Sayonara...

[Echiya]

this is a wonderful film based on Michners novel (its better) and highly recmended

[nancythefanciful]

Wow! This was 54 years ago, which means I was only ten when I heard and sung this lovely song which I loved till this day!

I tried to sing it thinking of Beautiful Japan in the worst Tsunami and Nuclear disasters!

I Pray for Japan and its People who were so brave, and the Dogs that showed so much compassion for each other!

[sayonara1957]

nice film with 9 oscar nominetion, Marlon Brando,super but also Red Buttons, and Miyoshi Umeki she was the first Asia Woman to winn the Oscar as support Actress. she was so Funny, bu also Miiko Taka in first Roll play very well als the star in Kabuki Teatre.

I love this movie for me one from the best Romantic, as like Wuthering Heigts1939,and Gone with the wind 1938 .Thank you for this sovenir movie.

[zzzzz87]

If the Academy wanted to award an Asian actor or actress, why didn't they go for the other girl who plays the lead Brando falls in love with? At least she looks like she can act and has a real part!

[missmuggledetector]

@zzzzz87 You know, I totally agree! She was the one who deserved it, not the other girl!

[ashleybelldubai]

young marlon brando <3

[criznueve]

I really hate it when political high nose such as Roxusan hijack youtube or any type of internet forums. Woopee, you're taking American History 101 and now you're arogantly divulging what you just learned yesterday as if you've mastered the text for decades. (rolleyes) Can't you for once enjoy a clip or movie without this coming into a debate party. Fucking Youtube Nazis!!!!

[andreapanda]

such a cute movie i like it very much 

[KAKASAN]

marlon brando was sooooo hot x__x

[johnmorris008]

johnmorris008.  Ichi ban. This song reminds me of Yokosuka, Kobe

and Sasebo and other ports of call aboard the USS Midway in 1961.

Beautiful song, friendly people and a lovely country. Back when you

could get 360 Yen for a dollar. Arigotoo zonji masu. Thanks for the post.

[username4Y]

Huh?! I just think it's a pretty song, folks! Lighten up!

[QueenKitiara]

truly a fav!

[acejoker21]

LOve this movie..one of my favs

[Kim182jp]

beautiful song :)

[lavenderblossom]

Japan should of been fucking nuked to hell.

KOREA FOREVER

[hookane62]

classic song classic scene classic movie thank you very mucy

[bleumangue]

Brando's lines to Taka in Tokyo in the dressing room are the point of the film. And THAT"S what makes it important; not the fact that the vehicles used in the film caused major air pollution.

[bleumangue]

You can pick apart ANYTHING you like. Bad accents? Shoddy kimono patterns? All this was 54 years ago and has no relevance on the Japan of TODAY. Enjoy the interacial love story about 2 humans who say: Hey we got all the right body parts; We'll use all the pull we have to get what we want; It's a big frakking planet; stay out of the way.

[strikerk]

@bleumangue 4 humans~ <3

[bleumangue]

The book may be racist and sexist and crusader christian and anti-semetic and pro-suicide and even anti-communist. The movie is probably all those things too and more ... it completely ignores the Diné White Mountain Apache. My point's too obtuse for you?

[goingtoshopping]

Incidentally, how would roxusan feel about this movie if Audrey Hepburn had accepted the lead role?

It would have been a real shame, to my mind, if a woman of Japanese descent had not performed as the main actress.

さよなら, roxusan.

Others please enjoy this wonderful movie!

[MrBooRadly]

And....this movie marks a cornerstone for asians since Miyoshi Umeki won the academy award for best supporting actress for this movie. The only Asian to do so since. Considering this movie came out in 1957 when hatred of the japanese was still at an all time high, roxusan's youth and ignorance faile to recognize the monumental significance of this.

