Overview Of The Japanese Society

1131 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Japanese culture american

Japan represents a country with the same amount of land area as the state of Montana, but contains a unique culture richer than the vast oil fields of the Middle East. The culture of Japan has been growing, changing, and evolving ever since the first signs of civilization nearly 12,000 years ago (“Japan”). The Japanese culture of today stresses the necessity of proper etiquette in order to earn respect, one of the most important aspects of their society (“Japan – Language”). Knowing the proper etiquette is like memorizing a new language, due to the fact that you must use different behaviors and actions depending on the location or the people involved. Learning how to eat with the Japanese, interact with them, and do business with them seems comparable to the impossible Twelve Labors completed by Hercules. Although Japanese customs and etiquette are very complex and unique, they can be broken into three simple categories: dining, family, and professional behavior, all which encompass the Japanese way of life.
The first important place for proper etiquette is at the dining table with correct eating habits and utensil usage. One important aspect of dining etiquette is the proper use and placement of chopsticks. Chopsticks are as common as a fork for Americans. In Japan chopsticks are used for almost every meal. When pausing to take a drink or use the restroom, place the chopsticks down in front of the plate. Chopsticks are only stuck upward in food, especially rice, at funerals and food that is to be placed at the altar, so it would be smart to avoid this at all costs (“Japanese Table”). Table manners represent another important part of Japanese dining etiquette. Blowing of the nose in public, and especially at the table, is consider...

... middle of paper ...

...ific view of honor and respectability (“Japan”). Japan takes the saying, “respect your elders,” to a whole new level. The Japanese etiquette used during dining, inside of the household, or while with a business professional may seem impractical or bombastic, but they are really just part of the solid concrete foundation that holds up the Japanese culture.

Works Cited

"Japan." History, Geography, Government, & Culture. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Dec. 2013.
"Japan - Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette." Kwintessential.co.uk. Kwintessential, n.d. Web. 7 Dec. 2013.
"Japan Tokyo Mission | Etiquette in a Japanese Home." Japan Tokyo Mission | Etiquette in a Japanese Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Dec. 2013.
"Japanese Business Etiquette." Doing Business in Japan. Venture Japan, n.d. Web. 05 Dec. 2013.
"Japanese Table Manners." Japanese Table Manners. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Dec. 2013.

Show More
Related

  • Japanese Culture Dbq

    2205 Words  | 5 Pages

    -Nara’s Buddhist temples were another result of cultural diffusion, Buddhist began in India in 500s B.C.E. about 1,000 years later, it came to Japan from China by way of Korea.

    Read More

  • Crafting Selves by Dorinne Kondo

    1029 Words  | 3 Pages

    This book is divided into three parts. In first part Kondo discussed the settings.In Part One Kondo relates, in sometimes interminable detail, various factoids about the flexible usage of pronouns in Japanese as well as about the Yamanote/Shitamachi divide in central Tokyo and how that affects the construction of identity. There was a very open class difference between Shitamachi (of craftsmen and manual workers) and Yamanote ( elites) areas; the same concept of elite and subaltern classes distinguished on the basis of more/less money,high/low-paid salary, better/poor housing, etc and how they were tied to the firm size. People working in bigger firms were considered elite and with etiquettes where as people working in small firms were considered to be less elite. She also mentioned her own identity dilemma as Japanese American. She examines her own position in the field and how that may have changed people’s perception about her. This is an account where she w...

    Read More

  • Influence of the Samurai on Modern Japanese Society

    1723 Words  | 4 Pages

    When looking at much of the world’s ethical views and morals today, many of its standards can draw back to that of the samurai. This warrior class of Feudal Japan contributed greatly to the development of social values that people today constantly follow. It is important to look to past events and cultures to enrich the future and the ideals of the samurai are ones that better people in self fulfilling ways. Whether it be to instill positive values to children or applied to become successful in the “real world”, the virtues and morals set forth by the samurai are invaluable teachings that will influence society for many years to come.

    Read More

  • Shinto Influence On Japanese Society

    110 Words  | 1 Pages

    Shinto or “the way of the gods,” is one of the oldest religious beliefs. A large part of the Shinto beliefs have to do with regular catastrophes, animals, and plants. Over time Shinto has changed to keep up more with present day and the developing world, yet Shinto’s major ideals are still the same and is not any different than it was in 6 B.C.E. Shinto has had to change to keep up with the different emperors and world events so as not to disappear. Today a considerable amount of Japanese culture, like dance, writing, and music come from the religion and individuals can see Shinto’s mark on Japanese

    Read More

  • Western Influence on Japan

    1060 Words  | 3 Pages

    Japan - Where East Meets West, p. 101. 25 p. 94. 26. Miller, Richard J. and Katoh, Lynn. Japan, p. 57-58. 27.

