Shyness: Japanese Stereotype
Foreign people often describe Japanese people using these words: polite, kind, hard-working, and respectful. However, there is one more word that cannot be missed, which is “shy” (The top 10.) Even though it is not scientifically verified, it become a stereotype that Japanese are shy.
Shyness is considered to be a prominent characteristic in Japanese people by foreigners which has roots in the culture of the Edo period, the Japanese way of education, and high ethnic consciousness.
First, the custom of Japanese Edo era has considered as a reason Japanese are shy. During the Edo era, there was a hierarchy: Emperor, Shogun, Daimyos, Samurai, Ronin, Peasant, Artisans, and Marchant. Emperor was the figurehead, Shogun to Ronin were warrior class, and 90 percent of the population were peasants (The …show more content…
Japanese education plays a significant role in giving experiences of “being same with others is the best.” For example, Japanese are taught one proverb “Derukui-ha-utareru” (Stand out from the crowd and you just invite trouble for you.” Japanese education system focuses on cooperativeness rather than individuality. Especially in elementary school and middle school, nonacademic activities, with their cooperative goals as outlined in the national Course of Study, are consciously utilized to develop certain character characteristic, such as cooperativeness and a sense of responsibility to others (Tsuneyoshi 77.) Shields also mention that from the earliest years, Japanese schools and families are closely united in their mutually respected goals of imprinting disciplined work habits and cooperative attitudes in children (4.) By being educated in this environment, Japanese people have a habit to naturally try not to be different from other people in the same group so that they tend to be quiet and not saying their opinion. There is no wonder why foreigners think Japanese are
Foreign people often describe Japanese people using these words: polite, kind, hard-working, and respectful. However, there is one more word that cannot be missed, which is “shy” (The top 10.) Even though it is not scientifically verified, it become a stereotype that Japanese are shy.
Shyness is considered to be a prominent characteristic in Japanese people by foreigners which has roots in the culture of the Edo period, the Japanese way of education, and high ethnic consciousness.
First, the custom of Japanese Edo era has considered as a reason Japanese are shy. During the Edo era, there was a hierarchy: Emperor, Shogun, Daimyos, Samurai, Ronin, Peasant, Artisans, and Marchant. Emperor was the figurehead, Shogun to Ronin were warrior class, and 90 percent of the population were peasants (The …show more content…
Japanese education plays a significant role in giving experiences of “being same with others is the best.” For example, Japanese are taught one proverb “Derukui-ha-utareru” (Stand out from the crowd and you just invite trouble for you.” Japanese education system focuses on cooperativeness rather than individuality. Especially in elementary school and middle school, nonacademic activities, with their cooperative goals as outlined in the national Course of Study, are consciously utilized to develop certain character characteristic, such as cooperativeness and a sense of responsibility to others (Tsuneyoshi 77.) Shields also mention that from the earliest years, Japanese schools and families are closely united in their mutually respected goals of imprinting disciplined work habits and cooperative attitudes in children (4.) By being educated in this environment, Japanese people have a habit to naturally try not to be different from other people in the same group so that they tend to be quiet and not saying their opinion. There is no wonder why foreigners think Japanese are