Stages: Honda

Note: the title should be read as a parody of David Bowie's "Changes" (i.e Staaa aages)

One of two Japan stages in the original Street Fighter II was Honda's bath house (or Sento or 銭湯). The good thing about the two Japan stages is that they were not designed with stereotypes of the country traditionally known to outsiders, the Sento might be very traditional in Japanese culture but it is not stereotypical, the juxtaposition of it next to the Japanese Sumo wrestler creates the sense that even though we don't know about the Sento or its importance we do instinctively associate it with Japan.

The bathhouse in Honda's stage is very traditional, in fact it looks just like this one. A community pool (bath) in the middle with a traditional Japanese painting (with landscape, rising sun and kabuki player) on the wall next to it. Towards the sides baskets and what appear to be soap machines lie, accessories no doubt present in any communal bath. Of course everybody knows that once the match is over the kabuki man lights up. Since the Sento isn't specifically linked to Sumo the story was that Honda worked there. The stage made appearances in some subsequent games, including some crossovers.

The stage would be very recognizable to the Japanese and those who know its culture. The question of how to scream "JAPAN" to an outsider is more complicated, should they have included godzilla? baseball? pocky? schoolgirls? ome of those weird vending machines? the bottom line is they could have potentially messed the stage up in grand fashion if they wanted to go with total stereotypes, fortunately they decided to keep it classic, respectful and more realistic.

As the spread of Japanese culture across America (and the world) becomes stronger its customs, including the more obscure ones, become more well known and accepted. Twenty years after the release of SFII we no longer need the obvious stereotypes and therefore appreciate the inclusion (and possibly introduction) of lesser known Japanese traditions such as the bath house.

The only downside to this is that the knowledge of a culture on the part of Japanese developers was limited when it came to other countries, therefore when it came to places such as India or (as we will see later) Mexico, they did have to go with complete stereotypes. Leaving those outside those countries with a wrong impression of them and those inside with wondering just what the fuck was going through the developers minds.

There it is, a Japan heavy entry with no mentions of Sapporo, I'm sorta proud of myself.