TURNING JAPANESE
I spent last Sunday watching TV at home. The history channel had a good program on about the Japanese WWII campaign. It was so interesting to find out the whole story of why the Japanese decided to enter into war with the United States. Discovering that the US and the British were trying to one-up Japan by limiting the size of the Japanese navy yet retain the size of theirs. Typical. Still happens today with nukes. Only the US and their friends can have the best toys. It was also interesting to know that the military commander of the Japanese, Admiral Yamamoto, was against the war. Even though he was the brains behind the Pearl Harbor attack and several other successful campaigns, he was so against going toe-to-toe with the US. He knew they wouldn't win.
The show also delved into the Kamikaze. These people were willing to die for their country. To prevent a foreign occupant to step, in their eyes, on sacred soil. Admirable. On an interesting side note, the commander who thought of the Kamikaze was named Admiral Onishi Takijirou. Onishi. The same name as the Japanese guy I fought with at Kuni. I wonder if their related. I doubt it though. The Admiral was brilliant and had a sense of honor. The guy I fought is neither brilliant, nor possesses an ounce of honor. Their only common trait, besides the name, is that they both sent things to their death. The Admiral sent men, while the Kuni guy is sending the company to its death.
After the show, my family went out to eat dinner (it was mother's day after all). As a perfect way to cap of the Japanese theme of the day, we ate at Bento-ya. I must say, the food was pretty good there. Rather authentic. Prices aren't bad too. In fact I can say it was cheap. I wouldn't mind eating there again. They had my favorite cold tea too (mugicha). I'll probably eat there again sometime. Only downer there is that you leave smelling like Japanese food. Good thing it's so near my house I can change right away.
I realise that despite my bad experience with the Japanese that I worked with in my last job, I am still fascinated by their culture and them as a people. I understand that I shouldn't make generalizations of their race based on the few defects that I worked with. I'm glad that I can still enjoy learning about them. Ja!
The show also delved into the Kamikaze. These people were willing to die for their country. To prevent a foreign occupant to step, in their eyes, on sacred soil. Admirable. On an interesting side note, the commander who thought of the Kamikaze was named Admiral Onishi Takijirou. Onishi. The same name as the Japanese guy I fought with at Kuni. I wonder if their related. I doubt it though. The Admiral was brilliant and had a sense of honor. The guy I fought is neither brilliant, nor possesses an ounce of honor. Their only common trait, besides the name, is that they both sent things to their death. The Admiral sent men, while the Kuni guy is sending the company to its death.
After the show, my family went out to eat dinner (it was mother's day after all). As a perfect way to cap of the Japanese theme of the day, we ate at Bento-ya. I must say, the food was pretty good there. Rather authentic. Prices aren't bad too. In fact I can say it was cheap. I wouldn't mind eating there again. They had my favorite cold tea too (mugicha). I'll probably eat there again sometime. Only downer there is that you leave smelling like Japanese food. Good thing it's so near my house I can change right away.
I realise that despite my bad experience with the Japanese that I worked with in my last job, I am still fascinated by their culture and them as a people. I understand that I shouldn't make generalizations of their race based on the few defects that I worked with. I'm glad that I can still enjoy learning about them. Ja!
This entry was posted by Frank, on
Tuesday, May 10, 2005.
You can leave your response.
