The Japanese Mind: Understanding Contemporary Japanese Culture

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.

• Etiquette Guide to Japan: Know the Rules that Make the Difference! (Third Edition)
• A Concise History of Japan (Cambridge Concise Histories)
• Japanese Culture: The Religious and Philosophical Foundations
• Japan - Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
• Introduction to Japanese Culture
• A History of Japan: Revised Edition
• Japanese Culture (Studies of the Weatherhead East Asian Institute, Columbia University)
• A Brief History of Japan: Samurai, Shogun and Zen: The Extraordinary Story of the Land of the Rising Sun
• A Geek in Japan: Discovering the Land of Manga, Anime, Zen, and the Tea Ceremony (Geek In...guides)
• Hirohito and the Making of Modern Japan