Introductions: じこしょかい

こんばんわ。

カイパー　です。どうぞ　よろしく。

     Why I have chosen to study Japanese is not an entirely straightforward discussion. So many varied factors feed my desire to learn the language, and I would be remiss no to try and touch on each of them as best I can.

     I love language. I am primarily an English major, after all. And modes of expression excite me just as much as what is expressed. Languages are tools, but they are also art forms. English as a language has its own qualities that enable writers to create engaging novels or thought-provoking poetry. But other languages are no different. What I find exciting about other languages is that their systems of grammar, sentence structure, and even the very sounds that compose them can be used in creative ways to create expressive works. A fantastic example is wordplay. What may be humorous wordplay in a Japanese novel does not translate easily into English, and vice versa.

     Of course, I have other inspirations for choosing Japanese as a language, specifically. The おたくculture in Japan has always been of interest to me, ever since I started watching the anime Inuyasha in elementary school with my mom. I have become attached to other anime since, like Cowboy Bebop (カウボーイ　ビバップ), Samurai Champloo, The Tatami Galaxy, and Attack on Titan. And I cannot ignore the significance of Studio Ghibli's films. Movies like Spirited Away and The Tale of Princess Kaguya have impacted me greatly, from their beautiful animation to their emotional resonance.

     Yet my appreciation for ideas grown in Japan has expanded beyond animation. Haruki Murakami is one of my all-time favorite authors, and I especially love his novel Norwegian Wood. His works were some of my first looks at Japanese society in a more normal, modern context. Additionally, there are a number of musicians out of Japan that I adore and listen to regularly, not the least of which being the late Nujabes (R.I.P) and Asian Kung-Fu Generation.

   

  Then there are games. Games are a medium of expression I connect strongly with, and have done so ever since I was a child. And it is popular knowledge that Japan is a major presence in the culture of gaming. Nintendo, Sony, Capcom, and many other big industry players have their origin in Japan. Capcom's Monster Hunter franchise occupies a special place in my heart (and, as I have found out, much of Japan's). From Software's Dark Souls and Bloodborne series of games have challenged me not only with game difficulty but with how I receive and interpret storytelling through interactive fiction.

     So, in a sense, I have connected with Japan in many ways before ever beginning the process of learning Japanese. However, this connection is not as true as it could be. I think to really appreciate the creations that come from Japan, I need to know the people first and foremost. What better way to begin seeing through the eyes of Japan's inhabitants than to learn Japanese? We are all called to certain vocations in our lives. And while I am not certain what shape my future is taking, I do know that I want to connect with people, to understand them and learn from them. The nation of Japan is one that has given me much joy, many memories, and great experiences. But I want to know more, and to feel more. I want to connect with new people in new ways. Hopefully I am on the right path.

じゃあ、また。　ありがとうございます。

カイパー