Hegemony of Homogeneity: An Anthropological Analysis of Nihonjinron - Softcover

Befu, Harumi

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1876843055 ISBN 13: 9781876843052

Publisher: Trans Pacific Press, 2001

Synopsis

Much of the misunderstanding by foreigners about Japan arises out of their acceptance of certain stereotypes about the Japanese. Harumi Befu spearheaded the critique of the stereotypical and the essentialized characterization of the Japanese and their culture, often referred to as Nihonjinron. He now presents his summary statements in this book by reviewing the whole gamut of the Nihonjinron literature, ranging from ecology, rural community structure, personality, language, values and ethos. He shows the roles Nihonjinron plays for the identity formation of the Japanese and as the idealized norm of the society in orienting the public. Elaborating on the way in which Nihonjinron functions as a civil religion, the book outlines how a period of positive self-identity has alternated with a period of negative self-identity since the Meiji period.

About this edition

• Publisher: Trans Pacific Press
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 1876843055
• ISBN 13: 9781876843052
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 195