ESSAY
Imagine we are walking on a crowded street in Japan; we could hardly differentiate a Japanese passerby from a Chinese passerby. An obvious reason fact for this is that both Japan and China mainland are within the same geographical area in which they are very much influenced by each other on their living lifestyles. Another reason for that is because Japanese and Chinese were interrelated in their history. In the first centuries A.D based on the Julian calendar, Japanese imported ranges of sources of ideas, production techniques and sets of material from China mainland. Stearns (2000) –‘Thus, the Japanese developed a very unique civilization from a blend of their own culture and a selective importation and conscious refashioning of the Chinese influences.’ The selecting and blending process of these two types of culture had thus resulted in the existence of both similarities and differences between them. Both Japanese and Chinese have identical features in their lifestyle, but they are very much differentiated in their diet as well as clothing.
Since Japanese and Chinese are Asians, they inherited some similarities in their lifestyle in the aspect of collectivism, high-context culture and also high-power-distance which are believed to have an impact on communication as mentioned by Devito (2005). As a matter of fact, Japanese and Chinese, both practice the concept of collectivism, which can be said as a group work. Collectivism emphasizes on group goals, and success is measure by contribution to the achievements of the group as a whole. Hotstede (1984) stated that both Japanese and Chinese practice collectivism. Japanese would place a greater emphasis on group interests as it scored higher than both U.S and China on institutional collectivism. Meanwhile, China scored higher on in-group collectivism than the other two countries. On the other hand, under the education system in Japan, classroom activities are arranged in the way such that the students must be in a group. The main purpose is to inculcate the importance of responsibility of individual students as a group, and to develop group loyalty. (“Japanese Ed.,” n.d.). In Japanese elementary school, the teachers are expected to enhance group cohesion and develop strong group spirit among the students by avoiding too much recognition of differences in individual ability and minimizing one-against-one competition. (“Japanese Ed,” n.d). Among Chinese, group work is too being stressed on, as noted by Cortazzi and Jin (1996:178), ‘but in that in Chinese society – and in the classroom – the priorities are that each person must be part of a group or community; learning interdependency, co-operation and social awareness; becoming oneself in relation to significant others; expressing that which is socially shared rather than individually felt.’
Other than that, they are both considered as high-context culture countries where great emphasis is placed on interpersonal relationship. Therefore, they concern about face saving. High-context cultures are hierarchical and traditional societies in which the concepts of shame and honor are very important. Criticism should not take place in public to avoid hurting and embarrass people and also to avoid argument. (Rosenberg, 2004). As cited in “Saving Face In China” in “The New York Times” in the year 2010, Tom Doctoroff of J.Walter Thompson advertising said that ‘when it comes to doing business in China, respect for people’s feeling is paramount – this sensitivity that needs to be taken in respect to the people’s face’. With the emphasis on face-saving, Japanese and Chinese are indirect in the language. Indirect message communicates meaning implicitly, leaves the message up to the listeners to fill in the blanks and make out the correct meaning. It allows a person to express a thought without insulting or offending anyone. (Anamaria, n.d.). On the other hand, under high-power-distance culture, central power is concentrated in the hands of a few people and there will be a great difference between the person who held the power and the ordinary people. For instance, Japanese and Chinese students are expected to be modest, polite and respectful to their teachers and seniors. In workplace, the employees are required to obey the superiors. Direct confrontation and assertiveness may be viewed negatively as being humiliated could be a tragedy or would even cause death in some cases. In short, Japanese and Chinese are both well-organized in their hierarchy groups, and thus they value their interpersonal relationship by showing highest respect for each other.
Although Japanese food has developed over the past thousands of years with great influence by Chinese food, their food is still different in many aspects as in the types of cuisine served, cooking styles as well as table manners. First of all, Japanese food and Chinese food are famous of the wide variety of food choices, from types of ingredients available for cooking until the types of cuisine served. Both have interesting way of preparing the food in 5 major flavours, which are sweetness, sourness, bitterness, spicy and also salty. However, no matter how colourful the dishes are, it is the culture of both Japanese and Chinese to set rice as the main course in their daily meals to match with the cuisine cooked. Rice is a staple food for nearly one-half of the world’s population. It is getting more and more important in Asian especially Japanese and Chinese. However, the types of rice being used are very different from each other. For example, long-grain rice is used in Chinese preparation of steamed white rice, while Japanese use short-grain rice, which contains more starch and thus needs more water to be cooked. (Liang, K.C, 2011). Japanese rice too is often used in making sushi, a very significant cuisine of Japan. In Japanese sushi, rice becomes the main role which matches with all sorts of ingredient to produce different kind combinations, such as tamago sushi, nigiri sushi, inari sushi and a lot more. Tamago sushi is the one with a layer of egg on the top of flavoured rice while nigiri sushi is the one with a combination of rice and all sorts of fish like salmon. Inari contains sushi rice in a small bag of fried tofu with a very sweet taste. (“Sushi,” n.d.). In Chinese culture, rice is also used to make some snacks such as rice cookies, rice cake and rice wine as well. Rice cookies are crispy as the rice was condensed and shaped before going through the process of frying. Unlike rice cookies, rice cakes are soft in their textures as they are usually steamed. Rice wine is an alcoholic beverage made from rice.
In addition, in Japanese culture, the food is usually lighter and healthier to the stomach if compared to Chinese food. The reasoning behind this is that Japanese will only cook the food for a short time, or even be eaten raw. Not much seasoning is used except soy sauce which is only to enhance the intrinsic flavour of the food. Comparing to Japanese food, Chinese food seems to be more complicated in preparing. Garlic, onions, spices and seasoning has becoming a must and a main character in preparing most of the food. Chinese tradition of using wok in preparing food has becoming a factor in causing the food to be more oily as the food is dipped into the oil, compared to Japanese food which uses flat pans.
