Kata: The Key to Understanding and Dealing with the Japanese

About this product:

In this first book ever to explain why the Japanese think and behave the way they do, veteran Japanologist Boye Lafayette De Mente, author of more than 30 books on Japan, unlocks the mystery of kata - the cultural molds that have traditionally shaped and defined the attitudes, behavior, and character of the Japanese and are primarily responsible for the traits and talents that make them different from other people - to explain what makes the Japanese Japanese, and how it effects all their personal, professional, and political affairs!

In some 70 brief essays, ranging from the "Art of Bowing" and "Importance of the Apology" to "The Compulsion for Quality" and "Exchanging Name-Cards," the author looks at the origin, nature, use, and influence of kata (literally the form and order of doing things) in Japanese life and how this cultural conditioning causes the Japanese to think and react in the way they do. Because all relations with the Japanese are influenced by kata, the key to dealing with the Japanese in personal or business matters requires knowing how and when to induce or compel them to break the kata and behave in a non-Japanese way. Great for studying the JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test).For your convenience, this book is stocked in San Diego. (pcrdist) (instock)