The sites and sounds were awfully familiar; kids, grown ups, old people -- all fans of the game, seen flocking to their seats with eagerness and excitement. I was only in Tokyo for a few days before we all went out for the ball game. In those few days spent touring the city, I started feeling somewhat in tune with my fatherʼs heritage but hadnʼt quite made a connection. I wasnʼt raised Japanese so I hadnʼt a clue about the culture except through some of its entertainment programs, movies, food, and some language which are some things that help you know the culture but donʼt quite help you with understanding it. After the first couple of exciting innings after hearing the sound of the wooden bat connecting with the ball, I felt at ease and because of that, for the first time on the trip, I made a deep connection with my own culture.
Understandably, I felt like an outsider throughout most of the trip whether I was dining at a restaurant, eating the same food as everyone else or whether I was just checking out cdʼs at the music shop. Either way, I was within a world where I didnʼt have a stable stance; where I didn't have a full grasp of customs and mentality. I was without confidence even amongst the people whom I felt were similar to me, in a way; yet, my lonesome wanderings around the city reminded me of how much I wasnʼt connected with these people -- that is, until baseball came along.
Since we arrived early I had a while to reflect on a few things about myself and my surroundings. I remember feeling the uncontrollable enthusiasm for the game -- wanting to experience Japanese baseball since I had never watched a game in my life prior to this event. I thought about the fellow fan next to me, who mustʼve seen the gaijin (foreigner) look all over my face and clothes. His eyes would wander back and forth at times whenever heʼd hear my English when speaking with my brother. With all these clouding thoughts and insecurities, I thought I was just going to sit silent and endure a three-hour long game with reserved fans and receive constant staring from those around me. I soon felt the feeling of making a mistake by coming to the game. Boy was I wrong.
From the moment the Giants took the field, the crowd took to their feet and cheered wildly, waving their flags, beating their plastic tubes -- total hysteria. From that moment on my inhibitions and self-doubts subsided and was overwhelmed by the swelling feeling of excitement for the game. I roared and cheered loud and proud for the Giants amongst the fans, and for the first time, I felt like I wasnʼt an outsider.
There was even a moment down by the concession stands where I felt like I was at home. The menu was obviously different from the pretzels and peanuts Iʼm so used to seeing back at Shea Stadium but nonetheless, I was very familiar with most of the food that they served and so, ordering wasnʼt exactly a concern nor was it a concern for enjoying it in my seat next to that nosey boy.
Since then, Japan and its people felt closer to my heart. This connection that I made, through baseball, showed me that almost anyone can connect with a culture through the context of sports. Sure, there are alternatives in engaging a nationʼs heritage and its customs but this is a much easier way, I feel, especially for someone who carries the blood but feels withdrawn. Sports, in general, brings people together in the masses -- so why not apply this to a way of learning?
Subscribe to this comment's feed
written by Erik, October 15, 2009
You are right sports can be a great medium for learning. Everyone has their own way of preparing breakfast, greeting each other, and yes attending sports events just as you comprehensively pointed out with us.
-
- +0
-
-
written by Priscilla, October 16, 2009
-
- +0
-
-
written by Hobo, October 16, 2009
-
- +0
-
-
written by George, October 17, 2009
Great post this week
-
- +0
-
-
written by Paul, October 18, 2009
-
- +0
-
-
written by Erik, October 18, 2009
-
- +0
-
-
written by Donny Master, October 18, 2009
Yes and as others have echoed, nice article keep up the good job. This is the site I go to for my weekly coffee call.
-
- +0
-
-
written by Chameoflog, October 18, 2009
Thanks again (bows)!
-
- +0
-
-
written by Bored, October 20, 2009
-
- +0
-
-
written by Ingrid Relari , October 20, 2009
If you do comment on your blogs there is a question I'd like to ask.
Did all the fans seem to have a hypnotic / dreamy state as one unit?
I'm a psychological culturalist so these things interest me and I have yet to travel to such exotic places, unfortunately.
-Relari-
-
- +0
-
-
written by Chameleon, October 21, 2009
Thanks for taking the time to read my post. I don't mind commenting on my own board as long as it's to answer a reader's direct question or so. Besides my responses can be pretty darn long. haha
um, to answer YOUR question, Ingrid, I'm not quite certain if they were in a "trance" state of mind if that's what you're asking.
If you've been at a much anticipated sports game/match, you'd understand the intensity amongst the fans and how attentive they are to the game. What's most interesting -- as you will find in European football matches -- is how the fans come together with chants and songs and claps as one. everyone knows the songs, everyone knows the claps. This is the idea of team spirit and pride but I guess as a psychologist, you can look further into it tapping into the very stem of something primitive, wouldn't you say?
in a sense, they are in some kind of hypnosis with their minds focused on ONE thing - the game, the chants (which are led by the team's main band in the stands) etc. So i suppose they are in some kind of hypnotic state. Just not under the hypnosis of popular belief where the man dangles a pocket watch in front of you. haha
hope that answered your question.
And if any other readers wish to ask questions directly, I will be happy to answer them.
T
-
- +0
-
-
written by Furbar, October 22, 2009
]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uj_bu4v9OW8 ]
-
- +0
-
-
written by Karen, October 22, 2009
-
- +0
-
-
written by Half Japanese, October 22, 2009
-
- +0
-
-
Odd that it's not showing up on the front page yet? May want to check it out.