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How low will he go? Obama gives Japan's Emperor Akihito a wow bow
Los Angeles Times ^ | Novembe 14, 2009 | Andrew Malcolm

Posted on 11/14/2009 5:08:16 AM PST by libstripper

How low will the new American president go for the world's royalty?

This photo will get Democrat President Obama a lot of approving nods in Japan this weekend, especially among the older generation of Japanese who still pay attention to the royal family living in its downtown castle. Very low bows like this are a sign of great respect and deference for a superior.

To some in the United States, however, an upright handshake might have looked better. Remember Michelle Obama casually patting Britain's Queen Elizabeth on the back during their Buckingham Palace visit? America's royalty tends to make movies and get bad reviews and lots of money as a sign of respect.

(Excerpt) Read more at latimesblogs.latimes.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; Government; Japan; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: akihito; bhoasia; bhovisit; bow; caption; japan; obama; obamabow; obowa
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To: libstripper

Imagine how well this will go over with the Chinese


101 posted on 11/14/2009 7:50:09 AM PST by fso301
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To: jimbo123

102 posted on 11/14/2009 8:11:35 AM PST by reagan_fanatic (Hope....Change...Soup Kitchens!)
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To: libstripper

103 posted on 11/14/2009 8:17:03 AM PST by COUNTrecount (Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither)
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To: Cailleach
And superiority... he just said, without speaking a word, that Japan is superior to the USA.

In many respects it is. Not that I am condoning the wow bow.

104 posted on 11/14/2009 8:17:19 AM PST by nwrep
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To: jimbo123

Obama is a sick, sick puppy.

Psychologically, eveerything Obama does is motivated by his deep hatred for the United States and his desire to do ANYTHING to denigrate or destroy America.


105 posted on 11/14/2009 8:18:18 AM PST by FormerACLUmember (Socialism is an opportunistic infection of the body politic. It occurs when defenses are low.)
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To: libstripper

He did this out of cover for bowing to the Saudi Pig. That way he can deny bowing to islam. Arguing I bow to everyone.


106 posted on 11/14/2009 8:23:02 AM PST by Luigi Vasellini (End the political class.......TERM LIMITS NOW!!!!!!!!!!)
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To: Former Proud Canadian
It seems to depend on the royalty.

These people seem to be utterly clueless. They bow to the Saudi king and the Japanese emperor, pat HRH Queen Elizabeth of the UK on the back, and give unplayable DVDs to the British Prime Minister.

There's nothing worse that complete incompetence mixed with the absolute certainty that you're so damn smart that you can't possibly go wrong.

Barack Obama is our very own, real-life Inspector Clouseau.

107 posted on 11/14/2009 8:34:05 AM PST by john in springfield (One has to belong to the intelligentsia to believe such things.No ordinary man could be such a fool.)
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To: libstripper

This photo will get Democrat President Obama a lot of approving nods in Japan this weekend, especially among the older generation of Japanese who still pay attention to the royal family living in its downtown castle. Very low bows like this are a sign of great respect and deference for a superior. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

WE HERE ON FR SAY THIS STATEMENT IS BULL CRAP. If you want to see why, look at this thread for a comprehensive discussion on how the Japanese see this horribly patronizing bow, and what it means for Japan’s relations to China, Korea, and North Korea.

Emperor Akihito DID NOT bow back. Do people here know what THAT means, eh?

This shows Obama as weak, and unworthy of respect, and a narcist who can be stroked and pimped to achieve concessions from the USA.

See:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2386153/posts


108 posted on 11/14/2009 8:39:28 AM PST by Candor7 (The effective weapons Against Fascism are ridicule, derision, and truth (.Member NRA)
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To: Edgar3

All that’s missing is the deck of USS Missouri


109 posted on 11/14/2009 8:43:16 AM PST by cookcounty ("O-bama, O-bama, Ya ba Ouna, Ya ba Ma !!")
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To: libstripper

Obama, the squinty-eyed b#stard, disgraces America again.


110 posted on 11/14/2009 8:43:41 AM PST by wife-mom
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To: libstripper

The bow in Japan is not , contrary to Western conventional thought, a gesture of submission. According to Japanese tradition, the human body has three “zones” . Heaven ( from the shoulders up) Man (from Shoulders to hip)and Earth ( from the hips down.) When one bows in Japan, one offers the highest of the body in respect, the heaven aspect. Obama is indeed as you say, prostrating himself, and Akihito Samma, is not bowing even a little, either because he i s surprised, or because he does not respect Obama.The real key is the empress, who is not bowing even a little.

