Before and After

(http://www.ryumurao.com/ryublog/images/hashi.jpg)

At first I tried to focus on the Japanese new culture such as otaku and anime, for I thought that today we touch more these new culture than the Japanese traditional culture in our everyday life. However after I started to observe Japanese life as a native visual anthropologist, I found that there are many kinds of traditional culture which we don't even notice is Japanese traditional culture, but which is deeply related to our everyday life. For example, a very small thing such a Hashi can be traditional culture, and by looking at such little thing, I could find that not only the new culture but also the many traditional culture are necessary for our everyday life.

In addition to the view of Japanese traditional culture, my thought on the pictures has changed by taking Visual Anthropology of Japan class. I regarded pictures just as a record of my memory, yet I learned that it also can be the material to analyze people and the life style.

I went back to my hometown during the break, and I felt that we cannot generalize the country itself. I introduced some Japanese culture through this blog, but I want to say that the best way to know the country is to experience many kinds of life within a country by yourself.

These pictures are taken at Amagi which is in the northeastern of Fukuoka.

This is a picture of Fukuoka city. ( http://www.kyushu-tourist.com/fukuokacity111.jpg)

As you can see, from the houses which people live in to the overall scenery there are many difference between this two city. Only within a prefecture we cannot generalize what it likes, so we cannot say what Japan likes in a few word. If you really want to know about Japan, just experience Japan!

Image Strategy

We often see this kind of poster; needless to say politicians make these posters to build their good images among the citizens. Generally the poster designs are similar each other. As you can see in this picture they have big names, big smiles and the common slogan “unite for the better society!”

To give citizens clean images politicians often higher the stylist or designer, and the trend to focus on their images can be seen in the recent gubernatorial election in Osaka.
For example HashimotoToru who is the governor of Osaka tried to make fresh image. His poster also has big name, smile and common slogan.
This is his picture before & after his stand for the election.

(Photo : http://www.j-cast.com/ )

(Photo : http://osaka.yomiuri.co.jp/tokusyu/h_osaka/ho80405a.htm)

From the hair style to his grasses, his appearance changed a lot. Actually he hired the stylist for the election.

I’m not sure these posters have big effect to make good images, but by these posters the politicians will gain publicity. Today to gain publicity seems very important elements for politicians to win the election, but in my opinion, we should focus on their policy more than their celebrity or images.