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. Among 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), as well as discussions of child-rearing, personal space, and the roles of women in Japanese society. It includes discussion topics and questions after each chapter.
All in all, this book is an easy-to-use introduction to the distinguishing characteristics of Japanese society; an invaluable resource for anyone--business people, travelers, or students--perfect for course adoption, but also for anyone interested in Japanese culture.
Next in this series: Now available separately,
Japanese Culture: The Religious and Philosophical Foundations is a fascinating journey through Japan's rich cultural history.