Japan's Cultural Code Words

by De Mente, Boye Lafayette

• ISBN13: 9780804835749
• ISBN10: 0804835748
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-05-15
• Publisher: Tuttle Pub

Summary

Westerners have traditionally been intrigued by Japanese attitudes and behaviors which have been perceived as ranging from cute, quaint, and seductive to strange and sometimes savage. the traditional dual character of the Japanese is generally attributed to cultural conditioning-strict conformity to standards set by the ruling powers and to sanctified custom-at the expense of individuality and personal freedom. Since World War II, the traditional conditioning and orientation of the Japanese has diminished and continuing influence from the West has wrought fundamental changes in the attitudes and behavior of the Japanese. Nevertheless, Japan's traditional culture is still so powerful that it continues to be the prevailing force in molding and tuning the national character of the Japanese, with the result that they still have two faces-one modern and rational, the other traditional and emotional.The best and fastest way to an understanding of the traditional and emotional side of Japanese attitudes and behavior is through their "business and cultural code words"-key terms that reveal, in depth, their psychology and philosophy. in 234 essays, arranged alphabetically from "Ageashi / Tripping on Your Own Tongue" to "Zenrei / Breaking the Molds of the Past", old Japan hand Boyé Lafayette De Mente offers personal insights into the extremes of Japanese behavior and into the dynamics of one of the world's most fascinating societies.

Author Biography

Boye Lafayette De Mente (b. 1928) is a US-based Japanologist who has been involved with Japan since 1949 as a member of an American intelligence agency, student, employee of Japanese companies, trade journalist and consultant. He is the author of more than 30 books on Japan, Korea and China, including the first ever on the Japanese way of doing business: Japanese Etiquette & Ethics in Business (1959) and How to Do Business with the Japanese (1962). His other pioneering series include business and cultural "code word" books on the above countries.

