Cellphone cameras: The good, the bad, and the uncalled for

As many of you know, or at least assume through stereotype, technology in Japan is better than that in North America. Now that I’m here, I’m not sure that it’s entirely true. Having a larger, electronics savvy market I think results in some advances, but globalization is decreasing the gap. My North American bought (but it’s a Sony) digital camera doesn’t put me to any particular shame here, but I will say that cellphones in Japan are far superior to their North American counterparts (iPhone excluded).

Cellphones here are pushed ever forward by highly demanding market forces. Japanese people, it seems, don’t believe in owning anything over a year old, and buy new cellphones more often than I buy new underwear (which in my defense, is not that infrequent). Unfortunately, the technology isn’t transferable, so I’ll have to buy some Motorola piece of crap when I get home, but for now here’s a picture of my baby in all of it’s 103 x 49 x 11.4 mm glory:

(mine's the red one)

It turns out that one of the more useful functions of a cellphone in a land where you don’t speak the language is the camera. This allows people I can barely communicate with to show me a picture of their dog/child/sister’s new baby so I can squeal kawaii (cute) in my best nasal Japanese girly voice, and we can both feel satisfied that we shared a moment of sorts.

I’m generally comfortable with this arrangement, but today it went a step too far. I was at the local international center when a Korean woman walked in with her 1 year old son. He was covered in lotion covered dots, and it turns out that he had chicken pox. Some smaller than small talk was exchanged, and then the woman pointed to the kids crotch and said what I can only assume was Japanese for “itchy”. She then proceeded to pull out her cellphone and show me a picture of that which the diaper is meant to cover. This woman was specifically, dare I say purposefully, carrying around a picture in her cellphone, of her son’s be speckled privates, just incase random strangers were curious. Really, there’s nothing quite like childhood herpes on baby junk to make a real show and tell event.

Incandescent Kobe

Last weekend I went to Kobe with the guys. It's a very modern, and very shiny city.

Harborland

Kobe Tower

How things looked after I'd had a few.

Obama rama

I’ve tried to keep this blog Japan-centric, but now allow me to digress into American politics. Mostly because that’s what many of my students have opted to do recently. Over the past month or so, many people here in Japan have been swept up in Obama-mania. I’d like to claim it’s because of an astute interest in international politics, but it’s actually just an issue of nomenclature.

Down the coast, in my neighbouring prefecture, lies the city of Obama, Fukui.

Recently, this obscure fishing town, previously famous for chopsticks, has been pumping out merchandise (including sweet bean cakes in the man’s likeness) and holding rallies to support the Democratic nominee.

The most enjoyable aspect of this situation however, is that all of my students are convinced Obama will definitely be the next president, and it seems no one has ever even heard of John McCain. I’m sure it mirrors my own ignorance of Asian politics, and I appreciate their willingness to discuss the American election. Besides, no one here cares much about the war in Iraq either. So for those of you who are still wondering, America’s influence may be far reaching, but it isn’t the center of the universe.

More: Obama, Japan, roots for accidental namesake

Dueling Shamisen

Last weekend I attended my friend Remi’s shamisen concert. It was his third and most impressive concert to date, as he has become very adept at a difficult instrument.

Here’s Remi looking dapper in his kimono.

The shamisen is a traditional Japanese 3 stringed instrument that combines the slim elegance of a violin, with a sound and playing style closer to that of a banjo. The instrument is often, in Western countries, related to Geisha, however it can be played by anyone. You also may recognize it from the Nintendo Wii commercials.

This is a picture from the first concert I attended, featuring some local Geisha (and the backs of many people’s heads).

Here's an example of dueling shamisen.

And here's an example of something a little more contemporary. I think I like it because the start reminds me of hockey night in Canada.

Enjoy!