Eye-sak: Experience

April 19, 2012

Good commentary on appropriation, also happens to be what I agree with. When and why did cultural segmentation become a liberal value?

Sure there are instances of what the fuckerey, but I cannot see the logic in chastising someone for trying to adapt something which they think is cool into their life. Everyone copies things, mashes together influences. It’s what we call creation.

thisfits:

It’s commentary like this that keeps me coming back to Kiyoshi’s blog. Brilliant.

thesilentist:

coolguyerrant:

knitmeapony:

thesilentist:

Rubinacci “samurai” pochette — These are absolutely gorgeous:

Made on the occasion of our Tokyo’s shop opening. Typical symbols of Japanese culture, samurais, are printed on all four corners of it, just to represent the strength and tenacity of this people. “Bushido” written in the middle is a wish of good luck remembering the way of the samurai’s life.

I keep finding ways to potentially irresponsibly spend my tax refund.

(Found via thisfits)

No. More appropriation. Don’t do it.

You’re right, you’re right. But frankly I’m going to need a nice, polite discussion on cultural appropriation, mostly because I over think things and take them through to a logical, if heavy-handed conclusion.

Bought one.

Because as a half-Japanese person who is constantly wishing and searching for ways to represent his heritage in modern style and dress, there’s not a whole lot of available options that are stylish, tasteful, artistic and well-made.

You’re talking about an industry that’s completely dominated by Western styles of dress. I’ve constantly looked for ways to subtly incorporate a sense of the East into what I wear. I collect Japanese lapel pins from WWII. I’m more interested in Japanese-made movements than Swiss-made ones for timepieces. I want to buy pocket squares made from kimono cloths and jeans from Japanese denim mills. I’ve long thought about purchasing Japanese tartans to make some neckties or maybe even an odd jacket. I would kill to have my family’s mon crest on a pair of cufflinks.

The Japanese have a long-standing history of adopting the culture of the West while still maintaining their own. I don’t believe — especially in America — that we should silo off our cultures and ever claim exclusivity over them. We should be allowed to mix as much as we please.

The rich history and traditions of Japan aren’t diminished when outsiders take fascination with them and make them a part of their lives. If anything, they grow stronger.

To quote Thomas Jefferson:

He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.

The entire negative connotation of “cultural appropriation” is just another liberal ideology paraded around by academics who want to fancy themselves as champions and saviors of minorities so they can write op/ed columns and publish books. And, frankly, I’m really sick of their shit.

I’m bored with them telling me how I should feel about how my own culture is used by other people. Stop trying to make other people feel guilty because they’re enjoying something. And stop playing culture cop — who anointed you king and let you make all the rules that the world has to abide?

I am the result of a mixed-race marriage. To me, the blessing of living in America is that you can break traditions and you can remix cultures. We aren’t bounded by the societal pressure to keep things the same — rather, we are free to find our own happiness.

I think it’s amazing that an Italian atelier can take its artistic abilities and have them appreciated enough by the Japanese to open a shop in Tokyo. And I can sit on my computer and see what they made and order one that will be flown across the world and delivered to my doorstep in America.

This is the age we live in. It’s exciting and I fear none of it. Everything is overlapping and I’m lucky enough to benefit from it. Where we used to be limited by collaborating only with those who were literally next door, we can now share ideas across the world to create new things.