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION: The Two Faces of Japan	12	(2)
Ageashi
Tripping on Your Own Tongue	14	(1)
Age Tsurau
Finding Endless Fault	15	(1)
Aiso Warai
Beware of Fake Smiles	16	(2)
Aizuchi
Synchronizing Your Movements	18	(1)
Akanukeshita
The Power of Polished Manners	19	(2)
Akirame ga Warui
We Don't Know How to Quit!	21	(1)
Akiramenai
Do or Die	22	(1)
Akujunkanil
The Great Runaround	23	(2)
Amai/Amaku
Spreading on the Sugar	25	(1)
Ame to Muchi
Candy or the Whip	26	(1)
Anmoku no Ryokai
Unspoken Understanding	27	(1)
Anshinkan
Building Peace of Mind	28	(2)
Araizarai
Letting It All Out	30	(1)
Arasagashi
A Nation of Nitpickers	31	(1)
Arigata Meiwaku
Too Much of a Good Thing	32	(1)
Ashikiri
Cutting Off the Legs	33	(2)
Ashirau
The Diplomatic Brush-Off	35	(1)
Atarimae
It Goes Without Saying	36	(2)
Ato Aji
A Foreign Aftertaste	38	(1)
Aun no Kokyu
The Japanese Sixth Sense	39	(1)
Ban Kisha
The Way of the Japanese Press	40	(2)
Batting
Driving Prices Down	42	(1)
Bosai Pakku
Preparing for Survival	43	(1)
Bukkyo
The Wellspring of Japaneseness	44	(1)
Bunshu
The Country Divided	45	(2)
Bushido
The Fighting Knight Way	47	(2)
Byodo
Japanese-Style Fairness	49	(1)
Chusei Shin
Loyal to the Last	50	(1)
Daikan
Mind Over Matter	51	(2)
Dango
Dividing up the Spoils	53	(1)
Danryokuteki Un'ei
Run it up the Pole	54	(1)
Danson Johi
Men Over Women	55	(2)
Dantai
The Three Musketeers Syndrome	57	(1)
Donburi Kanjo
Calculations in a Bucket	58	(1)
En/Jyo
A Wet Japanese Thing	59	(2)
Endaka - Doruyasu
High Yen, Low Dollar	61	(1)
En Maku wo Haru
Laying Smoke Screens	62	(2)
Enman
The Perils of Harmony	64	(1)
Fundoshi wo Shimeru
Tightening Your Loincloth	65	(1)
Furita
The Day of the Oddballs	66	(1)
Furusato
Longing for a Spiritual Home	67	(2)
Gaijin Kusai
Smelling like a Foreigner	69	(1)
Gai Ju Nai Go
Soft Outside, Hard Inside	70	(1)
Gairaigo
Words from the Outside	71	(2)
Gaman Kurabe
A Test of Wills	73	(1)
Gamanzuyoi
Suffering the Unbearable	74	(1)
Gengo
Keeping Track of the Years	75	(2)
Gijiroku
Keeping Things Flexible	77	(1)
Gohjo/Gojoh
Cooperating and Compromising	78	(1)
Gotobi
Picking the Best Days	79	(1)
Gyaku Yunyu
Reverse Importing	80	(2)
Hada ga Au
Our Skins Meet	82	(1)
Hagemasu Kai
Encouragement Parties	83	(1)
Hajirai
The Shyness Syndrome	84	(2)
Hanamochi Naranai
Looking Down on Foreigners	86	(1)
Hanamoku
Debauchery on Thursday Nights	87	(1)
Hansei
I Won't Do It Again!	88	(2)
Happo Bijin
Keeping Your Slate Clean	90	(1)
Hara no Mushi
A Worm Told Me	91	(1)
Heso wo Mageru
Bending the Bellybutton	92	(1)
Higaisha Ishiki
The Victim Mentality	93	(2)
Hinkaku
The Mark of a Gentleman	95	(1)
Hiru Andon
No Light in the Eyes	96	(1)
Homegoroshi
Praising to Death	97	(2)
Hosho
Who is Your Guarantor?	99	(1)
Ichigen no Kyaku
Turning a Blind Eye	100	(1)
Ihyo wo Tsuku
Springing Surprises	101	(2)
Ii Toko Tori
Taking Only the Good	103	(1)
Ikki-Nomi
Playing to Your Peers	104	(1)
Ippiki Ookami
Japan's Lone Wolves	105	(1)
Ippo Machigau To
One False Step and...the Sword!	106	(2)
Iroke
The Sensuality of Japanese Women	108	(1)
Isshokenmei
Putting One's Life on the Line	109	(1)
Itadakimasu / Gochisoh Sama
Thanks for the Hospitality	110	(1)
Itami Wake
Sharing the Pain	111	(1)
