Japan: A Guide to Traditions, Customs and Etiquette: Kata as the Key to Understanding the Japanese

203 Pages·2018·14.67 MB·English

by  Boye Lafayette De Mente

“A unique look at a unique culture. If you’re trying to figure the Japanese out,
this book provides another important piece of the puzzle.”
—Terrie Lloyd, Founder & Publisher, J@pan Inc.; CEO, LINC Media, Tokyo
“Form (kata) over substance” has long been a guidepost to understanding Japan,
but Boyé Lafayette De Mente, in KATA, paints a convincing picture of
consciously nurtured forms prescribing behavior and methodology as a cultural
and psychological hallmark—the source of both great strengths and great
limitations. Even long-time students of Japan will find the book illuminating and
thought-provoking.”
—Sam Jameson, former Tokyo Bureau Chief of the Chicago Tribune and the Los
Angeles Times
“Among the numerous books by foreigners on the intricate Japanese mindscapes
and businessscapes, Boyé Lafayette De Mente’s KATA: The Key to
Understanding & Dealing with the Japanese! is undoubtedly the most
informative and eye-opening; it is rich in exploratory insight and provocative
wisdom.”
—Dr. Tae-Chang Kim, President, Institute for the Integrated Study of Future
Generations, Kyoto “In working with the most traditional sectors of the Japanese
economy (real estate and construction), where few foreigners ever penetrate, I
have experienced the gorge of misunderstanding between Japan and the rest of
the world. KATA explains the rationale for Japanese behavior and fills in the
blanks for everyone, including long-term foreign residents.”
—James Fink, General Manager, Colliers Halifax, Tokyo
“I have been acting as a bridge between Japanese and foreign businessmen for
nearly forty years. This book says what I have been trying to say all those
years.”
—Tokuo Maruoka, Former Director, Price Waterhouse Japan; Founder &
Chairman, Comito Inc., Tokyo “Even long-time students of Japan will find the
book illuminating and thought-provoking.”
—Sam Jameson, former Tokyo Bureau Chief of the Chicago Tribune and the Los
Angeles Times
“KATA explains the rationale for Japanese behavior and fills in the blanks for
everyone, including long-term foreign residents.”
—James Fink, General Manager, Colliers Halifax, Tokyo

KATA as the Key to Understanding the Japanese
型
JAPAN
A Guide to Traditions, Customs and
Etiquette
BOYÉ LAFAYETTE DE MENTE
Revised by Geoff Botting
ABOUT TUTTLE
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Contents
Foreword
Introduction
What Makes the Japanese Japanese?
1
The Kata Factor
Japan’s Secret Weapon
Mental Training
The Shikata of Harmony
The Feeling of Rightness
The Uniqueness Factor
Kata Comes First
The Coming of Foreigners
2
The Kata-ization of Japan
The Way of the Gods
The Way of Wet-rice Farming
The Country of Wa
The Mother Kata
Handicrafts and Art
Shikata of the Samurai
Shikata of the Swords
The Ritual of Tea
The Shikata of Sumo
The Shikata of Poetry
Behind the Masks of Kabuki and Noh
The Beauty Cult
The Art of Bowing
The Art of Ambiguity
The Importance of the Apology
Big Brother and Groupism
The Way of Suicide
The Kata-ized Mind
3
Kata in Japan Today
Continuing the Kata Culture
The Role of Martial Arts
Survival Linked with Kata
The Compulsion for Quality
Japanese-style Sincerity
Building Trust
Winning by the Numbers
Traveling by the Numbers
Reconfirming Japaneseness
Baseball the Wa Way
Copying as a Cultural Attribute
Dressing the Japanese Psyche
Cuteness and Infantilism
The Shikata of Being Japanese
Behind the Bamboo Curtain
Dealing with Foreigners
Kata in Politics
The Layered Culture
Becoming International
4
Kata in Business
Learning the Roles and Rules
Risk Factors in Building Consensus
Managing without Giving Orders
The Japanese Way of Working
The Dangers of Speaking English
Coping with a Humble Mode
Etiquette as a Weapon
Avoiding Emotional Blocks
The Kata of Rank
Sitting in the Right Place
Calling People Names
Exchanging Name-cards
The Structure of a Japanese Office
Dealing with the Consensus Kata
Following the Chain of Command
Behind-the-scenes Management
Inter-company Relations
The Advantages of Illogical Thinking
Designing as a Cultural Expression
Production as a Religious Experience
Packaging Makes Perfect
Seeing Kata in Action
5
Weaknesses of the Japanese System
The New Playing Field
Right-brain vs. Left-brain Influences
The Downside of Speaking Japanese
Speaking in Tongues
Channeling Competitive Power
Japan on “Clark’s Curve”
Waves in the World of Wa
Personal Failings
Might is Right
6
Can Japan Survive without Kata?
Japan vs. the World
The Dwindling Kata
Influence from Abroad
From No. 2 to No. 3
Japan Today
Index
Photo Credits
Front cover Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto. The shrine is associated with businesses and
commerce. Business people routinely gates to the shrines in hopes of achieving financial
success.
Page 2 Two of Japan’s best-known symbols: cherry blossoms in bloom with Mount Fuji in the
background.