1. What are the family structures and values of Japanese upper class families as
described by Hamabata? hierarchy, time, uchi/otaki, ancestor worship, importance of
kinship position over the personal, shinseki.
2. What problems did Matto face is doing his research?
3. Why did he decide to write in the first person? Discuss Hamabata's Japanese and
American identities p 25.
4. What is the difference between the three different kinds of gifts---on, giri, ninjoo?
5. How does gift giving reflect this culture?
6. What is the meaning of the word "ie"? And what is its ideal form?
patrilineal, patrilocal, patriarchal, primogeniture.
7. How and why does the "ie" continue to exist over many, many generations?
For example, p. 93, the Moriuchi household has existed since the 15th
century.
What problems does it face in continuing to exist? How does it solve
these problems?
8. What happens if the interests of the "ie" is served by NOT following the
ideal form---e.g., by passing over the eldest son as "ie" head?
How does the "male bride" relate to this problem?
9. Discuss the idea presented on p. 49 & 51 that "The Japanese self does not
relate to the Japanese other as Me to You, but as "uchi" (our group) to
"otaku" (your group).
What does Matto mean when he says that "uchi" is negociated?
10. Discuss the importance of rituals to self consciousness as part of eternal life, p.
57.
11. Discuss the idea presented on p. 58 "the Festival of the Dead is a time when a
family comes to see itself as a particular outcome of its ie's history, when present
patterns in the uchi are seen as outgrowths of the household's past.
12. How is ancestor worship tied to the type of family?
13. What does it mean to say that household structure is premised on positions, not
individuals, one's positional title is more important than one;s personal name.
14. Discuss Makoto's statement relating feudal values to their present economic success on
p. 94.
15. What are the attitudes and practices related to MARRIAGE?
16. What are the class attitudes portrayed by the people of crested kimonos?
How does class affect their family form and values?
17. How are the relationship with one's female kin important and how are these different
than ie relations?
Discuss the meaning and significance of the concept of "shinseki" (p. 139)?
ego-centered affinal links by brides
Relationships of shinseki are based upon personal ties and are therefore ephemeral, not
permanent like the "ie". Are these similar to affinal ties among the Navajo?
18. What are the reasons for the rivalry between m-in-law and d-in-law, p. 146 How does it
manifest itself?
19. Why do you think that of the wife having a separate residence than her husband, p.
148?
20. How was Mitsuko's love for her baby different than the "love" of one's
marriage partner, p. 161?
21. Discuss the distinction mentioned on p. 160ff between romantic love v. marital love.
22. Discuss Hamabata's contention on p. 162 that the while household seems peopled by
automatons, it is actually "nearly bursting with vengenance, passionate love, anger,
ambition, nuturing, care, and envy... To what extent is this seeming contradiction
reconciled by thinking about family in terms of social structures v. family practice and
sentiments?
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