site created by philia 2024. this webpage is for archival and informational purposes.
[A/N: information recovered from the flash player data on the official site. these words are not my own.]
Director Shunji Iwai has often used Japanese high schools as the settings for his films, such as in LOVE LETTER and FIREWORKS. Those characters which inhabit this world speak accurately of the reality of Japanese pop culture; they're on ground zero. Iwai believes that the Japanese people should react to and notice the sense of detail present in those descriptions.
However, Japanese film audiences rarely demonstrate any explicit participation in the experience of watching a film, they don't laugh much nor smile, believing it's rude. Furthermore, Japanese film buffs frown at those who actually eat in the movie theater, often young people.
If you've had difficulties understanding ALL ABOUT LILY CHOU-CHOU after having watched the film, we invite you to consult the LILY CHOU-CHOU NEED-TO-KNOW LEXICON for further explanations. And if you still have questions about the film, or would like to address comments, you can mail us at our website.
1. PEOPLE ...
- Shina Ringo
A female rock singer who's received die-hard support from her fans in Japan because of the literary quality of her lyrics and her distinctive music al style. However, Shina Ringo also has an erotic beauty to her. Ringo refers in no way to former Beatle Ringo Starr, rather, it means 'apple' in Japanese. We are however looking into any connection with singer Fionna Apple. Shina Ringo appears to appreciate composer Debussy as well, as shown in her song 'Benkai Debussy' (explain Debussy).
- UA
It's been said that she's one of the precursors of the current R/B movement in Japan. Her distinctive looks and style combined with major vocal talents have drawn fans fro the start of her career. Of interest, UA is a Swahili word that has two meanings, the first being 'flower', the other 'to kill'. She is married to actor Jun Murakami who co-starred with director Iwai in Anno's SHIKE JITSU last year. [A/N: The year 2000]
2. JAPANESE SCHOOL SYSTEM ...
Often referred to as 6-3-3 : 6 years of elementary school; 3 years of junior high school; 3 years of high school. In Japan, children generally start attending school from the age of 6. Education is compulsory until junior high school.
- The entrance ceremony, passing final exams/moving on to the next year.
Entering and graduating from one year to the next in Japan both take place during the month of April. This distinctive calendar might seem strange to those who start the school year after the summer holidays. Shunji Iwai's previous film, APRIL STORY, took place during this period of entrance ceremonies. As with the entrance exam, moving to the next grade, or starting a career after graduation, all take place in April.
Usually, when we refer to a year, we think in terms of January to December, but in Japan, if you say first year, second year and so on, you're talking April to March of the following year. Accordingly, taxes are paid at the end of March. The entrance ceremony is also traditionally associated with the season of Sakura, with the imagery of cherry blossoms in full bloom. If you're acquainted with someone from Japan, ask them to show you photographs of their entrance ceremony. You're sure to find cherry blossoms in the background.
3. OKINAWA ...
- Iriomote Island
Iriomote Island is part of a group of ten islands called Yaiyama. Iriomote is the main one, located around 450km southwest of Okinawa. Its beach goes all around the island, over 90km of it! It's famous for its corals, its mangroves and palm trees. It's referred to as the southern paradise of Japan.
- The 'Yamaneko'
Another famous feature of the island, this famous though timid mountain cat is found only on Iriomote. It weighs about 4kg, its fur is a dark tan color. Skilled at climbing trees and swimming, the yamaneko is a protected and endangered species in Japan, its population numbered at barely 100. For the people of Japan the word Iriomote immediately brings to mind an image of this cat; in many cases all they know about this island is that the yamaneko lives on it.
4. SOCIAL PHENOMENA ...
- Otaku
A now notorious term characterizing an obsessive behavior in the act of collecting. Its beginning was found in the habits of Japanese animation and sci-fi fans who addressed each other as Otaku, another way of saying 'you' all the while maintaining a certain distance; not friends, nor strangers to each other. Keep in mind that there are several ways in Japan of using 'you', according to the relationship with the person. Nowadays, the term is used more broadly as it refers to all areas of collecting, to all manias.
Together with 'Japan animation' (anime), it's one of the most well-known terms from Japan used around the world.
- Akihabara
The largest electronic city area in Japan, located in Chiyoda-ku (ward), in Tokyo. It's crammed with electronic stores and home/h.q./a haven for game and p.c. otakus.
