Introduction to The Japanese Mind: A Course in Cultural Concepts

Welcome to this course! Over the next few weeks, we will be diving into one of the most insightful guides to contemporary Japanese culture: The Japanese Mind: Understanding Contemporary Japanese Culture by Roger J. Davies and Osamu Ikeno.

This isn’t a history book or a language textbook; it is a conceptual deep dive. Each of the twenty-eight chapters focuses on a single, powerful Japanese term—a word that encapsulates an entire cultural value, social custom, or way of thinking. These concepts are the invisible rules of Japanese society.

Why Study These Concepts?

Understanding these terms is the key to moving beyond surface-level observations—the cherry blossoms and the bullet trains—to grasping the psychological and social structures that drive behavior in Japan.

For example, when we discuss Amae (the concept of depending on the benevolence of others), we begin to understand why certain relationships are so profoundly interdependent. When we discuss Honne and Tatemae (private truth vs. public stance), we unlock the logic behind indirect communication.

By examining these concepts, we will:

1. Decode Japanese Communication: Learn why ambiguity (Aimai) and silence (Chinmoku) are often valued more than direct, verbal clarity.
2. Analyze Social Hierarchy: Understand how rules of seniority (Sempai-Kōhai) and the group-first mentality (Shūdan Ishiki) organize nearly every facet of life, from school clubs to corporate offices.
3. Explore Aesthetic and Moral Values: Study the quiet, simple beauty of imperfection (Wabi-Sabi) and the fierce determination and diligence required by society (Gambari).
4. Bridge Cultural Gaps: Recognize the challenge inherent in the Uchi to Soto (inside/outside) distinction and how it influences interactions with the rest of the world.

Course Structure: A Concept a Day

This course is designed to be highly participatory. We will treat each chapter as a self-contained unit of cultural understanding. For every concept, we will follow a simple structure:

• Definition & Origin: We will first clearly define the term and trace its roots, often back to Zen Buddhism, Confucianism, or agricultural history.
• Modern Manifestation: We will then look at how this concept plays out in modern life—in business (Nemawashi), family (Ie System), and personal relationships (Hedataru to Najimu).
• Critical Discussion: Finally, we will use the discussion questions provided in the book (the ones I summarized for you previously!) to analyze the concept’s pros and cons for contemporary Japan and compare it to values in other parts of the world.

This text provides the essential toolkit for anyone seeking to engage meaningfully with Japanese culture, whether you are here in Nagoya, or studying from abroad. Get ready to challenge your own assumptions about how a complex society operates.