This collection of essays offers an overview of contemporary Japanese culture, and can serve as a resource for classes studying Japan. The 28 essays offer an informative, accessible look at the values, attitudes, behavior patterns, and communication styles of modern Japan from the unique perspective of the Japanese people. Filled with examples taken from contemporary life, the essays explain many of the complicated aspects of Japanese culture clearly and authoritatively. Following a Japanese chronology and an introduction, essays in the collection are: "Aimai: Ambiguity and the Japanese"; "Amae: The Concept of Japanese Dependence"; "Amakudari: Descent from Heaven"; "Bigaku: The Japanese Sense of Beauty"; "Bushido: The Way of the Warrior"; "Chinmoku: Silence in Japanese Communication"; "Danjyo Kankei: Male and Female Relationships in Japan"; "The Do Spirit of Japan"; "Gambari: Japanese Patience and Determination"; "Giri: Japanese Social Obligations"; "Haragei: An Implicit Way of Communicating in Japan"; "Hedataru to Najimu: Japanese Personal Space"; "Honne to Tatemae: Private vs. Public Stance in Japan"; "The Japanese 'Ie' System"; "Iitoko-Dori: Adopting Elements of Foreign Culture"; "Ikuji: Childrearing Practices in Japan"; "Kenkyo: The Japanese Virtue of Modesty"; "Kisetsu: The Japanese Sense of the Seasons"; "Nemawashi: Laying the Groundwork in Japan"; "Omiai: Arranged Marriage in Japan"; "Otogibanashi: Folktales of Japan"; "Ryosaikenbo 'Good Wives and Wise Mothers': The Social Expectations of Women in Japan"; "Sempai-Kohai: Seniority Rules in Japanese Relations"; "Shudan Ishiki: Japanese Group Consciousness"; "Soshiki: Japanese Funerals"; "Uchi to Soto: Dual Meanings in Japanese Human Relations"; "Wabi-Sabi: Simplicity and Elegance as Japanese Ideals of Beauty"; and "Zoto: The Japanese Custom of Gift Giving." Each essay includes discussion activities. (Contains extensive references and a glossary.) (BT)