Understanding Japanese Society (Nissan Institute/Routledge Japanese Studies)

✍ Scribed by Joy Hendry

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2019
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 335
• Edition: 5
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

In this welcome brand new fifth edition of the bestselling textbook Understanding Japanese Society, Joy Hendry takes the reader into the heart of Japanese life.

Providing a clear and accessible introduction to Japanese ways of thinking, which does not require any previous knowledge of the country, this book explores Japanese society through the worlds of home, work, play, religion and ritual, covering a full range of life experiences, from childhood to old age. It also examines the diversity of people living in Japan, the effects of a growing number of new immigrants, and role of the longest-standing Japanese prime-minister Shinzo Abe. Fully updated, revised and expanded, the fifth edition contains new material on:

• the continued effects of the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disasters of 2011

• local examples of care for nature and the environment

• new perspectives on the role of women

• Japan’s place in the context of globalisation .

Each chapter in this new edition also includes an exciting insert from scholars in the field, based on new and emerging research. This book will be invaluable to all students studying Japan. It will also enlighten those travellers and business people wishing to gain an understanding of Japanese people.

✦ Table of Contents

Cover
Half Title
Series Information
Title Page
Copyright Page
Table of contents
Figures
From the Field
Series editors’ preface
Acknowledgements for the fifth edition
Glossary
Introduction
Reference
1 Sources of Japanese identity: Historical and mythological foundations of Japan
Introduction
Geographical and archaeological identity
Mythological origins of Japan
Chinese historical accounts of the ancient period
Japanese history recorded: the aristocratic age
Feudalism and bushido
The Tokugawa (or Edo) Period
From the Meiji Period (1868–1912) to the Second World War
Defeat and success
Identity in a globalised Japan
References and further reading
2 The house and family system
Introduction
The ie
Relations between ie
The ie’s legal demise
The religious charter
Domestic arrangements
Interpersonal relations between the generations
Male–female relations
The family as a model
References and further reading
3 Socialisation and classification
Introduction
Uchi and soto
Tatemae and honne
Harmony: reciprocity and hierarchy
Reciprocity
Hierarchy
Kindergarten: equality
Peer group pressure
Cooperation
Self-development
Self in the world
Food allergies, illness and personhood in Japan
Conclusion
References and further reading
4 Community and neighbourhood
Introduction
Japan’s administrative divisions
Rural community life
Urban neighbourhoods
Decline and regeneration of community life
Conclusion
References and further reading
5 The education system
Introduction
Comprehensive education for all
Selection for high school and beyond
Inequality and supplementary provision
School and social divisions
Higher education
Educational reform
Conclusion
References and further reading
6 Status, hierarchy and ethnic diversity
Introduction
Expressions of hierarchy in modern Japan
Hierarchy in Japanese history
Marginality, ethnicity and continuing status differentials
Broader principles of hierarchical order
Relativity
Ranking within social groups
Status in the wider world and the influence of gender
Status manipulation — wrapping
Conclusion
References and further reading
7 Religious influences
Introduction
Shinto
Buddhism
Folk religion, Taoism and healing
Confucianism
Christianity
‘New religions’ and ‘new’ new religions
Conclusion
References and further reading
8 Ritual and the life cycle
Introduction
Birth and childhood
Entry into adulthood
Marriage
Years of calamity (yakudoshi)
Retirement and old age
Coping with the spirits of unsettled death
Syncretic aspects of life-cycle ceremonies
Conclusion
References and further reading
9 Opportunities for working life
Introduction
Company and public employment
Small and medium enterprises
Family occupations
Social security provisions
Women’s careers
Conclusion
References and further reading
10 Arts, entertainment and leisure
Introduction
History and social organisation within the arts
Accomplishments and ‘popular culture’
Geisha and the water trade (mizu shobai)
Cool Japan, youth and popular entertainment
Conclusion
References and further reading
11 Government and the craft of politics
Introduction
Government institutions
Electoral system
The parties and some recent realignment
Politicians and their paths to success
Popular participation in politics
Conclusion
References and further reading
12 The legal system and social control in a global world
Introduction
Laws and courts
Alternative responses to dispute
Positive methods of maintaining order
The police system
Organised crime
Global dimension
Conclusion
References and further reading
Conclusion
References and further reading
Index