Japan: A Guide to Traditions, Customs and Etiquette: Kata as the Key to Understanding the Japanese PDF
Preview Japan: A Guide to Traditions, Customs and Etiquette: Kata as the Key to Understanding the Japanese
“A unique look at a unique culture. If you’re trying to figure the Japanese out, this book provides another important piece of the puzzle.” —Terrie Lloyd, Founder & Publisher, J@pan Inc.; CEO, LINC Media, Tokyo “Form (kata) over substance” has long been a guidepost to understanding Japan, but Boyé Lafayette De Mente, in KATA, paints a convincing picture of consciously nurtured forms prescribing behavior and methodology as a cultural and psychological hallmark—the source of both great strengths and great limitations. Even long-time students of Japan will find the book illuminating and thought-provoking.” —Sam Jameson, former Tokyo Bureau Chief of the Chicago Tribune and the Los Angeles Times “Among the numerous books by foreigners on the intricate Japanese mindscapes and businessscapes, Boyé Lafayette De Mente’s KATA: The Key to Understanding & Dealing with the Japanese! is undoubtedly the most informative and eye-opening; it is rich in exploratory insight and provocative wisdom.” —Dr. Tae-Chang Kim, President, Institute for the Integrated Study of Future Generations, Kyoto “In working with the most traditional sectors of the Japanese economy (real estate and construction), where few foreigners ever penetrate, I have experienced the gorge of misunderstanding between Japan and the rest of the world. KATA explains the rationale for Japanese behavior and fills in the blanks for everyone, including long-term foreign residents.” —James Fink, General Manager, Colliers Halifax, Tokyo “I have been acting as a bridge between Japanese and foreign businessmen for nearly forty years. This book says what I have been trying to say all those years.” —Tokuo Maruoka, Former Director, Price Waterhouse Japan; Founder & Chairman, Comito Inc., Tokyo “Even long-time students of Japan will find the book illuminating and thought-provoking.” —Sam Jameson, former Tokyo Bureau Chief of the Chicago Tribune and the Los Angeles Times “KATA explains the rationale for Japanese behavior and fills in the blanks for everyone, including long-term foreign residents.” —James Fink, General Manager, Colliers Halifax, Tokyo KATA as the Key to Understanding the Japanese 型 JAPAN A Guide to Traditions, Customs and Etiquette BOYÉ LAFAYETTE DE MENTE Revised by Geoff Botting ABOUT TUTTLE “Books to Span the East and West” Our core mission at Tuttle Publishing is to create books which bring people together one page at a time. Tuttle was founded in 1832 in the small New England town of Rutland, Vermont (USA). Our fundamental values remain as strong today as they were then—to publish best-in-class books informing the English-speaking world about the countries and peoples of Asia. The world has become a smaller place today and Asia’s economic, cultural and political influence has expanded, yet the need for meaningful dialogue and information about this diverse region has never been greater. Since 1948, Tuttle has been a leader in publishing books on the cultures, arts, cuisines, languages and literatures of Asia. Our authors and photographers have won numerous awards and Tuttle has published thousands of books on subjects ranging from martial arts to paper crafts. We welcome you to explore the wealth of information available on Asia at www.tuttlepublishing.com. Contents Foreword Introduction What Makes the Japanese Japanese? 1 The Kata Factor Japan’s Secret Weapon Mental Training The Shikata of Harmony The Feeling of Rightness The Uniqueness Factor Kata Comes First The Coming of Foreigners 2 The Kata-ization of Japan The Way of the Gods The Way of Wet-rice Farming The Country of Wa The Mother Kata Handicrafts and Art Shikata of the Samurai Shikata of the Swords The Ritual of Tea The Shikata of Sumo The Shikata of Poetry Behind the Masks of Kabuki and Noh The Beauty Cult The Art of Bowing The Art of Ambiguity The Importance of the Apology Big Brother and Groupism The Way of Suicide The Kata-ized Mind 3 Kata in Japan Today Continuing the Kata Culture The Role of Martial Arts Survival Linked with Kata The Compulsion for Quality Japanese-style Sincerity Building Trust Winning by the Numbers Traveling by the Numbers Reconfirming Japaneseness Baseball the Wa Way Copying as a Cultural Attribute Dressing the Japanese Psyche Cuteness and Infantilism The Shikata of Being Japanese Behind the Bamboo Curtain Dealing with Foreigners Kata in Politics The Layered Culture Becoming International 4 Kata in Business Learning the Roles and Rules Risk Factors in Building Consensus Managing without Giving Orders The Japanese Way of Working The Dangers of Speaking English Coping with a Humble Mode Etiquette as a Weapon Avoiding Emotional Blocks The Kata of Rank Sitting in the Right Place Calling People Names Exchanging Name-cards The Structure of a Japanese Office Dealing with the Consensus Kata Following the Chain of Command Behind-the-scenes Management Inter-company Relations The Advantages of Illogical Thinking Designing as a Cultural Expression Production as a Religious Experience Packaging Makes Perfect Seeing Kata in Action 5 Weaknesses of the Japanese System The New Playing Field Right-brain vs. Left-brain Influences The Downside of Speaking Japanese Speaking in Tongues Channeling Competitive Power Japan on “Clark’s Curve” Waves in the World of Wa Personal Failings Might is Right 6 Can Japan Survive without Kata? Japan vs. the World The Dwindling Kata Influence from Abroad From No. 2 to No. 3 Japan Today Index Photo Credits Front cover Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto. The shrine is associated with businesses and commerce. Business people routinely gates to the shrines in hopes of achieving financial success. Page 2 Two of Japan’s best-known symbols: cherry blossoms in bloom with Mount Fuji in the background.
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