SURVEY
This survey has been
designed to give you the chance to record your initial thoughts about
contemporary Japan BEFORE you begin to explore the country, its culture
and civilization. Place an X along each of the lines linking two contrasting
ideas about today's Japan to mark your current perceptions of the balance
the country and its culture currently represents.
EXAMPLE:
| a
happy-go-lucky people |
__X___________________ |
a
driven, hard-working folk |
[the
X in this case indicates that you think of the Japanese today as significantly
more relaxed and content than stressed out and unhappy]
When you have finished
reviewing OSAKA 2001: AT THE DAWN OF A NEW MILLENIUM, return to this
same set of statements and place an O on each line to represent any
changes in your perceptions taking place as a result of the illustrated
introductory remarks you have just completed.
EXAMPLE:
| a
happy-go-lucky people |
__X________________O___ |
a
driven, hard-working folk |
[after
completing the web exercise, you now think the opposite: the Japanese
seem more workaholics than blissed-out practioners of Zen]
Then, consider the
results and think about what you have learned (about yourself as well
as Japan) as a result of this exercise.
| to print out only the following
survey page, click PRINT at the top of your browser window, then
set the PRINT RANGE properties to PAGES and print out only page
two before clicking OK to send the page to your printer. |
CONTEMPORARY JAPAN
---
|
remains very traditional in terms of architecture, costume and general
appearances -- a land of geisha, kimono, and wood-and-paper
houses |
______________________ |
has
become "post-modern" in terms of architecture, costume
and general appearances -- fashionable, sophisticated and very avant-garde |
| maintains
a dedicated committment to the preservation of traditional customs
and culture |
______________________ |
has
abandoned outmoded customs and habits tied to the Japanese past
in search of the "latest and best" imported from the West |
| is
unwilling to entertain change, viewing itself instead as the product
of a perfected cultural tradition |
______________________ |
seeks
"change for the sake of change", dedicating itself to
a normal existence embracing constant shifts in habits and expectations |
| views
itself as happily "unique", unlike any other culture on
the face of the globe |
______________________ |
sees
itself as embodying "the future of civilization" for everyone
everywhere |
| appears
quiet, laid back, introspective -- very Zen-like and meditative |
______________________ |
is
noisy and crowded, busy, active and involved -- more like "New
York" than New York |
