Words that express mind of Japanese people

A frame of mind in which spiritual richness can be found in the simple and tranquil. This mentality forms an important basis of the traditional tea ceremony.

A poetic ideal fostered by Basho in haiku in which profound meaning can be found in the datached and the dispassionate. Evocations of sabi in painting are seen in scenes of desolation.

Honne refers to a person’s real intention or motive. The Japanese are reluctant to to reveal the real intention and motive in public. Tatemae refers to the Japanese inclination to follow conventional principles or take a fixed course of action.

The practice of discussing in advance the proposals that will be made at a meeting. Dicision making generally requires unanimous agreement in Japanese companies, hence the necessity of maneuvering behind the scenes to reach a consensus beforehand.

An aesthetic ideal fostered by the urban commoners in the Edo period (1600-1868). “I-ki” reflects refined and elegant beauty in one’s demeanor, with undertones of tasteful sensuality.

An acute consciousness among the Japanese of how they appear to others. They have a reluctance to behave differently from the socially accepted norm because the main goal is keeping their reputation intact.

A feeling of gratitude toward a person from whom one has received a favor or gift.

An obligation to return favors in certain social situation or to persons from whom one has received particular favors. Neglecting this obligation to reciprocate will often cause one to lose the trust of others in Japanese society.

An aesthetic sense like i-ki, fostered by the urban commoners in the Edo period. The aesthetis sense reflects an intriguing trendiness and something captivating in dress, mannerisms and speech that differ from the norm.

The Japanese mentality of differentiating between those inside and outside one’s own group and treating them accordingly, that is to say, maintaining distance towards people outside the group.