Interviews
The Image of Japan: Expectations versus Reality (Spanish)
(Spanish) Um, I had quite a bit of information about Japan, or at least I felt like I did. What impressed me the most when I presented my credentials was the Emperor’s simplicity. The Imperial family is very unpretentious. The Imperial castle is very austere. And I had the impression that [UI]. It impressed me quite a bit. Um, the feeling, the image I had of Japan, was of a more traditional Japan, which I did not find. So I was a bit disappointed in that sense. Another subject I learned about here, which I now understand is: “Honne to tatamae.” I*: “tatemae” Honne to tatemae. Apparently that is common practice among the Japanese. And for us Latinos, the “honne” and the “tatemae” are practically parallel, right? [Laughs] *"I" indicates an interviewer (Alberto J. Matsumoto)
Date: March 24, 2009
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Interviewer: Alberto Matsumoto
Contributed by: Watase Media Arts Center, Japanese American National Museum
Explore More Videos
Looking at your country from the outside
(b.1942) Japanese American ceramist, who has lived in Japan for over 30 years.
Wife's family in Japan
(b.1942) Japanese American ceramist, who has lived in Japan for over 30 years.
Lack of notion of citizenship in Japan
(b.1935) American born Japanese. Retired businessman.
Lack of language skills
(b.1964) California-born business woman in Japan. A successor of her late grandmother, who started a beauty business in Japan.
Preserving traditional Japanese culture
(b.1964) California-born business woman in Japan. A successor of her late grandmother, who started a beauty business in Japan.
Having patience in Japan, being both
(b.1964) California-born business woman in Japan. A successor of her late grandmother, who started a beauty business in Japan.
Being on the outside
(b.1948) Nikkei from Southern California living in Japan.
Working at the magazine
(b.1948) Nikkei from Southern California living in Japan.
His parents' experience with Japanese resistance toward intermarriage with Okinawans
(b.1925) Nisei of Okinawan descent. Had a 38-year career in Japan as a baseball player, coach, scout, and manager.
Working in cane fields as teenager, and how it helped in his athletic training (Japanese)
(b.1925) Nisei of Okinawan descent. Had a 38-year career in Japan as a baseball player, coach, scout, and manager.
Nickname
(b.1913) Kibei from California who served in the MIS with Merrill’s Marauders during WWII.
Mixed emotions after declaration of war on Japan
(b.1913) Kibei from California who served in the MIS with Merrill’s Marauders during WWII.
Decision to remain in the US and become an American citizen
(1940-2016) Issei Landscape Architect
Growing up in Waikiki
(b. 1924) Political scientist, educator, and administrator from Hawai`i