The Japanese Mind: Understanding Contemporary Japanese Culture

Roger J. Davies · Osamu Ikeno

Sep 2019 · Tantor Media Inc · Narrated by Eric Jason Martin

About this audiobook

In The Japanese Mind, Roger Davies offers Westerners an invaluable key to the unique aspects of Japanese culture. Listeners of this book will gain a clear understanding of what makes the Japanese, and their society, tick. Among the topics explored: aimai (ambiguity), amae (dependence upon others' benevolence), amakudari (the nation's descent from heaven), chinmoku (silence in communication), gambari (perseverance), giri (social obligation), haragei (literally, "belly art"; implicit, unspoken communication), kenkyo (the appearance of modesty), sempai-kohai (seniority), wabi-sabi (simplicity and elegance), and zoto (gift giving), as well as discussions of child-rearing, personal space, and the roles of women in Japanese society. All in all, this book is an easy-to-use introduction to the distinguishing characteristics of Japanese society; an invaluable resource for anyone-business people, travelers, or students-perfect for course adoption, but also for anyone interested in Japanese culture.

About the author

Roger J. Davies is the author of Japanese Culture and coeditor of The Japanese Mind. He has taught courses in business management, intercultural communication, and Japanese culture at both postgraduate and undergraduate levels at some of Japan's leading schools, including Hitotsubashi University.

Osamu Ikeno holds master's degrees in linguistics and ESL from Kobe University and the University of Hawaii. He is Professor of English Education in the Faculty of Education at Ehime University.

Eric Jason Martin is a producer, director, and voice performer based in Los Angeles. He is the AudioFile Earphones and Audie Award-winning narrator of over 200 audiobooks, including works by Kurt Vonnegut, David Foster Wallace, Karin Slaughter, and Lee Child.