Dependency and Japanese Socialization: Psychoanalytic and Anthropological Investigations in Amae

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments Since this project has occupied me for over fifteen years, my indebtedness to colleagues and other scholars is correspondingly extensive —particularly to the thinking and writings of Takeo Doi. Through continued contact with his own work and some of his students I have found the concept of amae to be a major intellectual preoccupation . During a sabbatical (1983-84) from the University of California I met directly with Professor Doi, and conducted a careful review of my early versions of chapters regarding his own work both on amae and on psychoanalytic theories applying to dependency . During my six-month visit to Japan Dr. Doi was generous in spirit and in making time available to discuss the cross-cultural implications of his theories on dependency. Also, in many tangible ways I am indebted to colleagues who rendered advice, support, and collaboration during and following my original field work. Preceding and during my earlier investigations in Hawaii (1970-71), Bill Caudill was especially helpful and encouraging. Briefer meetings with George DeVos, Harry Kitano, and Gerald Meredith were also of assistance. Tom Maretzki and Bill Lebra facilitated my work with other faculty and informants both at the University of Hawaii and at the Social Science Research Institute. Professors George Yamamoto and George Akita were collegial in their accessibility and assistance. Numerous conversations with Takao Murase (at that time on leave from NIMH, Japan) were crucial in guiding my understanding of the subtle levels of interactional differences between Americans and Japanese that lie beyond the already well-publicized distinctions. xvii xviii / Acknowledgments In helping me prepare for a second sabbatical, I owe special gratitude to Professor Hiroshi Wagatsuma, to whom this book is dedicated. His untimely death cannot erase my recollection of his encouragement and friendship. Takeo Doi's crucial assistance has already been mentioned. Nabuhiro Kumakura from the University of Tokyo School of Medicine also reviewed some of my chapters on amae. Following my return to San Francisco Calvin Settlage (San Francisco Psychoanalytic Institute) has been helpful in looking over chapters on childrearing and on psychoanalytic theories. Both while at the University of Tokyo and back in California, I benefited from the assistance of Regina Garrick. As a seven-year resident of Japan and former student of Doi's, she is very knowledgeable about the conceptual and behavioral meanings of amae. She also has translated a number of articles and selected portions of Japanese books for review and inclusion in this manuscript. Wherever possible, I have cited her contributions and critical commentary; however, this does not sufficiently attest to the extent of her collegial help and advice. Also, Professor Doi has continued to lend his critical help at every juncture of the composition of this current work through frequent correspondence and occasional meetings. Selected chapters have been read by George DeVos, Harumi Befu, Christie Kiefer, Lillian Troll, Alicia Lieberman, Catherine Lewis, and Robert Wallerstein . Judicious recommendations were also made by KittyMoore, former senior acquisitions editor at the New York University Press. Finally, I wish to acknowledge those individuals whose administrative support has been sustaining. Don Oken, Richard Schmidt, and Bill Bleumle facilitated my sabbatical leave from SUNY Upstate Medical Center during 1970-71. The Research Foundationof the State University of New York and the New York Department of Mental Hygiene furnished grant support before and following my field work in Hawaii. Academic leave from the University of California during 1983-84 was facilitated by Bob Wallerstein through the academic vice chancellor, Dr. David Ramsay. Crucial academic and collegial connections in the School of Public Health at the University of Tokyo were provided by its chairman, Professor Takemitsu Hemmi. His cordiality in making me feel part of his department facilitated my work and elevated my spirit while I was in Japan. An award by the Mary Singleton Signourney Foundation provided specialized psychoanalytic consultation on my return to the United States. Acknowledgments / xix Earlier versions of various chapters were typed by Nickie Dunne and Beverly Eschenberg. Revised chapters were transcribed by Shirley Pullan, Karen Wallack-Eisen, Evelyn Galenski, Peter Camarda, and Patrice Kleinberg. The high caliber of their work has been matched by their cheerfulness and perseverance in the face of many revisions and extensions. This page intentionally left blank ...