We will discuss Robert Whitling’s You Gotta Have Wa at our meeting on Wednesday, April 6th at 4:15p.m. in the GAHS library. Please post questions, comments, concerns, criticism, and the like on this blog prior to, during, or after our meeting (before November 8th if you want extra/replacement credit). All questions and responses should indicate an active reading of the text and function to move the conversation forward. (Note: surface-level or obvious questions and responses will not count as participation for grade replacement.)
Those of you unable to attend due to scheduling conflicts may participate in the discussion below by posting a discussion question and offering a detailed response, or by responding to two questions already posted. The note above applies here as well, so heed it!
Reading “You Gotta Have Wa” emphasized the difference between Japanese beliefs as compared to American’s through the comparison of our baseball teams. The Japanese and Americans pertain different views regarding how one is supposed to feel about the sport they play. Where the Americans are driven by money, and the Japanese are driven by hard work and improvement for the sport they love. The phrase “Wa” illustrates the difference of being the best team, versus the best individual on a team. The willingness of American players to move to Japan to play baseball because of an increase in salary, regardless of the discrimination and brutality that they would face there is a reflection in their true motive for wanting to play ball, which is money and not wanting to benefit a team, but become the best individual on a team.
Comparing and contrasting the difference in baseball between these two countries reflects in many other cultural beliefs and standards held by each country. Americans focus more on individualism in baseball, and as a country our society seems to have much more individual confidence regarding performance in sports and academics than we should. Whereas the Japanese work very hard on the baseball field for long hours, and this idea is reflected through the intelligence of their general population as compared to the intelligence of the American population. I found it very interesting how just a sport could illustrate so well two countries and their cultural differences.
In the book, “You Gotta Have Wa” illuminates the difference between the American and Japanese baseball players. In Japan, their players work harder and train a lot harder while earning a far lower income than the American players who don’t work nearly as hard and prepare less for the games they play. This proves the values of the Japanese society, showing they do not care as much about the money they earn, but instead the game they play and how well they play it. Unlike the Japanese, American players put the money they earn before their games, which represents Americans as a whole. We focus on all the money in the world, and the money we have and the money we can get, instead of doing the things that we enjoy and the activities we love. As a person who doesn’t exactly understand baseball, throughout the entire book I felt like I knew what was going on and I enjoyed the book anyway. I think it was relatable for everyone and he is encouraging his readers to do the things that they love, and if they pursue their passion, they money will no longer matter. So why is it so hard for Americans do the things they love, regardless of the money that may or may not come with it?
Discussion Question: How do the baseball morals of each country reflect their own national character and culture?
Robert Whiting’s “You Gotta Have Wa” discusses the respect, structure, and non-individualistic conduct that Japanese baseball players carry. In comparison, I believe that these aspects are reflected on Japan’s character from a world view. The concept of wa and the respect that it brings to the field also represent the authority that elders have in Japan. Throughout the book, Whiting mentions the respect and the obedience that the Japanese players have toward their coaches and managers. Because they are older, they are thought to have more knowledge and therefore deserve more respect. Japan takes this outside the field and into the homes of most Japanese citizens. Unlike the comical connotation it has in America, “Respect your elders” is no joke in Japan. Elders are presented with the utmost respect and privilege, and, according to Whiting, the Japanese baseball players represent their country well with their level of respect on the baseball field.
In contrast, American baseball players often only take their own advice. In America, it is not common for professional MLB players to comment on their coaches bad techniques or their managers’s poor choices throughout the media. One example is the story of John Miller, a past Yankees and Dodger player, who came over to play Japanese baseball. but couldn’t quite grasp the level of respect the Japanese coaches required, claiming “Japanese customs are too military. I do good in the games, don’t I? What else matters?”. His temper got him kicked off the Japanese team, but a quote like that would have slid by easily in America. Much like their baseball players, American citizens are all about their own profit and their own ambition. They have the American Dream, so why not push everyone else down to grasp it? This lack of respect for the most experienced members of society explains why we have CEOs in their mid-thirties and young delegates making decisions that can determine the economical and political fate of our country.
