What's bad about Japan?
What does "kawaii" mean to you? - It means...
Hey guys and girls it's Cathy Cat. This time we've come to Artism Market lots
of creative people are here and we're gonna go and ask these Japanese people
what is good and what is bad about Japan. Let's go and Ask Japanese.
We reject things in Japan that we don't know.
Instead of learning about new things
Japanese tend to reject them as something they don't understand.
I have very accepting friends
Do some reject you for your current style?
I have shocked some of my friends with this style
But I don't hide my hobby. When I have two eyes
I showed them pictures of my cyclops self
and some said "Scary" or "Gross"
I guess I can't change their opinions, but it made me sad.
I think you look cute. - Thank you so much.
Hearing that makes me happy
In Japan you have to have paper and coin money ready
In many places you can't use credit card.
It's a hassle.
It's a Japanese hassle.
What do you dislike about Japan?
This applies to me too but
Japanese people can't say "NO"
Yeah, we can't reject others.
So we agree to it, but later are troubled by it.
I wish we could say things more directly.
What's bad in your opinion?
The fully crowded trains!
I wish our trains were less crowded...
I hate that so much.
Have you tried avoiding rush hour?
I tried leaving super early and taking a slower train
or avoid that time alltogether.
What's the worst? - It hurts! It's hot!
I often carry my instrument and that bothers other passengers
I think Japanese are often stubborn.
What do you mean?
We have strict rules of how things are supposed to be
but there are other ways
and options
It would open new ways and possibilities. But NO
"In Japan we do things like this, so you have to do it like that!"
I think Japanese people are so stuck in old ways
What do you not like, or want to fix about Japan?
I hear that a lot. We are very prejudiced.
If you leave the house in your current style,
what prejudice do you have to deal with?
"That girl just wants to stand out in a bad way"
Many see this so negatively.
You might get this in other countries too
but many people take non-consensual photos.
And then write "There was a weirdo like that on the train"
and post that on Twitter or Facebook.
I really dislike that.
Have you seen yourself on a strangers Twitter? What did you feel?
I was shocked and surprised people do that still
I wear this style because I like it.
I want people to leave me and my hobby
alone. To let me be.
We can go anywhere quickly by train
Was it not like that abroad?
Maybe it's because we weren't used to the train system
sometimes the train didn't connect and we needed a taxi
That happened a lot.
We couldn't walk, the trains didn't intersect
and we had to take the long route or a taxi
In Tokyo we can get anywhere if we change trains.
Abroad made me realize how practical Tokyo is.
We have many kawaii things here, I love that
Especially our Harajuku kawaii culture
is really great.
What is kawaii to you then?
Well... I like pinks and such
and some gross, crazy things
can be cute too.
I like that. - Deformed things are cute too.
Tell me what you love about Japan?
What I like? Our season are so wonderful
We have beautiful seasons. Sakura in spring...
Cicadas crying in summer, tasty Sweet potatoes in autumn
In winter maybe some snow
I like how our season change.
You might not look like it, but your answer was cute.
What do you mean? - In that dark style. - What is dark then?
I thought that was cute. - Thank you. - What is your favorite season?
I like spring
Why spring? - It's neither hot nor cold.
I think. And watching the sakura trees
Japanese food is tasty! - Which one is best?
I like fish... and our sake is tasty too.
Japanese sake? - Yes.
What sake do you recommend? - Kokuryuu from Toyama prefecture
Do you mix it? - No room temperature
or cold, both cold. - What food goes with Japanese alcohol?
What I like the most
is raw fish and Japanese sake.
That's super Japanese. - Yes. - Do you try other mixes too?
Chocolate works well. - With Sake? - Yes.
What chocolate? Dark? Milk? - Well
Normal milk chocolate
and chocolate with nuts. It all works.
I shall try that. - Please do.
I like that we can do flower picnics. Alcohol under the cherry blossom
trees. Having fun.
When you all do cherry blossom picnics, what do you talk about?
As band? - Our guitarist
will just start with talking about our gear
and that's the start. The more we get drunk
the more trivial our chat will get
and in the end we all topple over. - Those days make me
glad that I am alive.
And realize that one year has already gone past.
What do you like about Japan?
This fashion style I am wearing, Gothic Lolita, can be worn
in a convenience store, ramen shop or anywhere
I like it. We have a unique Japanese fashion culture.
People are used to it now
In Tokyo we can wear it anywhere
Japan is used to the "kawaii" culture?
Depends on the generation, but generally people know it.
When I walk past people who like this fashion,
even if they don't wear it they'll compliment me.
Saying i look beautiful. That makes me happy.
Do you go on the train like this?
This makeup is called Shironuri
I have never been on the train in Shironuri, but I have seen it.
I think it's really cool.
Clothes wise, I came here like this.
Why have you not been on the train like this? - Applying it takes time
I wanted to do it here, personally.
Thank you so much.
Things we love and we hate about Japan
There is a thing I want to connect between the love and hate
like everything in life has a good and a bad side
What I love in Japan is that people listen to you, don't out your opinions down
straight away, so they will listen to you.
The flip-side of that one is that sometimes
people will just listen and will not argue back.
And we Germans we like our hearty discussions where we
go like "but what do you think about this?" A little bit of
grinding of arguments, of different opinions, and we enjoy that.
While in Japan, we don't really do that. It's sometimes hard to have a discussion like that
because people might mistake it for you being aggressive or picking a fight.
While it's not. In that situation, what you wanna do is to pack it all into a nicer
wrapping. Japanese people aren't very direct so
try to wrap it up a little bit nicer so people don't
feel like you're attacking them.
So that's the flip coin of both sides. Nice that they listen and don't out you down
on the other side you might never get an argument
popping up because it's seen as something negative. This doesn't apply to everyone.
You might find someone else who is great to have a discussion
with. How about you guys. Good/bad things about Japan, anything you'd like to share with us?
If so, leave it down in the comment box below. Don't forget to upvote comments
you like, if you really like a comment, comment on someone else's comments.
I hope you have a lovely day and I catch you soon on Ask Japanese!
Artism Market calls itself an "Underground Japanese Culture Expo"
Artists and Designers display their art freely here and you can find everything
from stationary bag fashion items and more to unique inventions.
From the kawaii to the bizarre, it's a crafty shopping paradise.
Walking around and talking to the artists in our interviews, I could tell the
inspiring mindsets of them
Designers and visitors were really dressing pretty cool there.
Crazy, unique, comical, for lovers of unique items and designs
you'll find an item you will definitely love.
You might also have the chance to meet some famous designers in person there,
so don't miss your chance when you visit.
Information about the next Artism market are in the box below.
Be sure to check them out.