【Japan Culture Trip】⑱ Maids outside of Akihabara - Moe Temple

[ThreeCatsScratching]

You didn't get a copyright warning from APM or Kontor Media over the iMovie music?

[HIROKOCHANNEL]

@ThreeCatsScratching hmm never because I don't use them in full length.

[ThreeCatsScratching]

@HIROKOCHANNEL The length of time is irrelevant. A lot of people are getting slammed with false copyright claims from these companies

[HIROKOCHANNEL]

@ThreeCatsScratching Really? That's good to know for my future videos. Would be a shame if these vids gets removed too. :(

[ThreeCatsScratching]

@HIROKOCHANNEL They don't get removed, you just get the 'This video contains Media from...' and any revenue generated goes to them

[ThreeCatsScratching]

@HIROKOCHANNEL If it happens file a dispute, then if they still claim copyright, file a Counter-Claim stating that the music is licensed and released by Apple Inc., and is authorized for use and broadcast under Section 2c of the iMovie User Agreement. They should back off then

[HIROKOCHANNEL]

@ThreeCatsScratching mega thanks! I really didn't know much about it so it's really helpful!

[Waterclock002]

0:40 Nekomimi (=^_^=)

Its often the out of the ordinary approaches that can trigger people to occupy oneself with subjects they had previously ignored, possibly leading to more interest in what it is all about. Even if it might put off some people, memorable experiences broaden our view and shape our opinions, I think.

[XxCyanexX]

Simular topic: Thats pretty normal here in America. Churches will conduct or hold kid/teenager functions such as sports, camping activities, or approved moives & video games. Anything to get kids/teenagers in the door & gain/convert new members in the community.

[bombthings]

hiroko ur soo cute with ur hair like that :3

[SilverGunZoO]

萌えはちょっと。。。

how can I say this...

moe is a bit...　creepy ...

[SilverGunZoO]

えっとねー

これお寺はちょっと。。。

how can I say it...

should temples be cute ?

[Nimitz1987]

沟沟很诱惑 ^^

[afronathan]

It seems like a really odd idea to me, interesting but odd. I think although I understand the idea, the fact is that people may come away from the temple, after visiting, not knowing anything about the temple, only about the anime characters.

[kmah88]

(i ran out of room...)

i think it really depends on what happens once the priest gets more people in the door. does he use the opportunity to share more about buddhism or does he just want to bring in the money? it's true that religious establishments need money to run but the purpose in running them is to share information about their beliefs, right?

[kmah88]

wow! so interesting. i find it very similar to "buddy christ" (from the movie dogma) or those "jesus is my homeboy" t-shirts that were so popular a few years ago in north america. since these anime characters don't really seem to have a sexual or "moe" component to them, i don't think there is anything WRONG with a priest trying to reach more people, particularily younger people, to have them perhaps take more of a interest in going to the temple... but it does seem strange to bridge the two!

[Smitenheimer]

This blending of spiritual and popular culture is somehow unsettling to me, though I am not religious per-say.

It seems as if it is nothing but a commercialization of religion. It's somehow justified by, as you paraphrased, "making it more approachable" to people, but personally, it seems that it should be people going out and looking for their own meaning, rather than it being advertised.

Off the point, I definitely heard a southern accent in the way you say "generation" and "collaboration"

[Ch1neseGhost]

Wow. And here I thought this would be about the Washinomiya Shrine (I hope I spelled that correctly) that had all the "Lucky Star Pilgrimages".

I never thought any temples would take this step. I guess my view of religion is very somber that way.

[Hurtlezz233]

i like your lips its like :3

xD!!

[Decembirth]

What exactly is the aim of the Temple?

Because I can only see Otaku (or Visitors) going to collect the products and see the characters. Not staying to learn something about the Temple.

It is one thing to try and connect to a Generation by being updated, it is another to completely overshadow the whole purpose of you wanting them to connect to you.

[pokerfreebies]

so cute.

[eugeneumberto]

I get the impression that many Japanese see religious temples and things like that as more of a cultural thing and less of a serious matter to be believed in. I think that's a good thing, personally. Religion has interesting cultural stories and traditions. But I don't think it's anything to base real life around.

Funny though, I wonder how soon till porn of these Ryohoji mascot characters start showing up online. Moe porn of Buddhist temple mascots would be a very funny kind of wrong! heh heh.

[Xacur2]

totally agree

[dexteronline2003]

It's a matter of context.

Using Anime to make the religeon more appealing to children isn't much different than the illustrated bible stories of Christian Sunday School classes before the sermon. So as a tool to indoctrinate children it can be useful.

But using a cartoon to represent the religeon to adults, would seem to trivialize/fictionalize the belief structure. Like in the movie DOGMA the "Buddy Christ" image.

As for money, all churches exist on donations.

It's all about context.

[4BittenLovers]

What was that Anime?

[riztar]

funny but in america the churches are with out air conditioning and some dork is preaching to us on how were going to hell. id rather see some cartoons characters at my church instead of what i have to endure if would go to church.

[xxjacobxx3]

Can you explain some about the buddist religion in Japan hiroko?

It looks to me as if religion has to adapt to the culture as it always does in order to keep its indoctrination power. this particular one is using a strategy that many others will not use, so i think it has an advantage that way, but being as i dont understand that particular religion so well, i dont know whether that particular strategy contradicts its moral values or whatever.

neat, love the vids.

[ryuhayabu1]

Hello Hiroko-sensei!!

I think this is an interesting and unique combination!

