Why do many Japanese say that they are not religious?
They have no strict connection to one particular religious organization. At the same time, the same people practice activities that seem ‘religious'.
What is an "ujigami"?
The kami of a local shrine, also the kami of the local uji, which in ancient times used to be a local unit of related families.
What is the meaning of elitism?
Only the best can do something.
How many members does a Japanese ie have?
The total membership includes all those who went before: the ancestors, now forgotten as individuals; the recently dead who are remembered; and the descendants.
What is an Iwato jinja (岩戸神社)?
What is this called in Japanese? A formation of rocks that are thought to be sacred.
What does it mean if an education system is co-educational?
Both male and female students learn together in the classes.
Why do many Japanese excuse, forgive drunken behavior?
Drunkenness in Japan gains one immunity from acts or behavior committed “under the influence.”
Why were university students happier and more relaxed a few decades ago in Japan?
The quality of career that they could expect was more or less independent of how well they did and whether they got a really good grade for their degree.
What rule do Japanese parents first teach their children about uchi-soto relations?
To take off their shoes before they enter their home.
What is the meaning of the Japanese expression "mukōsangen ryōdonari 向こう三軒両隣"?
The three houses opposite and one on either side.
What kind of rites does the majority choose for the death and memorials?
Buddhist rites
What is the meaning of a "meritocratic" system in Japanese schools?
Students have to prove their abilities; they only become successful if they have good abilities.
What is the meaning of the Japanese word "koseki"?
family register
What is the Japanese term for the following definition? [busy place where people go to have fun; place for entertainment]
sakariba
What are the three levels of Japanese polite language called?
尊敬語 (そんけいご), 謙譲語 (けんじょうご), 丁寧語 (ていねいご)
Why do Japanese people rarely show their anger in public?
Face is connected to dignity, honour and public standing. Expressing anger publicly would cause both themselves and the recipient of their anger to lose face.
How can language be useful when determining relative status (even within a family?)
People make judgments about each other depending on their ability to use polite forms in the right way. The way something is said > what is being said.
What is the title of a popular manga series that truthfully features the Ainu?
Golden Kamuy
Who is a 'go-between'?
A person who arranges meetings for prospective partners that wish to marry.
What is the most important god for the Ainu people?
the Bear God
Many foreigners think Japanese people are not honest and lie. Why is that?
Because keeping the harmony within a society is crucial. People don't talk about their true feelings to avoid hurting others.
What are some factors that decide whether a person is uchi or soto?
circumstance, social standing, age, professional position, etc.
At any level of hierarchy, there is always some flexibility, especially when we are talking about equality in certain situations. Describe one situation where this is true.
Japanese people vs. outside world/foreigners; members of companies vs. outsiders
What is a popular Ainu souvenir?
Wooden carvings (especially bears and human figures)
What is the name of the most important shrine in Japan?
伊勢神宮 Ise Jingū
What are Jichikai (自治会) or Chounaikai (町内会)?
Neighbourhood associations.
What is the meaning of "hierarchy" in society?
One of the most important principles of classification in any society. It is a ranking of positions of authority, often associated with command and control.
How many prefectures does Japan have?
47
Izumo Taisha (出雲大社) is famous for a huge straw rope. What is the Japanese name of that rope?
shimenawa
How do Japanese kindergartens focus on equality? Mention two examples.
Rota system, uniform, activities are done together, etc.
Which religion in Japan has the earliest written traditions from the 8th century?
Shinto
Was it possible to marry someone from another caste in the Edo period?
Officially, it wasn't, but it happened many times.
Japan has a lot of minorities, but many people still think the country is ....... (hint: one race, one culture)
homogeneous
How did the first Ainu go to the USA?
As part of a "living exhibition" like in a "human zoo".
Define the meaning of "status". (Only the definition! Not the kinds of status.)
Relative rank that somebody holds, with certain rights, duties, and lifestyle, in a social hierarchy.
Sometimes it is difficult to draw a line between what is religious and what is secular." What does this mean and why is that?
In Japan, religion goes through and connects many things that are not religious for others, and it cannot easily be separated from them.
Who decides which textbooks Japanese students can learn from (compulsory education)?
The Japanese government, not the schools.
Define the two kinds of status that we learned about. Give examples for both.
Ascribed (or assigned); achieved.
What is 'frog' in Ainu? :)
ooat
Society was divided into which four classes in the Edo Period?
Samurai warriors, farmers, artisans and merchants (in that order).
What is the meaning of "honne" and"tatemae"?
Honne = one's true feelings; tatemae = public behavior
Why are kindergartens important in Japan?
They help children socialize; first uchi group after their families.
How many gods are there in Shinto?
impossible to count (legend says there are more than 8 million)
There are some Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples associated with „special needs". Mention one kind of such special needs.
praying for a quick death, commemorating children who have passed away or did not get to be born
What is the difference between “rural” and “urban”?
Rural means countryside, urban means city.
Tell us one kind of people who did not belong in any clear caste in the Edo Period, but they were also not outcastes.
Priests and scholars floated within the system to some extent, and there were travellers always on the road, whose status was also unclear.
Who is enshrined in the most famous shrine in Japan?
The imperial ancestress Amaterasu.
Japan's indigenous minority group is called the ______.
Ainu
How long is the compulsory period of education in Japan?
9 years. (6 years of elementary school, 3 years of lower secondary school.)
What has been a popular field to work in for the Ainu people since the 20th century?
tourism
What does it mean if an education system is egalitarian?
Every student have the same rights and opportunities.
Japan celebrates Coming of age-day (seijin shiki). At which age does a Japanese person become an adult?
20