The Source of Identity in Contemporary Japan: The Anthropological Approach

The articles collected in this publication are thematically diversified and refer to such domains of Japanese studies as literary studies, cultural studies, linguistics, history of art, theatre, sociology and anthropology.Some of the papers deserve attention as original reinterpretations of traditional sources and texts of the Japanese culture, also in reference to the ethnic, geographic and cultural peripheries. Among other matters undertaken in this publication, the problem of national awareness, axiological approach to the Japanese sphere, its various evidences and manifestations, as well as its confrontational understanding with regard to the opposition between self and other, we and they, we and others in the historical context should be noted.The linguistic problems presented here are tightly bound with domains of traditional values as language etiquette, contacts between the Japanese language and Classical Chinese, or traditional language games.It should be stressed also that the papers are still up-to-date, represent high scientific quality, and undoubtedly should be available for every interested reader. The issues touched upon in the collection are rarely present in scholarly debate, and for this reason may be of interest to those who want to deepen their knowledge of Japanese culture and civilization.