Flower arranging or foot binding. Yen or Yuan. The Great Wall or The Great Buddha. How do travelers compare the histories and cultures of China and Japan?

We Westerners can be quite ethnocentric when it comes to Asian cultures. We often make the mistake of lumping all Asian cultures 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 both have long and colorful histories. Their written language is similiar. They have influenced each other in terms of the age old traditional values of family and group harmony.

But make no mistake. These two cultures are not mirror images of each other. If you dig a little deeper you may find that they are in fact, very different.

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 cultural values focus on simplicity, form, refinement and small aesthetic details. These values are expressed in food, clothing, social relationships and in many other ways from bowing to growing a garden and hailing a taxi.

The Japanese, like the French, see beauty in the small, simple gesture and communicate with subtleties that are often lost on outsiders. 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.

As a common saying in Japan states, "The nail that sticks up should be nailed down."

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

It is not uncommon to hear good natured shouting and lively exchanges in the streets in China. People express their emotions and don't hold back. That's also the "Italian Way." Maybe it's the spicy cooking of these two cultures that gets people stirred up.

FOOD, FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD

Speaking of food the preparation, presentation and consumption of food is central to family and social life in China. Food is an expression of affection 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 or acquaintance’s home in China, the family will often dip into a three months’s supply of food to serve you as an honored guest.

“Manga, manga” (eat, eat) is a common refrain in multigenerational Italian American households. I don’t know the Mandarin or Cantonese expression for “manga”, but I have witnessed food as love and as celebration at many social occasions with my Chinese American friends, from 50th birthday parties, to 50th wedding anniversaries.

I have even seen local Communist party officials in China kick up their heels and celebrate with food and drink at special occasions. Food is an essential aspect of Chinese culture (as it is in most cultures) that bring people together.

ETHNIC DIVERSITY

Enough about food. There are also other important differences between the two cultures. Japan is a homogenous society. Until recently, ethnic diversity was not socially acceptable. "We Japanese" is a term that was quite common, meaning that in Japan, people speak with one voice and reflect one way of life.

There are only two main ethnic minorities in Japan. The Ainu, who live mainly in the northern island of Hokkaido, are indigenous people similar to native Americans. The other minority group is the Burakumin, a social class descended from people who worked in leather trades. Traditionally, Burakumin faced discrimination in Japanese society.

China, however, is home to 56 different ethnic groups. The Han Chinese are the largest group and the dominant majority. But living in China are also Tibetans, Tu, Mongolian and many other diverse ethnic groups. During its 5,000 year history, China was invaded and occupied many times over by different peoples. This resulted in a multiethnic society, though one that is dominated by far by the Han majority.

POLITICS

One of the other issues worth mentioning in a discussion of the differences between Japan and China, is that the two countries have not always seen eye to eye. Though today they have worked out a mutually beneficial relationship, the intertwined histories of these two Asian superpowers has been fraught with difficulty.

Many people in China still harbor negative feelings about the Japanese occupation of China during World War Two and some Japanese hold similar feelings toward the Chinese.

Japan is a democracy based on the parlimentary system, though prior to the end of World War Two, it was a monarchy ruled by an Emperor. China is a Communist state;or as government leaders like to say, it has a system of "Socialism with Chinese characteristics."

China is very proud of its quickly developing market economy and a single party system. Prior to the Communist Revolution in 1949, China was a nationalist state, ruled by generals, dynasties and emperors. Though its leaders have recently discussed making the Special Economic Zone of Shenzen, near the Hong Kong border, a Special Democracy Zone, democratiic reforms have been slow to non existent.

Though there are many other aspects of Japanese and Chinese culture worth understanding and exploring, the main point to be made is that both countries have long and fascinating histories and cultural traditions. In this global society, understanding and appreciating each for its unique culture is important for Americans and all citizens of the world.