They do not respect Obama enough to bow even a little.This is done with feeling in Japan, and is spontaneous.It is a thing involving a type of perception very different to Westernern cultural ettiquette. A genuine bow can actually be felt in the heart. And Akihito knows this bow is all show.No heart. That is likely why he does not return Obama’s bow, even a little.Nor does the Empress. Obama , intent on being the skillful inter cultural president, shows here that he knows nothing of Japanese culture.Before one bows there is a brief glance at the eyes of the person to whom one bows, a spark. This is what Obama is missing, or they both would be bowing back.

Secondly, Obama should have bowed before he shook hands, in the proper way, with his hands on his upper thigh, and he should not have bowed so deeply, because he is not a Japanese subject... a slow respectful bow of 45 to 50 degrees would have been required in his case, if Obama knew the correct protocol, which he obviously does not. So it is a false submissive bow of a man who has little honor in the way of Japanese thinking. A man who wants something. A man not to be trusted.

Obama did not fool the Imperial couple even one little bit, and they are strained to remain polite, humoring Obama as it were. Patronizing conduct gets one no where fast in Japan. Generally Japanese folks know a genuine bow from a false one by the way it feels, a form of perception which few Westerners experience, but still some do.

Obama has idiots for protocol officers, or alteratively, he did not listen to what they had to say about it.

Obama would have been much better off simply shaking hands, instead of this empty, false bow, completely off in its lack of genuiness. The bow of a snake.

I predict that Obama will make little progress with his diplomatic agenda in Japan, he will give much, and receive little in return.


111 posted on 11/14/2009 8:45:05 AM PST by Candor7 (The effective weapons Against Fascism are ridicule, derision, and truth (.Member NRA)
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To: AmericanInTokyo

Was hoping for your feedback. Everyone is aware of the cultural bows. However, could you shed some light on what what is ‘appropriate’ from an American president and how this is perceived in your area? Thanks AIT.


112 posted on 11/14/2009 8:47:30 AM PST by HollyB
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To: NotSoModerate

I’d like to know the last time someone’s suit or any other clothing ripped when given a ‘tug’. That’s ridiculous.


113 posted on 11/14/2009 8:51:54 AM PST by HollyB
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To: HollyB
Sorry, but my fingers are raw to the bone after nearly 12 hours on THIS F.R. thread on the Great Tokyo Obama Bow, where we took it apart in great detail...and still are! ;-)
114 posted on 11/14/2009 9:07:11 AM PST by AmericanInTokyo (Major Hasan: One Amercan "clinging to guns and religion" Obama couldn't have cared less about!!)
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To: rawhide

“F” the japs. And yes, I still hold a grudge.

Its funny, I have a jewish neighbor who lost relatives in the war in europe. She asked me one day why I would still not buy a Jap car. I asked her if she would every buy a BMW. She was aghast and said that it wasnt the same thing. I told her to go to Manila Army Cemetery and tell that to my uncle.

She got it then.

What a total disgrace this President it. Respect is one thing. Bowing is quite another.


115 posted on 11/14/2009 9:11:01 AM PST by Vermont Lt (My wife reads my posts. In case the FBI shows up, we will have cookies.)
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To: Candor7

EXCELLENT post!


116 posted on 11/14/2009 9:13:54 AM PST by imfrmdixie
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To: varon

No. Instead the lovely and charming Michelle with the beautifully sculpted arms dissed her by disrespectfully touching her. If the Obamas were white they’d be white trash. ‘Nuf said.


117 posted on 11/14/2009 9:14:39 AM PST by libstripper
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To: Candor7

Why the hell are we so concerned about what THEY think of us.

I am not saying to be disrespectful, but for God’s sake this is obscene. You can show respect and be courteous, but you DO have to consider what people think of you at home.


118 posted on 11/14/2009 9:16:49 AM PST by Vermont Lt (My wife reads my posts. In case the FBI shows up, we will have cookies.)
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To: libstripper
When will a reporter ask the obvious question?
"Mr. President, several months ago you were photographed bowing from the waist to the King of Saudi Arabia. Recently, you were photographed bowing from the waist again, this time to the Emperor of Japan. This was not the custom for previous U.S. presidents, nor has it been the custom for other world leaders to do so. Your critics say this deep bowing is an inappropriate gesture of inferiority. Would you like to explain this?"
119 posted on 11/14/2009 9:16:55 AM PST by Genoa (Luke 12:2)
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To: rawhide

My wife is Japanese I have a problem with this. You only bow this low when acknowledging a superior in japanese culture. Peers range from a head incline to a slight shoulder move. One more example that his protocol people are idiots.


120 posted on 11/14/2009 9:20:57 AM PST by reed13k (For evil to triumph it is only necessary for good men to do nothing.)
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