Hegemony of Homogeneity: An Anthropological Analysis of Nihonjinron

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.

Author: Harumi Befu
Publisher: Trans Pacific Press
Published: 05/01/2001
Pages: 195
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.60lbs
Size: 8.40h x 5.40w x 0.60d
ISBN13: 9781876843052
ISBN10: 1876843055
BISAC Categories:
- Social Science | Anthropology | Cultural & Social
- Social Science | Sociology | General
- Social Science | Ethnic Studies | Asian Studies

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