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RE: Top 4 Reasons for Leaving Japan (Notes from Under the Tatami Mats–87 … My Adventures in Japan)
Forgive me for stating this rather bluntly, with all due respect - the Japanese appear to have these concepts circulating openly in their everyday culture, displaying in fact that a degree of honesty about human nature in general is part of that culture. In our western culture these concepts are expressed in terms of mythological symbols and identities while explicit definitions are still hidden between the covers of books on psycology, I dare say.
Your overall point is not very clear. But regarding your statement that "a degree of honesty about human nature in general is part of that culture, that's true of any culture, is it not?
In my post, I simply pointed out one way in which the Japanese can avoid the need to be brutally honest. Also, as I pointed out, that does not necessarily mean that such behavior is harmful. In fact, it can be quite beneficial. It's only when psychopaths or sociopaths abuse tatemae that it becomes dangerous and potentially harmful.
Sorry for such a slow response - and for being unclear in my comment @majes-tytyty. Respecting all parties, I attempted to point at the fact that they (the Japanese) appear to be, as you say "brutally honest" about innate human dishonesty, whereas we in the West tend to (dishonestly) externalize evil, e.g., as a personalized Satan, which I see as a plus point in their favor.
I agree with you that there is an awareness of evil in all cultures, due to it's presence in all societies. The Japanese appear to be honest in openly recognizing it as a human weakness. In contrast, saying that someone is possessed with an evil spirit, that can (hopefully) be 'driven out', implies that the evil spirit is seen as a separate entity. This perception may have some therapeutic value; I do however think it is more honest to recognize the perpetual subconscious presence of potentially evil motives that need to be kept suppressed in every one of us in order to perpetually behave in ways that benefit quality of life all round and thus contribute to one's one quality of life as well - which seems to be the Japanese philosophy as well.
I'm jealous of your first hand experience of that society and will certainly make work of studying what you have written about it, when time allows - Thanks for having done so!
Thanks for the clarification. And I strongly agree with what you say.
Regarding "tatamae," as I stated, it can be very beneficial to suppress or control our darker natures. If "tatemae" is used in that way, it is a very noble characteristic.
And in our western culture, it's true that "evil" is often seen as an external entity that can be driven out or exorcised. It would be nice if it were that easy, but it aint quite that simple.
Hope you find time to peruse my "NOTES" on Japan, and that you find something of interest in some of them.
You may have noticed that I followed this final post with 2 "COMPILATION" posts that provide an overall index to the entire 88-post series.
Thanks @majes.tytyty - I am all for a climate that gives every individual both the freedom and the opportunity to contribute positive social capital, without it being fertile ground for those with a propensity toward greed & sociopathy.