Hi,
Here is a list of on-line dictionaries
that may help you with Japanese names.
Do NOT under ANY circumstances use "pseudo" Japanese
names. Readers on the FFML are pretty knowledgeable
about Japanese language and culture. They like the
real thing. ^_~
<SNIP>
1. Regarding the various 'curses', is it nessecery
to _drown_ in the spring in order to be cursed or
will mere contact with the water needed?
##From the Anime and manga a "bucket full" of water
seems sufficient to "curse" some one. As far as I can
tell the "victim" has to be soaked with the water.
2. If only contact with the cursed water is
required, how much water. Also, how much water is
needed to activate a cursed?
##See above.
3. What is the general layout of the Tendo home and
surrounding land?
##Try Tendo Home Project::
http://www.jps.net/searlsa/tendo/intro.html
4. What types of buildings are in Nerima? i.e. Is
Nerima primarily a residental neighborhood
(such as the typical American suburb), are there any
office buildings, high-raises, factories,
etc...
##you've got me on that one. There aren't a lot of
high-rises in Japan. (earth quakes ^_^) I can tell you
that Nerima is in Fire District #5. You can probably
pick up some more information on-line.
also try Live Cams for real-time views of Japan:
http://www.nttls.co.jp/tower/tower.html
World Cams:(look for the Japan links)
http://www.interjize.com/worldcams.htm
68 Japanese Cams (I used this one a lot for Furies)
http://web.kyoto-inet.or.jp/people/hiroshi1/cam-eg.htm
I haven't found a Nerima cam or much specific
information on Nerima itself. However IMO you can
build up a reasonable "picture" of Nermia from sources
about general Tokyo suburbs. ^_^
5. Does Japan have a national investigative agency?
##Like the FBI?
A link showing the overall structure of the Japanese
police system:
http://www.hasui.com/zjpnpolice.htm
The Japanese system is VERY different from that of US.
For an Academic view:
Paternalism Versus Pugnacity: The Right to Counsel in
Japan and the United States
http://www.law.indiana.edu/ilj/v72/no1/suess.html
An interesting view of Japanese Police as related to
the Manga "You're under arrest"
http://home.uchicago.edu/~tlpeng/
for a different view of the beatings and abuse of
prisoners:
http://www.twics.com/~anzu/2-Immig.html
http://usis.usemb.se/humanr97/human95/japan.htm
6. What is the general attitude concerning
foriegners.
##Ummmm, depends on who you talk to. On the whole
Japan is for the Japanese. There are various "grades"
of foriegner. (also depending on who you talk to)
This question is directed towards a
daily
encounter scenario. For example, if a foriegner (or
small group of them) walks down the street,
would they attract a lot of attention from the local
populance?
##yes. (although there are supposed to be more
"cosmopolitan" areas)
Would they have a problem
with normal public interaction?
##??? Ummm, they probably wouldn't be lynched.
(although there was a case in 1958 where a Japanese
man was so infuriated at hearing another Japanese man
speaking English that he split the English speakers
head open with an axe. ^_^) There is a very Right Wing
element in Japan (as elsewhere) that does NOT like
"others".
I assume urban
dwellers have become used to tourists and the
occassional business man, but how would their
feelings be towards protracted contact? (What
if an American moved in next door?)
## Again it all depends. There are various grades of
bigotry in Japan, as elsewhere. OTOH the Japanese have
a great many different words for the different grades
of gaijin. ^_^ Also the Japanese work on a consensus
basis. They generally work on the basis of group
decisions. The group is everything. They would not be
comfortable with an American (or group) that was too
individualistic. Again this would be dependent on the
Japanese and "foriegners" involved. Some Americans
fit in with Japanese culture very well, other hate it.
The reverse is also true.
7. Does the average Japanese policeman carry a
sidearm at all times?
##They may carry a sidearm but _using_ it is almost
unheard of. (this is different for the special anti
terriorst police forces) Unlike many American Police
forces, to my knowledge Japanese police officers do
not have the option of being armed off duty. (this may
not hold true for special operations)
In addition, how readily to
the Japanese follow instructions from authority
figures (firefighters, police, crossing guards,
etc..)
##Yes, much more so than for Americans.
A nice link to the Tokyo Fire Department:
http://www.tfd.metro.tokyo.jp/eng/haz.htm
shows the high level of community interaction.
And finally, I need help with names. I have become
aware that asian names often have a
meaning attached to them and that this meaning often
reflects, or supposedly reflects, the
persons nature. Wether or not this is a universal
trait I am unsure
##yes. (can't find my name book right now or I'd tell
you about "Charles")
(someone tell me what Charlie
stands for.) but it has foiled my plan for simply
making up pesdo-japanese names for my extra
characters.
##as I mentioned above, do NOT make up names.
Much easier to find one that you like.
<SNIP>
Hope this helps. Good luck.
=====
"When I get a little money, I buy books;
And, if any is left, I buy food and clothes."-Erasmus
"A man is a small thing, and the night is large
and full of wonders." -Lord Dunsany
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