Flower Vandalism & Japanese Society
A bizarre wave of flower-vandalism has swept Japan since the beginning of the month, with vandals destroying thousands of flowers on display in Gunma, Fukuoka, Saitama, Miyagi, Shizuoka, and several other prefectures.
What are we to make of this slaughter? An Asahi Shinbun editorial has declared that the tulip vandalism is a sign of an oppressive society, drawing a connection to a recent event in Nagano:
Is our society becoming a place where strangers cannot be trusted? Spray-paint graffiti were discovered on Sunday in the main hall of Zenkoji temple in Nagano Prefecture. The temple had just declined to be the starting point of the Olympic torch relay for the Beijing Olympics.
The temple premises are said to be open to the faithful 24/7. But now that it is obvious that not everyone is a pious worshipper, calls may be made to review this arrangement.
With the “torches” of benevolence being put out one by one, society is growing more oppressive, as if everyone should be suspicious of one another. In the shadows cast by suspicion, cynical sayings of old glitter unpleasantly.
The individuals who vandalized the tulips and the temple are contributing to this unacceptable social trend.
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“society is growing more oppressive”
oppressive? no not japan
Wow, them there are some tough bad-ass vandals, breaking flowers and all.
Instead of cowering in fear and paranoia, and speaking of doom and gloom, Japan’s media and the Country itself should be laughing their asses off at such lame ass wusses.
Even my Granny (back in Germany) would beat the living snot out of anyone dumb enough to mess with her flower garden.
I dunno about that, I think the Japanese care about their flower arrangements more than the rest of the world =/.
Art of flower arrangement anyone?
…brought to you by none other than the Asahi Shimbun. Seriously.
Hah!
When I read the title, I made the connection that society is growing more oppressive, thus resulting in vandalism. I still think this reasoning makes more sense than what the article is trying to push. However, because of this I get the impression that “oppressive” isn’t the sentiment the article was trying to convey… don’t have the time to check the original article right now, though…
Can’t be helped. Copy cats are everywhere and people are beginning to disrespect its own society in Japan just as it is in England or the USA or France or any place like that – where the division of the rich and poor are getting bigger and the less fortunate see the idiot-celebrityism shoved in their face and seeing the wealthy get away with it all is not really helping matters – that shows there is corruption that runs deep within all levels of society as those in power are, as always, paranoid about losing it and having their heads cut off.
Now – would anybody like some nice lemonade?
What is this world comming to. I can’t understand why people would want to do that. After all, they are flowers to show respect and brighten up the way a person is feelings. I hope they quit this bad thing they are doing. Thanks.