Kata: The Key to Understanding & Dealing with the Japanese!
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Book Overview
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, CEO, LINC Media, Tokyo In this first book ever to explain why the Japanese think and behave the way they do, veteran Japanologist Boye Lafayette De Mente, author of more than 30 books on Japan, unlocks the mystery of kata--the cultural molds that have traditionally shaped and defined the attitudes, behavior, and character of the Japanese and are primarily responsible for the traits and talents that make them different from other people. In 70 brief essays, ranging from The Art of Bowing and Importance of the Apology to The Compulsion for Quality and Exchanging Name-Cards, the author looks at the origin, nature, use, and influence of kata (literally the form and order of doing things) in Japanese life and how this cultural conditioning causes the Japanese to think and react in the way they do. Because all relations with the Japanese are influenced by kata, the key to dealing with the Japanese in personal, business or political matters requires knowing how to work within the confines of kata and when to induce or compel them to break the kata and behave in a non-Japanese way.
Format:Paperback
Language:English
ISBN:0804833869
ISBN13:9780804833868
Release Date:March 2003
Publisher:Tuttle Publishing
Length:184 Pages
Weight:0.60 lbs.
Dimensions:0.6" x 5.1" x 7.9"
Customer Reviews
2 ratings
Fascinating, insightful book!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 14 years ago
This is one of the only books on Japanese culture that was written in such a fashion that I couldn't put it down. It covered a variety of topics I hadn't even thought to ask, and didn't address things like "Japanese people bow because it's polite", but "Japanese people bow because it's polite, this is why it's polite, it relates to their early culture because of this, and here are some examples of conditioning as it relates to the bow, etc etc". It's very well written, very interesting, and eye-opening to the westerner. I would recommend this book to anyone who has a genuine interest in Japanese culture that goes beyond anime, and would DEFINITELY recommend it to those pursuing Japanese and Asian studies in college.
One step closer to understanding.
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 20 years ago
Lafayette's revealing book is a survival manual for those who might feel lost at the unfathomable task of understanding the Japanese culture. The book focuses on the obstacles encountered in everyday life and business affairs, by almost every culture in the World when dealing with the japanese. It explains with first-hand experience how the culture has been changed and influenced by the Kata applied to every task from the art of Chado (or tea ceremony) to the miniturization of electronics, thus making the japanese such a unique culture. This book is a delight to read because of its objetivity and sociological insight. It is not a travel guide, it is a great work of cultural and sociological study.
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