CLASS #3 The Languages of Clothes

1. Do you judge people according to what they wear? Why?

Umm..I have never thought like that, but I may do. If someone who I meet the first time wears very conspicuous clothes, I will think she/he is outgoing or talkative person. It is just my way of thinking, but I think that outward appearances show their identity.

2. Do you think Japanese society puts an importance on clothing when judging other people from another country?

Yes, I agree. Clothes, outward appearance and first impression are considered very important in many situations in Japan. I think that Japanese society pays attention too much on like this issue.

3. What colors are you wearing now? Do they reflect your mood?

I'm in my room, so I wear pyjamas. Yeah, they reflect my mood because I feel so relaxed.

1. What are some subjects that you will never discuss with a friend?

I discuss with my best friend about anything like friends, boyfriend, family etc.

2. Do you have different friends for different parts of your life? If so, how are they different to you? Do you talk about different things? Go to different places? Give me some examples.

Yes, I have friends at my university, high school, junior high school and part time job place. Friends at university and high school are very valuable because I spend much time with them, and they are very close. I often go out with them, but I seldom go out with friends at junior high school. Friends at part time job place are very nice, and I sometimes have lunch or dinner with them, but I don't talk about serious things with them.

CLASS #2 Death and Funerals

1. Reflecting about today's class:Today we discussed the Japanese concept of "wrapping". Do you agree with the web site's description?What do you do that can be called "wrapping"? Give examples and reasons for your actions.

It is exactly true. Japanese love wrapping. We especially do that when we give someone a present for the special day like midyear present (otyu-gen). In my case, I of course do that when I give my friends or boy friend a present and even though when I return something to someone. Wrapping makes everyone good feeling, and it is important to show my feeling.


1.Death and Funerals:
a. Do you have any international friends or a host family? If so, how would you express your condolences to them if a family member died? If not, then how would you express condolences to an American host family if their Grandmother died?

Yes, I do. Bur I have never experience such as this situation. If I need to express my condolences to my friend, I will say "I was shocked to hear of the death of your... I cannot tell you how sorry I am to hear of your great loss. In deepest sympathy,"

b. Have you ever been to a foreign funeral?

No, I have not.


2. The language of Clothes (preparation for next weeks topic):
a.Why are Japanese designer label crazy? Why is what you wear so important?

I don't know Japanese designer label crazy or not. But I'm sure why is what I wear so important because I express my feeling and identity. Also it makes me confidently. Clothes are parts of my life.

b.What does “Don’t judge a book by it’s cover.” mean to you?

It means that it is not certain to judge something by appearance. We should be careful to judge something and pay attention to substance.

CLASS #1 Fall 2009

a. Where do you go when you die?

In my opinion, we go to Heaven if we don't do bad things before we die.
If we do something bad, we go to Hell.


b. Explain why do Japanese have death memorial services 1 month, 1 year, 3 years, 7 years, etc. after a person's death?

Japanese have death memorial sercices to remember the deceased with family, relatives and friends and to hope the deceased's hapiness at Heaven. And also, it is good oppotunity that Japanese think ourselves over once more. This cycle (1 month, 1 year, 3 years, 7 years, etc) comes from the teachimgs of Chinese Confucianism.