Why the Japanese love for WW2 Americana?

[Bombing IP]

The cultural exchange indeed goes both ways . I have a special interest in Japanese carpentry and their tools ,the Temples built in Japan are made of wood and do not have one screw dowel or bolt and have been up 100s of years and with stood earthquakes . The makers of the tools go back to the disbanding of the Samurai ,and the skill is passed on father to son generation to generation . They even have a competition in Japan every year to see who can make the longest continuous shavings , and they are see through gossamer thick 30ft long . Incidentally the Japanese pull on there planes and their saws .Fascinating subject which makes western tools look a little lacking in the thought process of design .

BIP

 

[Smithy]

I can appreciate his thoroughness and attention to detail for sure. Nonetheless, I would die of thirst in the meantime!

I think that's probably one of the big differences between Japanese culture (well perhaps traditionally) and modern western culture. Here in the west we tend to want everything immediately and yet Japanese culture enjoys the "process". If you take the Japanese tea ceremony, the method and process of preparing the tea is as important as the enjoyment of drinking it.

It's definitely a different mindset and approach from what many of us here in the western world are used to.

 

[Bombing IP]

The traditional carpenter lays out his tools once a year and offers them tea and fruit for them . Its for all you have done for me ,sounds silly to us but it goes back to tradition .
The apprenticeship is very long ,the first six months you learn how to sharpen and ,then repeat the process over and over again .They use water stones no oil and some of the grit are around 3000 ,this is locally sourced in Japan tools are oiled with Choji Oil . I am getting off topic sorry .

BIP

 

[colekwok]

And another important fact, 1940's- 50's clothes still fit 21st century Japanese guys!

Well, yes and no. We probably see a lot of the photos in Japanese mags such as Lightning/Clutch etc, with small frames models, but the newer generations of Japanese are certainly not small. It is just that they do not have a lot of oversized (or overweight) people when compared to the western world.

The traditional carpenter lays out his tools once a year and offers them tea and fruit for them . Its for all you have done for me ,sounds silly to us but it goes back to tradition .
The apprenticeship is very long ,the first six months you learn how to sharpen and ,then repeat the process over and over again .They use water stones no oil and some of the grit are around 3000 ,this is locally sourced in Japan tools are oiled with Choji Oil . I am getting off topic sorry .
BIP

That is the culture of the traditional Japanese, everything has to be perfection. Most of the crafting skills are becoming like art forms, I hope things can continue. As fas as I understand, they are losing them fast as their newer generations (if they have any....) simply do not want to pick up the old businesses. It is hugely reflected in their industries, the latest one would be Toshiba I guess. Sorry to say that (especially to our fellow American members), it is also the MBA culture that kills off the Japanese economy, the idea of closing down or selling whatever departments which are not making money is everywhere, and guess which department suffers the most? R&D! Anyway, there is no way back, but hopefully their craftsmanships wouldn't be dying soon. We lost China's crafts with the Cultural Revolution and we certainly need to preserve the rest of the good stuffs from Asia.

 

[Bombing IP]

Colekwok you are in deed correct the traditional crafting forms are becoming extinct .Like the old adage quality quick cheap pick two ,the world revolves around money and what are we going to do next quarter . The people leaving college are instilled with this new thinking from there mentors and money is the force behind most decisions not reason everything is short term . The few money boys out there are asset stripping and reselling off companies for a profit ,long term this will have an affect reducing the job market . The result of that will be lower wages all round and be told you should be happy you have a job . The smart and the strong will move every 2 years to maintain their income growth ,leaving companies with talent below par to grow to there own level of incompetence in the market place . So the ball keeps rolling !.

BIP

 

[dmar836]

I think that's probably one of the big differences between Japanese culture (well perhaps traditionally) and modern western culture. Here in the west we tend to want everything immediately and yet Japanese culture enjoys the "process". If you take the Japanese tea ceremony, the method and process of preparing the tea is as important as the enjoyment of drinking it.

It's definitely a different mindset and approach from what many of us here in the western world are used to.

Quite true but we must also assent to the fact that this is not the only way to order an Old Fashion in Japan. Ideas such as "flavoring the glass" are seen in the west as well but only among certain crowds and in certain places - appropriate in some contexts but ostentatious and wasteful in another.
Anyone who has studied Japanese culture must appreciate their pride and mindset on quality. To me it reflects a respect of tools and materials and an ability to serve another human. Not common at all in the "me first, now" culture.