Help Me, Please!: Being Helpful in Japan

I have been pushing a big TV along the school's hallways for a week. I needed it to project a powerpoint presentation in most of my classes. Although it's on a cart with wheels, it was still heavy to push. For a week that I have been pushing it in almost every class, no student tried to extend help. When I pass, they would just move away. Some would totally ignore me. And then there are also some students whom I need to raise my voice to move away. (With that big TV, I think it's common sense to unblock the way.)

(See more on Japanese Children here)

I find the student's unhelpful behavior puzzling. These are the same students who would fetch me at the teacher's room and carry my things, (usually just a book and some light materials). Casually, I asked a teacher who also uses the TV if students help her. She said if the students knows that the'll be using the TV, they would get it for her and set it up in the room. If not, she said she manages on her own. This behavior is odd to me. For me, it's about being helpful even if you don't know. I mean seriously who plans to open and close doors for people who have full hands? Who plans to help lift a heavy load of others? Things like this just happen. You just have to be willing to extend some little help when a need arise. But the Japanese think otherwise. 

HELP!
photo credit: http://www.illustrationsof.com/99647-royalty-free-help-clipart-illustration

A Japanese friend who lived in the US for several years explained that Japanese people tend to help when you asked them for it. This is not being 'unhelpful' for them. This is actually 'saving your face.' Japanese people are hesitant to extend help, especially to foreigners, because the person being helped might feel embarrassed. However, once you ask for their help they will do their best to help you out. I totally agree with this. Everytime I would ask someone on the street for directions, he/she would really try to find a way to show me the way or get me there. Sometimes even if they don't know the way, they would really do their best to find someone who can help me. The key is to ask for help. Once you ask for their help, it becomes their responsibility to help you. 

(More on Japanese Culture, here.)

As for the students who carry my things, they are actually class leaders who have the responsibility to help the teachers. They help me out not because they like me or because they are helpful. So their being 'helpful' and 'unhelpful' does not really mean anything. It's just part of their job. Again, it is their responsibility to help you. 

This concept of helping contrasts with how I was raised. Helping is not a responsibility. It is an option. People who help are just kind enough to lend a hand. If no one is kind enough, no one will help. But if someone is, you will just be grateful that someone is there even without you asking. On the other hand, the Japanese concept of helping focuses on the one who needs help. If you have the guts, ask for help. If not, bear your own burden. You're lucky if someone is responsible to help you. You're unlucky if someone asks for your help in difficult situation. They become your responsibility.

So as for me, the next time I'll need the TV, I'll certainly ask for help from the class leaders. I think it's a simple thing to ask with no pride at stake. Also, it's their responsibility to help. 

What Happened to Shizuka?: Doraemon's Henti Version

I didn't realize the extent of henti anime in Japan until last week. I was browsing the net in search for images of Shizuka of Doraemon. I need a picture of her for a lesson. Then came the third page of the search results. I was surprised to find a naked Shizuka smiling innocently while sitting on the edge of a tub suggestively. I got curious so I clicked the picture and voila! Right before my eyes is Shizuka's nude body in a larger frame. The  image was from a henti site. I had to close it right away cause I was in school. I don't want to be accused of browsing porn sites.

Shizuka, a young nice girl in Doraemon
photo credit: http://doraemon.wikia.com/wiki/File:Shizuka.gif

I should have stopped there but I didn't. I viewed the search results again and found more images of Shizuka as an adult with Nobita. There was even one with Doraemon. On the first glance, it looked hilarious. But I also thought what kind of people would think of turning Shizuka, a young nice girl in an anime for kids, into a porn star. I was also wondering why would they want to pair her up with Doraemon, a robot cat? I think Suneo and Gian would be more acceptable.

Nobita and Shizuka
photo credit: http://rajadankuda.blogspot.jp/2011_02_01_archive.html

I shouldn't have been really shocked. Back in high school, some of my guy classmates share henti mangas. The only henti scene I have seen is that a sexual encounter between Dennis and Vincent of Ghost Fighter. It just looked grossly funny to me that I didn't become curious of searching for more henti anime.