[goingtoshopping]

I lived in Japan for 13 years, finally leaving after my second stint of 10 years last year, and wholeheartedly support the comments of MrBooRadly. Yes, there are some aspects of both Michener's novel and this movie that should be deemed racist in the 21st century, however, to take the "presentism" stance about a book and a movie from more than 50 years ago and roundly condemn both is misguided and misinformed.

I think this is a beautiful movie as well.

[kronoscorvinus]

Loved your comments re the historical ignorance of roxusan.

"Everyman deserves to be judged in the context of his own times"-Bernad Shaw

Unfortunantely, his sort of viewpoint is why "men never learn anything from history except 'men never learn anything from history'.

Of course, he's achieved Kori-Nor from his years on Vulcan and is so completely freed from all human emotion-the seat of prejudice, that he can judge all past human behavior and pontificate from that lofty aerie.

[CharmingSage]

Umeki is one of the WORST winners ever.

[MrBooRadly]

Charming, You totally are missing the point. No one was touting her acting ability.

[TheIonelSilviu]

cea mai najp melodie ca nu se incaraca:)))

[roymustanglover0]

I love this movie. My Japanese teacher shows it to us about once a year. Everyone complains about it, but I find it to be a beautifully told love story. I also find it vaguely reminiscent of Casablanca... (emphasis on VAGUELY)

[lancer89032]

Man, I cannot understand anyone who would label the movie 'Sayonara' as racist or sexist. The movie beautifully portrays two American men who risked their military careers and followed their hearts and fell in love with Japanese women. The enlisted man gave up his life and the officer turned his back on his family and his military career for his love.

[roxusan]

You sound like you mean well, which is why I hope you will listen to what I say. This movie *is* racist. It was used to further Cold War agendas of American military "protectors" and weak, submissive Asians. The female lead is presented as submissive and eager to cater to men's every desire... the book itself refers to her as an animal without any desire except to serve the needs of he husband. In this movie, Asian women are depicted as delicate dolls for white men to take home.

[MrBooRadly]

I came in here because this is a great movie. I'm shocked at all the comments here, especially roxusan. Let me say one thing. I too have studied Asian culture and have actually lived for 4 years in Asia. 2 yrs in Japan and 2 years in Korea. roxusan not to say some of your comments are not valid but lets keep things in perspective. The movie came out in 1957 based on a book written in 1954. Your arguments may be acceptable based on todays media but back in the 1950s, this is how it was.

[roxusan]

MrBooRadly--- Just because something was made in 1957 does not make it any less racist or sexist. The book is just that, and so is the movie. Sexism is sexism, racism is racism, and age does not diminish that.

[strikerk]

@roxusan I think the movie makes a pretty big point that racism is wrong in its own film. The main character gets to see it for himself being applied to people he discovered weren't what he was bombing. Weren't what he was fighting. Your point is kind of ridiculous. Of course the film is 'racist', they were racist times. It's films like this that planted the seeds to change that. That's what I got when I saw this movie when I was young. Not sure what film you saw.

[wisontse]

I have been looking for the 'sayonara' sung by Pat Kirby for years. Can anyone post this song to share with the 'sayonara' lovers. The one sung by Nat King Cole is also very good but it was removed from youTube few week aga. Can anyone tell me also frokm which Nat king cole's album can I find the 'sayonara'.

[patrickdcyau]

I have just posted this song. Just search for SAYONARA PAT KIRBY and you will find it. Good luck.

[wisontse]

The Pat Kirby version is a very hard to find nice song. thank you.

[OKSteve]

Thank you for posting this. When I was a boy my Grandmother had a black shellac finished jewelry box that played "Sayonara". I think it is one of the most beautiful melodies ever written. I've been looking for the instrumental version but have yet to find it even on Youtube.

[moonrules]

The article discription is slightly incorrect " Old Japanese Movie " it is in fact a old American movie.

[movietheatremusic]

Thank you so much for this video. I have this movie, and I watch it very often. Beautiful landscapes, and a way to get to know a littñe about Japanese culture. Great performances of Marlon Brando and Miko Taka.

