Reaction Paper

Stephanie Buff

Reaction Paper

September 21, 2012

  

    The past four weeks of Japanese Culture study has provided an extensive basis for cultural understanding. Each week focuses on difference aspects of society that contribute to the rich culture of the Japanese nation.

The first week of studies was an introductory time period, where basic concepts of Japan were introduced. In the video, “Discovery Atlas Japan Revealed”, I received a few noteworthy cultural bases. Primarily, a sense of underlying spirituality became apparent in each cultural aspect described. Specifically, the idea of the appreciation for seasons was emphasized on several occasions. Lastly, the concept of a geisha was revealed, and the rigid nature of the program was telling of a culture that values hard work, respect, and manners.

The second week of cultural inspection focused mainly on Geography and Transportation. Personally, the geographical education was important for receiving an accurate sense of the country. Prior to the geographical learning, I had only been able to visualize Tokyo on a map of Japan. Now, I am aware of the eight regions dividing the island, and the importance of various cities aside from Tokyo, like, Kyoto and Fukushima. For example, Kyoto has a population of approximately one and half million (Mongabay). Furthermore, I can now understand that the country is connected by an intricate railway system that is streamlined with precision and impressive efficiency.

Week three of our course of study focused on House and Family structures. The concepts that were most emphasized included the idea of the IE and gender inequalities. The IE refers to an established form of familial hierarchy, where the elders inevitably receive the most respect. Emmett-san established that the IE is based on patriarchal structure, and that the entire concept is based around ones ancestral history. This idea carried over into the hierarchal family system. Ikuji, or childrearing practices, correlated with the study of family life. This highlighted many of the Japanese ideals, concerned with cooperation and respect. It also touched on the importance of concealing ones emotions, and adhering to social normalcy by way of manners.

Finally, week four focused on Socialization and classification. This centered on more ideas that were brought up in Ikuji, and expanded on these ideas. Uchi and Soto, inside and outside. There are different behavioral practices for each environment respectively, which require a conscious effort too apply manners and control ones expression in a public setting. The idea of kindergarten was brought up as a transitional period for children to enter the public.

Several concepts regarding Japanese culture have become apparent in reflecting on these last four weeks, and outside sources relating to course material. The course material, as well as “Finding Japan” by Robert Reed, bring up many concepts that reinforce my impression that Japanese culture is deeply rooted with traditional practices. Specifically, Finding Japan entitles a chapter “The festivals of the Japanese Year”, and continues to describe traditions of festivities like Japanese New Years (Reed). These celebrations and traditions seem to have a spiritual foundation. Additionally, respect for ones ancestor is a staple of Japanese cultural practice. An Ancestor Worship site articles reiterates, “Despite modern trends, ancestor worship continues to be an important mechanism through which the living feel that they are spiritually connected to the deceased family members, thereby ensuring the continuity of family lineage” (Ancestor Worship). This proves true in ideas we covered in class, like the EI, and familial hierarchy. Furthering my reflection on upcoming course materials will provide an ever understanding into a culture that I previously knew nothing about.  

Discussion Questions:

1.     Do you think the basis of ancestral respect will eventually be lost in Japanese culture?

2.     Do you think that the idea of public behavior inhibits the creation of personal connections in Japanese society?

Works Cited

"Ancestor Worship - Ancestor Worship In Japan." - Family, Japanese, and Ancestors. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Sept. 2012. <http://family.jrank.org/pages/85/Ancestor-Worship-Ancestor-Worship-in-Japan.html>.

Reed, Robert. Finding Japan: A Guide to Seeing Its Beauties and Unlocking Its Mysteries. Tōkyō: J Risāchi Shuppan, 2005. Print.

Japanese vs. American Psychology

Stephanie-san

Japanese Psychology

After reading about “Ikuji”, the Japanese idealogy behind parenting, the concept of Japanese psychology medicine became an area of interest. Psychology class has taught me that children develop in phases, and American parenting methodology is based around psychological studies.  I immediately became interested in how the perspectives on psychological science differed based on culture. American and Japanese psychologists base their studies on different premises due to the differences in culture.

