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08 March 2024

Film "Elvis" American culture is Black culture!

I watched the film on my flight to Paris from Tokyo last week. The film helped me to kill time during the very long flight hours. 

It was a biography of the king of rock, Elvis Presley. He was born in southern state where seggregation was very common. But he grew up in a Black community so he had no prejudice against Black people but rather appreciate his experience with Black people who inspired him to sing in a new style. That is why he sang the requiam song for Dr. Martin Luther King "If I Can Dream" in 1968.

That may be a reason why he played a protagonist in the musical film "Blue Hawaii (1961)" in which he marries a native Hawaiian woman." 

His life was not always glorious nor very happy one because of his parents' treatment of him. He was mama's boy and his father was weak so he and his family were manipulated by a conman who managed his showbiz activities. The conman did not have a US citizenship so that is why he could not hold the world tour. I felt very sorry because if the conman did not stop him to go to the world tour, he could visit Japan and sing at Japanese audience. He said he wanted to do that. That was more profitable for him and his family but very bad for the conman. His life was shortened due to the hardwork imposed by the conman. 

His singing style such as waving his waist was affected by Black singers he was acquianted with. In fact, his singing is Black singers' style. That is why conservatives tried to stop him from singing in public. Black culture had been considered vulgar culture but created a very unique American culture. None the less, Black people have been oppressed in America. America took them to his land forcibly depriving of their human rights and treated them as slaves and second class citizens while gaining cultural advantage from them. 

Elvis Presley was a byproduct of America's cruelty. I felt very saddened to know such history. 

Entertaiment industry is grotesque everywhere in the world. In Japan, recently it was found boys being sexually abused by a big boss of the most influential entertainment agency. 

As I get older and learn more about such stories, I am losing interests and admiration to showbiz industry. I don't enjoy such shows any longer. I rather read books than films. 

I am hoping we will no longer need human singers or actors but Artificial Intelligence creates such super stars. 

24 December 2021

Christmas is after all "White" Christmas?

This "White" does not mean snow. 

Christmas is in fact originated in the western civilisation as part of ritual of Christianity to commemorate its founder's birthday. 

In Japan Christianity was introduced in 15the century. But it had been banned between 17th and late 19 th century by the feudal authorities. The Japanese authorities at that time feared the influence of western imperialism. 

Now Christmas is considered to be a kind of annual festival. No one really cares what it really means except only 1% of population who are baptised. In the city illuminations and decorations appear everywhere because it is a big chance to sell goods and services. 

religion,

Because it is western religion it was not spread and widely accepted as a faith. Japan has been predominanty Shinto and Buddhist nation since ancient time. 

I am Christian and Catholic. But I also worship Buddha and Shinto deities. 

That is typical Japanese way of dealing with religions. 

Recently Christianity scares me due to the issues such as abortion, LGBTQ, and wars related to the religion. 

Christianity seems very exclusive religion which denies other lifestyles. 

Christianity may be a symbol of white supremacy. 

But I don't know so much of the religion and other religions as well. 

I will learn more about these and figure out what they are. 

Anyway, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

religion,

22:09 Posted in Culture, Society, Tokyo Life | Permalink | Comments (0) | Tags: religion

30 November 2021

A French woman I fell in love with

I recently fell in love with a French woman working at a food and sweet shop nearby. 

She was very pretty not just appearance but mind of her. 

How I found her mind was so beautiful was this question I asked her in French when I stopped by the shop she worked for. 

"Les Français détestent les Allemands?" 

She replied in Japanese. "Not true. We hate Hitler but that does not mean we hate all Germans." 

 

Later another time I met her, I asked her what she thought about a Japanese man who married a French man.

She answered saying "It doesn't matter. My friend does. That is common in France." 

Then I loved her more. 

But she does not work at the shop any longer. 

That was really a good experience anyway. 

I think I will learn French as my third language. 

Merci. 

29 July 2021

Small is beautiful!

I recently come to think "Small is beautiful" meaning you do not have to seek bigger size. Why not just stay in a small scale, which may be more comfortable? 

I live in Tokyo, where so many tall modern buildings stand. But I am not attracted to such scenery any more. 

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Now I am attracted to traditional district of Kyoto, where wooden low height houses line up. 

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Tall modern buildings consume so much electricity that requires mega power plants causing mass emission of carbon dioxide or radioactives. 

Since so many people gather in small areas, people become more susceptible to infectious disease like the current pandemic. 

Why do we seek higher, bigger, and more gorgeous things? I am fed up with these things. 

Not only the tall modern buildings but ongoing Tokyo Olympics are good example. Why do athletes want to compete with others for the gold medals? To become a hero, or get a prestigious status? 

kyoto,pandemic,covid-19,olympic

What is the significance of competing in Olympics? Is it worth risking their bodies? No way. Just a sport. 

Major corporations utilize them as tools to boost their sales. Olympics are commercial shows. 

This time due to the pandemic, no spectators are at the competition, meaning mass-gathering is a bad way for public health. Instead TV broadcasting worked. 

Why do we need to watch such big events? 

I would rather like to join a small banquet with ten or less people to be entertained by Geishas. So I can get much more closer to real entertainers than televised figures. 

kyoto,pandemic,covid-19,olympic

What should be the goal for humanity? I do not think tall modern buildings and Olympic athletes represents the answer. 

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