LILI FLORIDA

In Tokyo, I stayed at the hotel for two nights. The hotel had a small library room.

I read some books. One book was about Japanese customs.

• 日本のしきたり Customs of Japan: a photographic overview

I share my personal reflection here.

和 (Wa) is “harmony” in English. It is also used for the meaning of Japan.

• 和人 (Japanese people)
• 和服 (Japanese clothing)
• 和食 (Japanese cuisine)

I think yesterday I posted a comment about two different proverbs.

• The nail that sticks out gets hammered down. (Japan)
• The squeaky wheel gets the grease. (America)

Japan was historically an agricultural society. People were forced to work closely on a limited amount of land. All laborers planted the rice and harvested the crop together. Being different was not welcome in a group.

On the contrary, “speak up in public if you have a different opinion” is the American way. America was a hunter-based society. Marksmanship and woodsmanship are individual skills. Hunting requires both individual and cooperative skills.

Two proverbs describe the cultural difference between Japan and America.

And respect is important for everyone.

Photos by LILI

@liliflorida on Tumblr