Japanese sense of self

The essays in this collection look at how the Japanese see themselves and others, in a variety of contexts, and challenge many Western assumptions about Japanese society. Through their own experiences and observations of Japanese life, the authors explain how the Japanese define themselves and how they communicate with those around them--family, friends, teachers, and fellow workers. They discuss what Westerners view as oppositions inherent within the Japanese community, the contrast between public and private life, ritual and informality, group consensus and personal strength, and demonstrate how the Japanese reconcile one with the other. The Japanese emerge from this book as a complex, multifaceted people, vulnerable to the influences that surround them, but strong enough to determine and shape their own destinies.