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This image clearly shows the appropriation of Japanese culture into American society (notice how they slapped the word ‘ZEN’ onto the bottle). The iced latte and liqueur are initially purely western-style drinks however it is taken to another level as it is influenced with the flavors of Japanese green tea, and are transformed into a hybrid-like drink of tea/coffee and tea/liqueur. These new hybrid drinks of east and west represent the concept of hybridity and interstitiality of Japanese immigrants, especially the second generation immigrants, because they are either rejected by both hegemonies, Japan and the United States, not belonging any of them, or they are associated with both hegemonies. It is the same case with the beverages; they remain in an interstitial state because they are not identified as solely Japanese or American, however, are associated to both cultures.
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myan — Last modified Mar 30 2011 8:00 p.m.