Learning the everyday mannerisms necessary to operate in a foreign society like Japan can seem overwhelming. However, taking the time to research some common social practices can go a long way in deepening your understanding. For those looking to visit Japan, or those just researching at home, OSUL has numerous resources available on Japanese culture and etiquette. There are also studies, such as 在日留学生に必要なソーシャル・スキル (Necessary Social Skills for International Students in Japan) by 田中 共子(Tomoko Tanaka), 高井 次郎(Jiro Takai) and 神山 貴弥 (Takaya Kohyama), that analyze and give suggestions on how to successfully cope with these social difficulties.
Covers of resources available at OSUL
Recent trends have shown that this firm grasp on etiquette and mannerism has begun to loosen. There are examples of popular media in Japan, such as クレヨンしんちゃん (Crayon Shinchan), that find humor in their characters’ frequent and often vulgar breaking of these mannerisms. So, while a basic understanding of Japanese customs, mannerisms, and etiquette can help to improve your ability to interact and communicate, they are not vital to your success in dealing with native speakers.
Books on Japanese customs, manners, and etiquette can be found in both English and Japanese through OSUL.
- These are some of the English resources focusing on Japanese customs, manners, and etiquette:
- Quaint Customs and Manners of Japan by Joya Mock (Kegan Paul, 2002)
- The Simple Guide to Japan: Customs and Etiquette by Helmut Morsbach (Global Books, 1997)
- Japan: Customs & Culture by Paul Norbury (Kuperard, 2011)
- Kata: The Key to Understanding & Dealing with the Japanese by Boye De Mente (Airlift, 2003)
- Japanese Etiquette by Bun Nakajima (Japan Travel Bureau, 1963)
- Japan’s Cultural Code Words by Boye De Mente (Tuttle Publishing, 2004)- Cultural phrases and their meanings.
- 日本文化を英語で紹介する事典: A Bilingual Handbook on Japanese Culture by Sugiura Yōichi, John K. Gillespie(Natsumesha, 2003)
- Reading Your Way Around Japan by Boye De Mente (Phoenix Books, 1981)- Common words and signs seen in Japan.
- What’s What in Japan’s Diet by PHP Institute, Inc. (Japan Times, 1989) – illustrated description of Japan’s government and public agencies
- There are also many resources in Japanese that focus on these topics as well:
- 外国人の誤用から分かる日本語の問題 by Morita Yoshiyuki (Meiji Shoin, 2005)
- マナコミの成功学 : 仕事も人生もウイン-ウインに導く20の法則 by Nishide Hiroko (Gotō Shoin, 2010) – Manner and etiquette in business.
- 礼儀 by Kusayanagi Daizō (Sakuhinsha, 1994)
- 茶の湯の手紙文例集 : 茶事。茶会の案內状から会記まで by Tankōsha Henshūkyoku (Tankōsha, 2003)
- 接客応対by Nihon Seisansei Honbu (Nihon Seisansei Honbu, 1991) – Business etiquette in the service industry.
- 素敵な女性のための美しいマナー : TPO别図解でよくわかる by Shimodaira Kumiko (Nagaoka Shoten, 2005)
- 女性の美しい話し方と会話術 by Shimodaira Kumiko (Seibidō Shuppan, 2004)
- 美しい日本人の作法 : おばあちゃんからの贈りもの! by Andō Noriko (Takarajimasha, 2006) – Women’s etiquette
