Vienna, Austria. Birthplace of Mozart, weiner schnitzel, neo-Nazis, and one of only two German-language one-hit wonders that at least I can think of (“Rock Me Amadeus,” by Falco).
Now they’re opening a picturesque park and naming it after…
TORA-SAN from the Japanese movie series Otoko wa Tsuraiyo (Tora-san, That Lovable Tramp).
Japan’s Forrest Gump, now an Austrian Hero.
Eine kleine Tora Park, anyone?
This piece is a week old now but what an unexpected crosshair of cultural intersections: Issey Miyake in the NY Times on his memories of the atom-bombing of Hiroshima.
I tried never to be defined by my past. I did not want to be labeled “the designer who survived the atomic bomb,” and therefore I have always avoided questions about Hiroshima. They made me uncomfortable.
Here’s a really fascinating hypothesis on why the Japanese hate the internet. In other words, why Japanese internet-based interactive platforms suck (they do. Just trust me on this one.)
If you don’t wanna read the whole article, the gist is basically that the Japanese FEAR the internet.
Via Street Level
The word “Japanese” can be pretty volatile. I mean, hypothetically, a person will make a name for him or herself in some outrageous act, sometimes pretending it’s a “talent.” But when it’s a Japanese person, the general reaction becomes, “Oh. Sure. Those crazy fucks. Not surprised.” …which in turn makes it hard for me to be a cultural pundit. Forces me to be less a dignitary than The Apologist.
“No no, it’s crazy. This is NOT like, Japanese”
“People don’t buy dirty underwear in vending machines. I swear. It’s just this one part of Tokyo…ugh, ok, SOME people buy it but it’s not like buying soda or anything.”
“Those two chicks and their cup are not Japanese! This isn’t some businessman fetish, really!”
“I’m sorry Takeru Kobayashi can eat more hot dogs than your God-fearing obese American.”
“Really, this is NOT normal…
I HAVE NO IDEA WHY THEY HAVE MASTURBATE-A-THONS.”
C’mon. This could have been anyone, anywhere. I bet you dollars to nuts (ahem) there’s a Gland-a-thon taking place right this second in some Berlin basement; a 5k pump for Breast Cancer Awareness somewhere in Spokane… oh who’m I kidding. Yes…
The winner is Japanese.
huzzah…