Donkey Surprise!!

BIKKURI DONKEY(which means Suprise Donkey) is the name of this restaraunt in Kobe and it was a hamburger joint with a Japanese Twist. The tractor and the American numberplates in the background are obviously the signs of an external cultural influence...

But then, BIKKURI! theres a donkey running the show!

This funny little character is done in the typical Japanese kawaii (cute)

style with the big eyes and a cheezy grin, and smells like a formulaic marketing ploy to me...

Step 1. Food - Hamburgers (everybody likes hamburgers!!)

Step 2. Exotic Cultural Paraphenalia (Barn style room, tractor, liscence plates, wooden barrels... yeah that oughtta do it)

Step 3. Cute Character (lets use a donkey!! no one else has a donkey...)
Step 4. Profit

Senior Donkey wasn't the only surprise, the hamburgers were available on a hotplate with your choice of rice, salad, spaghetti, cheese, egg, steak or chips but not a hamburger bun in sight!

Even traditional japanese side dishes were done with an American twist (notice the takoyaki balls smothered in melted cheese and mayo).

So where does this cullinary, amalgamation of cultures sit within our idealized, authentic food experience expectations? I'm sure that not many people think about the incredible amount of cultural and historical events that transpired for Donkey Surprise to come into existence as they're chowing down on their chiizu hanbaaguu. Besides theres more important things to think about like the beautiful view of Kobe harbour, or trying to impress your date by not getting oily, hamburger drippings all over your shirt, and the table.

I guess this place is not really Japanese or American, but a mixture of ideas that creates a new exotic cultural experience, and after all, havn't humans been doing this for as long as we have existed anyway? Nothing new is created without knowledge, and experience of the things prior, and cultures don't just suddenly appear and stay the same for thousands of years. Cross-cultural interaction and the exchange, and blending of ideas is what makes us such an inventive and successful species. I think globalization has existed long before the roman letters used to spell it were ever invented, and it seems like the only difference about the way Japan imports and uses cultural ideas, is that they don't get so hung up about keeping the idea in its original format. Japan grabs what it likes and integrates it into its existing culture without a second thought, and its all right there on the surface. Or is it?.........

http://www1.kobe-mosaic.co.jp/en/shop_dining.html

Base'ic differences.

One thing I have noticed about Japanese sports is how dedicated they seem to be. I mean some sports clubs meet 5 times a week for three hours or more, that leaves barely any time for partying!! There seems to be more importance placed on the team than I've experienced in any of the sports I've played, or seen being played. After watching the DVD 'Kokoyakyo - High School Baseball' I was really amazed at the dedication and emotions brought out by the complete focus on the team success. They seemed to really wear their hearts on their sleeves and always pay their respects to the opposing team which I believe is a really admirable trait.

We recently went to a baseball game with a group of Japanese students. Apparently it's getting close to the end of the season so it was a bit of a pointless game to watch (in terms of the team standings), but there were still many fans who came to cheer for both teams. The home side was the Orix Buffaloes and they were playing the Rakuten Eagles.

What surprised me was that our Japanese friends didn't really seem to mind who won, as long as we got to see some good plays, we were actually cheering for a tie in the hopes of getting to watch a longer match. So as my German friend picked a side to barrack for to cheer his team on, and playfully slur the other team (they ended up losing... sorry mate), I couldn't help admire the cheering just for the love of the game.

My American room-mate also explained to me, that the Japanese teams are much more skillful around the infield when compared to American teams. Also that American players usually try to slug every ball and try to get a home run, whereas Japanese teams are more about loading up the bases. Another thing my Japanese friend told me was that they're coach was very well respected and known for yelling at the players when it was necessary. It seems to me that coaches in most sports have a similar job, which is to know your players. To know when to push them and when to hold back. It seems as though even though the emphasis is placed on the team as a whole, a heavy burden rests on the coaches shoulders.

There was also a team of cheerleaders, which I am told is another difference to the American game. I felt the cheer squad (trombones and all) were as much a part of the team as anyone else, and all the die hard fans were happy to support their team no matter the odds.

Buffaloes Website:

http://www.kyoceradome-osaka.jp

Humble theorem - Envy in Kyoto

Envy

This might look like any normal music gig, but for me it was a completely different experience to what I'm used to in Australia. This is Japanese hardcore in Kyoto.

The similarities to concerts in most Western countries I've visited are obvious, the crowd nods their heads as the bands release some pent-up emotions, and connect with their audiences using the international language of sound vibration.

Theorem

But then you might look a little harder and notice some differences which may only be slight, but have an amazing impact on the way the music is received.





Notice the way the band is not raised up above everyone else. This tiny difference had an significant effect on the way I connected with the music. It wasn't about going to see an amazing band that had to be placed on a pedestal. It was about listening to some talented guys doing what they do best, 'kickin' out the jams'. Playing on the same level as the audience seemed to send the message 'lets share and enjoy this experience', as opposed to 'we are better than you, you should idolize us'.


As the name suggests, 'Hardcore' music is usually quite aggressive, not only the way the music sounds but also the way people act while listening to it. The stereotypical hardcore fan might be a big muscle man with a shaved head and tattoo's, who barges his way to the front of the stage and guards his turf without consideration for anyone but himself. But what was fascinating about the Japanese audience was their gentle nature, even in the centre of the mosh pit I felt no need to protect myself from a wayward flying elbow, as everyone seemed a little more cautious of trying not to hurt the people around them.

The audience was significantly quieter than most of the rowdy hardcore and heavy music gigs I've been to back home, and it seemed true that they were concentrating on the music a bit more than your average western gig. Also all of the bands had members who stayed after their set to talk to the punters and sink a few beers.

Once again I keep coming back to the same themes of humbleness, respect, awareness and concentration. They're not present in every part of Japanese culture but they do seem to be more dominant than what I'm used to.

All photos taken at Whoopee's in Kyoto

Whoopee's - http://www.whoopees.net/


Masonna - http://www.yamazaki-maso.net/ Follow links to merzbow/boris/kknull/ghost/astro/keiji HAino/acid eater etc.


Envy - http://www.sonzairecords.com/envy.html




Bears @ Namba - http://home.att.ne.jp/orange/bears/info.html




Club Saomai @ Namba - http://www.club-saomai.com/