Interesting video. I just learned about your channel from Hikosaemon's video. Like Hiko, I live in Japan and have a five year old daughter who is ha-fu, so am very curious to hear what bicultural life has been like for other ha-fus. This is the first video of yours I've seen, and you may talk about this elsewhere, but I'm curious about your schooling. Did you go to a public Japanese school through junior high, and then go to the international school from high school on?
@geofg You mentioned that your Japanese is like 8th grade level, so I assumed you were in Japanese schools until then. Do you think going to the international school for high school was a good idea, or do you think it added to your feeling of alienation? Also, did your parents both speak their native languages to you as you grew up? My daughter goes to Japanese 保育園 now and seems very Japanese to me. I want her to know her American side more, but also to feel comfortable here. Any advice?
@geofg - I hear good things about international school in the Tokyo area if you live around there. One thing to do is if she ends up going to Japanese school, make a rule that you only speak English in the house. If she goes to American/International school, only speak Japanese at home.
My household predominantly spoke English, but my Japanese turned out just fine (I would say 10th grade rather than 8th). I just don't speak it much now.
@yuichituba Thanks for sharing your thoughts! I think we will put Nina in a Japanese elementary school, so English will be the worry. Unfortunately, my wife doesn't feel comfortable speaking English at home, so she uses Japanese and I use English. I'm pretty good about only using English with Nina, but she often responds in ちゃんぽん as you can hear in her vids on my channel. I guess I should crack down on that.
I think you're right that S.F. is a good place to be for international folks.
@geofg Oh oh, another thing I want to tell you is that make sure you don't let her mix Japanese and English. When it's English, English だけ <-- (see, not like that). And Japanese, only Japanese. Although speaking ちゃんぽん makes conversations that much funnier, I'm having to pay for it now. I wish I could not mix. Then again, it's something totally workable for me.
@geofg Thanks for watching, Geof. I went to school on an American military base for my secondary education, although I lived off the base. My experience with Japanese education has only been Yochien and Hoikuen.
I think the times are slowly changing, and also everyone's experience can be very different depending on the area, the school, the individuals they encounter, etc.
I think this is the most in depth YTvideo I have ever watched. I really feel like I know you, and I've only watched two of your vids. I think you really get under the skin of Japanese culture and it's really interesting to listen to. When this video stopped I thought, hey! don't stop. I think that it's great that you take your time, but still stay on topic and don't start talking about some random stuff. But, I hope that Japan will be more accepting of new and different things in the future too.
@Shinibo hey Shinibo, thanks for watching. I hope so too. But I also hope I didn't come across saying that "ALL of Japan is like this" because that's not true. It truly is a wonderful country and I miss every bit of it.
@yuichituba Don't worry, I don't think all of Japan is like this either. But I could understand that some areas (especially the rural) are less accustomed to ha-fus than in the bigger cities, right? But don't you think the younger generations are less black-and-white in their view of foreigners than the older ones? More and more "foreigners" move to Japan and learn it's language and culture so I think the young generations are maybe more "used" to them. As you said Japan is changing a lot.
@Shinibo Ya, Japanese is changing a lot. To a certain degree, in my traditional mind, it's to a fault. Then again the good thing is that the younger generation is more and more accepting. The negative thing is more prevalent in children as they tease more, but that is something taught by the parents and by society. So I believe it will still take some time.
Yay for vlogs.. I love hearing things from a different point of view and you do it well ;D Thanks for this, it was enjoyable ;) Got me wanting a beer though now haha..
Hey great video. I'm half Japanese/Canadian, lived in Japan for 3 years as a child but grew up in Canada.
Would you say that the Japanese would be more tolerant of your linguistic mistakes if you were 100% Japanese? Do they allow these errors from gaijin but not from half Japanese people?
Admiral Peary, General MacArthur, W. E. Deming, all have played a major role in the shaping of Japan and are all gaijin. Do you think that effects the Japanese psyche?