The American Psychological Association’s homepage immediately provides links to the different psychological diseases that are most often diagnosed in the United States (APA). For example, the link for the “stress” condition pages leads to a fact sheet on how to cope with and how to avoid feeling stressed (APA).  Similarly, the link for “anger” leads to another link named “controlling anger before it controls you” (APA).  This promotes the theory that American medicine centers about the idea of preventative medicine as well as treatment of diagnosed disease. The Morita School of Japanese study suggests, “Western medicine is largely based on the control and elimination of symptoms defined as abnormal, undesirable, or disabling” (Morita School). American Medicine falls into this “Western” methodology. Japanese psychologists maintain a different perspective on psychological studies.

“Japanese Psychology differs from traditional Western approaches in how it conceptualizes health” (Morita School). Japanese society takes conditions that we deem undesirable, and categorize them as passages in life (Morita School). “Let’s use depression as an example. In anyone’s lifetime there is a good chance that they will experience some degree of depression” (Morita School). With this theory in mind, Japanese psychology critiques American ideas, asking, “…what is wrong with trying to control these unpleasant events? This approach to life sets up unrealistic change agendas that become problematic when we encounter events beyond our control.” (Morita School). The Morita School of Japanese Psychology supports that scientific evidence suggests that, “people’s change agenda is often at the root of the problem. The more we try to control the uncontrollable, the more our attention gets trapped” (Morita School). These psychologists believe that the fixation on what Western society diagnoses as an illness, is what prevents the afflicted person from recovering (The Morita School). “The more we try to control the uncontrollable, the more our attention gets trapped. We turn our attention away from the basic activities that sustain us (self-care, relationships, and responsibilities) to deal with our feelings” (Morita School). Furthermore, Japanese psychology seems to suggest that difficulty is a natural part of life, but suffering from difficulties is optional. Consequently, the fixation in Western society on treatment of natural feelings may be what leads people to drug-use, eating disorders, and other forms of “risky behavior” (The Morita School). The “Todo” Insitiute reinforces the idea of “Mindfulness and Attention”, as the foundation for the human psyche (Todo).

The Todo Institute elaborates on the idea that attention is of the utmost importance for a healthy mind. Efficient use of attention “can improve concentration, our intimate relationships, our spiritual practice, and our overall mental health” (Todo). Todo even goes as far as to say “What’s at stake is nothing less than our experience of life itself” (Todo). The difference in emphasis on varying aspects of mentality demonstrates the cultural differences present between the United States and Japan.

The more I read and learn about Japanese culture, the greater the difference between Japanese and American mentalities becomes. The sentiment of a spiritual emphasis in Japanese culture has become increasingly apparent with furthering research. Consequently, the American focus on scientific thought processes has become evident. Americans look for answers to what we deem problems, while the Japanese seem to keep faith in the idea that problems are a part of life and do not always require a concrete solution. These realizations are supported by my research of Ikuji, Japanese Medicine, and Psychology.

Discussion Points:

1. Would you consider either method more valid?

2. Does this mean science is less fact than assumed and more up to interpretation?

Works Cited

"About JPA." The Japanese Psychological Association. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Sept. 2012. <http://www.psych.or.jp/english/index.html>.

"American Psychological Association (APA)." American Psychological Association (APA). N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Sept. 2012. <http://www.apa.org/>.

"JAPANESE PSYCHOLOGY." ABOUT THE MORITA SCHOOL. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Sept. 2012. <http://moritaschool.com/content/japanese-psychology>.

"Mindfulness & Attention." Attention and Mindfulness. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Sept. 2012. <http://www.todoinstitute.org/mindfulness-attention.html>.

My name is Stephanie Buff, and I am a double major in Spanish and English at Gettysburg College. I live just south of Boston, Massachusetts. My interest in Japanese culture comes from my desire to travel, and my interest in cultural studies. I have interest in clinical social work, so my cultural interests often focus on healthcare practices.

