AboutPhilip Lafeber Expertise Please ask me anything related to Japanese business culture. I can also answer some questions about social culture in general. Questions about the language I can only answer up to a very basic degree.
Experience I have worked for a Japanese company for 6 years and taught myself how to work with the Japanese and also some of the Japanese language. I am also married to a Japanese, which is why I have also learnt about Japanese in private life.
Education/Credentials None. All based on experience.
Expert: Philip Lafeber Date: 8/24/2007 Subject: RE: Japanese Culture and Language
Question I have two questions, one is of the Japanese culture while
the other is to ask a linguistic question:
-The Language Question-
I noticed that some Japanese do not count the numbers as
"ichi...ni...san", but rather as "hito...futa". Please do
give me a list of this special set of number's counting,
and also share your insights on when and how their are
supposed to be used; thank you.
-The Culture Question-
A few days ago, I visited a Japanese bookstore in Osaka.
I desired some books on kendo (Japanese fencing), on the
way to pay the books I was moved to acquire some "adult"
books. The cashier looked at me with as if scornful eyes
when I paid my materials: I wish to know if I have made a
cultural offense - am I not allowed to buy classical
martial art materials with erotics? what is the supposed
"martial artist" role and standard in Japanese culture?
Thank you.
Answer Helo Frank,
About the numbers; we have only one set. The Japanese have number sets that are not used any more, they are ancient. Modern people only remember them from TV or grandparents. However, they are still used in counting things. And then there are different sets for counting different things; people are counted differntly than animals, which are different from objects, and then there's a difference between small, thin objects and big, heavy objects.
It may be quite confusing but with practice it can be learned. There are some explanations about each set on internet.
About the culture; martial arts are about improving both the body and spirit combined. That's why someone interested in martial arts should strive also to discipline his mind. That may be an explanation to the frown.
Another is simply that this kind of material is a taboo.
And the last explanation is maybe that the person was frowning because you are interested in Japanese material, which may look a little perverted for a foreigner.
In any case, nobody will hold it against you, it's not such a big deal these days.