PS: Kono bideo wa kirei desu yo!!

[kaapiovuohi]

It's an interesting idea... In the UK we sometimes have special days where children are encouraged to church, or people are asked to bring their pets. It makes what could be a dull thing more interesting.

I guess as long as the importance of the temple isn't lost, then this is good as you say to make it more approachable.

I had never thought of there being a difference between もえ and かわいい... but now I see there is (it is quite obvious!). Thanks for posting... very interesting!

[gazglow]

Hello Hiroko-san

This is a really nice video. I have enjoyed watching this video. Yah, the cute temple is soooo cute.

[bloodspiller20]

great video

[HIROKOCHANNEL]

Thanks for all the comment! Will make sure I'll write a response blog as soon as I get a chance! All your comments are very valuable and interesting to me! Thank you! :)

[loki2504]

Thanks so much for sharing !!!

[tobco79]

I must say though.. There is no place for Kawai Culture being intergrated into Shinto.. Its a Sacred religion & far from Vacuous..

[everfree1998]

@tobco79 And buddhism is "vacuous"? All religion is sacred, to its practitioners. But as stated in the vid, this was a method to make buddhism more "approachable" to young people. I'd guess it is probably effective?

[tobco79]

You`re so Cute & Stimulating :) Keep up the good work

[BunnunManWonder]

it looks real nice and does make it approachable, makes it stick out, people would go just because it does that and others don't just to check it out.

[yumyumsesame]

Some cute characters would have made religion classes at school a lot more bearable.

[ThatGuyFromYouTueb]

Moie? Mue? Moue? eh? I want to look it up, but am not sure of the correct spelling.

[HIROKOCHANNEL]

Moe :)

[animelubbor432]

I'm somewhat angry because my girlfriend is buddhist and take that temple as an offron to her religion. I don't beleve that ANY religious building (whether it be buddhist, shinto, christian, or otherwise) should be used for some sort of material gain. Don't get me wrong, the video was very nice and I enjoyed, but I just think it's wrong for a religion's places of worship to be used for monetary or earthly gain. onegaishimasu, ja ne.

[MaLdERaranjuez]

uuuuuh dude, then what do you think about those boxes to leave donations at any christian church????????

[animelubbor432]

you make a good point. I could be TOTALLY wrong about this.

[lostinxlation]

Though using anime characters is cheap idea(I hate animes) and they could have done better, I don't think it's blasphemous.

Buddhism is tolerant and this isn't the first time Buddhism incorporates ideas from outside in their history.

It reminds me of the experience I had in Burma 14 years ago. I went to a Buddhist temple on the top of Mt. Poppa and as soon as I entered the temple, I heard a familiar tune. JINGLE BELLS!! Note that Burmese are VERY religious.

[zemen51]

if it fits the society then there's a market

[yozka]

i like the song in the beginning what the name of it? thanks for the info on the temple very interesting cant wait for more =]

[usaverageguy]

Selling religion is an appropriate phrase here. Many religions are losing followers to more secular beliefs. So they are blending popular culture into their images. I am thinking specifically of the "Rock Church" in America. Instead of traditional hymns they use rock music with electric instruments and a more energetic style of service to bring in a younger crowd. Last video was about sex. This time it's about Religion. What's next? Politics? LOL Great job on the editing.

[Kurosagi2009]

ひろこさん、ビデオをありがとうございました。おもしろかったで­す。

[MrJingjong]

Otsukare!

[mhensley81]

Very interesting fusion of cultures. As an outsider to the culture, I am more interested in seeing temples keep traditions.

[furetosan]

You seem to have done pretty damn well for your first time!

[sloughwitch]

i personally think it's a bit cheap using manga to coax in the younger generation. but if it works then fair play i suppose.

5* for Hachioji- my grandparents live there!.

[Dragon22873]

Hiroko! Does anyone ever tell you how gorgeous you look?!

[ScottyVOR]

Well, they do have a point. ;) The temples I've seen have been very dark and ominous on the inside, despite the manicured grounds outside.

I'm a Christian, so my relationship with God really isn't place or culturally dependent.

[tagatautube]

I think its a great idea. You can change your marketing campaign, but still "sell" (if I may use this word) the same product. In the Catholic religion, many countries adapt traditional practices into the Catholic mass and its ok with the Vatican so long as the core "message" is unchanged.

[Motouyuu]

I think it's just a matter of wanting to fit this aspect of the culture in, and show younger people what it's about. Changing from the traditional ways, and trying to revive it just so that it won't soon be forgotten anytime soon.

[Kevanzer]

0:32 Awesome t-shirt. How much did it cost?

[watcher8o]

Well, from the Christian side of things, usually when a priest or minister tries to incorporate pop culture or entertainment aspects like this into worship services, it generally isn't widely accepted, and may be regarded as simply inappropriate or even blasphemous. I would be interested to know what Buddhists think of this Temple, if it is acceptable and why. I suspect that there will be traditionalists who do not appreciate it, but others may find in it their Moe Mecca.

[pskim731]

Hello Hiroko

As a religious person's point of view I think the priest who is doing this for business side religion instead of the spiritual purpose. I think people with deep faith will go to any temples or shrines (including churches) as long as they have their strong believe in their faith. It seems that these temples are becoming more and more of an amusement attraction rather than a place for spiritual worship.

[MisterYuu]

I think this is a good way to make it less "dark" for the younger people like u say in the video.

i dont really know why people would think that its like dark in a scary way? Anyways enjoyed the vid and nice background music. 5* =)