Iwakan
Allergic to Foreigners	112	(2)
Jijo Henko '
The Only Constant is Change	114	(1)
Jiko ni Naru
Trying to Feel Good	115	(1)
Jikoryu
Doing it Your Way	116	(2)
Jiyu Gakuen
A New Kind of Freedom	118	(1)
Juken Jigoku
Going Through Hell	119	(1)
Juku/Yobiko
Knowledge-Cramming Schools	120	(1)
Juku Nen
The Prime Years	121	(2)
Kakaku Hakai
The Great Price Fall	123	(1)
Kakushi Aji
A Secret Ingredient	124	(1)
Kamaseru
Sharing the Spoils	125	(1)
Kanban
What's in a Name?	126	(2)
Kandan Kai
Let's Have a Little Chat	128	(1)
Kangeiko
Discipline the Japanese Way	129	(1)
Kankon Sosai
Doing Things with a Flourish	130	(2)
Kansai/Kanto
East and West of the Barrier	132	(1)
Kanson Minpi
Bowing Before Officials	133	(1)
Kao ga Hiroi
Having a Wide Face	134	(2)
Kao wo Dasu
Showing Your True Face	136	(1)
Karada de Oboeru
Matter Over Mind	137	(1)
Kato Kyoso
Compete or Die	138	(1)
Kei-Haku-Tan-Sho
Light, Slim, Short, Small	139	(2)
Kejime
Drawing a Line	141	(1)
Kenbei
Dislike of America	142	(1)
Kenshu
Having Fun at Company Expense	143	(1)
Ki
May the Force be with You	144	(2)
Kikkake/Seme
Putting on an Act	146	(1)
Kikoku Shijo
Strangers in a Strange Land	147	(2)
Kikubari
Making Everybody Feel Good	149	(1)
Kimochi
Doing Things for Feeling	150	(1)
Kinbensei
The Diligence Syndrome	151	(2)
Kin'en Ken
Nonsmokers' Rights	153	(1)
Kirei Goto
Making Pretty Talk	154	(1)
Kisei Rasshu
The Homeward Rush	155	(1)
Ki wo Yurusu
Letting Your Guard Down	156	(1)
Kojinmari
As Snug as a Bug in a Rug	157	(2)
Kokorogamae
Attitude is Everything	159	(1)
Kokusaika
Becoming Less Japanese	160	(1)
Komawari ga Kiku
Bypassing the Bureaucracy	161	(2)
Komon
The Indispensable Go-Betweens	163	(1)
Komyunikeshon Gyappu
The Communication Gap	164	(1)
Kondan Kai
Personalizing the Business Process	165	(2)
Kone
The Importance of Connections	167	(1)
Konran
Keeping Things Under Control	168	(1)
Kopi Shokuhin
Imitation Food	169	(1)
Korisho
Dealing with Perfection	170	(1)
Koshikake
Watching Out for Chairs	171	(2)
Kosho
Coming Out Fighting	173	(1)
Kuchi-Komi
By Word of Mouth	174	(1)
Kuroko
The Men in Black	175	(2)
Kuroto
Professionalism in Japan	177	(1)
Kuuki
The Japanese Atmosphere	178	(1)
Kyoso
The Ultimate Competitors	179	(2)
Kyoso to Kyocho
Doing Business with Enemies	181	(1)
Kyuyo
Getting Away from it All	182	(1)
Mekiki
Made to Please the Eye	183	(2)
Memeshii
Who's a Wimp?	185	(1)
Menmoku Maru Tsubure
Losing One's Face	186	(1)
Mikomi Hatchuu
Anticipating Customer Needs	187	(2)
Misogi
Wiping the Slate Clean	189	(1)
Miuchi
Insider Logic	190	(2)
Miyabi
Elegance in Things Japanese	192	(1)
Mon
Wearing Company Colors	193	(1)
Mono no Dori
Something New in Japan	194	(1)
Moretsu Shain
Working with Violence	195	(2)
Muda, Mura, Muri
Waste Not, Want Not	197	(1)
Naitei
Hitting the Glass Ceiling	198	(1)
Nakama
The Personal Relations Room	199	(2)
Nigiritsubusu
Crushing People's Projects	201	(1)
Nihonjinron
Psyching Out the Japanese	202	(1)
Nihonteki
Being Japanese-Like	203	(2)
No Misu
Second Best isn't Good Enough	205	(1)
Noriki
A Japanese Ingredient	206	(1)
Nyushashiki
The New Corporate Baptism	207	(2)
Oburoshiki
The Big-Mouth Syndrome	209	(1)
Odateru
Applying Soft Soap	210	(1)
Otiawara Hyojo
A Delaying Tactic	211	(2)
Ohigan
