Christian R.

Untiveros
Bachelor of Science in Accountancy 3-5
While in the Woods

Japan, like most Asian countries, is rich with cultural practices and traditions. Wood
Job!, a Japanese comedy film written and directed by Shinobu Yaguchi and based on the
novel Kamusari naa naa Nichij by Shion Miura (Barks, 2013), showed a great deal of
traditions and scenarios that are common in Japan and Philippines in the sense.
The movie started with Yki Hirano, the main character who failed his college
entrance exams and felt disappointed about it. In this particular part, it showed that Japan
has demanding academic requirements and entering a good university or college after high
school is so much of a big deal- a similarity that Japan shares with Philippines. To his dismay,
he went out for drinks and karaoke with his friends as to try to forget what happened. In the
moment of his sobriety, he learns about a one-year forestry training program or lumberjack
training through a recruitment poster with a beautiful woman on it. He happened to like this
woman so much that he enrolled himself in that program. The learning process was not easy
for Yuki to the point of almost quitting. Fortunately, he managed to know the woman on the
advertisement in the persona of Naoki Ishii. When he finished his basics, he discovered that
he will be sent to a remote village deep in the mountains to train like a real lumberjack.
While in the woods, the forest offered not so much of a comfort especially for a city
boy who is used to urban life and ease like Yki; he just experienced leech attacks when he
fell sliding in the mud one stormy day which is also the day when he arrived in the site. He
attempted to quit but was seen leaving by his instructor, thus, giving him no opportunity to
leave. In the latter part, however, he gradually learned the significance of what he does and
the delight that comes with it. One time, his friends paid a visit to the woods but he got mad
when they joked about forestry and asked them to leave immediately. As time passed, he
displayed determination and eventually proved that he can be a mountain man. Through
persistence, he slowly and modestly gained the trust of his elders and truly became one of
them.
There are two prevalent values in the movie that Japan and Philippines
have in common; first is that Japan is rich in culture, traditions and beliefs. Second is that
they have high regard to religious beings and articles.
For both Japan and Philippines, to have a child or children is important that aside
from the physical efforts, they also consider seeking help from spiritual beings to grant
them. One of the most highlighted parts of the movie is the Japans fertility festival.
Philippines has a festival for that as well, the Sayaw sa Obando in Obando, Bulacan which
is performed in groups like Japans own. Actually, almost all of the festivals whether in the
Philippines or in Japan are done with collective effort for that matter. Collectivism, being
mentioned, is one of the unifying factors of the two countries. Although there are slight
differences like Sayaw sa Obando is more religion-inspired, they are still similar in the
sense. Sadly, the enthusiasm of some Filipinos about performing festivals, in general, is not
as high as it was before nowadays unlike the Japanese people who, apparently, are still quite
passionate about it. Aside from the festival, Japanese people also believe in superstitions,
curses, etc. like Filipinos do, especially the elderly, whether the believed outcome is good or
not. Simply put, Japanese people and Filipinos have a firm observance and great
amount of respect to their cultural heritage and traditions, thus to their elders
and ancestors for still upholding what they believe in.

Japan, like Philippines, has deep religious connections. It is evident in how the
characters pay respect to religious idols found in various locations like rivers and mountains
by offering them something like food. This practice is similar with the Filipino Catholics.
Every Barangay in the Philippines has their own patron saint and whenever their birthday
comes, there will be a barangay-wide feast as thanksgiving to that saint for blessing them,
guarding them, for giving them a good harvest, etc. But their devotion is not only limited to
the feasts because whenever they go to the church, they still pray to those saints, ask for
guidance, kiss them, doing the sign of the cross in front of them, offer them money, etc.
Whatever form the devotion might be, what matters most is the devotees humility and pure
intent.
Aside from the prevailing values in the movie, the scene which the Goddess of the
Forest led Yki the right way is also notable. To quote an anonymous author, Mother Earth
is a living organism too. Love, honor and respect her. Humans are transients in earth
and they need the earth to survive but not vice versa because the earth is self-sufficient.
Whenever humans disrespect Mother Earth in ways like illegal logging and burning forests,
calamities will follow. Those calamities are her natural ways of cleansing and freeing herself
from the entities that destroy her body. Conversely, if humans do something good to her,
they will be repaid just like how the Goddess helped Yki find the poor little boy who got lost
in the foggy forest. It is a manifestation of her appreciation to Yki for being a good
lumberjack and offering respect to the idol he saw in the riverside with the Goddess as her
agent or force of nature.
The movie itself is well-crafted from cinematography to choice of music. It has clearly
delivered its advocacy without overlooking to give valuable lessons in life. It didnt have to
be high end as to graphic editing just to compete with other movies. Instead, it showcased
breathtaking sceneries from nature that can totally open up opportunities for Japans
ecotourism. In addition, the script was well-thought that it incorporated basic Japanese
phrases that made it easier for Nihongo learners to learn and love the Japanese language
more. The songs used are perfect for the movie too. Its as if they make you feel youre
around where the scenes took place. Its definitely a good job!

References:
Maia Hirasawa, the movie "WOOD JOB! (Ujjobu) removed by ~ God complicit everyday ~
"theme song in charge. (2013). Retrieved from
http://www.barks.jp/news/?
id=1000097165