Japanese Sense of Self

This book looks at how the Japanese see themselves and others and challenges many Western assumptions about Japanese society.

Nancy R. Rosenberger (Edited by)

9780521466370, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 10 March 1994

192 pages, 3 b/w illus.
22.7 x 15 x 1.2 cm, 0.32 kg

'The authors urge a 'reconsideration' by Western-trained scholars of concepts of self in both Western and non-Western culutures … [and] emphasizes the common humanity, the seeking, the vulnerability of all people, individually and collectively.' Paul Spackman, International Mind

The essays in this collection look at how the Japanese see themselves and others, in a variety of contexts, and challenge many Western assumptions about Japanese society. Through their own experiences and observations of Japanese life, the authors explain how the Japanese define themselves and how they communicate with those around them. They discuss what Westerners view as oppositions inherent within the Japanese community and demonstrate how the Japanese reconcile one with the other.

List figures
List of contributors
Preface
1. Introduction Nancy Rosenberger
2. Japanese preschools and the pedagogy of selfhood Joseph Tobin
3. Multiple selves: the aesthetics and politics of artisanal identities Dorinne Kondo
4. The tree in summer, the tree in winter: movement of self in Japan Nancy Rosenberger
5. Identification of the self in relation to the environment Augustin Berque
6. Self in Japanese culture Takie Lebra
7. The reference of other orientation Tamkami Kuwayama
8. Kehjime: how indexing self and social life defines its organisation Jane Bachnik
Index.

Subject Areas: Social & cultural anthropology, ethnography [JHMC]