Keeping in Tune	213	(1)
Omiai
Love Takes a Backseat	214	(1)
Omiyage
Creating Obligations	215	(1)
Omoiyari
Japanese-Style Sympathy	216	(2)
Omote/Ura
Telling the Front from the Back	218	(1)
On/On Gaeshi
Covering with Obligation	219	(1)
O'tokui San
Mr Honored Customer	220	(1)
Otsukare Sama
Above and Beyond the Call	221	(2)
Renchishin
Avoiding Shame	223	(1)
Ryuko
Fashions and Fads	224	(1)
Sabetsu Go
Taboo Language	225	(1)
Sabisu
More than Service	226	(2)
Saguru
Probing Your Partners	228	(1)
Saigai
Land of Disasters	229	(1)
Saiku
The Small-is-Cute Syndrome	230	(2)
Sakari
The Business of Having Fun	232	(1)
Sakura Zensen
The Cherry Blossom Culture	233	(1)
Sangyo Supai
Industrial Espionage	234	(2)
San Ma no I
The Three Doors to Success	236	(1)
Sappar /Sawayaka
That Oh-So-Sexy Feeling	237	(1)
Sarakin
The Loan Shark Business	238	(1)
Sasen
Moving Down a Step	239	(1)
Satori
Seeing the Light	240	(1)
Seishun
The Trials of Youth	241	(2)
Seiza
Sitting Correctly	243
Seken Shirazu
Babes in the Woods	244	(1)
Seken Zure Shita
Too Wise for the World	245	(2)
Sensei
Polishing the Apple	247	(1)
Setsuyaku
The Saving Syndrome	248	(1)
Sha Chiku
A Nation of Corporate Sheep	249	(1)
Shakkei
Creating Japaneseness	250	(2)
Shibutosa
Fight to the Death	252	(1)
Shido
A Word from Big Brother	253	(1)
Shikitari
The Herd Instinct	254	(2)
Shikomu
The Spiritual Dimension of Work	256	(1)
Shimei
Picking Your Bed Partner	257	(1)
Shinbo
You Must have Patience	258	(2)
Shingi Kai
Japan's Shadow Rulers	260	(1)
Shinhatsubai
The New Product Syndrome	261	(2)
Shinjinrui
Japan's New Aliens	263	(1)
Shinrai
Relying on Japaneseness	264	(1)
Shirankao
Keeping a Straight Face	265	(1)
Shitofumeikin
Company 'Slush' Funds	266	(2)
Shitoyakanai
Gracefulness as Morality	268	(1)
Shobu
A Fight to the Finish	269	(1)
Shugyo
Training for Intuitive Wisdom	270	(1)
Shushoku Shido
"Long Arms of Professors"	271	(2)
Sodanyaku
The Quiet Advisors	273	(1)
Sode no Shita
A Little Something up the Sleeve	274	(1)
Sogo Izon
All in the Same Boat	275	(1)
Sonshite Tokutore
Losing to Win	276	(2)
Suketto
From Heroes to Helpers	278	(1)
Sunao-Sa
The Meek Survive	279	(1)
Suri-Awase
Grinding off the Rough Edges	280	(2)
Taian
Waiting for Lucky Days	282	(1)
Taigu
Spreading the Red Carpet	283	(1)
Taijin Kyofu
Fear of Getting Personal	284	(2)
Taiken Nyutai
Boot Camp for Company Recruits	286	(1)
Tarento
People with Talent	287	(1)
Tateyaku Sha
Finding the Kingpin	288	(2)
Tayoka
Going with the Flow	290	(1)
Tesaki
Putting Up a Front Man	291	(1)
Tsu-Ka
Tuned to the Same Cues	292	(1)
Tsukiai
Bonding with Your Associates	293	(2)
Ude
Having a Special Skill	295	(1)
Uiuishii
The Wiles of Naivety	296	(1)
Uma ga Au
Harmonizing Your Horses	297	(2)
Urakata
The Hidden-Person Ploy	299	(1)
Urami wo Kau
Buying into Trouble	300	(1)
Urusai
Hard to Please	301	(1)
Wakai
Making Honorable Concessions	302	(2)
Waki Aiai
Living in Happy Harmony	304	(1)
Wasei Eigo
Made-in-Japan English	305	(1)
Yakutoku
A Dangerous Perk	306	(2)
Yakuza
The Honorable Gangsters	308	(2)
Yarase
Beware of Intimidation	310	(1)
Yokonarabi
The Copycat Syndrome	311	(1)
Yubune
The Japanese and Hot Water	312	(2)
Zaiteku
The High-Tech Investors	314	(1)
Zenrei
Breaking the Molds of the Past	315