Hegemony of Homogeneity: An Anthropological Analysis of Nihonjinron

Meer over het boek

The book critiques the stereotypes surrounding Japanese culture, focusing on the concept of Nihonjinron, which shapes Japanese identity and societal norms. Harumi Befu reviews a wide range of literature on topics such as ecology, community structure, and values, illustrating how Nihonjinron influences public orientation and serves as a form of civil religion. He explores the historical shifts in Japanese self-identity since the Meiji period, highlighting the alternating phases of positive and negative self-perception within the culture.