Apart from that, there is also a very interesting culture in Japan whereby when you are eating noodles, it is expected that you slurp the noodles. Slurping is considered as a compliment and an expression of enjoying the food. The sound of slurping does not only convey the message of ‘deliciousness’ to the chef but too makes the noodles taste better. (Eto, 2011). The concept of slurping enables the flavour of noodles and soup to be multiplied. There are also scientific reasons behind it. Just because the noodles are served hot, slurping enables more air to go into the mouth and cool off the noodles. (Eto, 2011). However, slurping is treated as an impolite act among Chinese. Traditionally Chinese believed that it was rude to talk too much while eating as when you are talking; there is big possibility for the food inside your mouth to be spilled out. (Hays, 2008). Therefore, in many of the Chinese families discourage the members from making loud noise while eating, in which slurping is one of the example. Slurping food too might cause others too feel disgusted. Therefore, it can be said that the preparation work and cooking styles of Japanese food and Chinese food and also the artistic manner of eating are totally different regardless similar ingredients are used for cooking.
As a result of blending and developing the cultures separately in their own manner, both Japanese and Chinese have their own significant clothing to represent their cultures according to different occasions. The traditional clothing for Japanese and Chinese which became a symbolic remark since the ancient time are the Kimono and Cheongsam respectively. Kimono is a Japanese traditional garment made of silk which has sleeves that connects the shoulders all the way down to the heels. (“Clothes,” n.d.). There are variety types of Kimono and each of the type suits different occasions. For instance, newborn baby girls usually wear Yuzen or dyed kimono, whereas newborn baby boys wear black kimono with family crest on it. Additionally, furisode is a style of Kimono wore by unmarried Japanese women. (Oracle Education Foundation, 2011). Similarly, Cheongsam is made by silk, but with high-necked, closed-collar, loose chest, fitting waits and the attractive slits. Moreover, the design of Cheongsam well fits the female Chinese figure. (“Chinese dress Qipao / Cheongsam,” 2011). Unlike Kimono, Cheongsams do not have many different types. However the designs of Cheongsam keep changing time by time. Before 1940s, Cheongsam was loose and straight with its length reaching the feet (Fu, 2003). In 1940s, cheongsam became more comfortable and convenient to wear because it has got rid of its sleeves, shortened in its length and height of its collar has reduced.
Besides, Japanese and Chinese traditional clothing are different in their colour as different colour represents different significant meaning in their culture. Japanese wedding Kimono is called Shiromuku. The word ‘Shiro’ refer to white and ‘maku’ refer to pure. The Japanese bride will dress pure white from head to toe as people believe that it could bring good luck to the couple (New Zealand Web Design, n.d.). Not only that, the white symbolizes obedience of the bride to their bridegroom. (Amy, n.d.). Sometimes the bride will wear a blue Kimono to indicate that she is marrying for second time. (“White Kimono of the Bride,” n.d.). Japanese are very concerned for their garments, so they always keep colours and seasons in mind when deciding which Kimono to wear. For the example, pale colors like light green and cool colors like dark blue are appropriate for spring and summer respectively. During autumn they prefer colours which imitate the hues of the turning leaves while in winter they prefer strong colours such as black. (“Occasions for Wearing Kimono,” n.d.). Likewise, in Chinese society, colors of clothing vary on the occasions, but Chinese has lesser colour ‘rules’ compared to Japanese. In traditional Chinese wedding, bride will wear red Cheongsam as red symbolizes fortune and joy. Therefore red is also a colour for Chinese New Year to bring fortune and joy into their living. However red is forbidden during funeral, including red clothes, red accessories as well as red shoes. Somber colours like black and dark blue are acceptable in the funeral. (“Chinese Wedding Dress,” n.d.)
Last but not least, Japanese and Chinese have their own distinctive traditional shoes. Zori and wooden clogs are the traditional shoes for Japanese, whereas cotton shoes and embroidered shoes are the traditional shoes for Chinese. Geta and Zori are found in the Japanese Heian Period (794-1192). Zori, which also known as sandal is usually worn with Kimono in formal occasions. Geta or wooden clog is worn with informal Yukata. Wooden clogs will produce a clacking noise while walking (Japan Zone, n.d.). In addition, Zori is sandal made of rice straw or lacquered wood. Geta is made of a flat piece of wood on two slats (called ha, or teeth) that raises the sole part by 4cm to 5cm off the ground. This is to keep a kimono from getting dirty. (Japan Zone, n.d.). Cotton Shoes are the most common shoes in ancient time. It is typically black in colour with white cotton padded soles (Jim, n.d.). Nowadays, cotton shoes have undergone evolution to develop many different kinds of special design using the concept of cotton shoes in the ancient time. Embroidery art is very unique in Chinese Culture. Embroidered shoes look elegant with beautiful decorative pattern, colorful silk threads. Therefore, in the Chinese traditional wedding, the bride will wears a pair of special embroidered shoes with red cheongsam. (“Clothing and Ornaments,” n.d. In short, both Japanese and Chinese have different yet unique costumes in representing their own special features and stories as well as cultures.
The interesting way of how Japanese adopted and blended the cultures to develop their own and also the creativeness of the Chinese in bringing out ideas and developing tones of significant cultures has becoming a very good model for everyone to learn. Both Japanese and Chinese are very similar in their thinking and how they perceive their own living as well as others’. They may have differences in their habits, histories, customs and traditions. However, the undeniable fact is that both Japanese and Chinese have their own strengths for other nations to learn from.

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