[Gerogiancounty]

Beautiful , good movie ,thank you

[blazinblazian]

My mom is Japanese and my dad (now deceased) was black. They LOVED this movie, and the only part my mom ever complained about was Lt Maj Webster saying most of the Japanese brides had "come from the streets." But the movie itself challenges that stereotype, because none of the Japanese characters are portrayed as loose women. It's unfair to judge this movie based on today's standards of racial sensitivity. Besides, in the 1950s American women were often portrayed as submissive, too.

[Shady007Pine]

Yeesh folks, its a movie, old maybe, but a good movie.

[SaiyanPrince339]

You people writing comments about how this video is racist against Asians, or that it perpetuates Asian stereotypes are just morons. Seriously, it just a love story.

[roxusan]

Racism + sexism =/= love.

[roxusan]

This is NOT a Japanese movie. It's an American movie, writter by 3 caucasian American-born men. The author perpetuated stereotypes of submissive Asian women, and this movie was actually used to further Cold War agendas of American military "protectors" and weak, submissive Asians.

Marlon's one of my fave actors, but this film is to Asian Americans what Gone With the Wind is to victims of Southern racism in the US.

[isthisnaemtaken]

Are you kidding me? Sure, it may show some stereotypes, but at the same time it did so much more to end racism. It shows an interracial couple who are not allowed love due to racism.

I do not think she is submissive in this film, however. She sticks up for herself and goes against what her society says,. What would you perfer, her to stay with her job and not fall in love. That's what I call submissive.

[roxusan]

She is submissive because she offers herself to the man as an object, who will love him "if he wants her to." This movie depicts Japan as a place stuck in time, primitive and never-changing. America is presented, through the military, as "modern" protectors. This movie did NOT end racism against Asians; it just created a new racist fantasy of how Asian girls are child-like exotic wonders for white men to protect and "rescue" from their "primitive" culture.

[jevalles]

Hana-Ogi's choice to love the American was not made because of the carnal attraction between the two main characters. She makes the choice because she decides to allow herself to plunge into her feelings of love in order to cultivate an artistic expression of love, perfected by the aspect of sacrifice. Instead of merely playing a part, she moves to the next step, & allows love to blossom within her. It's significant that "hana" means "flower" in Japanese. Listen to her comments as she chooses.

[MargaritasAntesPorco]

can't you just enjoy a nice motion picture?

so,..you gotta inject race and politics into everything, huh..?

go cry me a river..

it's a movie based on a book by james michner.

btw--how does this movie have ANYTHING to do with asian-americans?("this film is to Asian-Americans what Gone With The Wind is to victims...racism in the US")??

It's a Love story which overcomes racial typing--its clear in the movie that BOTH japanese and american attitudes at the time were reluctant to intermarriage!

[roxusan]

This story did not overcome racial stereotyping, it just encouraged the idea that white women are inferior to Asian ones, who are objectified as white men's fantasies (submissive, exotic, non-feminist.) This film stereotyped Asian women as non-feminist doormats, who need white American men to save and claim them. I don't think most intelligent white men actually want this in a woman, yet Michner seems to think so. His book is filled with descriptions of Japanese women as helpless "birds."

[MargaritasAntesPorco]

you realize that "birds" as synonym for females comes from Britain,..ok? British men talking about British women.

Michner, btw, was married, quite happily it appears, to a japanese-american woman till "death did them part".

As i thought, this film had NOTHING to do with asia- america. And everything to do with Japanese vs. American culture as it was in the 1950's.

How are you gonna portray ANY culture w/o some whiney person thinking you're indulging in horrific "sterotypes". (?)

[MargaritasAntesPorco]

while we're on the subject of "sterotypes" what about the fact that the movie "sterotyped" Southerners..(Mj. Gruver coming from the South)(?)

