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Hiroshi66 Profile
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Re: J-Documentary: グッと!地球便 (Global Messenger)


Welcome to CJKDramas, WeabooDan! We're glad to have you onboard with us. emoticon

I knew what the song's melody sounds like, but I had no idea it was an actual song! I thought it was just a theme song for the purpose of the program. But after checking out the Japanese Wikipedia page on Global Messenger, I was able to get the title. What a surprise! Looks like it's an actual song that they adopted as the theme song for this program.

It's called Haiho by the singer/band Karaa Botoru [Color Bottle].

YouTube: Haiho by Color Bottle
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Re: J-Documentary: グッと!地球便 (Global Messenger)


That's beautiful.

T_T
thank you
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Re: J-Documentary: グッと!地球便 (Global Messenger)


You're very welcome! Hope you enjoyed it. emoticon
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Re: J-Documentary: グッと!地球便 (Global Messenger)


I found the last episode about the young woman in India ranking right up there with the disturbing story about the pearl man who has left his wife and two sons on their own (except for money, I presume)—gone for 20 years on his eternal search for making The Perfect Pearls.

The young Japanese woman in this story had been a successful 'rising star' in her business world in Japan, but she found it dissatisfying, traveled around the world and settled on India. She married an Indian man, much to her parents' dislike and disapproval, and together with him they have a locally popular Japanese restaurant. She is about to open a bakery, featuring Japanese steamed breads and the like.

What didn't set right with me were two things. First, her father looked to be about as cold and hard as they come. He didn't approve of her marriage and still doesn't five years later. They refused to go to the wedding—a large affair of 1500 people, covered in the local press as a special event (I suppose because she is Japanese). Only at the last minute did the father decide they should attend. So they went to India but the daughter laments that her father never once told her 'congratulations.'

The second aspect I didn't feel right about was the daughter herself. Out of her mouth come all the right words about how happy she is and that she will live and die there by the Ganges River. She sadly added to that, "After all, I have no where to return." The way she said those words made me feel as though she feels entirely cut off from her parents, so she better make the best of whatever her life is in India. She kept saying she was happy, but I have to say she was the most miserable looking person I've seen in one of these Global Messenger episodes. She seems to be working herself to death in her restaurant, setting up the new bakery, and in taking care of all the extended family with whom she lives (her husband's parents, siblings, male cousins and wives, if any). Like other Asian cultures, it is the wife of the eldest son who must take care of everybody within the household... cooking, their laundry, and so forth. Her circumstances take up all her waking hours. Maybe this is what she wants. It certainly would preclude her from doing much introspection if she is, indeed, unhappy.

Perhaps she looked the way she did because of the pressure of filming all this for her parents and the audience. That might have made her look and act the way she did. Her happiest times seemed to be in the responses of the Indian people around her. She is loved, liked and appreciated by them. Her mother-in-law is kind and loving, thinking she is a wonderful DIL. The restaurant patrons all like and appreciate her, too. So perhaps she is genuinely happy and fulfilled in her family and circumstances in India. Who knows? All I can say is that when it was over, I felt quite sad.
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Re: J-Documentary: グッと!地球便 (Global Messenger)


I actually missed this last episode, but after reading your comments about it and finding out how sad the story was, Nchristi, I'm sort of glad I didn't see it. These stories showcasing a rather strained relationship between the parents and their child in a foreign country is rather awkward and unpleasant to watch, isn't it? Though the parents want to find out how their son/daughter is doing (since it looks like this is the only way they can find it) I always get the impression that they are a bit resentful of having to air their family's dirty laundry on national television in this manner. They try to hide it in front of the cameras but sometimes it's hard to do that!

It's good that the Japanese woman gets along with her MIL and that she is loved by her family and the community there, but other than that, it sounds like she is just going through the motions. I'm sure she likes living in India, but it almost seems like she doesn't have a choice - since her relationship with her parents and family in Japan is so strained. If anything were to happen and she were to return to Japan, I'm sure she would get the "I told you so" treatment. It's really all very sad. In case she really isn't happy in India, then she's caught between a rock and a hard place—she can't go back to Japan, so she has no choice but to stay in India.