    Read More

  • Japan: Past Actions, Current Influence

    1321 Words  | 3 Pages

    Most American citizens remember December 7, 1941 and the significance that the incidents of that day had. The attack on Pearl Harbor was a shock to the United States of America and it engaged our country in the Second World War of that century (Pearl, 2009). Unfortunately, due to that incident, many Americans harbor many negative feelings and attitudes towards the country of Japan. While this is an understandable sentiment, it is unnecessary, because Japan is an influence on not on the United States but the entire world. Throughout this paper, we will look at the country of Japan as many have never viewed them before. Their actions of the past are just that, the past. Japan is a thriving and successful country within our environment and it is in our best interest to understand that country better. Japan, as a culture, is the

    Read More

  • The Importance Of Culture On The Interpretation Of Body Language

    1392 Words  | 3 Pages

    Japanese tend to feel stressful and nervous “with a lot of eye contact during the conversation” (Hattori 1987, 111). In addition, “Japanese children are taught by their parents that looking into other people's eyes is immodest.” (Hattori 1987, 112) It is because Japan is a “hierarchical and collective society”, in which individuals “at relatively lower social status” should show respect and obedience to people “at higher social status” by avoiding the direct eye contact (Hattori 1987, 111). In terms of its national character, Barnlund (1975) claims that Japanese have a small “public self”, who likes to show themselves to others; yet, they have a big “private self”, who prefers to be silent and hold on own ideas. LePape (1980) concludes this point as well “by analyzing Yasujiro Ozu's movies,” in which people talk to each other “side by side”, but “rarely hold mutual gaze” (Hattori 1987, 111). Japan was a traditional monarchy country, in which hierarchy shaped Japanese social values; hence, Japanese avoid the direct eye contact in order to display modesty and

    Read More

  • Chapter Notes on 'Confucius Lives Next Door' by T R Reid

    1640 Words  | 4 Pages

    This shows how language plays a role in Japan by the maintenance of the hierarchical structure of the society.

    Read More

  • Gender Roles in Japanese Culture

    2940 Words  | 6 Pages

    Kephart, Jesse. "Gender Roles in Japanese Society." Japan: A Unique Country. Weebly, 2 June 2013. Web. 16 Dec. 2013.

    Read More

  • Social Change In Japan

    1598 Words  | 4 Pages

    The establishment of the caste system during their feudal development insured unity and lack of diversity would be a theme through the rest of their history. During the Nara period the Japanese society was separated into classes which were based on the position of each family. Whether the position was of a court official, samurai, or peasant farmer, each class carefully blended together. The appearance of unity was paramount. Individual rights were non-existent. It became common place to respect and even worship the ancestral heritage. Wisdom was thought to be a combination of knowledge and a practical application of that knowledge. Therefor, the older family members were thought to have to most wisdom from the lives they spent applying their knowledge. They were revered and respected by the younger generations in the family. Another way in which the traditional family structure in Japan supports the conformity of its’ member is through the Bushido influence. This "way of warrior" has permanently established in the Japanese culture during to Tokogawa Era. The warrior code dictated that loyalty, respect, and honor were the most important personal ideals one could have. These ideals filtered out of the samurai class and eventually rooted deeply into the national character of Japan. Conformity is required through this ideal because an individual mentality would not consider loyalty to be as important as society viewed it. In addition, by behaving out of the norm, shame would be brought to a family. The individualistic mentality runs contradictory to the traditional fam...

    Read More

  • The Japanese Economy

    702 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Japanese Economy & nbsp;& nbsp;& nbsp;& nbsp;& nbsp; The prewar economy of Japan was a Socialist economy and the country was ruled by an emperor up to WW2 and after WW2 it started to lean towards a mixed market economy until what it is today, although its government is Socialist it is leaning towards a mixed market economy. & nbsp;    The Japanese economy is a mixed economy that leans towards market, it is like this because almost all businesses are run by private corporations or people. and that is the market of the economy. And the reason that they are thriving and are so competitive is because of the trade tariffs and quotas that the government has in place. These regulations include heavy taxes on some products.

    Read More

  • Dating and Marriage in Japan

    1124 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...accustomed to what we have in the United States, it is also enjoyable to see how other cultures are formed and structured. That’s what makes other people love each other, it is how they are. How we are all different. The Japanese culture may be different, but to them it is their society and marriage and love is important to reputation and society.

    Read More

  • negotiation in cross cultures

    3498 Words  | 7 Pages

    ...verestimate etiquette! Although your Japanese business partners may look dead serious (and Japanese people usually take work dead-serious...), they also are human and know to laugh... Here is a famous story (not sure it's a true story though...) demonstrating what can happen with exaggerated cultural adaptation:

    Read More

  • Japan and Japanese Culture

    1178 Words  | 3 Pages

    Japan is a large island off to the east of China it is a great country that has a rich culture. The Japanese religion is based off of two main beliefs, the belief in Shinto and Buddhism many Japanese people believe consider themselves both. The Japanese people were known to be around as early as 4,500 B.C. They have constructed their government style to a constitutional monarchy where they do in fact have an emperor, but he has limited power within the country. The main power of the country is held by the Prime Minister of Japan. Japan is made up of many islands that extend along the Pacific coast of Asia. The land area is made up of a lot of forest and mountainous area that cannot be used for agricultural, industrial or residential use. Japan also has one of the largest and growing economies in the world. They are growing every day and it is all because the people of Japan work very hard in order for their economy to flourish as it has.

    Read More

  • Japanese Marriage Essay

    1647 Words  | 4 Pages

    Japan is a prideful nation that honors tradition and culture. In Japan, where Shintoism and Buddhism are the major religions, families place emphasis on parental control because a strong lineage confirms a family's longevity and economic stability. According to Koike (2013), "Until the end of World War II, the Confucian-based ie seido, or family system, stressed the subordination of individual needs to the needs of the group. Consequently, the continuity of one’s family lineage, rather than personal preference, was the primary criterion in mate selection" (p. 320)....

    Read More

More about Overview Of The Japanese Society

Open Document