This movie "objectified" asian women to fill white mens fantasies..? Japanese culture itself "objectifies" women.--

Also, from a female perspective, how about the "objectification" and sterotyping of white men as "knights in shining armour"...to fullfill asian female fantasies..??

And, you're right, most white men don't want a helpless asian woman.

[roxusan]

Being married to a Japanese does not make someone a non-sexist. Please read about the abuse Japanese war brides suffered. Michner referred to Japanese women as actual animals... literal birds in need of feeding and protecting. Many cultures objectify women; it isn't any better when Westerners do it. The objectification of men you mentioned has not caused the same level of damage that the sexist stereotypes of Asian women as submissive, non-feminist, uber-exotic male fantasies has.

[roxusan]

Asian-American women are repeatedly portrayed as helpless and non-exotic. As if they are so different that they can't be real Americans... "me love you long time" is not going away. The white knight stereotye is not very dominant, but it's definitely promoted by Sayanora as well. You are just pointing out the obvious: Sayanora is a movie that relies on cultural stereotypes to claim white men are heroes while Japanese people (especially women) are submissive, exotic, and helpless victims.

[MargaritasAntesPorco]

you are entitled to your opinion.

i think its rather outdated, and frankly, racist on your part as well.

Did you ever see the TV show Alley McBeal? Lucy Liu played an asain woman who was anything but helpless and submissive.

Like alot of critics of the "submissive asian woman",...i bet you're fine with the sterotype as long as she is hooked up with an asian (or any non-white) guy. The whole thing of "submissive woman fullfilling male fantasies" only becomes an issue when the male ..con't.

[roxusan]

You are making unsubstantiated assumptions about me. We are talking about Sayonara, not Ally McBeal. Reread my comments. The "Asian answer" you mentioned comes from SOME Asian women, not all. Generalizing about Asian women is treating them like a herd of people who think and act alike. Many war brides suffered abuse and alienation at the hands of husbands who objectified them as war trophies. I did not say anything about "Asian-thinking"... read my comments before you comment.

[roxusan]

Also... "white" is not a steady concept. Asian is not a steady concept, either... the idea of whiteness as we know it (European, light skinned, light haired) was created by colonialists, and originally did not extend to Germans, Irish people, and Italians.

[roxusan]

Eugenics is not science, either... there is no such thing as "white." There is no scientific proof races actually exist. Race is a social construction created to justify oppression. Proof? Read American history.. or any country's history. "Whiteness" is relative.

[roxusan]

Racist? Don't be silly. "Submissive Asian woman" stereotypes are still present in movies like Sayonara, and spread via people like you who assume these movies represent the experiences of all Asian women. Japanese War Brides were a big part of World War II. They faced racism, sexism, isolation, and abuse at the hands of their husbands. Since Germans are the largest ancestry group in America, German war brides did not face the same issues and isolation as "nonwhite" Japanese brides.

[MargaritasAntesPorco]

I don't assume anything from this movie.

This movie is just light-weight entertainment. You, in fact, take this movie overly seriously and talk about all the "damage" the stereotypes breed.

War brides were not a "big part of ww2".

Its your opinion they faced blah blah blah at the hands of their husbands.

You intentionally leave out the successful marriages, and have no "control group" to compare your study too. This is why i say Soc. has nothing to do with real science or even knowledge.

[roxusan]

War Brides were a big part of WWII, even if you probably never read about them. There will always be exceptions, but many marriages between war brides and men were tragic, even when started with good intentions. Imagine you were forced to leave your friends and family behind to move to a foreign country far away, where you don't know the laws, are treated as a second-class citizen; and are married to someone whose language you don't speak very well (and who might have been scarred by war.)

[MargaritasAntesPorco]

your view of japanese war brides is all wet. I don't agree with it at all.

The marriages that didn't work out they were divorced and the women moved back to Japan. No need to go into all the "tragic" ramifications, etc.

