When I was in Japan years ago, the beautifully cultivated grounds of the emperor's palace(?) were symbolic of the careful pruning of the people. Just as the bonsai tree conforms to a specific shape, the Japanese people who have me the tour felt that they were also forced to conform to the expectations of the upper echelons of Japan. Children went to school six days a week and were forced to excel in every aspect of life. To me, I was sad that they didn't have time for free play or creative expression