The differences between Russia and America are just as profound as between Spain and Japan.

What I'm saying is, why doesn't this work the other way? If Asian cultures are so different from ours, is there an entire army of Asian people obsessed with German Pop Culture?

My father got his PhD in sociology. He also agrees that culture and pop-culture are two very different things. Culture is a shared system of beliefs, history, and mindset passed from one generation to another. Pop culture is whatever is popular in the media at the moment. That's an empirical fact, and you're trying to argue with me about the definitions of words. This is not just an argument of "people like different things." Sometimes, Pop Culture almost becomes culture, or even changes it, but it is extremely rare.

There is no such thing as a "deviant culture". Seeing as how Japan is not part of America's social norms, we cannot judge them as deviant - weird, sure, deviant, no. Sorry, I just had to argue with semantics there. But I can understand what you're saying, that a country where "perversion" and nerdiness are more acceptable will attract those types of people.

Besides, you've never explained to me what, exactly, is so weird and different about Japan! You're only saying "it's weird and different"

It's sad to hear that you don't care about Swedish history, cause it's really cool stuff! But you live in your country, and you experience many parts of it, from the second you wake up til the minute you fall asleep - even while you're sleeping, your country affects you! - so if you love or hate your country, your opinion is very valid. An example of an invalid opinion is an otaku who's heard about maid cafes and watched some anime and says "I love Japan." There's a big difference.

I agree completely, picture this, you go to japan, and get into a conversation whit a local and you say oh I love your culture. and they ask you what about it? oh J pop, J rock, and anime. that's it, well I assure you are going to look prety ignorant.

I... sort of consider myself a weirdo..... and I say that I "love japan" but after reading though this discussion I really can't say that I really "love it". I know that I wanna learn more about japan but I don't know where to start. I don't know too much about the history except for some things about samurai but I don't know much about how Japan became what it is today.

I guess one of the real things that attract me to Japanese people right now is the power of their will and motivation I think? I guess I get envious about this idea and how I'm not too motivated in lot's of things I do.

This might not really add much to this discussion but maybe I can learn something new from interaction. This thread seems too interesting to ignore.

That's what you believe in, I have no problem with that, I repect that. But it just doesnt work that way.

SUCCESS! I'm glad we could provide a learning environment for you (that's job #1), and I'm glad you're being honest with yourself, that takes guts. You won't really be able to say you love Japan until you've there lived like one of its people, but maybe you'll learn something on your way there!

Hey man, I'm glad you responded! There are many ways you could get involved with Japanese culture! The best way, of course, is to visit the country. If you can't do that, there are some good books on Japanese culture, and lots of books in its history! Start with japan-guide.com, browse through some articles on culture, and if something catches your eye, do some deeper research! Good luck man

I'm glad that Japanforum has such a learning environment. Lot's of other forums i've been sifting through that I thought had japanese culture to learn about in them were just all the usual Anime, Manga and Videogames thing and well it just... all the same discussions on " What's your fave manga" and similar. :/

I do hope to visit Japan one day. I just need to get life straightened here first a bit ^_^;. I remember I got some notes from people here last time i was active about planning a trip there.



For the books on Japanese culture... do you recommend any titles? I'll also be definitely checking out that site as well. Too bad it's late where I am right now but... I tend to remember things better when i look up something before sleeping so right now might be the best time for me to look some things up.

Thanks for the great response :D!

I can call my self a "weirdo" but not a "Japan loving, pocky eating manga reading weirdo" haha, but I remember when i was in H.S. and gained interest in Japan, watching shows on history channel and Travel, and checking books out the library. I was crazy obssesive about learning about Japan I kno a few things and now I want to learn the language of course so. I like this site because it gives me insight and everything. and I think every country has its weirdo's but there's something about Japan that I dont know maybe the fact that that there up on the trends and always creating new technology that always attracts the wierdo's, but one day I wanna visit. ^_^

Go find the book "The Crysanthemum (spelling?) and the sword"

becasue it is a very independant country in its ways of style and stuff, its just cool.
and i love anime becasue i have also liked cartoons :)