.S. But once in Japan, the country puts its own take on things that soon feels indigenous and all Japanese. But because of the declining birthrate the country is growing less "Japanese" everyday as foreign workers make their way here to fill jobs openings. Most foreign workers are Asian and where I live Vietnamese make up most of the foreign population.

diverse
/dĭ-vûrs′, dī-, dī′vûrs″/

adjective
Differing one from another.
"Members of the same family can have very diverse personalities."
Made up of distinct characteristics, qualities, or elements.
Relating to or containing people from different ethnicities and social backgrounds.
"a diverse workforce; a diverse curriculum."

[Runnin]

diverse
/dĭ-vûrs′, dī-, dī′vûrs″/

adjective
Differing one from another.
"Members of the same family can have very diverse personalities."
Made up of distinct characteristics, qualities, or elements.
Relating to or containing people from different ethnicities and social backgrounds.
"a diverse workforce; a diverse curriculum."

But you asked about culture. I assumed you were really trying to make a statement about something else. That's why I asked.

There are at least 3 main strains of Japanese facial characteristics in Japan (one similar to Korea, one from Mongolia and then the native Ainu), but I'm sure all Asian DNA is represented in the people. The country is really more diverse than it looks to be from the outside. The character of people from Kansai (Osaka/Kyoto) is much different than other places. Okinawa is different too. Each region has its own dialect still today and a certain uniqueness to go along with the dialect.

The U.S. and Europe actually played a big role in un-diversifying or narrowing down variety within Japan. Forcing the island to create a "country" that had to compete with the rest of the world for resources and economic security played a huge role in turning the country into an island of worker bees.

[Runnin]

In the Wake of Jim Crow

The enthusiasm some sailors showed for reproducing American racial spectacle overseas suggests not only their own warm embrace of the era’s popular theatre, but also their aspiration to familiarize foreign societies with the nation’s cultural landscape.

[thethe]

This dude looks under rocks for racism.

Pathetic

[sturg33]

What does it say about Japan that they don't even allow immigrants to their country

[Tapate50]

What does it say about Japan that they don't even allow immigrants to their country

Lol

[Tapate50]

This dude looks under rocks for racism.

Pathetic

100%.

It’s amazing when viewed with a world wide lens.

Not one person except maybe a south Alabama 101 year old is proud of slavery.

But to act like we were the only nation who participated is asinine. It’s still practiced today all over Africa (common theme?) and China.