Departures

[shijing]

Has anyone seen Departures, a Japanese movie (English subtitles) which was released recently? The protagonist is an aspiring musician who, through a quirk of fate, apprentices as a mortician (for lack of a better term -- someone who prepares the dead for burial while their family is looking on). There are several different issues involved, but one primary focus is on how the profession is stigmatized despite the fact that it is absolutely necessary. Its a great study in what it really means to serve others, and it also really personalizes the experience of death and grieving. I thought it was extremely well-written and acted, and I alternated between laughter and tears through the entire movie. I really recommend it, and would be interested in hearing anyone else's thoughts if you have a chance to see it.

 

[gotogo]

There are several different issues involved, but one primary focus is on how the profession is stigmatized despite the fact that it is absolutely necessary. Its a great study in what it really means to serve others, and it also really personalizes the experience of death and grieving.

Thank you for sharing this information, shijing. I added the request in my Netflix cart (although it seems not available yet). I may be able to watch it when I visit Japan next time. :)

 

[shijing]

Thank you for sharing this information, shijing. I added the request in my Netflix cart (although it seems not available yet). I may be able to watch it when I visit Japan next time. :)

Sure thing -- I am not sure if you are settled back in where you are at in California after your problems with the fires, but if so, you might also look for it in alternative movie theatres -- that's where I found it in my town, and it is still playing here. Looking forward to your thoughts whenever you have a chance to see it!

 

[gotogo]

I am visiting Japan from 12/10 - 1/12 for Christmas and New Year period.
So I will watch this movie. The title is おくりびと (Okuribito) in Japanese. :)

 

[Buddy]

I am visiting Japan from 12/10 - 1/12 for Christmas and New Year period.
So I will watch this movie. The title is おくりびと (Okuribito) in Japanese. :)

Off topic, but GotoGo, I wish you well during your journey and visit to Japan!

 

[gotogo]

Oh, thank you Buddy! ;)

 

[shijing]

I am visiting Japan from 12/10 - 1/12 for Christmas and New Year period.
So I will watch this movie. The title is おくりびと (Okuribito) in Japanese. :)

Great -- I hope you enjoy it (and thanks for the Japanese title, as I couldn't remember it for sure).

I also echo Buddy in wishing you a good and safe trip to Japan!

 

[Vulcan59]

Hi GotoGo,

Enjoy your trip to Japan. I'd like your opinion on this show called Oshin (おしん). I've been to Japan numerous times and I have yet to find this particular show on DVD. I was told once that I would be able to find it in downtown Tokyo but no luck so far. Appreciate if you have any input. Thanks.

 

[gotogo]

Thank you, shijing and Vulcan59. Yes, I will enjoy Japan. ;)
I am going to meet my high school teacher this time with whom I took this 'spiritual' journey together more than 20 years ago.
I did not contact her for so many year but 1 month ago I found her son's blog and contacted him. (BTW her son became a musician, still minor but recognize his talent in CD her recently sent me. He seems have a nice voice that resonate my emotional center also!) Her family is following Rudolf Steiner teaching especially for Biodynamic farming in Shimane prefecture where the grad school I would like to go locates. So it is a current plan that I will stay with her family and friends in her house while I am studying Clinical Psychology there.

Hi GotoGo,

Enjoy your trip to Japan. I'd like your opinion on this show called Oshin (おしん). I've been to Japan numerous times and I have yet to find this particular show on DVD. I was told once that I would be able to find it in downtown Tokyo but no luck so far. Appreciate if you have any input. Thanks.

Hi Vulcan59,
I checked Oshin (おしん) YouTube and found:
_http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAAjm7shOR8
which has English subtitle. The guy uploaded this commented there:

Yes I have all 297 episodes with English subtitles. No I will not upload anymore. This was just a clip I uploaded for someone I know. But if you PM me I'll tell you where I bought my set if you'd like to know that.

I am pretty sure I can get whole DVD of Oshin in Japan but they usually don't have English subtitle. So it may be worth to try to ask him.

For the contents, I remember I wanted to watch this TV drama when I was in junior high or something but not sure if watched all episodes. I remember it was a very sad story about a farmer girl growing in very country side of Japan and she showed her strong 'spirit' in spite of all bullying she encountered. Many Japanese are inspired by her at that time. Maybe I can try to watch this drama again if there is an opportunity during this trip. :)

Edit: spelling - split => 'spirit' ( ) & clarification

 

[Gaby]

I am pretty sure I can get whole DVD of Oshin in Japan but they usually don't have English subtitle. So it may be worth to try to ask him.

For the contents, I remember I wanted this TV drama when I was in junior high or something but not sure if watched all episodes. I remember it was a very sad story about a farmer girl growing in very country side of Japan and she showed her strong split in spite of all bullying she encountered.

I saw the entire show in Spanish in the late 80s or early 90s, so perhaps it is available in English as well. I remember we were all hooked with Oshin :P

 

[Vulcan59]

Thanks GotoGo and Psyche for that input. :)

 

[knowledge_of_self]

I am pretty sure I can get whole DVD of Oshin in Japan but they usually don't have English subtitle. So it may be worth to try to ask him.

For the contents, I remember I wanted this TV drama when I was in junior high or something but not sure if watched all episodes. I remember it was a very sad story about a farmer girl growing in very country side of Japan and she showed her strong split in spite of all bullying she encountered.

I saw the entire show in Spanish in the late 80s or early 90s, so perhaps it is available in English as well. I remember we were all hooked with Oshin :P

Haha, :D I watched the entire series as a child in Iran-- translated in Persian. Me and my whole family were HOOKED on this show as well and perhaps it is one of the reasons I love Japan so much since it is from some of my earliest memories.

 

[gotogo]

Greeting from Japan! :)

I saw Departures - おくりびと (Okuribito)　as the 1st thing to do.
I liked it very much! It inspired solemnity toward Death.

In fact, おくりびと (Okuribito) means the person who send people to departure.

Meeting with "my high school teacher... with whom I took this 'spiritual' journey together more than 20 years ago" was a very emotional experience. Also I now 'connected' these events related to Kentek... It is hard to explain in words yet but I am following what comes as 'present' through 'synchronicity' with 'critical thinking'... She knew there is a deep connection between Izumo (出雲) where they locate very closely and Ainu! (see the suspected connection between Ainu and Kentek at http://www.cassiopaea.org/forum/index.php?topic=12969.0)

Izumo (出雲) is a very 'spiritual' location in Japan, for example, October is called 神無月(means "the month when there are no gods") in Japanese old calendar but only Izumo October is called 神在月(means "the month when the gods are present")　(see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kannazuki).

This time I would like to study more about Japanese history especially the origin of Japanese...

 

[Buddy]

Greetings to you, GotoGo. It's good to see that you are well. :)

 

[shijing]

Hi GotoGo --

I'm glad to hear that you finally had a chance to see the movie, and that you liked it!

This time I would like to study more about Japanese history especially the origin of Japanese...

I have started looking into DNA haplogroups recently, and that is one more direction in which you might take a look to start trying to figure this question out:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haplogroup#Human_Y-chromosome_DNA_haplogroups

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_mitochondrial_DNA_(mtDNA)_haplogroup