Gift-Giving in a Modernizing Japan

Befu, Harumi

doi:10.2307/2383499

Cited by 71 publications

(41 citation statements)

References 0 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Three values turned out to be important for wrapping (Befu, 1968;Hendry, 1989;1995): sacredness, purity and care (which is manifested as politeness). In order to compare these three values with the Dutch values, the Schwartz value framework was used to identify corresponding values.…”

Section: Identifying Valuesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Wrapping Cultural Values: using Social Embodiment as Stimulus in Designs

Reitsma

Hoven

2017

The Design Journal

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract:We present a case study in which cultural values were implemented in designs. We focus on embodied interaction -in which the body serves as an intuitive meaning-making tool. By stimulating people to move in a certain way through our designs, we hypothesised that they will perceive the value connected to the design. The context was the giving and wrapping of gifts in the Japanese and the Dutch culture. Through the act of wrapping, values are connected to a gift; through the act of gift-giving those values are communicated. Two gift-wrappings were designed, each representing a value important for the wrapping and giving in one of the cultures. We investigated whether the gift-givers and -receivers (Japanese and Dutch) could identify the values represented through the designed wrappings. The outcomes confirmed that, when designer and participants had the same cultural background, both Japanese and Dutch values were perceived.

show abstract

Section: Identifying Valuesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Wrapping Cultural Values: using Social Embodiment as Stimulus in Designs

Reitsma

Hoven

2017

The Design Journal

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…5 The custom of kousai might be closely related to and could be explained by the concept of giri, which has been regarded as one of the most important concepts in Japanese culture (e.g., Benedict 1946). According to Befu (1968), giri is a moral imperative to perform one's duties toward the other members of one's group and is probably the most important motivating force behind gift-giving in Japanese rural societies. Because of the concept, one is morally obligated to give and to reciprocate gifts when demanded by custom.…”

Section: Endnotesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Because of the concept, one is morally obligated to give and to reciprocate gifts when demanded by custom. He also stated, "since gift-giving is an act of giri, and since giri requires reciprocation, a gift naturally calls for a return gift" (Befu 1968). 6 In fact, the conflict over the construction of Shiraho airport was quite exceptional in the history of Japanese fishing rights.…”

Section: Endnotesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fish as a ‘bridge’ connecting migrant fishers with the local community: findings from Okinawa, Japan

Sugimoto

2016

Maritime Studies

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Migration is part of fishers' livelihood strategies, and the topic of 'migration and fisheries' has gained considerable attention from researchers. Previous works identified negative and positive impacts of migrant fishers on local communities. However, little attention has been given to how social relationships are actually built between migrant fishers and local residents. This paper is based on observations of daily life and social connections in a coastal village in Okinawa, Japan and aims to fill this gap. It also provides a picture of how relationships between migrant fishers and host communities are built. Fieldwork yielded the following results. 1) Migrants moved to Okinawa in various phases; 2) Through their fishing activities, they have established good relationships with other fishers and non-fishing residents; 3) Sharing and selling fishery products has helped migrant fishers and their families gain socio-cultural knowledge and learn about the social conventions of the community, enabling them to integrate themselves into the social fabric of local community life.

show abstract

“…The counselor who works with older Japanese American clients will notice that the clients often bring food or gifts to the counselor. This is a Japanese custom (Befu, 1986). Giri, or gift exchanging, is a moral obligation people have to perform toward members in the community.…”

Section: Ethical and Diagnostic Considerations Ethical Issuesmentioning

confidence: 99%