Japanese proverbs: folk wisdom and character

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:40

Japan is a country with a very peculiar culture and etiquette. For a Russian and even a European, there will be a lot of outlandish in their behavior. Workaholism, respect for elders, modesty in communication - all this expresses folk art: haiku poems, fairy tales, proverbs. Japanese customs are presented in a very holistic way.

The appearance and character of the Japanese

For example, in the Land of the Rising Sun there is a popular expression: "Whoever feels shame, he also feels duty." These words contain not only the features of the national character of the Japanese. It is known that for a long time in Japan, great attention was paid to the appearance of a person, his clothes. According to it, one could very clearly determine social status. And the higher he was, the stricter were the requirements. Samurai could not expose their body, which caused certain difficulties. For example, they visited the bathhouse, covering their faces so as not to be identified. This is an example of a case where a sense of duty is accompanied by shame and increased demands.

Customs and proverbs: Japanese etiquette requirements

Courtesy and respect is one of the most characteristic manifestationsJapanese nature. For example, even the modern process of exchanging business cards in Japan differs in many ways from how it would happen in Europe. Business cards are passed simultaneously with two hands. At the same time, you can’t immediately put the paper in your pocket: you need to study it for some time and show interest in what is written. Popular requirements, customs, instructions, and display many proverbs. Japanese customs are very strict: "Etiquette must be observed even in friendship" - says folk teaching.

Japanese Folk Wisdom Versus Biblical Teaching

The winged expressions of the Land of the Rising Sun sometimes convey wisdom that is similar to the teachings of other peoples. For example, such words: "Where people grieve, grieve you." They are in many ways similar to the phrase from the Bible: "Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep." In fact, this elementary truth greatly facilitates communication with people, understanding. To do this, you do not need to graduate from the faculties of psychology - just turn to ancient sources: be it Japanese wisdom or biblical commandments.

Man and his environment

Japanese sayings and proverbs have absorbed folk wisdom, helping ordinary people in their practical life for centuries. Another teaching largely reflects the truth, which is currently being experimentally proved by psychologists. “Good and bad in a person depends on the environment”, “If you want to know a person, get to know his friends,” say the proverbs. Japanese sayings that have existed for more than one century are trying toconfirm modern experiences.

Psychological experiment

For example, psychologists conducted an experiment: students were told to solve mathematical problems. Moreover, one group consisted only of nationally and socially similar ones, while the other class included representatives of various Asian countries, which, as is known, have good mathematical abilities. Other things being equal, those students who solved problems in a society of their own kind showed the best results. The influence of the environment on a person is so great.

And if such results were shown in a short-term problem-solving experiment, how enormous the impact on a person of friends and loved ones can be!

The Japanese: a nation of workaholics

As has been said, the Japanese are known for their industriousness, which goes beyond all conceivable boundaries. “Diligence is the mother of success,” says the wisdom of the Land of the Rising Sun. This is very significant in modern life in Japan. For employees of Japanese companies, their own career growth is not at all important. The priority for them is the prosperity of the organization in which they work. In order to avoid problems with the he alth of subordinates, managers strictly ensure that employees leave work on time. Also in Japan it is impossible not to take a vacation. This way of life is also reflected in Japanese proverbs. With the transfer to another company, nothing changes - the traditions on the island are the same everywhere.