Sometimes we get episodes like the one about the granddaughter in Cambodia, where the loving relationship between family members is showcased. But episodes like this one are always difficult to watch. It's too 'real' - and I always wonder what happens after filming is over. Does it help the estranged family members reconcile with one another? Or do their lives just return to business as usual?
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Re: J-Documentary: グッと!地球便 (Global Messenger)


Greg san.
This is not the correct thread but I can't find one for 'Somewhere Street' now. Did we have one before and if so I am sorry I can't find it. Anyway last night I saw a very interestig episode somewhere where they speak Mandarin. I did not recognize the place. It was wide street and interesting nooks and alleys also. One thing that really intrigued me was when they went into a shop where they had a department which sold very large chefs knives for chopping. The ones that are used by Chinese chefs. After the sale (supposed) the assistant put the bill and the money in a small container and attached it to a wire that ran above his head. It shot along the shop back to the small office where the cashier worked. He then unhooked and checked the bill. Took the money and put bill marked paid and any change and sent it back down to the assistant. All very fast and efficient. the thing that got me was that this used to be the way one of the smart haberdashery shops in my town in UK used to do things. It was such a nice shop and if you went in to buy gloves or stocking etc. you sat on a chair in front of the glass topped counter and once you decided, the assistant put the bill and money in a small metal cup and it zoomed to the back of the shop via the cable and then came back all ready for the customer to take and leave with merchandise. It really was faster than dealing with a cash register and I loved it. This town wherever it was was charming. There was a man up on a balcony playing a saxophone and people were dancing down below in the street. No cars in that area.About sixty or so people doing ballroom type dances. When he stopped playing they all went on about their business.
I wonder where it was. Very wide streets and few cars and large and older grand buildings.
The world is so interesting.
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Re: J-Documentary: グッと!地球便 (Global Messenger)


No problem, Peggy-san. I think the thread you are looking for is the Japan Potpourri thread where we discuss NHK 18.2's miscellaneous programs here in General Discussion:

Japan Potpourri - NHK 18.2 Odds and Ends
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Re: J-Documentary: グッと!地球便 (Global Messenger)


Last night's first story was of a young man named Chikara who went to NYC six years ago to further his drumming career. He was a naturally talented drummer in Japan, studied in the US and now performs with a small Afro-American band that plays in the subway stations. He also plays each Sunday with a musical group in a Harlem church.

Chikara's life is difficult financially, but that's the story for a lot of musicians trying to make it. He has a small apartment, which looked pretty good, actually—a lot better than I was expecting. He eats mostly at a small Indian restaurant that has a $10 "all you can eat" buffet. He has a thin (long and lanky) body type but still looks too thin. At least he gets to eat his fill of healthy, tasty food that he enjoys. (I wonder if he can afford to eat there daily?)

As for the relationship between Chikara and his parents—good with his mother, non-existent with his father. The father reminded me of an extremely proud man who lives in the glory days of Japan's traditional era. The mother is an international award winning archer... I forgot what the father did, but it was the career of his choosing, one he wanted and loves. The mother is very normal, wearing casual clothes. The father is wearing a formal looking kimono outfit, sitting ramrod straight, his head held high, barely an expression on his face. Chikara calls his mother every so often but speaks only with her. He hasn't spoken directly with his dad for four years. Mom relays the latest info to her husband.

When asked about his relationship with his father, Chikara's first statement was that his father was a man who was not interested in having children. Next, he said his father is very strict and he has always been very afraid of him. Chikara laughed a little when he described eating meals together. His father would put a long ruler down Chikara's back to force him to sit erect while eating. Dad would also make Chikara use "correcting chopsticks" while he ate.

Image
Correcting Chopsticks
Just place your fingers on the dents of this chopstick. These chopsticks will teach you the correct way to hold chopsticks naturally.

Chikara's wish is that he could have a conversation with his father about the father's work and what he (dad) felt about it. Chikara has never had a personal, "shooting the breeze" conversation with his father. He clarifies that he isn't asking from the position of a son to his father, rather as one man to another on feelings and accomplishments in their work. On a professional level, Chikara has some new ideas on a drumming project that he has been dreaming of and planning for a long time.

