Chinese and Japanese Culture Comparison
Chinese vs. Japanese Culture
Zedric Perona
History 113
Professor Tuyay
November 1, 2014
China, the world’s longest continuous civilization, with some historians marking 6000 B.C. as the dawn of Chinese civilization. Japan, a long history with the first humans arriving around 35,000 B.C. Their histories have crossed paths during several periods of time since both civilizations have existed for centuries; however, their histories have also caused them to diverge into two very distinct modern civilizations. Through numerous aspects of the Chinese and Japanese, the similarities and differences between their cultures could be seen within religion, discrimination, education and kinship. First and foremost, there are similarities in religion within both countries. Buddhism is a shared religion between China and Japan, and it is each one of their main religions. “Zen is a school of Mahayana Buddhism and originated in China during the 6th century as Chán” (Morton 38). Zen spread to Japan as well. The word “Zen” itself derived from the Japanese pronouncation of the Chinese word “Dzyen”, which is loosely translated to “meditative state”. Zen is more of an attitude than a belief. It is the peace that comes from being one with an entity rather than yourself. It emphasizes the attainment of enlightenment in the Buddhist teachings. Confucianism, which started in China, also made it’s way to Japan. Religious traditions brought from their own countries helped ease the difficulties of original Chinese and Japanese immigrants. It gave them a feeling of home. Most Chinese Americans and Japanese Americans even reflect the religious beliefs of each of their countries, depending on what generation they represent. Nonetheless, the Chinese and Japanese each have their own specific religions they practice as well. Chinese Americans follow Confucianism—a Chinese philosophical system based on the teaching of Chinese philosopher Confucius. The underlying
Zedric Perona
History 113
Professor Tuyay
November 1, 2014
China, the world’s longest continuous civilization, with some historians marking 6000 B.C. as the dawn of Chinese civilization. Japan, a long history with the first humans arriving around 35,000 B.C. Their histories have crossed paths during several periods of time since both civilizations have existed for centuries; however, their histories have also caused them to diverge into two very distinct modern civilizations. Through numerous aspects of the Chinese and Japanese, the similarities and differences between their cultures could be seen within religion, discrimination, education and kinship. First and foremost, there are similarities in religion within both countries. Buddhism is a shared religion between China and Japan, and it is each one of their main religions. “Zen is a school of Mahayana Buddhism and originated in China during the 6th century as Chán” (Morton 38). Zen spread to Japan as well. The word “Zen” itself derived from the Japanese pronouncation of the Chinese word “Dzyen”, which is loosely translated to “meditative state”. Zen is more of an attitude than a belief. It is the peace that comes from being one with an entity rather than yourself. It emphasizes the attainment of enlightenment in the Buddhist teachings. Confucianism, which started in China, also made it’s way to Japan. Religious traditions brought from their own countries helped ease the difficulties of original Chinese and Japanese immigrants. It gave them a feeling of home. Most Chinese Americans and Japanese Americans even reflect the religious beliefs of each of their countries, depending on what generation they represent. Nonetheless, the Chinese and Japanese each have their own specific religions they practice as well. Chinese Americans follow Confucianism—a Chinese philosophical system based on the teaching of Chinese philosopher Confucius. The underlying
References: Baker, Hugh D. R. Chinese Family and Kinship. New York: Columbia University Press, 1979 Min, Pyong Gap. Asian Americans, 2nd edition. USA: Pine Forge Press, 2006. Print. Morton, W. Scott. China: Its History and Culture. New York: Lippincott & Crowell, Publishers, 1980 Little, Brown and Company, 1989, 1998. Print. Tamura, Eileen H. Americanization, Acculturation, and Ethnic Identity. USA: University of Illinois Press, 1994 Comparative Analysis, Volume 1, Number 1. 2004. Web. 24 October 2012.