Shoes On... Shoes Off | Shenmue Realism

[Switch]

The latest post on the Phantom River Stone blog looks at the custom of removing footwear inside the house in Japan (and other Asian countries) and how this is depicted in the first two Shenmue games...





...as well as some interesting cases where Ryo chooses to leave his shoes on.



Read the full article here:

http://www.phantomriverstone.com/2017/0 ... lture.html

[Himuro]

Never noticed Ryo has his shoes on in Shenhua's house. Ryo that's extra carrots for tonight's dinner for punishment.

[Let's Get Sweaty]

Does China have the same tradition as Japan? If not, then Ryo probably saw other people walking around in their outdoor shoes and realized he didn't need to take his off.

[Switch]

Does China have the same tradition as Japan? If not, then Ryo probably saw other people walking around in their outdoor shoes and realized he didn't need to take his off.

Perhaps... or he assumes it's OK but the people he stays with are too polite to tell him otherwise!

[Let's Get Sweaty]

Nah, I reckon Sure-as-Sugar Shenhua's got a fiery side if you break her house rules. For all we know, her dad's​laying at the bottom of that mountain for drinking goat's milk from the urn.

[sand4fish]

Does China have the same tradition as Japan? If not, then Ryo probably saw other people walking around in their outdoor shoes and realized he didn't need to take his off.

You definitely have to take off your shoes in a Chinese household. They usually provide you with indoor slippers. I guess it's not a common habit in Hong Kong, but it's a polite thing to do specially in upper middle class homes and higher.

There are exceptions in remote locations like Shenhua's village I take it, as she was walking around her house with her outdoor shoes on. If I recall correctly, there was weed growing out of her kitchen flooring.

Edit: It's a must in Hong Kong as well since the SARS epidemic.

[RyoShenmue]

I have a rule in my home as well in the States. You have no idea what you are tracking in these days. Plus I sit/lay down on the floor sometimes in the livingroom and sleep on the floor at night in the bedroom, with no futon, so I for sure would not want anyone just trampling around in dirty shoes. Then again sweaty socks may not be too good either...

[south carmain]

Guess he just thought that being in a peasant's house he wouldn't have to abide by any sort of etiquette since she can't be much more refined than a farm animal anyway. Oh Ryo you bourgeois piece of shit.

[Himuro]

Bwahaha