olympics

Director plans Tokyo 2020 ceremonies 'rich in Japanese spirit'

9 Comments
By Kazuhiro NOGI

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9 Comments
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Re Nomuras comment -

"....Put the soles of your feet (on the floor) and go forward, it's suriashi. Going backward, it's moonwalking...."

From my very limited introduction to suriashi in kendo, going backwards in suriashi is not moonwalking at all. But I could be wrong. Perhaps someone in the know could enlighten me.

And on the Opening Ceremony - I'm sure it will be hi-tech and memorable. The Korean winter Olympics just passed, have set the bar re that. Outstanding techno display.

I'm just hoping it's not full of self-praising cliches and messages with political overtures and bouts of sophistry.

For me the Ceremony is not about - "We are the Best in the World", but rather - "We are The World".

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I look forward to the ceremonies, which obviously will be focused on the host nation. As for "spirit", I hope they manage to capture the inclusivity of the games, like Danny Boyle's 2012 effort in London. I'm certain it will be spectacular and the naysayers will fall silent for a bit.

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Staffs of Opening Ceremony of Olympics Tokyo 2020 include Nationalism Musician or Filmmaker of Revisionism.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

"Rich in Japanese spirit" has no meaning, since for it to be so no one should, according to any nationalist I know (and even many non), be able to understand it if not Japanese. Anything most people call "Japanese spirit" is the same as everywhere else, be it "gaman-ryoku", "faitou", "sutoikku", special body temperatures or whatever loan word or general BS used to describe "unique" Japanese feelings. Now, "Japanese culture" and customs? Okay, lots of wonderful things they can do that are not necessarily daily elements of people's lives in other nations, but I'm sorry... there is no such thing as a uniquely "Japanese spirit". Picking up garbage when others are watching is no more "Japanese spirit" than jumping in front of a train during rush hour; it's not unique, nor is there any geographical borders that make abstract concepts unique to one people. Most Japanese I know Don't even know what the supposed "Japanese spirit" is, or many cultural elements of Japan; they just think they know better automatically, same as people of other nations do about their country and culture (it takes awareness, study, knowledge, and objectivity). Anyone who thinks differently needs to explain why, let's say, a 10 year old can't understand wabi-sabi better than someone who deals with interior design and has lived here for décades, and not just with a "Well, naturally you can't understand because you/he/she is not Japanese".

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Who actually remembers them?

Me. The Beijing 2008 ceremonies were an amazing example of a massive number of humans coming together, coordinating, and putting on a great show.

I can remember the opening ceremony of every Olympics since then, and many before as well. It’s one of my favorite parts of the Olympics. Seeing all the athletes coming into the stadium together, all smiles, there to celebrate humanity - I think it’s one of our shining moments as that large group called ‘humanity’.

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Whatever, I hope it's upbeat and well paced. Opening ceremonies are over budgeted, over produced and too often overly long borefests. People want to see sport not promotional productions. Who actually remembers them?

I like watching them. I specifically remember the excellent Nagano and Salt Lake City ceremonies. And of course Jimmy Page in China. Others not so much.

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Whatever, I hope it's upbeat and well paced. Opening ceremonies are over budgeted, over produced and too often overly long borefests. People want to see sport not promotional productions. Who actually remembers them?

3 ( +3 / -0 )

I hope the traditional art and especially the underlying philosophy are conveyed to the foreign audience!

There are many subtle things that can be puzzling or taken only on the surface if not understood.

TV cast at foreign stations should be prepared to explain details...

0 ( +0 / -0 )

he can do whatever he wants so long as SMAP are not included....

2 ( +2 / -0 )

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