The real question is what in the world is the significance of all this.?

Why do you even bring this up?

Theres been, like, millions of marriages since that time (and before) between asian women(japanese and others) and american men and these marriages have gone GREAT!

[MargaritasAntesPorco]

Also, you've never addressed my main point:--

Why is it that critics of the "submissive asian woman stereotype"(such as you) are apparently only concerned when the asian women "acts submissively" for the purported benefit of white males --and never upset if and when asian women behave "submissively" for the "benefit" of non-white males --principally asian men.

If an asian women is submissive within the realms of her culture then its overlooked, right..? "just part of the culture"...(??)

[roxusan]

Also... again. EUGENICS is NOT SCIENCE. Your statements are based on the idea that races are real and scientifically established (they are not).

If you read my comments, I already stated that: Many cultures objectify women; it isn't any better when Westerners do it. Sayonara would not be any better with a Japanese Marlon Brando.

Don't misread my words. If you care about fighting sexism, the first step is acknowledging that it exists and doesn't target everyone equally.

[MargaritasAntesPorco]

umm..fighting sexism is one thing

presenting Sayonara as an example of "asian female stereotyping to fullfil white mens fantasies" is something else.

You act as if white males raised in the western cultures are very, even MOST sexist of men.

I do not deny the possiblity of sexism world -wide, even amongst some white men.

I do deny the attempts by you and others to scapegoat white men and/or western culture in general with regards to asian women.

[MargaritasAntesPorco]

i don't acknowledge that asian "war brides" suffered any MORE abuse in America married to Americans than they would have otherwise suffered at home married to asians.

Like i said before,...the whole crticism of "submissive asian woman stereotype" is ONLY brought up when asian woman is paired up with a white man.

Otherwise, the "submissive" stereotype is ignored. Its just one more way for you to attempt to portray whites as "culturally insensitive" or even, "racist".

[roxusan]

That said, sexism and abuse are horrible, and it isn't any better when Americans do it. Also, I never said whites were culturally insensetive. I think you are assuming I'm a nonwhite just becuase I don't agree with you! Sadly, the submissive Asian stereotype is furthered by non-Asian men who look at Asian women as "exotic" doormats, even though not all "white" men are that ignorant or sexist. In fact, there are plenty of sexist men in all cultures, races, and ethnicities.

[MargaritasAntesPorco]

i knew from your channel you were probably either an asian-american or a white american female (most likely feminist).

All your " arguments" are merely a regurgitation of Soc. 101. I took such classes. I remember the "race is a social construct" crap.

Let me ask you, if race doesn't exist,..why do we have affirmitive action based on race?

Why does the US census take race statistics into account every 10 years?

Go to China and Japan,..try telling them "race doesn't exist"...

[roxusan]

This is the internet, where anyone can be anything. My channel can tell you a lot, but you can't know who or what I am since you never met me. If you had, you would know that I'm not "white" or "Asian." Racial statistics are not scientifically backed up by any current-day scientific study. Race is a social construction; but like religion, it has very real effects on peoples' lives and how people are viewed. No scientific sources support the idea that races exist.

[MargaritasAntesPorco]

o.k. whats the big mystery then-

why not just tell us what your ethnic background is?

[roxusan]

My background? Why not tell me yours?

I was born in Germany, from a family who had roots in Russia, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East. In Germany, I am not considered white. In America, I pass as white. My first relative in America was not considered white. He set foot on Ellis Island less than 100 years ago, all the way from Hungary... where he lived all his life. He was labeled "Hebrew." Hebrew used to be a racial catagory referring to Jewish Arabs, who come from what is now Iraq and Iran.

[roxusan]

The middle east and Russia are also in Asia, yet Arabs and Russians are not considered Asians. This is weird: Countless "Arabs" came to China during the Mongol occupation in the late 1300s. There were intricate trade routes where cultures mingled, and there are many ethnically diverse subcultures in China alone. Yet in America, they are all automatically Asian because race is taken into account instead of individual cultures and ethnicity, which causes innaccurate assumptions and other problems.

