Comments on: Japan, Why So Kawaii?

By: Suzuzu

Suzuzu — Wed, 23 Oct 2013 14:20:00 +0000

Personally, I think this whole KAWAII obsession is another cultural aspect of a country lost at war. I remember reading some article that argued that due to the American invasion after the second ww, inhabitants realized how vulnerable, ‘small’ and what insignificant meaning Japanese culture played in geo-politics. It was the first time the majority of inhabitants had probably seen a foreign person. I think there is nothing wrong with surrounding oneself with KAWAII objects if they make one happy (not only in Japan, society throughout the world demands a lot of adults, want them to be serious all the time, KAWAII is definately a good output for that). I do think it is wrong to ‘demand’ from grown ups (‘women’) to be KAWAII. My friend often complained that, if she had only lived in Korea, she ‘could’ also be labelled as sexy apart from cute, and get away with it. KAWAII should not be taken too seriously, and NEVER should be a personal value. Having the wish to be KAWAII (in other words, having the wish to stop growing and always stay in the same state as you was in in the past) is unnatural and quite retarded. Who doesn’t want to learn more? Oh heck, then Im not attractive to Japanese guys anymore.. FML. this is absolute bullshit.

By: guest

guest — Thu, 04 Jul 2013 14:02:00 +0000

Wow, does no one else find this whole ‘kawaii’ thing disturbing and offensive? It’s anything but cute.

By: Erika

Erika — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 22:41:00 +0000

For some reason this makes me think back to my literature class on Meiji and Edo period literature. A lot of characters (and one assumes real individuals as well) have affairs/sexual relations with prepubescent boys and it was socially accepted. I wonder if those ideas play into kawaii at all? Though, according to this, kawaii culture doesn’t show up until the 1970s. Just a thought. Very interesting! It makes me want to learn more!

By: Hashi

Hashi — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 21:56:00 +0000

It’s definitely on our radar!

By: DAVIDPD

DAVIDPD — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 20:16:00 +0000

For a related, but separate article one could attempt to address “kawaii’s” kissing cousin, “moe”.

By: Juan Fernando Castellón

Juan Fernando Castellón — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 19:38:00 +0000

ごめん、こいち君でもお前の名前の漢字は何ですか。