Memoirs of a Geisha
Finally I saw this movie.
Honestly, I like this movie and it's very beautiful. But I didn't understand why a director used Chinese actresses as Geisha. Actually there're some famous Japanese actors and actresses in this movie such as Ken Watanabe (also known as he played in Last Samurai with Tom Cruise!), Koji Yakusho (I was very impressed his English was so good!), Kaori Momoi (She is one of my favorite actresses in Japan), Yuki Kudou. Japanese actresses are not enough beautiful to play Geisha? They don't speak English fluently? I don't know why Japanese actresses weren't used as Geisha?
Ziyi Zhang was beautiful, cute, and she behaved very Japanese in this movie. She was very modest, lovely and patient as Japanese women used to be; they're changing nowadays. :D And I'm glad that she played Geisha in this movie. But I didn't think she was Japanese even if she behaved very Japanese, I don't know exactly why I feel that. I think her face and her shape are not Japanese, she's complete Chinese. Other Chinese actresses; ex: Li Gong, Michelle Yeoh; I thought they're similar to Japanese and I didn't feel strange for them but Ziyi... :-(
In this movie, sometimes I noticed some differences from real Japan but I think it's created very good; because it remained me Japan very much. Now I'm missing Kimono, Temple, Garden, Building and beautiful our culture that I'm forgetting these days. When I go back to Japan, I want to learn Japanese culture. I think it's very important for us to protect our culture.
After the movie, I went to a cafe with my friend. She told me "You look like Sayuri". Thank you my friend, I love you. :-))
I think my face is very Asian.
posted by chiepet @ 10:12 PM
5 comments
5 Comments:
I'm surprised...you look like Sayuri, too!
I have thought secretly you resemble to "Yuki Amami"...
I also watched the movie in Japan, and I think same as you, why not Japanese actress? Ziyi's looks is not Japanese, it's Chinese.
But I'm afraid almost people of the world appreciate Japan is one of the country in Asia, and Asia is China for them!
Similarly, I think Japanese appreciate same for European. Even if, for Canadians and Americans, too, maybe. So, it was no necessity of the Japanese to movie's staff. I think it'd be a permissible level in fictional movie.
...Japanese culture is very difficult. Because it has no principal.
What do you think Japanese culture? Genji story? Many temples and shrines? Tea ceremony? Hokusai's art? Yes, they're all Japanese culture. We can explain their shapes, but where is Japanese spirit? They are all influenced Chinese and Asian Buddhist culture...Japanese even remakes their gods to Buddha's liege with their will.
Japanese are acculturated nation, they never rejected others from old times. As a result, it has no principal, and we missing Kimono today. But I hope you won't have a misunderstanding. I never say it's bad thing.
One of my teacher, who is the master of Reizei family (continuing over 800 years as house of "和歌"), said "No principal is principal in Japanese culture!"
How do you think?
Hi, I think your teacher is such a brilliant person.
I think Japanese personality is influenced by Japnaese culture too. Frequently, Japanese are dubious and dishonest, I think it's our flexibility(positive) and prudence(negative). "No principal is principal" It's a great 名言, I like it.
Hi just a few of my opinions on what was just exchanged If I may… I find this very interesting.
I am very disappointed that the movie was infact about 25% Japanese. The author of the Book is not Japanese… The Director is not Japanese… All but 4 of the actors are Japanese (correct me if I am wrong but that is what I saw.) But like mentioned by Ms. Fujita Most people in North America can’t tell the difference between a Chinese person and Japanese like possibly Japanese can not tell the difference between an American and a Canadian.
I think this point is important:
They are both very similar… but what is different you might ask? What is different is the way they think not in the way they do things. Like Japan who has absorbed much of its culture from other places, It’s spiritual culture you meant. Japan has learned the spirit of other countries and although that has perhaps not helped Japan get a truly unique method of introspection, it has helped Japan attain a sense of flexibility. It is not in ‘where’ they find their spirit… it is in the ‘how’ they find it that is important. The Japanese have a way of doing things that differ from China or other places. It’s in their determination, their resiliency, the will to live in harmony with each other through respect and the constant drive to be forever better than the day before. That to me is the spirit of Japan… but who am I to comment on such things… I am but a foreigner.
So did the movie capture the spirit of Japan? Was it Japanese culture? Well, that only a Japanese person could tell…
About Chie’s Comment: Yes…. Sometimes Japanese are dishonest (If you knew me you would know that I have experience in this matter) but I don’t think there is any malice in their intentions (willingness to live in harmony with everyone). They just simply do not want conflict and they shun away from it as much as possible. I am somewhat the same way and I understand… unfortunately it is sometimes the worst thing to do :(
If I said anything that is offending or erroneous in this post please correct me. I am only stating through observations that I have made and I am perhaps not as objective as I should be.
Cheers! and good day to all!
Thank you for comment, Mr.St-Louis. (Mr., isn't it?)
Correctly, 5 of Japanese are in the movie by containing Sayuri in childhood, but it's little problem.
Japanese have accepted culture from other country, and I think they have some intentions in the choice because they're similarly, but not perfectly same. As you say, "how" Japanese choose it is the most important. It's the largest point to divide foreign countries and Japan. I say it Japanese spirit. But, picking up them is so difficult in the cause of a sense of flexibility and vaguely in Japanese..
On the other hand, we make an effort to explain Japanese culture to foreigners. When we mention to others who don't have common unconscious Japanese sense, we must say "where" we can see Japanese essence in the buildings or ceremonies, etc. Since Japanese haven't defined their spirit with certainty yet, it's embarrassed thing. Therefore, most of Japanese will explain "Japan is ambiguous", today. Is this right? - I have no answer.
By my personal view, "SAYURI" is Japanese-like, but not Japanese.
Although it's created very good, there is a little defective of the harmony of people, buildings, an atmosphere, and a tempo.
My opinion may not be objective, either.
And since I'm not do familiar with English, I'm sorry if I have mistakes or uncorrect expressions.
See you. Cheers!
Sorry...I forgot to input my name to above.
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