1. Considering Uchi to Soto, what kinds of role does neighborhood watch petition play?
In the Mikio's house there were often many foreigners entering in. This brought with it some speculation from the neighborhood watch. Since Japanese usually fall in line with their societies general customs it was a surprise to the neighborhood watch to see the strange behaviors from the foreigners. The foreigners are considered soto as they are indeed outsiders. One explicit example would be of Annabelle from brazil. She was seen chest bare in a window by a neighborhood watch which was a shock to them as brazilian ways are shockingly strange to even myself. This pattern of out of place, unlined actions from outsiders grew and continued till the end of the movie.
2. Considering Danjyo Kankei, what are the roles and relationships between Mr. Kobayashi, Natsuki, and Seiko in this movie?
Though historically things would have differed significantly, overall there were hints of confucianism still present. Kobayashi and Natsuki were married. Kobayashi did his work as Natsuki did her duties as a female. Again, in the past things may had differed, being that Kobayashi may have worked away from home rather than in it and Natsuki may then had had full responsibility for the home. Since Kobayashi works at home it seemed that the role his wife was to play was shared with him as well....Now as far a Seiko goes, she was a mysterious one. She often left the home for the day. This brings the question, has Kobayashi's manly role of leaving the house gone to Seiko, as he is the one staying home? It's a poor question but one at that. Of course Kobayashi is still playing a manly role, as he is indeed working, but it is just strange to see Seiko leave the house so often and for so long. It seems that it would be more custom for her to stay at home, clean, cook, and clean some more according to Confucius ways.
3. Considering Aimai, as for Mr. Kagawa, what kinds of attitudes do you consider as Aimai attitudes? Explain.
It's funny that you ask this question directed to Mr. Kagawa as I believe Mikio would be more suiting. But anyways as far as Mr. Kagawa goes I guess there are signs of aimai. Looking through the muck of his selfishness, which he seems only to want to fulfill, I guess he might be ambiguous (aimai). Okay now, Mr. Kagawa seemed to be very easy going and his attitudes seemed to be in accordance, but what his attitude said was completely different from his actions. Let us not forget that aimai accured in Japan as to not upset wa. So doesn't anything that upsets wa also go against aimai? I find him a poor example of aimai because of these: He moved in with a mans family which upset wa; He invited people over to that house which upsets wa; The people he invited where soto which upsets wa; He made loud grinding noises which upsets wa; Overall he was a wa discombobulating machine.
4. What kinds of attitudes of Mr. Kagawa interrupt the concept of Uchi to Soto? Find two and explain the reasons why you think so.
Mr. Kagawa did seem to discriminate much as his friends were soto. First off, when Mr. Kagawa invited many soto to Miko's house he treated them like family or uchi. He patted them on the back and welcomed them. Another example of Mr. Kagawa's interruprition of uchi to soto would have to be when he first showed up with his wife from brazil. This showed also that he was every opened to soto as if uchi. Or maybe not? Maybe he was in it for other reasons.
5. Why did Mr. Kobayashi hit Natsuki even if he also slept with Annabelle? What Japanese concepts would lead to his action? Explain the reasons why you think so.
Mr. Kobayashi had a very quick reaction in slapping Natsuki. I think it was just a quick shock for him and he didn't contemplate his own mistake soon enough. The concept of Danjyo and Kankei relates well with this as historically it promotes a faithful marriage.
6. What was the purpose of Mr. Kagawa coming to the Kobayashi family?
He claims that he came to help with the bird problem but it seemed he just need a place to live.
7. What do you think the Inko bird implys?
Tough question as i wasn't sure that Inko had a implication. I guess the bird did add to the general theme or purpose for the movie since they were always looking for it. I guess you could say that if the bird was not lost then Mr. Kagawa would not had made his life into the Mikio's household. This would have resulted in a completely different story. The Inko bird could symbolize a reflection of the Mikio's relationship. This being that the Inko bird was lost and there was a problem. Instead of fixing that problem by finding the bird the Mikio's bought a another bird and said it was the lost one. As for how the Mikio's relationship compares, there was an ongoing problem in there relationship but instead of fixing there large problems they took the easier way out and chose to talk less to each other. Both events have a problem and a solution that isn't the best or more of a avoidance of the problem than a solution.
8. This movie included many aspects of typical Japanese people’s attitudes. Write down the parts you didn’t understand and analyze why you think so comparing with your own experiences and American standard.
Over all the movie was understandable. I guess i could say i don't understand why the Mikio's didn't talk about their relationship. You could say it is a culture thing that husbands and wife's are like that but i don't think it should be. As if a husband and wife were truly in a good relationship they would both be able to comunicate to one another about there mistakes. The problem i had was not that they didn't comunicate, as i find a lack of communication fine, but that their lack of communication of do to there internal wrongness and not because of humility. it's a complicated matter which i don't want to go on about.
9. The ending was upsetting as it didn't bring closure. The movie wasn't to exciting. I would recommend the movie Wing Chun over this movie any day.
great analysis!!! I love your answers. you should share with classmates!
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