I would say Japanese would be even less tolerant if linguistic/cultural mistakes were made by 100% Japanese, because they look it, and so the people would expect it. With gaijins it's more forgivable. I'm somewhat passable because I tell people in Japan that I'm American. I know my Japanese American friends had a difficult time in Japan when they were there.
Perry and them definitely affected the culture to a degree, but Japanese are too rigid to be changed.
It's funny how in the space of the year, I've gone from seeing you as one of many half Japanese I know with similar backgrounds that I respect, to watching this and feeling nervous father instincts, thinking this could be my son talking in 25 years time - there again, Tokyo and Japan are always changing, and who knows what issues kids being born now are going to have. I really think this is one of my fave ever blogs. Thanks for posting it man, I found this deep on more levels than I can say.
@Hikosaemon Wow, thanks so much, Hiko. That means a lot. I was going through a really emo-phase when posting this. I'm much better now. Honestly, if I didn't have to deal with these issue that I talked about, there would be other things that would've influenced me. I can only mildly empathize with you being the non-parent that I am, but that shows that you love your son; which means you'll be giving him the everything you can. Thanks so much for watching my lament, lol.
Hey man, I've been a terrible youtuber this year and I seem to have missed this among many others but a really really great vid. Over this year, my perspective has of course switched to being the dad of a fantastic little double boy, with all the concerns about how to make sure he's raised happy. I agree about Tokyo not being like the rest of Japan, and it is important to note how Tokyo is changing differently as well.
@Hikosaemon There are so many J-Vloggers out there. It's hard to keep up. I've been very bad w/ YT. I haven't put a legitimate video up since July, and no Japanese lessons which people seem to want.
Ya, Tokyo is changing for sure. I even notice a difference with how hafu people are looked at and treated compared to when I was in highschool. It will change even more in 10 years.
There's going to be a documentary called HAFU released soon in Japan. That'll be an interesting one to watch.
Woow... First of all thanks for sharing your experiences with us...... Let me tell you that I've learned so much more in your videos about Japanese culture than in any other source...... it is not easy to find videos like yours in YouTube..... BTW.... It is very true what you said..... sometimes one's desire to move away from one place and not coming back to it, is the best for one's personal growth. That might be one of the reasons of why I moved to US when I was 15 years old.
@galvanchristian Cool, I'm glad that they've been helpful. That's exactly my intentions in my videos is to go deeper into the culture rather than teaching short phrases here and there. Ya, at this point I definitely am staying here or move to Europe, but I can't see myself live in Japan again.
Hmmm... We kinda think alike. I want to get out of America. IF that sound odd. I can feel what you mean when you talked about some leaving home to study abroad and staying in place. I just want to escape I guess. Not that I think its horriable here its just I want a change. Heck Argentina look really nice. I guess Im just searching still for Identity.
Good stuff. You communicate very well on camera. Thanks for everything, you deserve all your success!
@edtomorrow Thanks a bunch! I wouldn't rule out living in Japan short term. You can always do a teaching english program like JET. It's really not that bad. I'm saying it as a native Japanese that isn't full Japanese. In some ways it will be easier for people that are foreigners, but foreigners will have other challenges. Challenges are good!
I feel the say as you.. I guess. Im not sure if I want to try and live in Japan now. Oh visit for sure but now Im kinda scared to want to try and live there. Im really sensitive about racial issues being Mexican growing up "white" or not really tapping into my heritage as it were. Basicly getting it from both ends if you will. Im not sure I could take it getting the stink eye just going in a store to buy some gum...
I agree with that once person you've mentioned about some parts of your Japanese mind. I think you have some of the "old man" values because it is evident how you express your concerns for the changing Japanese society and the roots of its culture. Especially things have modernized rapidly after WWII; the younger generation is definitely have different mind sets. Have you ever thought about visiting your Japanese ancestor's graves or think about how they would respond to your thoughts?
@iishisis I haven't. Maybe because I already think like a じじい、jk. I may think about that. But I don't know enough of the old school Japanese people to know how they may respond............maybe talking with older people, but even talking to some 日系人 here in America because some have retained lot of the old values. Even older words! Like まねかき。 You heard of that one? It's old way of saying "pen".
