[sumo] A Tokitsuskaze article with a little insight

[Joshua Maciel]

I have been here for a short time in comparison to many others on this list,
but I think that you will change your mind about how 'warm' and 'fun loving'
Japan is after you've spent time is. While there are certainly many positive
points, 'warm' and 'fun loving' are two of the ones I would least apply to
Japan in general.

There is a reason that suicide and 過労死 (karoushi - death by overwork) are
very prominent in Japan, far more so than most other developed countries.

Earlier there was a discussion about 'guilt culture' versus 'shame culture'.
I think that plays very heavily into the working attitude in Japan (and much
of Asia) versus the West. People, and I would assume sumo rikishi, are
shamed into working harder, beyond the limits of their ability, as the
knowledge that they've done their best is not enough. What's important to a
far greater degree is how other people think you've done.

I don't want to stray too far off topic, so I'll return to the article. I
think it is very well put. The pressures on people, especially in schools,
are far more psychological than physical. If you have been blessed with a
school filled with supportive warm teachers, then you've found an
exceptional place, but I'd hesitate about applying your experience to the
whole of Japanese society.

Sumo is facing/will be facing the same thing that companies are -- a
dwindling pool of applicants who are less willing to push themselves the
extra mile to get something done, and that should force positive changes on
companies, sports, and Japanese society in general.

On Tue, Mar 11, 2008 at 5:56 PM, Mike Charlton <mikekchar at gmail.com> wrote:

> What frustrates me about this article and other things I've
> read is that it gives people in the west the impression that Japan
> is some cold hearted, ruthless, driven culture.  Nothing is
> further from the truth.  *Especially* in high schools, the
> atmosphere is ridiculously warm and nurturing.  Teachers
> are literally second parents to the students (sometimes,
> these teachers become the only *real* guidance that
> a student ever has).  North American schools that I've seen
> are cold and clinical by comparison.
>
> Japanese culture is also very warm and fun loving.  This
> is one of the friendliest places I've ever lived.  People
> care about you here.  If I go into the convenience store
> and have some trouble, people help me.  Not because
> it's their job, but because it is in Japanese culture to
> help other people.