Japanese Cultural Traditions : Basics Of The Japanese Culture

Japan has a very rich and unique culture, unlike any other culture in the world. The Japanese are close and united, and willing to help each other, to the point that they would even risk their lives for one another. Their culture has certain aspects of it that every nation should have. In his book, John Hersey explores the effects that culture and environment have on an individual’s views and belief through analyzing a stereotypical Japanese man, an Americanized Japanese priest, and a widowed Japanese woman and how they react similarly to the bombing of Hiroshima. The influence of Japanese culture has an astounding impact on the reactions of Hersey’s characters.

Visits are generally arranged in advance and are very rarely spontaneous (Japan). When someone comes for a visit they must remove their shoes in the entry area of the home and place them together, pointing toward the outdoors; slippers are usually worn while inside (Japan). It is also customary to remove your coat prior to stepping into the entry area (Japan). Guests are usually modest and reserved when they are visiting and will be offered the most comfortable seat in the home (Japan). When offered a meal it is customary for the guest to hesitate slightly before accepting it and will then accept with gratitude (Japan). Guests do not usually offer compliments on household items, as this may embarrass the host (Japan). It is customary to bring fruit or cake to offer as a gift for the host which is given and accepted with both hands and a slight bow (Japan). It is considered rude for a host to open a gift from a visitor at the time it is given (Japan).

Other than religion, there are many other aspects of their society that the Japanese care about, many very different from those of the US. Family always comes first in Japanese culture; however, in the US it is very rare to see that family is put first. For example, in Japan if a father or mother wanted to move, they would consult the rest of the family, both young and old. In America however, families will move because of the father or mother without even consulting their spouse at times. In the US people often put personal growth over family almost every time. In

In eastern Asia it is not a custom to have a security system because of the standards they are raised with growing up people just don’t steal and there are no worries.  Where as in the United States, everything either has a system or cameras in order to protect their own property. Another big way of life is death.  Japanese people show a lot of respect to the dead. They treat the dead as of they are still alive and doing well.  This way of life is way better than the customs in the United States. The way we bury the dead is the same but we don’t respect them and still treat they if they were still alive.

    Japan is a country of many cultures. Japan’s most renowned is the art of the samurai and currently, urbanization. Due to the American occupation in the pacific, Japanese moved from a cultural masterpiece, to an eastern constitutional monarchy. Which is generally effected by a western influence.

The small island of japan is greatly known for its culture that has been practiced for over a thousand years. Japan has many different types of food and entertainment and religion. The most popular religion is Buddhism and Shintoism.

Japan started to change their attitude to Europeans, they welcomed them because they were satisfied by the glory they bring, they traded things like glasses, clocks, and artillery. However it also brought social changes, and Tokugawa rulers started to grow suspicious of the Portuguese and Spanish intention for Japan, so at last, they only trade with Dutch and Chinese in a fixed harbour. Through the trading with Dutch, they began to build up knowledge of Western ideology and world events, according to the knowledge of Western ideas, Japan's scientific, geographical and political knowledge began to grow. Due to the influences foreign countries brought to Japan, Japan become the country we see

Japan is strongly collectivistic versus the United States being individualist. (textbook) Japanese culture focuses more on family and their community around them.

Japan: Tradition, Economy, or Both? Which is best? In Asian societies, customs and traditions play an important role within many different cultures such as the Chinese, the Japanese, the Indian, & the Cambodian cultures. In 1998, Nicholas Kristof wrote an article that described Japan’s society as too polite and civilized.

Japan is a country which has many different cultures; therefore, one of the most special characteristic of Japanese religion is mixing and merging with other religions (8-1). The five main ideas of Japanese religion are Shinto, Buddhism, women, Kami, and poweaa suppotto.

Japan was a nation set off to itself. Although secluded, almost all of its culture came from inland. Around 10,000 B.C.E., the Jōmon culture was established; these people were immigrants from Southeast Asia. They brought hunting, fishing, and clay pottery into Japan. Not long after, immigrants from Northeast Asia flowed into Japan bringing agriculture and the Yayoi culture with them. These Yayoi communities became very complex.

The magical Japanese society works towards creating a happy relationship with all people. Harmony, order, and self-development are the three most important values in Japan. Basic ideas about self and nature of the human society came from different religions and different philosophical traditions in Japan. Empathy is an important reason for the Japanese culture. Empathy began in Japanese mythology. The gods displayed human emotions like love and anger. The Japanese society discourages bad behavior by providing rewards when someone is angry. When the actions caused harm to others, they would be rewarded with negative behavior. Young Magical Japanese children learn from the early stages

Every country has their own set of cultures. But the most unique Japanese cultures have to be:

Japanese is the official language in Japan although the majority of the Japanese population can speak some English due to their high level of education. Japan’s etiquette compared to the United States dramatically differs in some areas. In general, it is not acceptable to be on the phone in public places such as the train. When greeting, it is not okay to touch each other, so handshakes and hugs are highly not recommended. While dining, it is offensive to eat all of the food on your plate as well as tipping the server. These things are accepted in the United States, but not in Japan. Business etiquette does not vary as much. Professional dress is required although both countries are moving towards more casual on just day to day office hours. When it comes to clothing and products, they often prefer high end products over cheaper made clothes and products. When doing business with one another

In the world today, we are exposed to many different cultures; America is a great example of this. It is a giant melting pot full of many unique people who bring their cultures from around the world. Thanks to them, we have little parts of towns that are chock full of their culture, like China Town and Little Italy. We also have them to thank for all the different types of food and styles of cooking that they have brought over. But what about the cultures of other countries, have Americans influenced their culture like they did to ours? One country that really interested me in answering this question was in Japan. Japan is packed full of culture from their old traditions of their new futuristic culture and has Americans have any part in their pop culture transformation?