Director Shunji Iwai has often used Japanese high schools as the settings for his films, such as in LOVE LETTER and FIREWORKS. Those characters which inhabit this world speak accurately of the reality of Japanese pop culture; they're on ground zero. Iwai believes that the Japanese people should react to and notice the sense of detail present in those descriptions.
However, Japanese film audiences rarely demonstrate any explicit participation in the experience of watching a film, they don't laugh much nor smile, believing it's rude. Furthermore, Japanese film buffs frown at those who actually eat in the movie theater, often young people.
If you've had difficulties understanding ALL ABOUT LILY CHOU-CHOU after having watched the film, we invite you to consult the LILY CHOU-CHOU NEED-TO-KNOW LEXICON for further explanations. And if you still have questions about the film, or would like to address comments, you can mail us at our website.
1. PEOPLE ...
- Shina Ringo
A female rock singer who's received die-hard support from her fans in Japan because of the literary quality of her lyrics and her distinctive music al style. However, Shina Ringo also has an erotic beauty to her. Ringo refers in no way to former Beatle Ringo Starr, rather, it means 'apple' in Japanese. We are however looking into any connection with singer Fionna Apple. Shina Ringo appears to appreciate composer Debussy as well, as shown in her song 'Benkai Debussy' (explain Debussy).
- UA
It's been said that she's one of the precursors of the current R/B movement in Japan. Her distinctive looks and style combined with major vocal talents have drawn fans fro the start of her career. Of interest, UA is a Swahili word that has two meanings, the first being 'flower', the other 'to kill'. She is married to actor Jun Murakami who co-starred with director Iwai in Anno's SHIKE JITSU last year. [A/N: The year 2000]
2. JAPANESE SCHOOL SYSTEM ...
Often referred to as 6-3-3 : 6 years of elementary school; 3 years of junior high school; 3 years of high school. In Japan, children generally start attending school from the age of 6. Education is compulsory until junior high school.
- The entrance ceremony, passing final exams/moving on to the next year.
Entering and graduating from one year to the next in Japan both take place during the month of April. This distinctive calendar might seem strange to those who start the school year after the summer holidays. Shunji Iwai's previous film, APRIL STORY, took place during this period of entrance ceremonies. As with the entrance exam, moving to the next grade, or starting a career after graduation, all take place in April.
Usually, when we refer to a year, we think in terms of January to December, but in Japan, if you say first year, second year and so on, you're talking April to March of the following year. Accordingly, taxes are paid at the end of March. The entrance ceremony is also traditionally associated with the season of Sakura, with the imagery of cherry blossoms in full bloom. If you're acquainted with someone from Japan, ask them to show you photographs of their entrance ceremony. You're sure to find cherry blossoms in the background.
3. OKINAWA ...
- Iriomote Island
Iriomote Island is part of a group of ten islands called Yaiyama. Iriomote is the main one, located around 450km southwest of Okinawa. Its beach goes all around the island, over 90km of it! It's famous for its corals, its mangroves and palm trees. It's referred to as the southern paradise of Japan.
- The 'Yamaneko'
Another famous feature of the island, this famous though timid mountain cat is found only on Iriomote. It weighs about 4kg, its fur is a dark tan color. Skilled at climbing trees and swimming, the yamaneko is a protected and endangered species in Japan, its population numbered at barely 100. For the people of Japan the word Iriomote immediately brings to mind an image of this cat; in many cases all they know about this island is that the yamaneko lives on it.
4. SOCIAL PHENOMENA ...
- Otaku
A now notorious term characterizing an obsessive behavior in the act of collecting. Its beginning was found in the habits of Japanese animation and sci-fi fans who addressed each other as Otaku, another way of saying 'you' all the while maintaining a certain distance; not friends, nor strangers to each other. Keep in mind that there are several ways in Japan of using 'you', according to the relationship with the person. Nowadays, the term is used more broadly as it refers to all areas of collecting, to all manias.
Together with 'Japan animation' (anime), it's one of the most well-known terms from Japan used around the world.
- Akihabara
The largest electronic city area in Japan, located in Chiyoda-ku (ward), in Tokyo. It's crammed with electronic stores and home/h.q./a haven for game and p.c. otakus.
