Why is understanding their notions of duty and honor important to understanding the people of Japan?
The easiest way to understand the people of a country’s is to analyze their ancient stories and proverbs. Even though in modern times they are told as fairy tales to small children, it is my belief that they hold essential values in explaining traditions and behaviors of a population. A quick look at stories in Japan about education will make it clear that education begins with teaching the sense of shame. Nitobe said the “”You will be laughed at," "It will disgrace you," "Are you not ashamed?" were the last appeal to correct behavior on the part of a youthful delinquent” (Nitobe, 1908, p.41). We can find similarities in stories about the ancient warriors, the …show more content…
For example, it motivates people to stay away from criminal activities so they cannot be stained in any way by association to a crime. This may motivate people to make sure that they are not just innocent, but also perceived as innocent. This standard is especially true for public persons (Atherton, 2013).
So, honor and duty are merely means to enforce the shame-culture upon which Japan is based, and not traits embedded for centuries in Japan’s population.
Secondly, following these principles tremendously benefits the ruling elite. Since ancient times, the population was kept under control by the landowners with the use of their Samurai, which had pledged their undying loyalty to them. As Mulvihill (2007) states, some Western countries were familiar with such periods, but deem them unfair. However, the Japanese offer a different explanation. It is their belief that their ancestors, were not being subject to repression, rather they were recognized and agreed to their fate. (Mulvihill, 2007)
Even after the ending of the feudal system, many Samurai entered the world of politics, and their code of honor became the societal code of
The easiest way to understand the people of a country’s is to analyze their ancient stories and proverbs. Even though in modern times they are told as fairy tales to small children, it is my belief that they hold essential values in explaining traditions and behaviors of a population. A quick look at stories in Japan about education will make it clear that education begins with teaching the sense of shame. Nitobe said the “”You will be laughed at," "It will disgrace you," "Are you not ashamed?" were the last appeal to correct behavior on the part of a youthful delinquent” (Nitobe, 1908, p.41). We can find similarities in stories about the ancient warriors, the …show more content…
For example, it motivates people to stay away from criminal activities so they cannot be stained in any way by association to a crime. This may motivate people to make sure that they are not just innocent, but also perceived as innocent. This standard is especially true for public persons (Atherton, 2013).
So, honor and duty are merely means to enforce the shame-culture upon which Japan is based, and not traits embedded for centuries in Japan’s population.
Secondly, following these principles tremendously benefits the ruling elite. Since ancient times, the population was kept under control by the landowners with the use of their Samurai, which had pledged their undying loyalty to them. As Mulvihill (2007) states, some Western countries were familiar with such periods, but deem them unfair. However, the Japanese offer a different explanation. It is their belief that their ancestors, were not being subject to repression, rather they were recognized and agreed to their fate. (Mulvihill, 2007)
Even after the ending of the feudal system, many Samurai entered the world of politics, and their code of honor became the societal code of