[MargaritasAntesPorco]

why complicate your background so much?

can't you give the "short version"..?

you sound self-involved...You're jewish,..is that it..? East European jew.?

Funny that you say, in "germany you aren't accepted as white,...but in the US everybody confers whiteness on you"

wow. Doesn't this kinda contradict your view that USA is racist country..?

[roxusan]

The US is not a racist country, but there are racist people and institutions in it. Do not put words into my mouth.

Also, if you knew the history of Eastern European migration, you would know that my background *is* complicated. I used my background to show you that race is a social construction, and not a scientific one.

[MargaritasAntesPorco]

what proof do you have that "race is a social construction"..?

You think you can go over to Nigeria and convince them that you are one of them..?

Seriously, people recognize race, because actually race is just an extention of family.

[MargaritasAntesPorco]

roxusan wrote:

"there are racist people and INSTITUTIONS in it (USA)"

Care to elaborate? Could you be a bit more specific? Instead of just mouthing age-old PC claptrap.

Moreoever --are you denying that racism exists in say, Isreal? Or in China or Japan?

Are these societies completely equitable and racism free..?

[roxusan]

I never denied racism that racism existed elsewhere.

Racism is terrible no matter where it occurs. Stop deflecting away from the discrimination Asian women face in America by saying "other places do it, too."

[roxusan]

The way Asian women are treated in America is uniquely American problem caused by the old racist attitude that "normal" Americans are white men, and that anything else is an "exotic other." This attitude dehumanizes first-generation Asian women in ways they aren't in their homelands, and also affects later generations of Asian Americans. "Sayanora" embodies this attitude of objectifying foreigners.

[MargaritasAntesPorco]

I'm not deflecting anything.

If racism exists elsewhere,..and if its demonstrably worse in these other countries....why is it you like to FOCUS on USA so much..?

(btw im not agreeing with you that US is discriminatory)

[roxusan]

I'm majoring in American History, because being a patriot means knowing your history... and making sure that it doesn't repeat itself. Denying racism and pointing at others instead of taking responsibility is deflecting it.

The US has a sad histoy of dicrimination. Google the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, check out this thing called "slavery," read up on the amount of Jewish holocaust refugees kept out of America during WWII... and Brush up on Japanese internment camps during WWII.

[MargaritasAntesPorco]

uh...thanks for you study tips. but i'm not really interested.

you are clearly only interested in the special interest "victims" group history. Yeah, i knew you had taken one too many Soc 101 classes. 10 years from now you'll see what a waste of time they were.

I think perhaps YOU should brush up on your chinese history and esp. 20th c. Japanese history with regards to its Imperial Army.

btw, silly girl,..America ended its slavery historically speaking quite early.

[MargaritasAntesPorco]

And guess what..? white people ended slavery! according to principles consistent with Western culture.

And gee whiz,...did any other societies ever practice slavery..?

The fact that you so myopically look at Americas short history and only focus on its perceived shortcomings just shows that you have an emotional need to "play the victim" which dovetails into your selective and very PC view of history (which you take for being simply "mainstream history").

(i'm out).

[roxusan]

Again. Just because something exists in other cultures doesn't mean the US did not do it, or exempt it from responsibility.

The move to abolish slavery in the US got rid of something that shouldn't have existed in the first place. America is not and was not a safe haven for everyone. Those who don't know their history are doomed to repeat it.

[roxusan]

I'm not implying that you don't know your own history--- it's very clear there is nothing to imply. Go on, make a video to show everyone how ignorant you are.

This video is used to incite hatred. Everyone has a right to see it, but they should know what it is.

[MargaritasAntesPorco]

"this video is used to incite hatred"...

LOL. such an incredibly stupid thing to say.

click it roxusan. you've proved your own ignorance.

