lots of signs bear English words in katakana. That's convenient for me, but it saddens me that American culture has had such a part in diluting Japanese culture
I really, really wouldn't worry about that if I were you. Look at the way anime and manga art-styles have caught on in the last few years. Look at all the TV protagonists carrying katanas. Heck, look at all the people wearing t-shirts with Japanese characters on them - without any knowledge of what the words actually mean.
Basically, Americans like to play with Eastern culture because it's exotic to us - therefore, it must be cool. The same principle applies to the Japanese, who like to play with Western culture for similar reasons.
I once encountered a kid who had the character for "cow" tatooed on his shoulder. I spent the next twenty minutes in a closet, laughing.
no subject
I really, really wouldn't worry about that if I were you. Look at the way anime and manga art-styles have caught on in the last few years. Look at all the TV protagonists carrying katanas. Heck, look at all the people wearing t-shirts with Japanese characters on them - without any knowledge of what the words actually mean.
Basically, Americans like to play with Eastern culture because it's exotic to us - therefore, it must be cool. The same principle applies to the Japanese, who like to play with Western culture for similar reasons.
I once encountered a kid who had the character for "cow" tatooed on his shoulder. I spent the next twenty minutes in a closet, laughing.