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Patterns of Interaction

The document discusses several key aspects of patterns of interaction in Japanese culture, including: 1) Traditional Japanese culture emphasizes patience, gentleness and harmony, though modern life can seem inconsistent with this as people work long hours with little rest. 2) Many traditional values still underpin Japanese culture today, such as behaviors developed during Japan's isolated Tokugawa period to promote group harmony. 3) Concepts like aimai (ambiguity), amae (dependency), and honne-tatemae (true feelings vs. public expressions) reflect fundamental parts of Japanese communication styles. 4) Other cultural values discussed include kenkyo (modesty), giri (social obligation), and se

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96 views5 pages

Patterns of Interaction

The document discusses several key aspects of patterns of interaction in Japanese culture, including: 1) Traditional Japanese culture emphasizes patience, gentleness and harmony, though modern life can seem inconsistent with this as people work long hours with little rest. 2) Many traditional values still underpin Japanese culture today, such as behaviors developed during Japan's isolated Tokugawa period to promote group harmony. 3) Concepts like aimai (ambiguity), amae (dependency), and honne-tatemae (true feelings vs. public expressions) reflect fundamental parts of Japanese communication styles. 4) Other cultural values discussed include kenkyo (modesty), giri (social obligation), and se

Uploaded by

Oi Shor Jo
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Patterns of Interaction

Japanese culture is multifaceted and very distinctive, having evolved rapidly in the
past century. The advancements of technology, the government’s adoption
of democratic rights and the country’s population boom have introduced new
lifestyles to its people. These modern developments can often seem inconsistent
with the traditional virtues of Japanese culture. For example, while Japanese
culture classically emphasizes a patient, gentle and harmonious way of life, today
it is normal for people to be packed into Tokyo trains like sardines and work long
hours with little rest. Nevertheless, many traditional values of Japan still underpin
the culture. This way of their life and interaction, communication style with others
is called the patterns of interaction. It defines some ones behavior with a certain
person or in a certain situation.

History of their different way of interaction: Japan is an island country with an


unstable and uncertain climate. Tsunami, earth-quack often visits Japan. In
Tokugawa period Japan was isolated from the world. People had to live in groups
and to keep harmony in the group they used to behave very politely. That’s why
most of their pattern of interaction has been developed in Tokugawa period. The
Tokugawa period has helped the Japanese to be themselves though these may lead
difficulties for non-Japanese to interact with Japanese people. In this period they
have developed not only their own pattern of interaction but also introduced a
unique culture.

Aimai: Ambiguity, or aimai, is defined as a state in which there is more than one
intended meaning which results obscurity, indistinctness, and uncertainty. Aimai,
meaning basically ambiguity describes a fundamental part of the Japanese culture.
In ancient period when community was everything, they developed ideals that one
should go with the community and to disagree with the community was not a wise
thing to do. So, as the years progressed, ambiguity became a prominent idea. In
Japan, People still had personal opinions, but were less inclined to share them.

Amae: Amae ( 甘 え ) is the nominal form of the verb amaeru, which Takeo Doi
uses to describe in his book “ The Anatomy of Dependency”- behavior of a person
attempting to induce an authority figure, such as a parent, spouse, teacher, or
supervisor, to take care of him. The word is applied descriptively to the behavior of
other people. The behavior of children towards their parents is perhaps the most
common example of amae.

Dayjyo-kankei: Dayjyo-Kankei means man-woman relationship in Japan.


Throughout history the relationship between men and women in Japan has been
constantly changing. In ancient times men and women had the same rights within
families. In the Nara period (646-794) things changed and men started to have
more power within the aristocracy and, after many years, women started to lose
their succession and heir rights in the families.In the Edo period (1603-1868) with
the influence of Confucianism women were put further aside from the system.
From the Meiji period (1868-1912) and on, Western influences started to appear in
Japanese society, but the role of women was still the same. But at the end of
Second World War, when a new constitution was written that guaranteed equal
rights for men and women. However, even so, the social status of women in Japan
compared to other developed countries is quite low.

