6.24 National Diet

Our first excursion as a group is to visit Japan National Diet. Based on the reading we did before, I am really interested in how the building itself can reflect shifting perception of national identity, and I was wondering each part designed to demonstrate modern national identity. Besides academic interests, since I have already seen the building so many times in TV, I really appreciate the chance to see it by myself.

It turns out the trip is very inspiring and meaningful. I think the building of National Diet really demonstrates the slogan Japan used before, to adapt Western technology while keep Japanese sprite. From the outside, it looks like US government buildings, and the columns look like Roman style. Inside the building, the general structure and the stained glass are also very Western. All of this demonstrates how Japan learned from the West after the restoration and after WWII, how it adapts Western political structure and ideology as its own framework. However, inside, which the article doesn't mention a lot, reveals the national identity of Japan to me.

First of all, the interior shows national unity. The carves on the balcony of the chamber, as the guide mentioned, represent different groups of Japanese public, symbolizing that everyone has equal voice and right to participate in politics and the country is built by the public. The three statues in the hall represent how Japanese politicians and people are the ones who really change and build up the country. And the paintings, although in the form of oil painting, depicts typical views of four seasons in Japan, for me it shows how Japan as a whole, is the core of this government. Labels in the building are also quite interesting. All the labels are hand written, which is surprising to me. And especially the ones hang outside offices, are in very traditional style which I saw in history dramas. All of this decorations shows though the outside is mostly Western style, the inside is still that Japan which goes through long history and built by Japanese people. Another interesting point I noticed is that, the guide mentioned several times that place is not usually or never used, but is reserved for the emperor. It reveals how the emperor still holds important role and special importance in Japan although, or maybe since they are most of the time just symbol of the nation, so in such an important building, Japan really want to show its respect to the emperor, as they honoring the whole nation and its history at the same time.

Overall, I do can tell that Japan is trying to combine the Western outlook and Japanese spirit and tradition, but I can also see why the building is still controversial and for most people it doesn’t hold the place as a national symbol. So my question will be, is there Japanese element on the outside structure. It is also the question I have when I did the reading, though the author illustrates how architects tried to do some Japanese style design, but I didn't quite get it.