Doraemon main cast
photo credit: http://the-gewos.blogspot.jp/2009/06/doraemon-cat-robot-from-22d-century.html

But even with my age now, I am still surprised with what I saw. I'm not naive, just really really surprised. Without sounding condescending, I think turning young girls (and boys) into lustful objects is not good. Who in their right mind would look lustfully on young ones? More so, why would you even think about it?

Also, I think the proliferation of henti manga and anime in Japan is a manifestation of sexual problems. Could it be that in Japan's very polite society, men and women resort a lot to sexual fanstasies bordering to perversion?  I'm just guessing and trying to play psychologist.

As I have stated, I was shocked that the anime characters I grew up have henti counterparts. If I'm going to be deep and philosophical about it, I would say that a part of my childhood felt violated. At the same time, I can also commend the creator of Doraemon's henti version for being (perversely) creative. But I am still shocked and I know I would't look at Doraemon, Nobita and Shizuka the same way as before.

Tourist Spot in Hamamatsu: Nakatajima Sand Dunes

Tracts of sloping sands overlooking the Pacific Ocean and a perfect view of sunrises make Nakatajima Sand Dunes worth a visit. 

There are only two places where I have seen tracts of sand- one in Ilocos, Philippines and the other one in Hamamatsu, Japan. Comparing the two sand dunes I can say without bias that the one in the Philippines is much better. It's wider, sand is whiter, slope more interesting and there are more activities. Nakatajima pales into comparison. However, I would still say that Nakatajima is still worth seeing.

Here are the reasons: 

1. It's near Hamamatsu Station. 

Nakatajima is accessible. I think that alone makes it a good sightseeing place. For someone like me who doesn't have a car, I really like it when I can go go to a place by bus or train. For less than 20 minutes from the main station, I can already enjoy a good view of the ocean and just feel one with nature. 

How to Get There:

Take the Number 4 Bus from the Bus Terminal at Hamamatsu Station.

Bus 4 is on Terminal or Pole 6. Alight at Nakatajima Sakyu and you're there!

(For Places to See Near Hamamatsu Station, click here)

2. It has a clear and perfect view of sunrise and sunset. 

Since Nakatajima is part of the Pacific Ocean shoreline, it gives a very good view of the sunrise. I went here llast January 1 to witness the first sunrise of the year. There were a lot of people even with the bone-chilling and blood-freezing wind. And I can't blame them, the view was just breathtaking. 

first sunrise at Nakatajima
photo credit: http://www.inhamamatsu.com/recommend/cat/Hatsumode-hatsuhinode.php

(See more on the First Sunrise of the Year here.)

3. The sand changes color depending on the time of the day. 

I've been to Nakatajima three times in different times of the day. Sunset is a a good time to see the sands change colors yellowish to orange to pink to purple then black. It's like the sands mirror the colors of the sky. 

Purple sands at Nakatajima
photo credit: http://www.japanguides.net/shizuoka/outskirts-of-hamamatsu-area.html

4. It got a good view of the ocean. 

I'm a water-lover so just a sight of the crashing waves of the ocean gets me excited. Practically speaking, there's really nothing to see except waters, waves and some rocks. Swimming is not allowed. Even walking on the waters is prohibited. But there's just something about the ocean that soothes and relaxes me. It just allows me to reflect. It provides a respite from life's stresses. 

Nakatajima Sand Dunes with the Pacific shoreline
photo credit: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nakatajima_Sand_Dunes_6.jpg

(For another water tourist spot in Hamamatsu, Lake Hamana, click here)

5. It's across a park and a museum. 

Aside from sightseeing, there's nothing to do on Nakatajima Sand Dunes. I only know that annual kite festivals are held there. Aside from that and the New Year's first sunrise, Nakatajima is just a quiet tract of land for the most part of the year. Good thing is just across the sand dunes, a museum can be visited. There's also a park for picnics and simple relaxation. 

Festival Pavillion across Nakatajima Sakyu
photo credit: http://www.japanguides.net/shizuoka/outskirts-of-hamamatsu-area.html

Nakatajima Sand Dunes with its view of the sunset and sunrise, sunset and the ocean offers me a brief getaway from the mudane things of daily life.