<B>In <I>The Japanese Mind</I>, Roger Davies offers Westerners an invaluable key to the unique aspects of Japanese culture.</B><BR><BR>Readers of this book will gain a clear understanding of what makes the Japanese, and their society, tick. Among the topics explored: <I>aimai</I> (ambiguity), <I>amae</I> (dependence upon others'' benevolence), <I>amakudari</I> (the nation''s descent from heaven), <I>chinmoku</I> (silence in communication), <I>gambari</I> (perseverance), <I>giri</I> (social obligation), <I>haragei</I> (literally, "belly art"; implicit, unspoken communication), <I>kenkyo</I> (the appearance of modesty), <I>sempai-kohai</I> (seniority), <I>wabi-sabi</I> (simplicity and elegance), and <I>zoto</I> (gift giving), as well as discussions of child-rearing, personal space, and the roles of women in Japanese society. It includes discussion topics and questions after each chapter.<BR><BR>All in all, this book is an easy-to-use introduction to the distinguishing characteristics of