by Marilyn De Angelis Pennell

Created on: July 05, 2008   Last Updated: August 27, 2010

The Middle Kingdom versus The Land of the Rising Sun

Flower arranging or foot binding? Yen or Yuan? The Great Wall or The Great Buddha? How is Japanese culture different from Chinese culture?

We Westerners can be quite ethnocentric when it comes to Asian cultures. We often make the mistake of lumping them all together like so many apples in a basket. However, those who have traveled to Asia or have Asian friends quickly discover that the basket also contains oranges, pears, plums, and an assortment of other intriguing offerings.

Japan and China share the common heritage of Confucianism. They share a similar written language. They both have long and colorful histories. They have influenced each other in terms of age-old traditional values of family and group harmony. But make no mistake. If you look more deeply, you will find many differences between the two cultures.

The Japanese are like the French, and the Chinese are like the Italians

I have heard it said, that the Japanese are more like the French and the Chinese are more like the Italians. I didn't quite understand what this meant until I actually traveled to China. (I had already lived in Japan.) Though this analogy has its limitations, it is also an interesting point to explore.

On a very basic level, Japanese culture values simplicity, form, refinement, and small aesthetic details. These values are expressed in food, clothing, social relationships, and many other aspects of Japanese culture, much like they are in French culture. The Japanese are kind and helpful but also impenetrable. The open expression of emotion is frowned upon and the harmony of the group is more important than individualism.

Chinese culture, on the other hand is a bit more earthy. The culture also values harmony but in general, the Chinese are more open with the expression of opinions and feelings, much like Italians. (As an American of Italian descent, I can vouch for this.)

Food, food, glorious food

Food preparation, presentation, and consumption is central to family and social life in China. It is an expression of love and is relished and honored. While food is more of an art form in Japan and France, in China and Italy, food is part of the celebration of life. If you are invited to dinner at a friend's or acquaintance's home in China, the family will often serve a three-month supply of food to you as their honored guest.

"Manga, manga" (Eat, eat) is a common refrain in multi-generational Italian- American households. I don't

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