I was suggesting YOU make a video. Not I. Can't you even read?

wow. are you indoctrinated. Brainwashed to the gills.

Actaully i have every confidence that i know far more american and world history than you. But sadly i no longer have any interest in engaging in any fashion your moronic viewpoints.

[MargaritasAntesPorco]

the "submissive asian woman stereotype" is, in fact, NOT furthered largely by men raised in western cultures. (i.e. most white males).

Western culture asserts the equality of females.

Do some research-- The reason many, many asian women from asia intentionally look for white western men for husbands is because they feel MORE empowered with such a man.

[roxusan]

The fact that you are again generalizing about the experiences of Asian women shows that there isn't equality at all. Western culture is not just one concept, either... it is made up of ideas. It was not until very recently (1970s) that "equality" between men and women was an accepted idea. Theoretically, people embrace it... reality tells a different story. Sexism exists in America... understanding that is the first step to fighting it.

[MargaritasAntesPorco]

roxusan wrote:

"the submissive Asian stereotype is furthered by non-Asian men who look at Asian women as "exotic" doormats..."

This is not true. The "submissive asian stereotype" is something that is taught by a male chauvinistic culture in ASIA. The submissive asian stereotype is what she escapes when she seeks white western men for a husband.

Asian-american women, for example, are no more or less "submissive" than white american women. (on the average)

[roxusan]

Just because a woman from a non-American culture does not mean she is oppressed. "Asian" women's experiences are varied, since "Asians" are religiously, ethnically, socially, geographically and politically diverse. They are not one single group. Yet Western labels lump them together as exotic "Asians." Colonizers used excuses of charity work and "modernization" in order to justify cruel expansion campaigns. The notion that exotic savages abuse women worked in their favor.

[MargaritasAntesPorco]

umm..may i ask you one simple question..??

Is "sexism" more or less in east asia than in USA...? in other words...do women have more, less, or equal amounts of opportunity in east asian countries than in USA. Please compare the two areas for me according to "sexism" (east asia= China, korea, japan)

[roxusan]

This depends on where you go in Asia and where you go in the United States, as well as which group and decade you are comparing. Since you mentioned Japan, peasant women in 1700s Japan (Edo Period) had more rights than British peasant women in 1700s America. Almost all women in 1700s Japan were literate, trained in a skill, and could own businesses as well as divorce. Virginity was not viewed as purity, either. Sexism existed, but it was worse in America.

[MargaritasAntesPorco]

sorry, but no asian woman would agree with you.

How about adressing 20th century Japan vs. 20th c. America since the movie is of that period.

Don't you "get it"..? The whole "submissive asian woman" wouldn't even EXIST but for the fact of centuries long inculcating of it from a highly sexist asian culture?

If European cultures were more sexist you'd find the phenomenom of submissive women who were white.

Yes, submissive white women exist,..and more so in the past...but NOT LIKE IN ASIA>

[roxusan]

In 1700s America, sex was linked to sin, and virginity was considered a female virtue. Women did work, but it was usually from home or in a business owned by a man. They usually were not given access to the family's money, and were barred from working most jobs. At this time, most immigrant women were not literate: 65% of women were literate compared to 75% of men. Over 80% of women in mainland Japan were literate. Many women were poets, performers, and writers.

[MargaritasAntesPorco]

Japan has always had higher rates of literacy for both men and women. Even in the 20th c. This proves nothing.

roxusan wrote:

"sex was linked to sin, and virginity was...virtue"

This is true ONLY in the extent to which the society was Christianised.

Was this true in the Roman Empire..? No . it wasn't

[roxusan]

Literacy is an indication of women's rights. The ability to communicate indicates how much power you have or can get... hence why "white" men used to be more literate than women while slaves and women were usually non literate or barred from reading/writing.

