The Japanese Mind: Understanding Contemporary Japanese Culture

by Davies, Roger J.

• ISBN13: 9780804832953
• ISBN10: 0804832951
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-03-15
• Publisher: Tuttle Pub

Summary

InThe Japanese Mind, Roger Davies offers Westerners an invaluable key to the unique aspects of Japanese culture. Readers of this book will gain a clear understanding of what really makes the Japanese, and their society, tick. Among the topics explored: aimai (ambiguity), amae (dependence upon others' benevolence), amakudari (the nation's descent from heaven), chinmoku (silence in communication), gambari (perseverence), giri (social obligation), haragei (literally, "belly art"; implicit, unspoken communication), kenkyo (the appearance of modesty), sempai-kohai (seniority), wabi-sabi (simplicity and elegance), and zoto (gift giving), as well as discussions of childrearing, personal space, and the roles of women in Japanese society. Includes discussion topics and questions after each chapter.

Author Biography

Roger Davies holds a Ph.D. from the University of Wales, Bangor, and is currently Professor of Applied Linguistics and Academic Director of the English Education Center at Ehime University in Matsuyama, Japan.

Table of Contents

Japanese Chronology	vii
Introduction	3	(4)
Acknowledgments	7	(2)
Aimai: Ambiguity and the Japanese	9	(8)
Amae: The Concept of Japanese Dependence	17	(6)
Amakudari: Descent from Heaven	23	(12)
Bigaku: The Japanese Sense of Beauty	35	(6)
Bushido: The Way of the Warrior	41	(10)
Chinmoku: Silence in Japanese Communication	51	(10)
Danjyo Kankei: Male and Female Relationships in Japan	61	(10)
The Do Spirit of Japan	71	(12)
Gambari: Japanese Patience and Determination	83	(12)
Giri: Japanese Social Obligations	95	(8)
Haragei: An Implicit Way of Communicating in Japan	103	(6)
Hedataru to Najimu: Japanese Personal Space	109	(6)
Honne to Tatemae: Private vs. Public Stance in Japan	115	(4)
The Japanese Ie System	119	(8)
Iitoko-Dori: Adopting Elements of Foreign Culture	127	(8)
Ikuji: Childrearing Practices in Japan	135	(8)
Kenkyo: The Japanese Virtue of Modesty	143	(10)
Kisetsu: The Japanese Sense of the Seasons	153	(6)
Nemawashi: Laying the Groundwork in Japan	159	(6)
Omiai: Arranged Marriage in Japan	165	(6)
Otogibanushi: Folktales of Japan	171	(8)
Ryosaikenbo--``Good Wives and Wise Mothers'': The Social Expectations of Women in Japan	179	(8)
Sempai-Kohai: Seniority Rules in Japanese Relations	187	(8)
Shudan Ishiki: Japanese Group Consciousness	195	(6)
Soshiki: Japanese Funerals	201	(16)
Uchi to Soto: Dual Meanings in Japanese Human Relations	217	(6)
Wabi-Sabi: Simplicity and Elegance as Japanese Ideals of Beauty	223	(10)
Zoto: The Japanese Custom of Gift Giving	233	(12)
References	245	(14)
Glossary	259