/vt/ - Virtual Youtubers

>>8184255
So they’re basically Japan’s Jews then?
Daily reminder the Shogunate’s expulsion of Iberian and Dutch missionaries was completely and utterly justified, given the humiliation and unequal treaties China and Korea (and numerous other Asian nations that failed to root out missionaries) suffered; even then, the yanks still fucking tried to invade (and wondered why the japs hated them, and why they attacked Pearl Harbor) Equally Europeans helped distribute firearms the daimyo then copied, contributing heavily to the chaos of the warring states period
Their ideology of copying bits from foreign culture (like modelling their army on that of Prussia and their navy on the British one) whilst maintaining their native Shinto practices is the best ideology to have for cultural influence IMO, although it’s fair to say their culture isn’t perfect by any means. I have heard claims that Christian traditions are seen there in much the way old pagan ones from Greece, Egypt, Babylon, Rome etc are seen in the west - interesting and culturally valuable but not genuinely followed by most people - the key difference being neopagans claim to restore those traditions whereas former “hidden”‘Christians with syncretic traditions do exist in Japan. That said I’m no expert on their culture so feel free to correct me if you think I’m wrong.
As I said in the Gura Sabaton thread I really think more chuubas that educate the west about Japanese folklore would be cool, although there’s always going to be cultural barriers and elements lost in translation, with games like Okami being examples of sharing the culture. But as a Britbong I can definitely see some of the cultural similarities (island nation, historical imperial power, often isolationist) I’m also wary of Americanisation and Christianisation as forms of cultural erosion, since both can lead to cosmopolitan rootless culture that loses its connection to older traditions (although traditional does not equal good by default)