The Gift - Dad sends the gift. (I guess so. Doesn't he control everything?! lol) It is the "Naming Document" he wrote when Chikara was born and why Dad chose the name "Chikara." A very formal paper (Do all Japanese do this? Or is this just Dad's grand scheme?)

At any rate, Chikara is moved to tears. He had never seen this document before. The basic meaning of "Chikara" is power, capability, or influence. As Chikara cries, he is moved that his father has given him a powerful name. "I like my name," he says, "I'm grateful that my father gave me this name." Then he is handed an envelope with a perfectly handwritten letter. Every character is perfectly penned, each line is perfectly straight, the paper is perfectly folded.

At least the father has expressed some decent words to his son. He tells Chikara that he is happy his son is conscientiously pursuing the career he loves most, that he is confident that Chikara will give it his best. He hopes that Chikara will live up to his name and be a "foundation cornerstone" for other.

Well, it looked like there was some hope for this father to mellow out and loosen up a little. He looked pleasant, except for when Chikara described what kind of father he had been. Dad had a completely controlled, somber expression he maintained during that segment. I would imagine that was a very hard pill for him to swallow publicly.

At any rate, Chikara was happy to have finally received some attention from his father. I hope their relationship vastly improves in the future.
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Re: J-Documentary: グッと!地球便 (Global Messenger)


It seems like the relationship between Chikara and his father is a rather common dynamic in contemporary Japanese society. I think we've seen this stoic, unemotional Japanese father portrayed in some of our dramas, as well. Often times, the mother is the one who communicates with the children, then relaying the information to the father. I guess it's hard for the children in these situations—does the father approve of the way they are living their lives? Or, does he not approve of it? The children don't know, and hence have a very distant relationship with their children.

I learned in one of my Japanese classes that (at least traditionally) the social norms for a Japanese man was to come home, ask his wife for dinner, a cup of beer, and to prepare a warm bath for him. He didn't get involved in the family issues, nor did he talk about his day/personal life. As such, it seems that many children would never get involved with their fathers on a personal level. They respected them as parents but never really could open up with them. I'm sure it is changing now in Japanese society with the new generation, but with a traditional family like Chikara's, it may still be the norm.

It sounds like Chikara's father was a bit of a strict disciplinarian, though - since he forced him to sit erect during meals and everything. I wonder if he is descended from an old samurai family? It seems like he's very traditional in his methods. I think we've seen the "Naming Document" in some of the Taiga dramas. Upon the birth of a child, the father would write the child's name (in calligraphy) on a piece of paper. He would then explain the reason behind naming the child. I guess the concept of the "Naming Document" continues in some traditional families even today.

Hopefully this will mean a better, improved relationship between Chikara and his father. I guess for someone like the father, he was best able to express his thoughts and feelings in writing, rather than in person.

Those "correcting chopsticks" are great... maybe I should use some to improve my chopsticks skills! LOL!
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Re: J-Documentary: グッと!地球便 (Global Messenger)


Starting Friday, August 2nd:

UTB will only air one episode of Global Messenger, from 9:00p to 9:30p.

From 9:30p to 10:00p, a new program called WAO: RYU JAPAN will air. It is about recent fashion/technological trends in Japan, and will be aired with subtitles.

More information from UTB: class blockquote WAO! 流〈RYU〉JAPAN presents the awesomeness of Japanese subcultures to the world ! 『GACHI-OTA《ガチヲタ》』, an information program for foreign fans of Japanese otaku culture presents an intimate introduction to anime, games, tokusatsu (Japanese style superhero shows), cosplay and doujin (amateur creators of anime and manga) by going on-site to film sets, production studios, and fan festivals, which are all holy grounds for fans of otaku culture, not accessible outside Japan until now. 『KAWAII PATEEN 《カワイイパティーン》』is a program introducing the latest and hottest fashion styles in Japan ! In this program, hosts will learn about make-up, nail art, wardrobe coordination, accessorization and more from the experts, will experience it for themselves first-hand, and will share these how-to's with viewers. ※with English Subtitle!
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