Oyabun Kobun Relationship
This essay will discuss the vertical society (tateshakai) in Japan, namely its development in ancient and modern Japan and how it shapes attitudes and behavior, and thus providing insight into Japanese etiquette and culture. Tateshakai essentially describes the social hierarchy in Japan and how the Japanese place a huge emphasis on vertical relationships, much in contrast with Western attitudes which favour horizontal relationships and minimizing barriers between hierarchal rungs. Tateshakai probably had it roots in the Kamakura period when Neo Confucian ideas were brought into Japan by Zen Buddhist monks. It promulgates the values of filial piety and harmonious relationship between the universe and oneself. It became the official guiding
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The idea of a “good wife, wise mother”[3] was introduced in the Meiji period and continued to define gender roles in Japan until the late 20th century. The men were expected to take up arms for the nation’s imperialist ideals and subsequently serve as corporate warriors in the lead up to post World War Two economic miracle. Thus the men devoted his life to work and serving his boss, while the women devoted their life to child rearing and their education, perpetuating the significance of vertical relationships in Japan. The oyabun-kobun-relationship is a vertical relationship that makes the relationship between an employer and his employee reminiscent of a parent-child relationship. It is a long term and deeply personal relationship that forms the basis of lifetime employment seniority system in Japan. The sempai-kohai-relationship is another vertical relationship where seniors who are more experienced are duly respected by juniors who lack the experience and who needs to learn from seniors. We can draw many parallels with Neo Confucian ideas and Tokugawa social structure where there is a deep reciprocal relationship between the vertical rungs. Employers and seniors are expected to treat their inferiors with benevolence and to selflessly impart their knowledge and skills in exchange for unwavering respect and commitment from them. The clear distinction in status minimizes dissensions and is deemed imperative for stability and harmony in Japan. It is as such however, that there must remain a barrier of solemnity between the vertical rungs in order for tateshakai be
The idea of a “good wife, wise mother”[3] was introduced in the Meiji period and continued to define gender roles in Japan until the late 20th century. The men were expected to take up arms for the nation’s imperialist ideals and subsequently serve as corporate warriors in the lead up to post World War Two economic miracle. Thus the men devoted his life to work and serving his boss, while the women devoted their life to child rearing and their education, perpetuating the significance of vertical relationships in Japan. The oyabun-kobun-relationship is a vertical relationship that makes the relationship between an employer and his employee reminiscent of a parent-child relationship. It is a long term and deeply personal relationship that forms the basis of lifetime employment seniority system in Japan. The sempai-kohai-relationship is another vertical relationship where seniors who are more experienced are duly respected by juniors who lack the experience and who needs to learn from seniors. We can draw many parallels with Neo Confucian ideas and Tokugawa social structure where there is a deep reciprocal relationship between the vertical rungs. Employers and seniors are expected to treat their inferiors with benevolence and to selflessly impart their knowledge and skills in exchange for unwavering respect and commitment from them. The clear distinction in status minimizes dissensions and is deemed imperative for stability and harmony in Japan. It is as such however, that there must remain a barrier of solemnity between the vertical rungs in order for tateshakai be