Japanese Medicine

Stephanie san

Monday, September 10

As someone who fosters interest in both health care and culture, Japanese medicine is a relevant and pertinent research topic because it incorporates both. The most prominent medicinal method that is associated with Japanese health care is Kampo medicine. Research confirms that America is becoming “more accepting of innovative forms of medical treatment” (Empowered Doctor). Japanese Kampo is one of these innovative forms that has “centuries of affective use (Empowered Doctor).

            Kampo was “originally adapted from Chinese herbal medicine”, and places value on three specific ideas (Empowered Doctor). These ideas include, simplicity, prevention, and safety (Empowered Doctor). Specifically, Kampo consists of three hundred and sixty-five herbal remedies that can be placed into three categories (Empowered Doctor). The first category incorporates the most highly valued remedies, which are the safest, and are also preventative of disease (Empowered Doctor). These prescriptions have minimal side effects, and are intended for long-term use (Empowered Doctor). The second category incorporates methods of treatment for pre-existing condition, as well as prevention of the condition’s recurrence (Empowered Doctor). The third and lowest level of remedy, treats acute or chronic disease, and is administered for shorter duration (Empowered Doctor). The prescribed length is shorter due to the potential for toxic side effects that can result from the nature of the treatment (Empowered Doctor). It is particularly interesting that “most Western allopathic medicines fall into this [final] category” (Empowered Doctor). Kampo is a methodology that is less concerned with the cause of infection, and is more related to patient specific restoration to the body’s natural balance (Empowered Doctor).  Kampo is practiced at the most prominent Japanese health care facilities.

            The top ten Japanese healthcare facilities are listed by “Medical Travel Japan”, and are ranked in the following order: Seirei Hamamatsu General, Kameda Medical Center, Seirei Mikatahara, Kanto Medical Center NTT EC, St. Luke’s Intl., Saiseikai, Masunami General, Kariya General, Asahi General, and Yokoma City University (Medical Travel Japan). All of the hospitals listed are private, and are geographically diverse in location (Medical Travel Japan). I was surprised that only two hospitals on the list are located in Tokyo, and they are ranked fourth and sixth relating to quality of medical care (Medical Travel Japan). I would have assumed that Tokyo, being the prosperous capital of Japan, would have had the most advanced medical facilities in the country. The top hospital is specified to be located in the prefecture, Shizoka. These hospitals are reputable and advanced facilities on an international scale.

            Personally, medical methodology is an affective way to gain insight into a nation’s culture. Often, the spiritual beliefs of a nation are reflected in their medical methodologies. For example, American medicine has no spiritual basis integrated into its’ treatments, which is indicative of our societies lack of emphasis on national spirituality. The spiritual emphasis that Japanese society places on the awareness of the seasons, is evident in Japanese Kampo’s attention to external factors on one’s well being. Furthermore, the connection between cultures is obvious in the American integration of Asian style medicines including acupuncture and Kampo into medical protocols.

AIMC Berkeley, in California, is an American Institution that is “uniquely rooted in Traditional Japanese Medicine” (AIMC Berkeley). AIMC provides education to students regarding Japanese Kampo methods, pediatric care, and acupuncture (AIMC Berkeley). AIMC Berkeley claims to be the best institution for education on Japanese Medicine (AIMC Berkeley). Because Berkeley is one of the most prominent Universities in the nation it indicates an increasing presence of Japanese medicine in the United States.  I am interested to learn more about Japanese culture and medicine by performing more extensive research.

Works Cited

"Japanese Kampo Medicine." Japanese Kampo Medicine. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Sept. 2012. <http://www.empowereddoctor.com/japanese-kampo-medicine>.

"Japanese Medicine." Japanese Medicine. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Sept. 2012. <http://aimc.edu/admissions/why-aimc-berkeley-2/japanese-medicine/>.

"Top 10 Japanese Hospitals (Private)." メディカルツーリズム ジャパン. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Sept. 2012. <http://www.japan-medical-tourism.com/content/top-10-japanese-hospitals-private>.