Loved this one man. Thought provoking and wonderful, I was glued to my iPhone screen for the length of both parts.
Also, I'm glad to hear there is a believer in the j-vlog bunch. As my plans to study in Japan expand and the time draws near I fear ever more that when I arrive I will struggle. I would love to pick your brain sometime, have a chat perhaps?
Interesting video. If I may ask, have you ever been tempted to hide your Japanese half when interacting with Japanese people, to see how their response to you would differ? Would you prefer to be treated as a 100% American rather than as a 'mixed breed'?
wow really liked to hear the 'grey' thoughts... cool to see the thougths that your perespective has produced. as you feel free in SanFran i feel that freedom here. why the whole J-Vlog thingy.... why not a Tuba-Vlog. Tokyo is Japan, so is Roppongi, its part of the under culture...... tnaks for sharing guy.
Ok man, that one was too much for me. Thats like me running into a wall. Shit.
I have no words to describe this. I just can say that I want to thank you so much for the two videos. It's frickin' interesting to view in someones mind and his intellectual world, into the way how he thinks.
I have to get to sleep now -- too much for my brain. Thanks a lot!
Interesting observations - and you have a great perspective. I hope it's cathartic.
I couldn't help but think of the 侘寂 interpretation.
And the beer related interjections were a nice touch. ...carbonation....boozy...
I'd love to see some music related vids as well if the Japanese theme is a bit uncomfortable for you. Classically trained with a Jazz twist? Pretty damned cool.
Really impressive. Of course you realise that being able to speak two languages fluently, sing, and play multiple instruments, it will be extremely easy to take a real dislike to you?
If you tell me that you can play Paganini and sing Josquin des Prez as well I will really hate you!
@acromel Hahaha, no I can't do that. Although that would be pretty cool to watch and listen! I do sing Josquin's music once in a while with local choirs in SF. With my voice-type, Renaissance music is perfect, I enjoy it a lot.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I subscribed, because of this video.
Rokkiteer 1 year ago
こんにちは〜。はじめて来ました。
deepなお話で一緒にお酒を飲みたくなりました笑。
SFですか、私の大好きな思い出深い街です。
ユウイチさんの育った環境、二つの国やユウイチさんの両親から授かった価値観や知識や感覚は貴重な財産だと思います。
うらやましいです。また来ますね、こういう方の動画を探してたんですよ〜。
あー、おもしろかった☆
apolone1218 1 year ago
great video (both of them) ~ very interesting topic. and i love watching this type of video from you (more!)
kmah88 1 year ago
@kmah88 Thanks so much for watching! I'd like to make more videos like these. I think I feel more comfortable with this :)
yuichituba 1 year ago
haha I love the attention you give to your beer, even though you are vlogging
OliverDaleMusic 1 year ago
@OliverDaleMusic Haha, ya. Gotta enjoy my beer :)
yuichituba 1 year ago
Interesting video. I just learned about your channel from Hikosaemon's video. Like Hiko, I live in Japan and have a five year old daughter who is ha-fu, so am very curious to hear what bicultural life has been like for other ha-fus. This is the first video of yours I've seen, and you may talk about this elsewhere, but I'm curious about your schooling. Did you go to a public Japanese school through junior high, and then go to the international school from high school on?
geofg 1 year ago
@geofg You mentioned that your Japanese is like 8th grade level, so I assumed you were in Japanese schools until then. Do you think going to the international school for high school was a good idea, or do you think it added to your feeling of alienation? Also, did your parents both speak their native languages to you as you grew up? My daughter goes to Japanese 保育園 now and seems very Japanese to me. I want her to know her American side more, but also to feel comfortable here. Any advice?
geofg 1 year ago
@geofg - I hear good things about international school in the Tokyo area if you live around there. One thing to do is if she ends up going to Japanese school, make a rule that you only speak English in the house. If she goes to American/International school, only speak Japanese at home.
