Boye Lafayette De Mente - Kata: The Key to Understanding & Dealing with the Japanese!

Published by Tuttle Publishing,an imprint of Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd. with editorial offices at 364 Innovation Drive, North Clarendon, VT 05759 U.S.A. and 61 Tai Seng Avenue, #02-12, Singapore 534167

Text Boy Lafayette De Mente, 2003
Front cover photo Gorazd Vilhar
First Tuttle edition, 2003

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, eletronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior written permission of the publisher.

LCC Card No. 2004267142
ISBN 978-1-4629-0084-8

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"A unique look at a unique culture. If you're trying to figure the Japanese out, this book provides another important piece of the puzzle."

Form (kata) over substance" has long been a guidepost to understanding Japan but Boy Lafayette De Mente, in KATA , paints a convincing picture of consciously nurtured forms prescribing behavior and methodology as a cultural and psychological hallmarkthe source of both great strengths and great limitations. Even long-time students of Japan will find the book illuminating and thought-provoking."

"Among the numerous books by foreigners on the intricate Japanese mindscapes and businessscapes, Boy Lafayette De Mente's KATA: The Key to Understanding & Dealing with the Japanese! is undoubtedly the most informative and eye-opening; it is rich in exploratory insight and provocative wisdom."

1

S HIKATA (she-kah-tah) is one of the most used and most important words in the Japanese language. It means "way of doing things," with special emphasis on the form and order of the process. The root meaning of shi is a combination of "support" and "serve" in the sense of an inferior supporting and serving a superior. Kata, by itself, is usually translated as "form."

Some of the more common uses of kata include yomi kata (yoh-me kah-tah) or "way of reading;" tabe kata (tah-bay kah-tah), "way of eating;" kaki kata (kah-kee kah-tah), "way of writing;" kangae kata (kahn-guy kah-tah), "way of thinking;" and iki kata (ee-kee kah-tah), "way of living."

There are dozens of other kata. In fact, there is hardly an area of Japanese thought or behavior that is not directly influenced by one or more kata.

When used in the Japanese context the shikata concept includes more than just the mechanical process of doing something. It also incorporates the physical and spiritual laws of the cosmos. It refers to the way things are supposed to be done, both the form and the order, as a means of expressing and maintaining harmony in society and the universe.

The absence of shikata is virtually unthinkable to the Japanese, for that refers to an unreal world, without order or form. On an everyday level, when the Japanese are faced with something that cannot be changed or controlled (or for some reason they don't want to make the necessary effort) they say, Shikata ga nai ("There is no way")meaning it is utterly hopeless and therefore makes no sense even to try.

Early in their history the Japanese developed the belief that form had a reality of its own, and that it often took precedence over substance. They also believed that anything could be accomplished if the right kata was mentally and physically practiced long enough.

"Japan has no genuine philosophy as such, only form," says Kazuo Matsumura, assistant professor of Japanese mythology at the Oyasato Institute at Tenri University in Nara. He adds, however, that most Japanese today are ignorant of the roots of much of their kata-ized behavior.

The sum total of all the kata in Japanese life has traditionally been referred to as "The Japanese Way." It was the existence of this very conspicuous "way" that provided the Japanese with some of their most enviable as well as their most negative attributes, and distinguished them from other nationalities.

Most of Japan's numerous kata have been well established for centuries. Over the generations the kata not only became institutionalized; they also became ritualized and sanctified. Doing things the right way was often more important than doing the right things!