Japanese society consists of a wide and diverse range of values and spiritual beliefs. Yet in a nation that so often presents a homogenous culture and history to the outer world, the phenomenal clash of beliefs between Zen Buddhism and Japanese pop-culture materialism, two elements of present-day Japanese culture, raise questions about these two value systems and their relationship. While both serve up how outsiders stereotypically perceive Japan, one cannot help but wonder how do peaceful rock gardens and the practice of meditation coexist with massive shopping centers and an excessive influence of anime culture?
Certainly, one clear distinction lies in the unique histories of these two value systems, if they may be called as such. Although the Chinese introduced Zen Buddhism to Japan centuries ago, the hyper-materialistic culture that glorifies idol groups and constant, stimulating entertainment did not emerge until the late twentieth century. This emergence of culture was largely a result of the Japanese economic bubble. The huge contrast between wartime and postwar poverty in Japan and the success of the Japanese economy a few decades later contributed to a society already dissatisfied with traditions and norms.
Additionally, as I previously mentioned, these two depictions of Japan contain stereotypical imagery—the Japanese people are not necessarily pressured to choose between practicing Zen meditation or emptying out their wallets in order to purchase figurines and technological gadgets. However, regarding my own personal experiences living within Japanese society, both of these elements appear to play a rather significant role in shaping people’s values. In a country where respect for tradition often dominates over progressive ideas, the extensive influence of Zen Buddhism and its teachings of emptiness and self-control is everywhere, throughout metropolitan complexes like Tokyo and rural villages alike. This certainly contrasts with the values of materialism that tie into anime pop culture, maid cafés, and the diverse range of kawaii characters, known as yuru-chara (pronounced like the beginning of “character”), found all over Japan to promote everything you can imagine. Moreover, even though many areas are similar to the famous Akihabara district in Tokyo (known as the otaku haven of anime and modern J-pop culture), this culture does not exist in small country towns or within Japanese temples. In these other spaces, the consumerist values which inherently tie into Japanese pop culture are less present.
I recently traveled throughout the Kansai region of Japan, taking advantage of my school break to sightsee and be a tourist. One of my destinations, Nara, is known for the abundance of deer that roam the city’s temple district (this is a huge hit with tourists and creates the perfect place for taking selfies with adorable deer) and the Daibutsuden, or Great Buddha Hall, which houses the world’s largest bronze statue of Buddha. While Nara is known for being an extensively popular tourist location, its identity as a historical Buddhist site contradicts the materialistic culture found right around the corner from the city’s many temples. Shops throughout the city sell omiyage, or souvenirs, intended for a traveler’s coworkers or friends and family. However, in addition to deer-shaped cookies and dried persimmon candies, the souvenirs also include objects like pens, stationery, T-shirts, key chains, figurines, and other items embedded with depictions of Nara’s characters, Sento-kun and Shikamaro-kun. Similar cultural symbols appear throughout other religious and spiritual spaces in Japan, signifying the strong link between contemporary Japanese culture and traditional practices.
Overall, these two seemingly contradictory “value systems” actually coexist. I admit that my perspective as an American student studying in Japan may be somewhat limited. But the numerous experiences I have encountered thus far have led me to this conclusion about values in Japan.
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