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It is impossible to study and understand the Japanese language without this exposure, as the language and the culture are so closely linked. I was lucky enough to come into the class with some basic knowledge of the Japanese way of life and Japanese culture, but I wondered how anyone who hadn't studied Japanese before and didn't have this background and this preparation could really appreciate Japanese culture. 

The second reason I found everyone's understanding of our activities so surprising was that the readings we had did not particularly emphasize (with the exception of the tea ceremony) the inherent spiritual challenge that each activity presented. The ikebana instructions were full of confusing geometric schematics complete with angle markings and precise design methods; the intricate kanji we copied from the handouts in the calligraphy sessions were foreign and frustrating. 

Despite these concerns, everyone in class became familiar with these traditional arts through the experience of actually performing them. Knowledge of Japanese was not necessary, and in fact I now realize that the true challenges of tea ceremony, flower arrangement, and calligraphy really have no words. They are internal struggles which affect us whether we are Japanese or not, whether we speak Japanese or not-even whether we have ever heard of these traditional arts or not. 

Finally I would like to comment on stereotypes. It is so difficult to learn about a culture without experiencing it first-hand. Throughout the semester, we have qualified all our class discussions by recognizing the fact that generalization cannot give us a truly complete picture of what's going on in Japan in terms of family life, education, religion, and even the social interactions and communication styles that we've studied. It is very simple to fall into the stereotype trap, which can lead to statements that might be too general or simply untrue. 

Our class did not fall into this trap. In fact, through the valuable experiences of calligraphy, tea ceremony, and flower arrangement, our class seems to have made a special connection with Japanese culture. Although we of course couldn't take a field trip to Japan, everyone has developed a respect and appreciation for Japanese culture and Japanese people. I am confident that students in our class no longer think of Japan in terms of "The Karate Kid" or samurai or sumo wrestlers, but rather as a land with a rich and multi-faceted culture which challenges the Western mind and the Western soul. Over the course of the semester, we have tasted of this culture bit by bit. I am reminded of the tea ceremony, in which we sip the tea slowly to study and appreciate its flavor. As in the tea ceremony, our Japanese culture class is partaking of Japan "one sip at a time," each sip bringing us closer to true understanding. 

Recommended links:   Japan is still a great place to visit     

Has Japan lost its soul?        Japanese in Canada        Japanese work ethics      

Designer gifts for Japanese business contacts       Japanese influence on New Zealand

American view of Japanese businessmen     Information about Japan    

Japan as a homogeneous society      Honne and tatemae      Faking it      Life of a salaryman     

Discrimination in Japan      Making friends in Japan      Generation gap in Japan