Japanese Culture

[Expendable]

Found some interesting videos by Paolo from Tokyo. Going to share the first one I found.



Those of you into sculpting might find this one interesting!

[Ojisama]

Really interesting. Thank you.

[Ojisama]

@Expendable has given me permission to muscle in on her thread, so here goes with another video from Paolo.

[Expendable]

Yay! Thanks for posting this Ojisama!

[Ojisama]

A bit of a departure from anime/manga/gaming (we will come back to it) into something that touches us all deep inside.

[Ojisama]

Time for another update from Paolo.

I promise that this is NOT a reposting of a previous video, although the title is similar.

[Ojisama]

[Ojisama]

Paolo is back, and this time it's all about the child within.

[Ojisama]

Con season is well under way now so here is something for all you costume lovers out there.

[LikkleMel]

Can I ask cause I've seen this around a lot lately.

Is weeb or weeaboo a bad word now? I just thought it was just to describe someone who really likes anime or would people prefer Otaku?

[Ojisama]

From Dictionary.com

Weeaboo, often shortened to weeb, is especially used in anime and manga communities to stereotype fans who show a set of extreme and obnoxious characteristics. In addition to consuming Japanese comics, cartoons, and video games, weeaboos might sprinkle their speech with Japanese words, often using them incorrectly. Weeaboos idolize Japanese food and people, and culture, though their knowledge of Japanese society itself may actually be shallow and superficial. They also may consider all other cultures, not least their own, less interesting or worthwhile, and wish they were Japanese.

Weeaboo has mostly been, since its origins, a derisive word, in spite of the fact that it began as a replacement for another term of censure, Wapanese. Some regard weeaboos as embarrassing. Others also regard being a weeaboo as a form of cultural appropriation or fetishization, reducing a whole people to a few aspects of its popular culture. Despite these negative perceptions, some people have reclaimed weeaboo as a positive label, self-identifying, sometimes in a self-deprecating way, as a weeaboo. Other people may embrace weeaboo without realizing its negative connotations.

A similar but much more neutral term is Japanophile. A Japanophile has a high degree of appreciation for Japanese culture. The terms can be used as synonyms, but often a Japanophile has a broader, more informed interest in Japanese culture whereas a weeaboo has a specific focus on popular culture.

Another similar term is otaku. Otaku is a Japanese word that means roughly the same thing as English geek, though otaku in Japanese can be more negative than geek. It refers to someone with an obsessive interest in some hobby, activity, or subculture. By contrast, among many American users at least, otaku refers to a passionate fan of anime and manga exclusively. Otaku is less pejorative than its meaning in Japanese and is sometimes used interchangeably with weeaboo.

My son sometimes refers to me as a weeb, but I don't chastise him for it, as I know he uses it in an affectionate way. I would prefer Japanophile or maybe Otaku, but I am a mild Otaku. I would not classify myself as passionate with regards to Anime and Manga.

[Ojisama]

Another of Paolo's series - Behind the Counter.

(Includes promotion of squarespace)

[Ojisama]

This time Paulo visits a Japanese Food court, and orders a range of foods that all cost under $5 (about £3.75, in October 2021)

(Includes promotion for Squarespace)

[Ojisama]

I'm letting Paulo take a break. This time we hear from Yuta (That Japanese Man) who introduces us to Haru Hoshina, a member of an idol group and passionate cosplayer.