8 votes

The Stone Lion Racism Test - Who owns the Shisa?

3 comments

  1. [3]
    WendigoTulpa
    Link
    Is it ok for a US resident with no ties to Okinawa or any part of Asia to put a shisa on their property if they like the design of it and think its interesting culturally (aka they appreciate it)?...

    Is it ok for a US resident with no ties to Okinawa or any part of Asia to put a shisa on their property if they like the design of it and think its interesting culturally (aka they appreciate it)?

    I don't have one myself or anything, but I'm just wondering where you can draw the line here.

    If an American stationed in Okinawa had one in their living space, and they brought it back with them, is that ok?

    What if an American with profound knowledge and appreciation of Okinawan culture had one?

    What if some American otaku got one since they think its cool-looking, but don't have any serious appreciation for it?

    What if some American who deeply loves Okinawan history MADE a crappy one out of clay?

    What if an American artist referenced the shisa for use in a character they're creating?

    None of the people I describe have intent to mock or reduce the significance of the shisa, but some of them are clearly presenting diluted versions of the cultural object.

    As a creative person who loves taking inspiration from other cultures, I'm curious what you all would think. Obviously I wouldn't condone disparaging use of anyone's culture, but I don't personally believe any of the people I described would be in the wrong.

    4 votes
    1. [2]
      Sand
      Link Parent
      I don't think any of them are in the wrong either, all of them clearly like the shisa to some extent.

      I don't think any of them are in the wrong either, all of them clearly like the shisa to some extent.

      2 votes
      1. cfabbro
        (edited )
        Link Parent
        Ditto. But IMO the fact that they "like" the shisa is not really the important factor, it's that none of those example people are related to any of the historic oppressors of the Ryukyuan people,...

        Ditto. But IMO the fact that they "like" the shisa is not really the important factor, it's that none of those example people are related to any of the historic oppressors of the Ryukyuan people, which is where things get a bit stickier. As the host, Evan Hadfield, so eloquently put it...

        It's easy to look at a white Canadian in a feathered headdress and say "that's wrong". You can feel the history of the abuse in the action, and so therefor it's not the action that's causing the offense but the history behind it. The clothes aren't offensive, it's the nuance of what's being brought up by you wearing them.

        Which is a sentiment I largely agree with, unless that person is specifically invited by a representative of that culture to wear or use said culturally significant item.

        However, in the case of the Shisa even that history of abuse aspect is less problematic, since mainland Japanese (who were the historic oppressors of the Ryukyuan... and to some degree still are) have the Komainu (their equivalent of the Shisa) as a traditional figure there, so it wouldn't be that strange to see a mainland Japanese person with one in their possession. Regardless of that major mitigating factor, I still thought this was a really interesting think-piece though. :)

        1 vote