Comedy and Nichiren Buddhism

[Mulboyne]

Shukan Post via Japan Today: Soka Gakkai uses celebrities for its 'secret revolution'

TV variety shows sometimes seem to be an endless parade of "talents," but what most viewers probably don't realize is to what extent the religious organization Soka Gakkai is involved in the entertainment industry. Many of the talents are used as part of a strategy by Soka Gakkai chairman Daisaku Ikeda...The prevalence of comedy is lifting the image of Soka Gakkai. "Even more so than an A class singer or actress, friendly comedians have a stronger effect," says journalist Masao Otsukotsu. "Soka Gakkai appointed Masami Hisamoto as a deputy manager of its arts department in 2001. That shows how much they are expecting from him[sic]."

Masami Hisamoto:

Story of how Hisamoto helped Rie Shibata find Soka Gakkai

[dingosatemybaby]

Shukan Post via Japan Today: Soka Gakkai uses celebrities for its 'secret revolution'

TV variety shows sometimes seem to be an endless parade of "talents," but what most viewers probably don't realize is to what extent the religious organization Soka Gakkai is involved in the entertainment industry. Many of the talents are used as part of a strategy by Soka Gakkai chairman Daisaku Ikeda...The prevalence of comedy is lifting the image of Soka Gakkai. "Even more so than an A class singer or actress, friendly comedians have a stronger effect," says journalist Masao Otsukotsu. "Soka Gakkai appointed Masami Hisamoto as a deputy manager of its arts department in 2001. That shows how much they are expecting from him[sic]."

Masami Hisamoto:

Story of how Hisamoto helped Rie Shibata find Soka Gakkai

The reference to the ubiquitous Masami Hisamoto as a "him" is an interesting Freudian slip. She doesn't exactly ooze female sexuality. Soka Gakkai really seems to be Japan's answer to Scientology.

[Taro Toporific]

Story of how Hisamoto helped Rie Shibata find Soka Gakkai

D'oh! I actually liked Hisamoto and Shibata which makes me sound as though I would support Tammy Lee Baker.

[L S]

She doesn't exactly ooze female sexuality. Soka Gakkai really seems to be Japan's answer to Scientology.

Having had J in-laws that were Soka Gakkai, the Scientology parallel always seemed high in my mind too. Although I have to give Soka Gakkai credit for at least being related to a real religion...Buddism...rather than space aliens and '50's pseudo-psychology of the Scientologists.

Wonder what percentage of the LDP are Soka Gakkai?

[Mulboyne]

Wonder what percentage of the LDP are Soka Gakkai?

Soka Gakkai's political front is Komeito so you'd guess followers are in that party instead. Or perhaps there are some in the LDP given that the two have worked together over the years.

[dingosatemybaby]

Wonder what percentage of the LDP are Soka Gakkai?

Soka Gakkai's political front is Komeito so you'd guess followers are in that party instead. Or perhaps there are some in the LDP given that the two have worked together over the years.

One of the most interesting - or perhaps the only interesting - political phenomena of recent times in Japan is the increasing dominance of Komeito, and by extentsion Soka Gakkai, in the LDP-Komeito coalition. The LDP may have expected Komeito to slavishly go along with its policies, but au contraire: the LDP seems to increasingly be the dog wagged by the Komeito tail (and by "Komeito tail" dingo doesn't mean Shibata Rie). Soka Gakkai can reliably mobilize votors in small constituencies to swing elections Komeito's way. In Karuizawa, for example, out of about 18,000 full-time residents, Komeito gets about 2000 votes.

[plaid_knight]

That's not a phenomenon exclusive to Japan: the Christian Reich, er, Right has a ton of political pull over in the States. Just look at the recent media fluff over Teri, which is happening in order to get conservative christians to vote GOP.

[Captain Japan]

Wonder what percentage of the LDP are Soka Gakkai?

Soka Gakkai's political front is Komeito so you'd guess followers are in that party instead. Or perhaps there are some in the LDP given that the two have worked together over the years.

If you walk around Shinnanomachi Station (north part) you'll see nearly all the businesses have rainbow stickers on their windows. I guess that means Soka Gakkai affiliation. The headquarters is just around the corner. One time I was around there on the day of an election and there were loads of plainclothes guys (security? cops?) with earpieces standing around looking tough - not just around the hq but all through the neighborhood just behind.

