The cultural differences between China and Japan are: differences in values, art, and pursuits.
1. Value differences
Due to the different social natures of China and Japan, the value orientations of the Chinese and Japanese are also completely different. China has experienced thousands of years of feudal rule, and Confucianism has long been ingrained in the hearts of the Chinese people. It emphasizes "loving family and country", "respecting the elderly and loving the young", and stressing benevolence and harmony. Later, it was integrated into the Taoist thoughts and laws of "quiet and inactive and opposed to struggle". The idea of ??“taking the legal system as the core”.
Japan is a nation with a stoic character. This advantage has indirectly contributed to their prosperity in many fields such as technology and economy. But at the same time, it also caused Japan's cruel and cold-blooded nature in the war. Although the Japanese also have a strong sense of family, family activities in Japan are based on production and have always acted according to group principles.
2. Differences in Art
China is an ancient civilization with a history of five thousand years and has an irreplaceable position in history and culture. Chinese poetry, relying on the unique rhythm of the Chinese language, has a unique and supreme position in the world of poetry.
The Chinese pentatonic scale is indistinguishable from any other scale in the world. Even though Chinese philosophy is branded with feudalism, it is still as famous as Greek philosophy and German philosophy due to its profound analysis. In contrast, the gap in cultural heritage between the two countries is obvious.
Although Japan has national quintessences such as tea ceremony, flower arrangement, and Faust painting, it is indeed inferior compared to China. Furthermore, from the perspective of social orientation and value system, Chinese religious mythology is similar to Christianity. Chinese literature and art also oppose dark things, killing and absurdity.
Japanese literature and art is due to its more open mind. Therefore, negative emotions such as melancholy, pessimism, and even despair will be added to artistic works. This is why Japanese literary and artistic works tend to be pathological.
3. The pursuit of difference
1. Chinese culture: China is a country of etiquette, pursues etiquette, and is famous for its polite style.
2. Japanese culture: Japanese culture pursues elegance and expresses itself with "gentle human feelings" rather than "dry, rigid theoretical thoughts".