Description
In The 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 makes the Japanese, and their society, tick. Some of the topics explored: aimai (ambiguity), amae (dependence upon others’ benevolence), amakudari (the nation’s descent from heaven), chinmoku (silence in communication), gambari (perseverance), 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), in addition to discussions of child-rearing, personal space, and the roles of women in Japanese society. It includes discussion topics and questions after each and every chapter.
All in all, this book is a simple-to-use introduction to the distinguishing characteristics of Japanese society; an invaluable resource for any person—business people, travelers, or students—perfect for course adoption, but also for any person interested in Japanese culture.
Next on this series:
Now to be had one by one, Japanese Culture: The Religious and Philosophical Foundations is an engaging journey through Japan’s wealthy cultural history.