So this it: the first post of Dan in Japan! Woohoooooo!!! Except…well… I’m not in Japan……….yet. I leave Nov. 22, arrive in Tokyo the 23rd, depart Tokyo the 4th (at 3:40 pm) and return the 4th (at the 3:30 pm). Crazy, eh? Be sure to check back each day, for I’ll give constant updates on the steps I’m taking (or in some cases, not taking) to prepare for my visit. Most of these will be in the form of a podcast, which you ‘ll see a play button for below each entry.

I’m learning a lot from professors, textbooks, and guidebooks, so we’ll be able to test the veracity of this 3rd party information directly with the source. For example, I’ve heard that they condone physical intimacy of any kind in public…so to test this, I’ll head to the Imperial Court grounds and sweep a woman off her feet (literally, with a broom) and give her a big kiss (the kind you see in old romantic films when it’s raining in a classy European town like Paris, and the couple that you knew from the beginning would hook up at the end, ends up hooking at the end, and they make love,) in which afterwards I’ll observe reactions from around us… This is the kind of useful information that I want to share with you, and more Just kidding.

If I’ve been a good student this quarter, I should be able to expound upon many of my encounters with the culture, including the temples and shrines, for I am currently taking a class on Zen Buddhism, and an Asian Art class (focusing on Japanese Art, currently.) The culture is intertwined with elements of Buddhism, art, shinto, tradition, progression. There is very little delineation with these aspects. According to one of my professors, a typical Japanese citizen could tell you extremely little knowledge about Zen, or Shinto. It’s simply been part of their culture growing up. In America, we shake hands when greeting someone. In Japan, they bow. Both mannerisms originated somewhere. The bow dates back a few millennia, I believe, however if anyone has any more information on the history of the bow, I’d be interested in knowing more about it.

Which reminds me! Feel free to leave comments on the board. In fact, I encourage you, to, whether it be a question, comment, criticism, or some hilarious pun you stumbled upon recently (i love puns.)

Lastly, I’d like to thank one of my best friend’s, Matt, for hosting this website and being my webmaster. I bow to you, great master-o-web.

That’s it for tonight. I look forward to my posting more detailed information of my trip and also hearing from you guys.

Sayonara !!