The Experience of Honor and Five Japanese-Americans
The Experience of Honor and Five Japanese-Americans
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Issue Date
1999
Authors
Hiraki, Susan K.
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Abstract
This phenomenological study on the value of honor explored its subjective experience by five Japanese-Americans who may have been impacted by Japan's Meiji Era codes of honor through their ancestors. These participants identified as second (nisei), third (sansei), or fourth (yonsei) generation Japanese-Americans. It was theorized that the behavioral manifestation of ancient codes of honor evolved as descendants assimilated to American life and values. If this were so, perhaps therapeutic approaches and interventions would need to be altered to accommodate cultural anomalies. In order to investigate this idea, the study presented the circumstances of early immigration patterns that affected the largest current population of Japanese-Americans. This discussion contextualized the immigrants' heritage and included consideration of acculturation challenges and value transmission. In order to identify pertinent issues for analysis, the researcher coded into the transcripts (see Appendix F) the unspoken interventions, hunches, and comments that emerged from perusing the interview themes. Descriptors of the experience of honor were then extracted from the five transcripts. Out of this scrutiny emerged thirteen domains designated for examination. The presentation of results proceeded from the most shared domains to least shared domains of discussants, in terms of topics; i.e., in substance they might disagree with each other within the domain, but they were sharing the position of choosing to talk about it. The topics that were discussed by all five participants were collectivism I responsibility for others; dishonor I dishonesty or insincerity; and behavior public. Four participants per domain discussed family I responsibility; honor I giving it away I identity I detection; and prejudice. Three participants per domain discussed commitment I gaman (patience; endurance; tolerance) I family ties I collectivist responsibility I filial piety I principles; collectivism; shame I failure as a parent; dishonor; honor I saving face I honesty 1 faithfulness I telling the truth I means and ends sacrifice for the greater good; elders; behavior I role model; and pride I ethnic. Two participants per domain discussed commitment I family ties; shame; dishonor I uncontrollable behavior against her will; working hard I work ethic standards; honor I respect I family surname I education I shikata ga nai; and behavior. Finally, there were domain sub-themes which were of particular concern to individual discourse. Through participants' intrasubjective descriptions it was determined that the concept of honor was experienced by Japanese-Americans today. This value was then juxtaposed with the theoretical orientation of Structural Family Therapy (SFT) where a discussion of clinical applicability to the Japanese-American population culminated. As a result of the study's findings, specific considerations in establishing a therapeutic alliance were also factored into clinical praxis.