A Perfect Guide to Americans
Social Customs (Japan on USA)
SunHa Park, James Chae, Jenny You
B Block Asian Studies
Location of USA
Japan
Who Are They?
- From the West (different part of the world)
- Very influential
- More advanced and powerful
- Adaptable people
1. Bathing Methods
Americans tend to bath alone rather than in groups.
2. Pleasures and Entertainment
Americans seem to have deep interests in entertainment and
pleasures. They often tend to dance around and shout loudly in their
drunken state, and show interest for Japanese prostitutes.
3. Respect Towards the Dead
Americans have great respect towards the dead, and take special
care for their funerals. By showing great respect, it shows that they
might not be the "southern barbarians" or "foreign devils".
4. Sumo Wrestling
Americans seem to be surprised and envious of great Japanese Sumo
wrestlers; they must not have such manly sports in the U.S.
5. African Americans
Americans seem to be quite proud of their black slaves, yet
Japanese people do not see any reason for thinking so.
6. Sensitive Character
Many Americans showed deep interest in artistic and
cultural matters; maybe they are not the barbarians we
think them to be.
7. Forks and Knives
Rather than using chopsticks for eating utensils, Americans
used forks and knives.
8. Experience: Food
Americans seemed to show interests in Japanese production of
goods, yet are very ignorant and unskilled.
9. Spiritual Music
Hogaku
Spiritual music was created by slaves in America. This type of
music only uses vocal voices, and it was religious, which was
designed to give people faith.
10. Etiquette
Bowing in the American culture wasn't considered as important as it
was in the Japanese culture. However, when they greeted one
another, they bowed to each other without speaking.
Citation
Bosso, David. "A Japan Experience: Social Customs." A Japan Experience. Web.
28 Nov. 2011. <http://media.berlinschools.org/~dbosso/japan/customs.htm>.
Dower, John W. "Black Ships and Samurai." Free Online Course Materials | MIT
OpenCourseWare. MIT Visualizing Cultures, 2010. Web. 26 Nov. 2011.
<http://ocw.mit.edu/ans7870/21f/21f.027/black_ships_and_samurai/bss_essay05.html
>.
Mishima, Shizuko. "Japanese Culture and Etiquette." Japan Travel Guide - Travel to
Japan. About.com. Web. 25 Nov. 2011.
<http://gojapan.about.com/od/japaneseculture/u/japaneseculture.htm>.
Unknown. "Customs of Japan - Artelino." Artelino - Japanese Prints. Artelino. Web.
26 Nov. 2011. <http://www.artelino.com/articles/customs-of-japan.asp>.
Image Citation
http://www.houston.us.emb-japan.go.jp/en/archive/page20090114.htm
http://hararie-japan-tokyo-tokyo.com/japanese_culture/temporary-category-a/japanesechopsticks/chopsticks-etiquette/
http://www.wikipaintings.org/en/utagawa-kuniyoshi/the-sumo-wrestler
http://www.usna.edu/LibExhibits/collections/perry/
http://blogimg.goo.ne.jp/user_image/40/58/6c8cf03e249642351b700c3eb3060db9.jpg
Dower, John W. "Black Ships and Samurai." Free Online Course Materials | MIT
OpenCourseWare. MIT Visualizing Cultures, 2010. Web. 26 Nov. 2011.
<http://ocw.mit.edu/ans7870/21f/21f.027/black_ships_and_samurai/bss_essay05.html
>.