Regarding Osaka Culture and Hanshin Tigers Fans : Why 3.5 Million People Go to Koshien Stadium?

DOI Web Site

Bibliographic Information

Other Title
  • 阪神タイガースファンにみる大阪文化 : なぜ、350万人も甲子園球場に行くのか?
  • ハンシン タイガースファン ニ ミル オオサカ ブンカ ナゼ 350マンニン モ コウシエン キュウジョウ ニ ユク ノ カ

Search this article

Abstract

The Hanshin Tigers, a professional baseball team, is curious in that its fans possess the local identity of Osaka despite the fact the team is based in Hyogo Prefecture. Koshien Stadium attracted 3.5 million spectators in the 2004 season even though the team finished in 4th place. This paper will illuminate Osaka culture as it can be observed through the cheering activities of Hanshin Tigers fans. Flying jet balloons and beating their megaphones, when the spectators have begun to cheer they move from observation to participation. This general frolicking is a reflection of ichibiri, the traditional culture of Osaka. The spectators place more importance on whether the game was exciting than on whether it was a victory. If they are excited by a game, it was worth paying for. This is a reflection of Osaka's mercantile culture in which kanjo (excitement) becomes kanjo (account). In wearing Hanshin Tigers uniforms or having Tigers goods, the spectator is able to identify with other spectators. The Osaka culture of the self (jibun) is able to integrate with other people through the experiencing of the Koshien Stadium's festive space, and this space can help to save people from the isolation of the city. The Rokkooroshi (a Hanshin Tigers fight song) and the individual songs for the cheering on of each player not only serve to inflame the spectators but also to calm them down at the same time. The tsukami and ochi of Osaka's comic culture are to be found there.

Journal

Keywords

Details 詳細情報について

Report a problem

Back to top