Modern Japan : origins of the mind : Japanese traditions and approaches to contemporary life / Alexander Prasol.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Prasol, A. F. (Aleksandr Fedorovich), 1952-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

National characteristics, Japanese.

Japan--Social life and customs--1945-.

Japan.

Japan--Civilization--1945-.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (384 p.)

Place of Publication:

Singapore ; Hackensack, N.J. : World Scientific Pub. Co., c2010.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

The book takes a fresh look at modern Japan, and does not treat the Japanese as enigmatic or mysterious people; their ways of thinking and their culture can be explained by an honest appraisal of their history and of the norms that have shaped this history. This book not only reveals the mentality and national character of modern Japanese people but also attempts to explore and analyze the roots of their mannerisms. Everyone knows that the Japanese are generally more polite than other nationalities, but why is this so? Why do they embrace a relaxed attitude when being served by others? Surely,

Contents:

Preface; About the Author; Acknowledgments; Technical Remarks; Brief Historical Background; Contents; Chapter 1: The Outside World and Japanese Creativity Japan's "Three-Cycle Response" for Innovative Change Ig Nobel Prize Winners The Most Creative of Imitators; Chapter 2: Perception of the World and Nature Abbreviating the Nearest Space Polished Simplicity Material Things and Immaterial Thoughts; Chapter 3: Everything Has Its Own Kata Addiction to Algorithms The Principle of Conformity and Sense of Humor Patterns of Speech

Chapter 4: How They Do It Formalism and Self-Suppression The Aesthetics of Silence In Pursuit of Excellence: Tidiness, Cleanliness and Punctuality Celebration and Gift-GivingChapter 5: Cultural Rituality and Group Behavior Touching Eternity Masks and Rituals Behavior Categories; Chapter 6: Japanese Service: Simply the Best It's Not About Money The Customer is Always Right - The Japanese Version Hey, I'm a JR Passenger! The Most Punctual Trains in the World; Chapter 7: Motives and Consequences of Incredible Service Bakufu as a Driving Force of Progress Side Effects of Perfect Service

Chapter 8: Wildlife: Natural and Cultivated Domesticating the Natural World through Imitation On Environmental Protection Foreigners and Internal SafetyChapter 9: Educational Values Children and Adults Group Pressure Educational Standards and Uniformity Sensei Means "One Born Before"; Chapter 10: Reluctant Workaholics Encouraging Social Activity Diligence versus Talent Diligence: The Authentic and the Assumed Paying the Price for Success; Chapter 11: The Unpretentious Joy of Being a Group Member Japanese Balance Between Work and Play The Most Common Vocation in Japan Those Left Behind

Chapter 12: Humans Judging Humans Power of God, Power of Man Good Neighbors and Distant Relatives From Inner Circle to Outer CircleChapter 13: Enacting Law and Justice Confession - The Trump Card of Investigation Looking Back at Tradition Punitive Sanctions; Chapter 14: Preventing Crime and Educating People Mentors in Uniform The Police as Role Model New Problems on the Horizon; Chapter 15: Romanticizing Suicide Without Regard to Religion Modern Technologies and a Sensible View of Death; Chapter 16: Body Language Japanese-Style Movements Looks and Appearances The Aesthetics of Nakedness

AfterwordReferences; Personal Index; Subject Index; Japanese Glossary Index

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

ISBN:

1-283-14426-3

9786613144263

981-4295-64-7

OCLC:

740444830