Allison H.
What does Bumiller mean when she says that she is in search of a "normal" Japanese family? What stereotypes does she define as normal?
Matt
Will studying only one family be able to determine what is common or what is unique between various Japanese families?
Emanuel
What is Bumiller's overall purpose: attempting to use a single family's story to characterize the Japanese household or to put an individual face on a society that is perceived to be homogeneous?
Kristen
The book’s title promises the “secrets” of Mariko. Should Bumiller (as journalist and/or as anthropologist) be telling us such secrets? What are the ethics of making such revelations?
Bijal
Do you think that Mariko would be as open and blunt about her personal life if she were talking to another Japanese housewife? We have learned in previous readings that women are supposed to hide their families flaws, but clearly Mariko is not doing this. What do you think of Mariko's openness?
Katie
Do you think that it was the Sanja Masturi festival itself that liberated Mariko and made her forget she was a housewife, or was it that this was another thing that she was doing without her husband that he didn't even want to hear about?
Kayo
Do you think Mariko going out to carry the omikoshi and saying that she feels “liberated,” relaxed and that she can be herself, implies that on a subconscious level she would like to break away from the housewife role? If there were no societal roles, would you expect women to be sharing the same responsibility as the men or be creating their own separate territory like the Japanese housewife? Are certain roles necessary for a society to function smoothly? What roles do Western women hold?
Allison H.
If Japanese women are happy with their situations, can they really be considered 'oppressed'?
Danielle
On page 78 the author states that many Japanese women find the American ideal to be more oppressive than theirs. Do you believe that the Japanese ideal or the American ideal is more oppressive?
Stephanie B.
On page 6, the book states, "Japan's success rests on a complete division of labor between the sexes- that while Japanese woman is wholly responsible for running the household and overseeing the education of the all-important next generation, the Japanese husband is free to pursue his work.” Is this saying that if there were more of a sharing of responsibilities between Japanese husbands and wives Japan would not be successful? Where is the line drawn?
Katy
Mariko reveals that participating in the festival allows her to relax and forget that she is a housewife. Is it necessary to escape one's life to maintain the happiness one has in that life?
Alexa
At the end of 3 chapters and through her writing, do you think Bumiller understands Mariko or is this honest Japanese housewife still somewhat of a unique study? Recall Mikoshi and the samisen's cost which she hides from her husband
Stephanie W.
"More than most countries, Japan like to think of itself as one large family, united by a unique, inscrutable Japaneseness....the racially homogeneous Japanese are self-conscious in their dealings with outsiders, feeling both inferior and superior to foreigners, particularly Westerners" (p7) Is the author reinforcing for breaking down arguments of national character?
Zach N.
"Japan's success rests on a complete division of labor between the sexes- that while the Japanese women is wholly responsible for running the household and overseeing the education of the all-important next generation, the Japanese husband is free to pursue his work." Does this quote back the stereotypical national character arguments?
LB
Bumiller states, "most Japanese women are mothers first and workers second" (76). Is this really that much different than American culture? Once children enter the equation, shouldn't they take some precedence considering their dependence on their parents?
Stacey
Is Mariko resembling an American wife and mother? Now a days US mother's work jobs and go to PTA meetings as well as take care of the kids.
Marquis
Does the shrine act as a safe place for Mariko to have wants and desires since her home may not be a place where such is possible?
Zach F.
Mariko and her husband are from the generation of when Japan is booming economically. Yet, she states that people from their generation do not go out and socialize. Is this suprising given the economic boom? What conflicts do you see between this generation and the younger Jrap generation?
Minoru
"Japanese women have almost no significant choice when it comes to work versus home." (pg.78) Is this situation really miserable for most of the Japanese women? Too much freedom sometimes means pain. 'The Escape from Freedom (Erich Fromm)' may cause another more serious problem. This problem also leads to the treatment of the opinion of the minority, e.g. in this context, Japanese women feminist. How can we take their opinion without damaging the majority?
Leroy
The author mentioned how mariko in the early parts of their relationship told her that her and her husband had a good marriage, however once she was more comfortable she said it was like putting one foot in the grave. Also Mariko mentions how she could not make sense of the womens movement in the work place, then later mentions how she was happier when she worked, The author makes a point to say that Mariko along with most japanese women Mariko believes that a womens primary duty is at home. Is it safe to say that the reason this gender role notion of house wives exists primarily because Japan is so homogeneous?