My household predominantly spoke English, but my Japanese turned out just fine (I would say 10th grade rather than 8th). I just don't speak it much now.
yuichituba 1 year ago
@yuichituba Thanks for sharing your thoughts! I think we will put Nina in a Japanese elementary school, so English will be the worry. Unfortunately, my wife doesn't feel comfortable speaking English at home, so she uses Japanese and I use English. I'm pretty good about only using English with Nina, but she often responds in ちゃんぽん as you can hear in her vids on my channel. I guess I should crack down on that.
I think you're right that S.F. is a good place to be for international folks.
geofg 1 year ago
@geofg Oh oh, another thing I want to tell you is that make sure you don't let her mix Japanese and English. When it's English, English だけ <-- (see, not like that). And Japanese, only Japanese. Although speaking ちゃんぽん makes conversations that much funnier, I'm having to pay for it now. I wish I could not mix. Then again, it's something totally workable for me.
yuichituba 1 year ago
@geofg Thanks for watching, Geof. I went to school on an American military base for my secondary education, although I lived off the base. My experience with Japanese education has only been Yochien and Hoikuen.
I think the times are slowly changing, and also everyone's experience can be very different depending on the area, the school, the individuals they encounter, etc.
yuichituba 1 year ago
I think this is the most in depth YTvideo I have ever watched. I really feel like I know you, and I've only watched two of your vids. I think you really get under the skin of Japanese culture and it's really interesting to listen to. When this video stopped I thought, hey! don't stop. I think that it's great that you take your time, but still stay on topic and don't start talking about some random stuff. But, I hope that Japan will be more accepting of new and different things in the future too.
Shinibo 1 year ago
@Shinibo hey Shinibo, thanks for watching. I hope so too. But I also hope I didn't come across saying that "ALL of Japan is like this" because that's not true. It truly is a wonderful country and I miss every bit of it.
yuichituba 1 year ago
@yuichituba Don't worry, I don't think all of Japan is like this either. But I could understand that some areas (especially the rural) are less accustomed to ha-fus than in the bigger cities, right? But don't you think the younger generations are less black-and-white in their view of foreigners than the older ones? More and more "foreigners" move to Japan and learn it's language and culture so I think the young generations are maybe more "used" to them. As you said Japan is changing a lot.
Shinibo 1 year ago
@Shinibo Ya, Japanese is changing a lot. To a certain degree, in my traditional mind, it's to a fault. Then again the good thing is that the younger generation is more and more accepting. The negative thing is more prevalent in children as they tease more, but that is something taught by the parents and by society. So I believe it will still take some time.
yuichituba 1 year ago
Yay for vlogs.. I love hearing things from a different point of view and you do it well ;D Thanks for this, it was enjoyable ;) Got me wanting a beer though now haha..
joshuarawr 1 year ago
@joshuarawr Haha, that was my main point of this video, to make people want beer. jk
Thanks so much for watching. I should vlog more actually. I'm considering doing it all in Japanese like I used to.
yuichituba 1 year ago
Hey great video. I'm half Japanese/Canadian, lived in Japan for 3 years as a child but grew up in Canada.
Would you say that the Japanese would be more tolerant of your linguistic mistakes if you were 100% Japanese? Do they allow these errors from gaijin but not from half Japanese people?
Admiral Peary, General MacArthur, W. E. Deming, all have played a major role in the shaping of Japan and are all gaijin. Do you think that effects the Japanese psyche?
motoyen 1 year ago
@motoyen Cool man, another hafu :)
I would say Japanese would be even less tolerant if linguistic/cultural mistakes were made by 100% Japanese, because they look it, and so the people would expect it. With gaijins it's more forgivable. I'm somewhat passable because I tell people in Japan that I'm American. I know my Japanese American friends had a difficult time in Japan when they were there.
Perry and them definitely affected the culture to a degree, but Japanese are too rigid to be changed.
yuichituba 1 year ago
It's funny how in the space of the year, I've gone from seeing you as one of many half Japanese I know with similar backgrounds that I respect, to watching this and feeling nervous father instincts, thinking this could be my son talking in 25 years time - there again, Tokyo and Japan are always changing, and who knows what issues kids being born now are going to have. I really think this is one of my fave ever blogs. Thanks for posting it man, I found this deep on more levels than I can say.