Tale of Genji, the first novel in the world, was written by a Japanese woman in 1007. Women in 1700s and even 1800s America could not publish under female names! Writing novels or books was considered immoral and unladylike for women.

[roxusan]

Ivory Tower, eh? You don't need to go to Japan or China to read its history. Perhaps you should read their history and understand the history of "Asian women" before generalizing about them.

You don't know your own history, much less theirs, and yet you have an opinion!

[roxusan]

You've lived in East Asia, but apparently don't respect the inhabitants enough to not generalize about them. East Asia is a diverse place, and it is not "better" or "worse" for women than the US. Your experience depends who you are and where you are in both regions.

I've spent time in Arizona, which is a very different place from California. But I don't generalize about all Arizonans and all Californians the way you do about all Asian women.

[roxusan]

We're not talking about the Roman empire, we're talking about Japan. Edo-period Japan did not associate sex with sin, so virginity was not used to tie women down the way it was (and still is) in America.

[MargaritasAntesPorco]

when the male in question is a white guy.

But ask many asian women FROM ASIA why the date/marry white western men....their answer largely is:.."Because he allows me more(not less) freedom than the men of my own culture"..

asian-americans, on the other hand, are not "asian thinking". They look different from whites but,(and even asians say this), they are basically whites in all other ways.

When i asked a FULL japanese girl what she thought of japanese americans--

[MargaritasAntesPorco]

her answer was,.." Same face(as us),...but NOT same mind".

[roxusan]

You asked one Japanese girl, and now she represents every Asian woman? Asia is a whole continent with millions of women, and one girl now represents all their experiences?

Plus, if you actually studied Japanese history, you would know there is no such thing as "full Japanese."

Yet you have no interest in understanding the diversity beneath the "Asian woman" label. Instead, you mindlessly buy into the Cold War reasoning that white American men are the modern saviors of the "primitive East."

[babooshky]

I've seen the movie yesterday and i really liked it. Great music, great costumes ... and Marlon Brando, fabulous as always! Love the message against racism, discrimination and xenophobia in the movie too.

[BillyL96]

You know I really love this movie but the one thing I really hated was Marlon Brando's preformance. He was terribly miss casted, i think. The phony accent, lack of emotion, and stubborness. Red Buttons in a moving preformance, and surpasses Brando easily. Red and Miyoshi Umkei give preformances that are poignant, real, and more heartfelt. The two both deserved their Oscar's.

[GalinaMora]

Poignant performance... Both of them cold to each other, all "love scenes" through the movie they look like 2 pieces of wood plus she was portreyed 3/4 profile just to show herself in a best way... Hopelessly American &&& movie. Un-believeble.

[BillyL96]

I think your confused with Brando and his lover as the pieces of wood.

[GalinaMora]

OMG, the movie just horrible!.. Can somebody tell me please how this crap can be nominated for Oscar? Just bad! Hopeless! Everybody and everything is bad, no exlusions! All good they do is showing some Japanese "exotique" layered on grey-boring political shit about Japanese-American relations. And this love story is so naive... OMG, folks, you are blind.

[jevalles]

The one element that might have redeemed the film for you was if the original James Michener ending had been followed, where the main characters did NOT wed, but split apart. This change was made to satisfy American audience sensibilities of the time.

[roxusan]

Amen, GalinaMora. Sadly, there are some ignorant people on this thread who can't shake their racisn notions of Japan as a primitive and place stuck in time, with exotic girls who will "love them long time."

[kkkkkuxx]

Sayonara, Japanese goodbye

Whisper sayonara but you mustn't cry

Sayonara, if it must be so

Whisper sayonara, smiling as we go

No more we stop to see pretty cherry blossoms

No more we 'neath the tree looking at the sky

Sayonara, sayonara

Goodbye

[jeishun]

OMG THANK YOU! I've been trying to find this song for HOURS! There was nothing,until this!

[jevalles]

Miyoshi Umeki does a more polished version of it on vinyl / cd