Smithsonian.com-- “Remade in Japan”
Journalist: Tom Downey
Published: April 2014
In his article, “Re-made in Japan,” Tom Downey showcases how Japan has taken staples of American culture—bourbon, workwear, jazz, shirts and burgers—and improved their quality. The Japanese accomplish this by applying their ability “to perfectly imitate—and even improve upon” things they appreciate. The Japanese’ talent for perfection is a result of the cultural emphasis on beauty through balance and simplicity. Downey, using Japan as an example, highlights the “globalization of taste, culture, [and] cuisine.” He argues that Japan, with its talent for enhancing the quality of these typically American products, has more reverence for these U.S. products that the United States. As he puts it, “they [the Japanese] know us better than we know ourselves.”
Quantitative: Flesch-Kincaid grade level--11.8 (Transcript of the segment was scored by Readability-score.com). No Lexile Level or ATOS available.
Qualitative: This article earned a Flesch-Kincaid reading ease score of 48.3 and would be best for students in the upper grades. The article is logically organized with an introduction, sections listed by the product of examination, and a compulsion. Where the article gets difficult is in the language. Japanese locations and vocabulary are used throughout the piece. The artisans’ names may also prove difficult for students to pronounce. Because the first portion of the article focuses on bourbon, this would be a section that I would recommend to leave out.
Content Area: English; Social Science--U.S. History; Art; Economics
Curriculum Suggestions: When I first read this article, I saw it being used in conjunction with a unit on World War II. This article could serve as a juxtaposition to compare American perceptions of Japan in the 1940s. Additionally, the article also brings to light America’s attention to detail. What are American’s doing well? What have we “perfected”? What have other countries taken the lead in innovation and artistry? What is America making? When thinking about globalization, students could examine American influences in other counties and determine the implications for those influences. These are broad areas, but if done thoughtfully, students could create budgets or speak to experts regarding these overarching questions.
Common Core Standards: RH.11/12.1-6
Additional/Digital Content:
*Meets the “Media Items” requirement
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