Every time I go to an anime convention (all three times), I’m struck by the amount of Japanese culture represented besides anime. ACen had Go tournaments and a few art panels tournaments and AX had traditional Japanese dancing and sushi making to name a few of the offered Japanese culture items. That would seem to indicate that many anime fans dig into the Japanese culture beyond anime.
This is a good thing. It means that the average anime fan is learning something new about a completely different culture and actually getting involved with it. I’m thrilled that my anime interest opened up a whole new world for me to explore. I now have so many new things to research and participate in. So far my interests in the Japanese culture are:
- Culinary (including cooking and food items, i.e. snacks and ingredients but especially wagashi)
- Fashion
- Dance
- Art
There are others but they’re more peripheral at this time. There’s so much to explore, for me, that I’m only focusing on the above four items right now. Hopefully, I can get to the other more esoteric parts of the culture soon.
Besides anime and manga, what other aspects of Japanese culture are you guys interested in? If you could name one of the biggest and most influential culture item, what would it be? What facets of the culture have sparked or maintained your interest? How have they influenced your daily life? Let us know what other interests in Japan you have besides anime!
*As usual, if there’s something we left out, please, write it in comment below!
Maybe conventions are starting to move towards a “let’s become Japan” for a day goal..?
I was in to Japanese film, history and food long before I got into anime. But through anime I’ve learned a lot more about Japanese culture as well. One example is Go, and I’m happy to see that Go and Shogi workshops are becoming more common at cons.
It’s interesting that the theme of Anime Boston this year was matsuri, and they even had a Cherry Blossom Ball. And at ConnectiCon I went to one of Jennifer Yoo’s presentations about the true history of the Shinsengumi. There are more and more opportunities for con goers to get exposure to Japanese history and culture.
I’d add literature to the poll; I was reading Akutagawa and Endo before I ever saw Miyazaki.
Where do I vote for porn.
I’ll second the literature option, along with food (which is what I voted for). Endo is one of my favorite authors, along with Haruki Murakami. I also really like contemporary Japanese visual art, the kind that goes in the museums.
I love the Japanese culture I’m only in like 9t grade but I’v been doing and studying there
culture sence I was about 10 lol I love there history and life styles they are cool and intersting XD
I knew a lot more about traditional arts (particularly calligraphy, the tea ceremony, and the later ukiyo-e), history, and etiquette long before I was introduced to anime. I would say that my heavy exposure to those led me to move down the timeline and start looking at modern culture through Japanese movies (pre-1990s stuff, mostly), music, and anime. I still maintain a stronger interest in the traditional arts over anime, mostly because I don’t take my hobbies all that seriously. ^_^
You left out mythology and folklore! Unless you meant that to be included in History I guess.
I was stationed at Camp Zama (40 miles south of Tokyo) for two years. I met my wife there and we’ve been married for 12 years. There is so much about Japan that still interest me. Its rich history is certainly one. Every time I go back to Japan I love checking out different castles. I also like Japanese woodworking.
Definitely the food and history – and the culture. So like, yet so unlike, some of the things I’ve known as a kid.