By Nova Pierce
“Today, America as a nation has become almost obsessed with all things Japanese including sushi, anime, games, and even Marie Kondo. As much as Japanese pop culture has become a part of life in the USA, so too have more traditional aspects such as Buddhism, art, and music. Let’s have a closer look at just why Japanese culture is so popular in a country more than 6,000 miles away.”
(The Rise of Japanese Culture in the USA, 2021)
Japanese culture has always been of interest to me. Ever since I was in elementary school I had a passion for not just their entertainment e.g. anime, manga, Japanese music, etc., and language, but their culture as well. This interest– or rather passion, went beyond that of the average elementary student. I can still vividly see my mother’s shocked face when she asked me what I wanted for my birthday and I eagerly replied, eyes sparkling, “A Japanese study book!” This passion often made me an outcast amongst my peers. I was the nerdy Black girl who spent her pastime reading manga and her recesses dipping into cubical-like windows to sneakily watch her iPod classic, reliving the laughs of her favorite pieces.
Initially, I was interested in the pure entertainment aspects of Japan, specifically anime. However, somewhere along the line I became drawn to the culture itself. Each episode of anime had moved me in a way that was indescribable. They managed to reach the heart of an ostracized little girl from across the world. I was inspired by the stories that they painted so effortlessly. The animation, the music, the effects– everything seemed so intentional to me, not a moment was misused. It made me think, “Hmm… I wonder what the person who wrote this is like. What were their experiences? How did it differ from mine? Would I ever be able to create a story this impactful to someone?” These questions are what led me to my journey of selfdiscovery and ultimately my love of the nation.
During the rise of coronavirus cases, panic swept the world as we entered an age of peril and death. Hundreds of countries were thrown into states of emergency, calling on the public to quarantine from one another in hopes of eliminating the pandemic. Many people took up hobbies to distract themselves and mitigate their symptoms of cabin fever. I believe it was during this time of solitude that so many people from the younger generations turned their attention to anime, Japan’s most well-kept treasure. In all honesty, for me, it was bittersweet. It was as though my lifeline had finally gained recognition by the masses, but I was worried that it would be unable to support the weight of us all. It felt as though my love for the country, for their art– their history, would somehow be demeaned if it was assumed by the general public of America. Even now, I struggle with whether this is a cause of joy or inner turmoil for me. My only hope now is that the new additions to the Japanese appreciation committee enjoy their time, and allow the experiences to shape them, in whatever way feels natural.
Self-defined financial enthusiast, traveler, and lover of the written arts, Nova Pierce is an MSW student with a BA in psychology; with over three years of working experience in mental healthcare. She’s enamored with topics on spirituality, social justice, and the overall human experience.
