Japan's Cultural Code Words Quotes

“More importantly, however, the formalized apprenticeship system led to higher and higher aesthetic and quality standards. The desire to make things better and better became compulsive. Japan’s traditional culture therefore tended to produce people who were korisho (koe-ree-show), or “perfectionists.” Anything less than perfect immediately caught their eye, and even if an imperfection was so slight it was barely noticeable, it would be conspicuous to the Japanese and they would reject the product.”
― Boyé Lafayette de Mente, Japan's Cultural Code Words: Key Terms That Explain the Attitudes and Behavior of the Japanese

“Some time during the Heian Period (794–1185), the size of a room was commonly determined by the amount of space a person occupied while sitting and sleeping, and by the person’s social rank. A person of the first rank was allotted the largest space, which measured only 4 feet by 7 feet. An ordinary person, according to records of that time, was expected to make do with a space measuring 3 feet by 6 feet.”
― Boyé Lafayette de Mente, Japan's Cultural Code Words: Key Terms That Explain the Attitudes and Behavior of the Japanese

“The two “code words” itadakimasu (ee-tah-dah-kee-mahss) and gochisoh sama (go-chee-sohh sah-mah) are very important parts of the dining etiquette in Japan. Itadakimasu, said just before eating, literally means “to receive” or “to accept,” but in this context it is an institutionalized term that has a ritual connotation, almost like a prayer. Gochisoh sama, which has the meaning of “thank you for the meal or drinks,” is said after the completion of a meal, when leaving the table or shortly thereafter, to whomever has provided the meal, whether at a restaurant or at someone’s home.”
― Boyé Lafayette de Mente, Japan's Cultural Code Words: Key Terms That Explain the Attitudes and Behavior of the Japanese

“One of the government edicts passed shortly after the founding of the Tokugawa Shogunate, Japan’s last great shogunate dynasty (1603–1868), made it legal for any shogunate samurai warrior to execute on the spot and without trial, any commoner found breaking a law or behaving in a disrespectful manner toward a samurai. This regulation was known as kirisute gomen (kee-ree-sue-tay go-mane), which means something like “kill and toss in a ‘sorry about that’ comment and walk away.” The samurai warriors of the some 270 clan fiefs that existed during the Tokugawa Period were quick to adopt the same practice.”
― Boyé Lafayette de Mente, Japan's Cultural Code Words: Key Terms That Explain the Attitudes and Behavior of the Japanese

“Ippiki Ookami (Ee-pee-kee Ohh-kah-me) Japan’s Lone Wolves Some years ago in Osaka, I was introduced to a young Japanese entrepreneur who had established a small chain of shops selling cowboy clothing and accessories imported from the American southwest. When we exchanged name cards, I was immensely amused to note that he had replaced his Japanese name with “Lone Wolf.” I asked the young man if that was in fact his name, and he assured me it was, and that he not only used it in his business contacts, but that his friends also called him “Lone Wolf.” I didn’t have to ask him why he had chosen this popular American term as his name. I knew that it was a total repudiation of all of the attitudes and customs making up the traditional Japanese way, and represented everything he wanted to be.”
― Boyé Lafayette de Mente, Japan's Cultural Code Words: Key Terms That Explain the Attitudes and Behavior of the Japanese

“An example of en maku wo haru is the tatemae (tah-tay-my), “facade” or “public position,” characteristic of Japanese behavior, which is nothing other than a smoke screen designed to conceal honne (hohn-nay), “real thoughts” or “real intentions.”
― Boyé Lafayette de Mente, Japan's Cultural Code Words: Key Terms That Explain the Attitudes and Behavior of the Japanese

“Until the end of Japan’s Shogunate Period in 1868, businesspeople were considered the lowest of the main social classes. (There were no lawyers in Japan at that time.)”
― Boyé Lafayette de Mente, Japan's Cultural Code Words: Key Terms That Explain the Attitudes and Behavior of the Japanese