Hikosaemon 1 year ago
@Hikosaemon Wow, thanks so much, Hiko. That means a lot. I was going through a really emo-phase when posting this. I'm much better now. Honestly, if I didn't have to deal with these issue that I talked about, there would be other things that would've influenced me. I can only mildly empathize with you being the non-parent that I am, but that shows that you love your son; which means you'll be giving him the everything you can. Thanks so much for watching my lament, lol.
yuichituba 1 year ago
Hey man, I've been a terrible youtuber this year and I seem to have missed this among many others but a really really great vid. Over this year, my perspective has of course switched to being the dad of a fantastic little double boy, with all the concerns about how to make sure he's raised happy. I agree about Tokyo not being like the rest of Japan, and it is important to note how Tokyo is changing differently as well.
Hikosaemon 1 year ago
@Hikosaemon There are so many J-Vloggers out there. It's hard to keep up. I've been very bad w/ YT. I haven't put a legitimate video up since July, and no Japanese lessons which people seem to want.
Ya, Tokyo is changing for sure. I even notice a difference with how hafu people are looked at and treated compared to when I was in highschool. It will change even more in 10 years.
There's going to be a documentary called HAFU released soon in Japan. That'll be an interesting one to watch.
yuichituba 1 year ago
Woow... First of all thanks for sharing your experiences with us...... Let me tell you that I've learned so much more in your videos about Japanese culture than in any other source...... it is not easy to find videos like yours in YouTube..... BTW.... It is very true what you said..... sometimes one's desire to move away from one place and not coming back to it, is the best for one's personal growth. That might be one of the reasons of why I moved to US when I was 15 years old.
galvanchristian 1 year ago
@galvanchristian Cool, I'm glad that they've been helpful. That's exactly my intentions in my videos is to go deeper into the culture rather than teaching short phrases here and there. Ya, at this point I definitely am staying here or move to Europe, but I can't see myself live in Japan again.
yuichituba 1 year ago
Hmmm... We kinda think alike. I want to get out of America. IF that sound odd. I can feel what you mean when you talked about some leaving home to study abroad and staying in place. I just want to escape I guess. Not that I think its horriable here its just I want a change. Heck Argentina look really nice. I guess Im just searching still for Identity.
Good stuff. You communicate very well on camera. Thanks for everything, you deserve all your success!
edtomorrow 1 year ago
@edtomorrow Thanks a bunch! I wouldn't rule out living in Japan short term. You can always do a teaching english program like JET. It's really not that bad. I'm saying it as a native Japanese that isn't full Japanese. In some ways it will be easier for people that are foreigners, but foreigners will have other challenges. Challenges are good!
yuichituba 1 year ago
I feel the say as you.. I guess. Im not sure if I want to try and live in Japan now. Oh visit for sure but now Im kinda scared to want to try and live there. Im really sensitive about racial issues being Mexican growing up "white" or not really tapping into my heritage as it were. Basicly getting it from both ends if you will. Im not sure I could take it getting the stink eye just going in a store to buy some gum...
But Thailand seems nice... LOL!!!
edtomorrow 1 year ago
I agree with that once person you've mentioned about some parts of your Japanese mind. I think you have some of the "old man" values because it is evident how you express your concerns for the changing Japanese society and the roots of its culture. Especially things have modernized rapidly after WWII; the younger generation is definitely have different mind sets. Have you ever thought about visiting your Japanese ancestor's graves or think about how they would respond to your thoughts?
iishisis 1 year ago
@iishisis I haven't. Maybe because I already think like a じじい、jk. I may think about that. But I don't know enough of the old school Japanese people to know how they may respond............maybe talking with older people, but even talking to some 日系人 here in America because some have retained lot of the old values. Even older words! Like まねかき。 You heard of that one? It's old way of saying "pen".
yuichituba 1 year ago
Loved this one man. Thought provoking and wonderful, I was glued to my iPhone screen for the length of both parts.
