Posted on Jul 5, 2015
Japanese Sailor Embraces US Culture With Traditional American Tattoos
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DUFFEL BLOG ALERT!!! Yes I know the duffel blog is satire (that's why I'm posting it in the humor section). But like any other type of satire it often reeks of truth.
With that said, read away and laugh. Think of the irony of a lot of Americans (particularly Navy members) who get Japanese tattoos and have no idea what they say or the significance behind them.
http://duffelblog.com/CYfCf
PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii – Ask any number of the Japanese tourists wandering around for their opinion on America, and you might get a thumbs-up or an apologetic bow acknowledging the attack here 73 years ago. Seaman 2nd Class Hikiro Tamagotchi, on the other hand, has a full-blown case of the red, white and blue fever, and the only cure appears to be more freedom.
Tamagotchi, 18, hails from a small, idyllic hamlet on the outskirts of Kyoto and is stationed aboard the JS Kongō (DDG-173), making port in this vibrant and historical American city.
“I’ve never left Japan before,” Tamagotchi says, wearing a gaudy, vertigo-inducing Tommy Bahama button-down and a New York Yankees ball cap – what he calls “traditional American garb.”
“That’s part of the reason I joined the Maritime Self-Defense Force. I want to see the world.”
Asked on what aspect of American culture he finds most fascinating, Tamagotchi seems to have trouble knowing where to even begin.
“I can’t quite put my finger on it,” he muses while methodically chewing on a hot dog. “I just feel like there’s a lot of ancient wisdom to be gleaned from Western culture. I especially respect the teachings of the martyrs Tupac and Biggie, even though they each represent conflicting schools.”
He then gestures to two fresh tattoos on his biceps: one reading “Water,” and the other, “Spam.”
“Spam is customary fare indigenous to the American island of Hawaii,” Tamagotchi explains. “And water is the essence of life, and I just think the way Americans write it is so beautifully intricate.”
“The English alphabet is really amazing when you think about it. Twenty-six letters, each with an upper and lowercase form – very yin-yang,” he continues. “I had my tattoos done in an ancient technique known as cursive. It hasn’t been taught in decades, and very few Americans still possess the knowledge to read and write it.”
The Kongō has three days left in Pearl Harbor, during which time Tamagotchi hopes to find a pawn shop to purchase a .44 Magnum to take back home, “just like in Dirty Harry!”
With that said, read away and laugh. Think of the irony of a lot of Americans (particularly Navy members) who get Japanese tattoos and have no idea what they say or the significance behind them.
http://duffelblog.com/CYfCf
PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii – Ask any number of the Japanese tourists wandering around for their opinion on America, and you might get a thumbs-up or an apologetic bow acknowledging the attack here 73 years ago. Seaman 2nd Class Hikiro Tamagotchi, on the other hand, has a full-blown case of the red, white and blue fever, and the only cure appears to be more freedom.
Tamagotchi, 18, hails from a small, idyllic hamlet on the outskirts of Kyoto and is stationed aboard the JS Kongō (DDG-173), making port in this vibrant and historical American city.
“I’ve never left Japan before,” Tamagotchi says, wearing a gaudy, vertigo-inducing Tommy Bahama button-down and a New York Yankees ball cap – what he calls “traditional American garb.”
“That’s part of the reason I joined the Maritime Self-Defense Force. I want to see the world.”
Asked on what aspect of American culture he finds most fascinating, Tamagotchi seems to have trouble knowing where to even begin.
“I can’t quite put my finger on it,” he muses while methodically chewing on a hot dog. “I just feel like there’s a lot of ancient wisdom to be gleaned from Western culture. I especially respect the teachings of the martyrs Tupac and Biggie, even though they each represent conflicting schools.”
He then gestures to two fresh tattoos on his biceps: one reading “Water,” and the other, “Spam.”
“Spam is customary fare indigenous to the American island of Hawaii,” Tamagotchi explains. “And water is the essence of life, and I just think the way Americans write it is so beautifully intricate.”
“The English alphabet is really amazing when you think about it. Twenty-six letters, each with an upper and lowercase form – very yin-yang,” he continues. “I had my tattoos done in an ancient technique known as cursive. It hasn’t been taught in decades, and very few Americans still possess the knowledge to read and write it.”
The Kongō has three days left in Pearl Harbor, during which time Tamagotchi hopes to find a pawn shop to purchase a .44 Magnum to take back home, “just like in Dirty Harry!”
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Tattoos
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Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 3
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This is ironic, given the number of Americans with Kanji tattoos...
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I always enjoy Japanese takeoffs on Americana. Sometimes it just gets funny like signs that say "Come to our bargain basement on the 5th floor". Some of their normal I can't get into like drinking a bottle of "Pocari Sweat".
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PO1 John Miller
CAPT Kevin B., or the t shirts written in English that make no grammatical sense whatsoever! Ah I love it!
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"“Spam is customary fare indigenous to the American island of Hawaii,” Tamagotchi explains."
Another classic! "Indigenous to Hawaii..." Spam is actually made in Austin, Minnesota!
Another classic! "Indigenous to Hawaii..." Spam is actually made in Austin, Minnesota!
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CAPT Kevin B.
Spam wasn't on the main Hawaiian menu until WW2 when normal meat supplies were diverted to the Military. Spam became a staple in CONUS as well. However in Hawaii, they started making tasty dishes out of it and kids grew up on it so it became the new normal. It continued to be be a staple as it was cheaper than regular meats when the supply chain got going again after the war. There's been attempts by the Beef Growers Association to advertise Hawaiians away from it over the years, but they don't like haoles telling them what to do.
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I particularly like the part that says: "“I had my tattoos done in an ancient technique known as cursive. It hasn’t been taught in decades, and very few Americans still possess the knowledge to read and write it.”" How many people in the younger crowd CAN read/write cursive? LOL!