70 Japanese Gestures: No Language Communication

by Hamiru-aqui, Aileen Chang (Translator)

Using body parts including hands, arms, and face, offers a whimsical, yet factual, look at seventy gestures used in Japan to communicate nonverbally.

Genres: Nonfiction, Japanese Literature, Japan, Reference, Language, Cultural, Humor

158 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

In depth look at the gestures that are used by the Japanese - very informative and filled with many great photos. If you have not worked with a Japanese group there are some cultural nuances that you can learn that will be very helpful when establishing rapport. This book will help you make a much more productive presentation.

[Naj G · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a good Light read if you are studying Japanese. Don't underestimate Gestures as Japanese people use it a lot daily " talking with friends, workmates, stand up comedy,...etc". If you are tired from studying kanji endlessly have a break with this book, it also provides some cultural notes at the end.

[Ryoichi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extensive Listening & Reading 2
Mathew's class
Mathew's class
Mathew's class


-about 1 hour and 15 minutes(12/15)

-7 word summary:
Japanese-gestures-general-slung-children's-culture-funny

-Discussion Questions:
1.What gesture do you often use?
Answer:
I often use "Nattoku".
The gesture is hitting the palm of one hand with a closed fist.
We use it when we are agreeing with others say.
However, in the West,this gesture looks similar to "want to fight".
It's very interesting!!

2.When you consider Japanese culture,what do you come up with first?
Answer:
Now I come to my mind about chopstick.
When I have been abroad, I was often asked about Japanese cultures.
So, we should grasp our own cultures.

-Note-
This book discribes Japanese gesture.
It was devided to three types,
general gesture and slung one, children's one.
There are pictures which mean each gestures,
so it's easy to understand.

I have finished reading a half of all.
(General gestures~Slung gestures)

[Shoichi Momiyama · Rating 4 out of 5]

-IBC publishing,Level 4.
-Time 9/22= 10minutes: 9/23= 20minutes: 9/24= 30minutes.
-7-word summary: gestures-expressions-popular-Japan-hand-polite-apology
-Discussion questions:
1.What kinds of Japanese gesture do you know?
A:I know "bowing". Japanese people usually bow when they exchange greeting with an older person or higher-ranked person.
2.Do you usually use gestures to communicate with people(friends, family members, and stragers)? If your answer would be "yes", what kinds of gesture do you use?
A:Yes. I usually wave my hand to say good-bye to my friends. Also, when I want my friends to wait, I show the palm of one hand to them.

To read this book, I'm interested in gestures used in foreign countries. I know Japan has many interesting gestures. So, I'm sure that foreign countries have funny gestures, too. I think that it would be easier to communicate with people if we would use gesture.

[Nova · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though I have taken two semesters of Japanese language classes, and have supplemented these studies myself, no one ever taught me about these nonverbal gestures. I recognized plenty of them from Japanese films and anime, however, I had never discerned their meanings myself. This book was very entertaining and informative. It helped me to have a better understanding of Japanese language and culture. Now, when I see these gestures being done in Japanese films, I understand why they are making them.

[Allanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked this up while browsing (we actually got to storytime a little early! *GASP!!*) at the library. A VERY quick read.

Now I'll be just a little more prepared for when I ever get to go to Japan.

[Neutrino123 · Rating 4 out of 5]

simple, short, fun.

[Mai Gharieb · Rating 5 out of 5]

おもしろい！　:)

[Nisah Haron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny and entertaining!
It helps me to understand some of the hand and body gestures of the Japanese. The do's and don'ts when we meet a Japanese.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun book about the Japanese body language and non verbal signs they use.
Showed it to my friends who are Japanese. They loved it and said the signs are still relevant in a lot of cases.

[Martina Frullanti · Rating 5 out of 5]

面白いです。Indimenticabile. Prezioso. Essenziale.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Knew a lot of these already but learned a few new ones too! Fun.

[ツツ]

It’s like an intro to JSL.

Contains: sexism

[Sebah Al-Ali · Rating 3 out of 5]

:) .. رغم أن الكتاب عن الإشارات ، إلا أنه ممتع من ناحية التعرف على الثقافات الأخرى من خلال لغتها (الإشارات) و طرق استخدام تلك اللغة .

تعلمت الكثير ، منه أن ، كما هو موضح في الكتاب ، أن الثقافة اليابانية تقع تحت تأثير كبير من الإعلام الغربي مما ساهم في اختفاء أو التقليل من شأن الكثير من موروثاتهم الثقافية ، بما يشمل الإشارات اللغوية .

أيضا مما تعلمته :

- الإشارة لأنف المتحدث أو أنف المتحدث إليه هي طريقة لتعيين الشخص دونا عن غيره ؛ لكن هذه الطريقة بدأت تزول في الأجيال الحالية .

- إظهار الأسنان عند الضحك قد لا يكون ملائما .. تغطية الفم باليدين محببة .

- مما حتما كنت لن أفهمه إن رأيته :

أ. إشارة أن يمسك أحدهم بأطراف أذنيه السفلى.. هذه تستخدم للدلالة على أن الشخص أمسك شيئا حارا . منطقها يعتمد على فكرة أن أطراف الأذنين السفلى أبرد المناطق في الجسم .

ب. أن تلمس قبضة أحدهم كفه المفتوحة الأخرى .. تستخدم للدلالة على الموافقة في الرأي . هذه الإشارة -أظن ، في بعض المجتمعات العربية مع تحريك الكف المفتوحة تشير لإثارة الغيظ ربما .

ج. أن يضع أحدهم سبابتيه عند أعلى رأسه و يشير بهما للأعلى .. هذه تشير لفكرة أن شخصا ما -ليس المتحدث- غاضب .


ممتع و خفيف .. :) .

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was cool; I picked it up in SFO on my way to Japan for teaching. It's a very fast read, but I think it's really more of a reference book for when I inevitably find myself confused or strangely insulted by things that shouldn't be confusing or insulting. It's also useful to know why people may feel insulted when I make certain gestures! One thing that's missing from this book is the "OK" symbol and the "NO" or "X" symbol (the latter is made with the arms, hands or fingers in an X that means "wrong"), which are absolutely rampant in Japan.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Here is a joke that was once popular. You tap a person's shoulder with your index finger pointing toward his cheek; he turns his face toward you. As he does so your finger touches his cheeks. "Ouch!" he says, and you both chuckle over it.

[Mai Gharieb · Rating 5 out of 5]

おもしろい！　:)

[yacoob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun and short - and if you're into Japanese culture you most likely know most of it. Picking a salaryman for photos definitely spiced things up. OK read.

[Yue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, especially when I recognize most of them because of manga/anime/dorama/variety shows. But some of them were just plain silly.