Also, I'm glad to hear there is a believer in the j-vlog bunch. As my plans to study in Japan expand and the time draws near I fear ever more that when I arrive I will struggle. I would love to pick your brain sometime, have a chat perhaps?
Thank you ;)
SrgScott 1 year ago
@SrgScott Haha, thanks so much for watching it! I'm glad people are watching it.
Oh ya, definitely! Message me anytime, I can tell you a lot and hook you up with a church there as well.
yuichituba 1 year ago
great v-logg
butwhynot123 1 year ago
what is bier made from;h2o,hops,malt,and yeast.all things from the earth were made from god,so therefore bier is a religious drink!
hope that helps.
qchome 1 year ago
Don't forget your SF tour vids, I always enjoy those.
Kind of sad that even though I've lived here in California all my life, I've never been do northern CA.
elsamuraiguapo 1 year ago
@elsamuraiguapo K, no problem :) I'm glad you enjoy them.
I would've never bothered to come up here if it wasn't for school. I had no clue about this area before. And now, I like it better :P
yuichituba 1 year ago
Thanks for sharing, Winton. Multi-cultural experience and insight is very interesting to me.
dhsc19 2 years ago
Interesting video. If I may ask, have you ever been tempted to hide your Japanese half when interacting with Japanese people, to see how their response to you would differ? Would you prefer to be treated as a 100% American rather than as a 'mixed breed'?
zeptimius 2 years ago
Nagoya is not kansai.
You are right you are often wrong.
Very consistent on that, haha. Just joking.
BruceIno 2 years ago
@BruceIno Ya, I looked it up afterwards and realized that. I'm not good on Japanese geography :P
yuichituba 2 years ago
wow really liked to hear the 'grey' thoughts... cool to see the thougths that your perespective has produced. as you feel free in SanFran i feel that freedom here. why the whole J-Vlog thingy.... why not a Tuba-Vlog. Tokyo is Japan, so is Roppongi, its part of the under culture...... tnaks for sharing guy.
BlkUnk 2 years ago
Ok man, that one was too much for me. Thats like me running into a wall. Shit.
I have no words to describe this. I just can say that I want to thank you so much for the two videos. It's frickin' interesting to view in someones mind and his intellectual world, into the way how he thinks.
I have to get to sleep now -- too much for my brain. Thanks a lot!
Die Augen? nein, der Himmel tat sich auf.
PS: Who has found the hidden beer review?
AndreR241 2 years ago
@AndreR241 Hahaha, ya, I said a lot. Thank you SO MUCH for watching through the whole thing. It was just speaking my mind and vlogging about it.
Which hidden beer review are you talking about?
Well, have a good rest and try not to get sick, keep healthy.
yuichituba 2 years ago
I mean those "comments" ;)
Thanks for all the good wishes.
AndreR241 1 year ago
Interesting observations - and you have a great perspective. I hope it's cathartic.
I couldn't help but think of the 侘寂 interpretation.
And the beer related interjections were a nice touch. ...carbonation....boozy...
I'd love to see some music related vids as well if the Japanese theme is a bit uncomfortable for you. Classically trained with a Jazz twist? Pretty damned cool.
acromel 2 years ago
@acromel Haha, thanks. "Beer interjection" was a good way to word it :)
I'm sure I will post more Japan-related videos. I'm just going through a phase right now. I'll definitely continue with the Japanese lessons.
You can check some of my music on my channel. I think I have an art song and choral piece on there.
yuichituba 2 years ago
Ah, cunningly hidden in the Musix playlist!
Really impressive. Of course you realise that being able to speak two languages fluently, sing, and play multiple instruments, it will be extremely easy to take a real dislike to you?
If you tell me that you can play Paganini and sing Josquin des Prez as well I will really hate you!
Jealousy is a terrible thing! :o)
acromel 2 years ago
@acromel Hahaha, no I can't do that. Although that would be pretty cool to watch and listen! I do sing Josquin's music once in a while with local choirs in SF. With my voice-type, Renaissance music is perfect, I enjoy it a lot.
yuichituba 2 years ago