[etto_neh]

Yeah. Here in shoji (toyonaka(osaka)) they set up a friggin' phalanx of guys just outside the monorail gates in perfect zone formation, all facing toward the convention hall where their meeting/services take place on Sundays.

This seems odd to me (not just their numbers or formation) because they're facing perpendicular to people who are exiting the exiting the station. Ok, I said to myself, 'maybe they're waiting for people who are getting ON the train after leaving the services'. But why would they need to do that?

They have radios and bullhorns. There are always a couple of floaters along the way standing off to the sides with shoulder-mics. It's less than 1KM from the station to the hall, and like those ubiquitous poor-old men with light batons who help you park, are spaced evenly, somewhat placid, at many many points in between... not just where one can turn. (Technically there is only ONE turn to be made, but they route the people through a more difficult path. Are they watching the members closely, or just making sure noone gets lost?' The little path they route them through takes about 11 separate descisions, and would allow maybe 2/3 ppl to walk abreast.) The sensible route, like i said, takes ONE turn, and 12 ppl could walk side-by-side most of the way. Is it so that they won't patronize any of the businesses along the more sensible route?

I didn't mean to ramble so, but I just don't understand them... My wife just says something like 'un, chotto kowai' and something about them taking tons of money. A little research turned up that new University in California that cost, I think, over 100 million USD, and has rought 400 students total. Again. Weird.

I'd like to know if the rainbow stickers C. Japan mentioned do in fact signify some sort o' affiliation with SG. Something to look out for.

[Charles]

Yeah. Here in shoji (toyonaka(osaka)) they set up a friggin' phalanx of guys just outside the monorail gates in perfect zone formation, all facing toward the convention hall where their meeting/services take place on Sundays.

This seems odd to me (not just their numbers or formation) because they're facing perpendicular to people who are exiting the exiting the station. Ok, I said to myself, 'maybe they're waiting for people who are getting ON the train after leaving the services'. But why would they need to do that?

Sounds to me like a fairly benevolent security detail. I remember my temple recruited the younger men to stand around outside before and after services to make sure people didn't slip and fall, get hit by cars, etc.

[dimwit]

Another good reason (not that there aren't enought) to avoid Japanese variety programs. The only reason I ever watch them came from the motto 'Know thy enemy'.

[Mulboyne]

I was talking about this with a friend the other night and he believes the main reason Hisamoto regularly wins the "top TV talent" polls is Soka Gakkai members mobilizing and voting en masse. He also named the B'z rock duo, singer and personality Naoko Ken, Ayumi Hamasaki, and recently retired Morning Musume member Mari Yaguchi as members. Another guy also pointed out that Tina Turner, Patrick Swayze, Suzanne Vega and Herbie Hancock have all been involved with Soka Gakkai International. A cursory web search throws up that hearsay too.

[Mulboyne]

A list which claims to identify famous Soka Gakkai members. Stevie Wonder gets a mention on the left

[Mulboyne]

Sorry for the size of this next image but not all the names are as clear as the one above. This is a list of famous members of religious groups other than Soka Gakkai. I'd always heard that Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama was a Jehovah's Witness but this list only mentions Akiko Yano so maybe there's nothing to that rumour.

[Taro Toporific]

...Soka Gakkai member...singer and personality Naoko Ken...

Ms Naoko Ken effectively used the end credits of ÆON as a nose piercing recently.

AEON-nose.jpeg

via @2map27televiman

Naoko Ken (研 ナオコ, Ken Naoko) (born July 7, 1953) is a Japanese singer and actress. She is well known for comedy roles featuring her "idiosyncratic look*"---wikipedia.org/wiki/Naoko_Ken

nose-monster.jpg

* She's famous for her pig snout, ブーブー.

[Coligny]

* She's famous for her pig snout, ブーブー.

That ain’t no pig snout.

Put lipstick on a pig and party ‘s on…

Put lipstick on this and wonder why Pennywise is at your place…

[matsuki]

While the western youth are obsessed with the overhead, angled (Myspace angle) shot, I always find it bizarre how popular lower shots where you see up people's nostrils are here...