Honne- Tatemae: In Japan, the terms Honne and Tatemae are often used in
conversation. These two words are often considered a dichotomy contrasting
genuinely held personal feelings and opinions from those that are socially
controlled. What people may say or think about something in private is not always
necessarily what they'll say in public. Because they don't want to be seen as
different or looked down upon by those who are around them.  

Kenkyo: Modesty or humility is one of most important aspects of proper behavior


in Japan". Kenkyo is the Japanese virtue of modesty.  No matter ones skill, or age,
or social status, there is always a level of modesty or humility that one wants to
take. Having a certain level of modesty is a key point, they don't want to seem
better than or too proud or egotistical.   In Japanese society, people are expected to
be modest regardless of their social position; that is, they must learn to modulate
the personal display of talent, knowledge, or wealth in an appropriate manner.
Wabi-sabi: According to Leonard Koren, wabi-sabi can be described as "the most
conspicuous and characteristic feature of what we think of as traditional Japanese
beauty. 'wabi' originally referred to the loneliness of living in nature, remote from
society; 'sabi' meant "chill", "lean" or "withered". Over time, the meanings
of wabi and sabi shifted to become more lighthearted and hopeful. In today's
Japan, the meaning of wabi-sabi is often condensed to "wisdom in natural
simplicity". In art books, it is typically defined as "flawed beauty". A great
example of wabi-sabi is the art of kintsugi, where cracked pottery is filled with
gold dusted lacquer as a way to showcase the beauty of its age and damage rather
than hiding it.

Chinmoku:

Chinmoku or silence in Japanese communication, is a communicative skill. It


derives from the underlying values of Japanese culture. communication can be of
two types, verbal and non-verbal. Chinmoku is a form of unspoken
communication. A person has values or whether he has developed a beautiful
personality can be understood through his behavior which is largely developed
through Chinmoku.
Giri:

Giri means social obligation or moral duty. For this obligation, Japanese people do
their best for the person or organization with which they are connected with. ‘Giri’
embodies a sense of obligation or duty based on a strong loyalty to a person or
organization.Japanese people feel that they have to give back the gratitude they
receive They want to repay this debt even by sacrificing their own happiness. To
maintain social harmony giri helps a lot.

Haragei:

Haragei is a way of expressing thoughts & feelings in an implicit way among the
Japanese. Haragei is the way of communication in an implicit way. In haragei,
speaker depends on the concentration of the listener. Sometimes Haragei becomes
tough for non-Japanese, especially for the westerns. In Japan, people don’t try to
ask many questions rather remain silent as they believe that silence can make clear
everything but westerns want to get full clarification from the speaker.

Itokodori:

Iitokodori means adopting elements of foreign culture, the action of taking on


successful elements around us and making them our own. iitoko-dori appeared in
Japan in early Japanese history and it has greatly affected the Japanese way of
thinking. it is now part of the cultural identity of the Japanese. It has been one of
the most important factors in the rise of Japanese economic power

Ryōsaikenbo:

Ryōsaikenbo means good wife and wise . From ancient times the women of Japan
have been carrying out some responsibilities which are also called social
expectations. This is the demand of the society that women should be equally
skilled in the workplace as well as in the family. From the Tokugawa period,
women were taught to assimilate the ideas of a good wife. It became fully known
during the Meiji period. Good Wives and Wise Motherswas a popular social and
political slogan in modern Japan

Sempai-kohai:
SENIORITY RULES IN JAPANESE RELATIONS system is deeply rooted. In
Japan human relationship divided into vertical and horizontal hierarchies. Vertical
relationship is between parents and their children. On the other hand, horizontal
involves classmate or colleagues. Senpai means who are older or superior in ability
and also used to refer to those who graduated earlier, who are experienced in their
job or other activities. On the other hand, kohai are less experienced and junior in
educational institutes.

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