In addition, the contrast that Whiting discusses between the types of structure used by the two country’s baseball teams is like black and white. He presents that the American baseball teams begin their training in the spring while Japanese teams begin in the early winter. With much harder workouts over much longer periods of training, Japanese baseball represents the perseverance and structure held evident in their country. Through war after war, the Japanese have displayed their strict policies and executed structure that overwhelms the lazy perception of most Americans. Another example is ex-Giant, Daryl Spencer, who insisted on following his own, easier training routine while playing for a Japanese baseball team. Yet, a so-called “gaijin”, or outsider, like he in Japan will often make much more money. This is also the case for many American success stories: taking the easy way out and still making it to the top.
To conclude, Robert Whiting addresses many differences between the structures, level of respect, and unity that American and Japanese baseball teams carry, and these variations can likewise be found in their own countries’ variations of culture and character.
In “You Gotta Have a Wa”, it compares and contrasts the differences between the life of the american baseball player versus the Japanese baseball player. Those who play for an American team are only concerned about themselves while those who are playing for the Japanese team is worried about themselves performing at the level that is good enough for the team. Wa is defined as unity or team spirit. American baseball teams lack the wa. However, America has a lack of team effort and focuses mainly on the source and skill of the individuals. They highlight those individuals who did most for the team instead of being focused on the whole team in general. An example of this within the past couple of days has been Kobe Bryant’s last game. They celebrated like it was a national holiday and Bryant was the greatest thing that ever went through the NBA. Just last year, Derek Jeter retired from the New York Yankees. Everyone bowed down to him because they believed he was the team, and he was the best on the team. Everyone was focused on those two individuals that they forgot about the team aspect of the game. But the way that the Japanese get that way is through discipline. We as the audience can’t see what’s happening to them during practices but their coaches are so strict and their practices are so hard that they suffer, but they make it look like they are having the best time of their lives. They are turning the bad for the good, making the American players want to move over to Japan and play for their team. With money being a factor, some American baseball players decide to spend their last couple of years in the baseball field playing over in Japan even though their practices are harsh. No matter what the level of intensity is, their love for the game will never fade.
Discussion Question: How and why do you Japan’s NPB reflects on its culture?
Response:
I thoroughly enjoyed the book. It is almost baffling to receive information about a culture that differs from our seemingly proficient society. I believe that Robert Whiting’s book, You Gotta have Wa, display the cultural differences of Japan and America. I think that the book also develops a concept of how we have different societal values. The author’s audience does not mainly revolve around people who follow baseball, but I also think it includes cultural anthropologist. I think that it is odd that Japanese baseball players work harder but American baseball cost more. While the economic standards vary, The author implies that Japanese baseball is a privilege and that the it takes a great amount of skill and respect to play the sport in the country. I feel that the book was very informational. Also, I had mainly pegged China as a strict, uniform society, but now I feel as if Japan follows similar ideals. Personally, I feel like the main points that I received from this book was the cultural, societal, and development differs in each civilization. Also, I believe the comparison between the United States and Japan was to bring people to the realization that our civilization may not be as practical as we believe.
You Gotta Have War provided a great insight into the Japanese baseball culture. The qualities expressed were perseverance, hard work, and efficiency. Baseball came first in life to the players on both teams, but to my surprise, a lot of big names from America have flourished through Japanese baseball.The only critique I have for this book is that the accomplishments made by the American teams, are usually pushed aside because it would “disrupt” the Japanese pride. Times have changed since this story was written, so believe that a lot has relaxed since then, but I’m sure some of the traditions or rules have stuck. By writing about Japanese baseball from a western perspective, Whiting did an incredible job of giving the reader insight into the Japanese mind. It was full of interesting, sometimes informative stories about differences in baseball culture. The author greatly captured the difficulties of transitioning between cultures, without siding with a particular side. Although he remained unbias, it was clear to see that the Japanese players receive little credit outside of their country, even if they seem to work harder. If Americans were to play for their team, rather than themselves, then their accomplishments would hold a greater value.
After reading “You Gotta Have Wa” I was not so much surprised by how Japanese played baseball but more confused as to why any American player would want to go over to Japan and play baseball. Most Americans players would’t know how to speak Japanese, the players and coaches are not friendly and won’t respect them, and they would have to leave all of your friends and family. While money is more than likely the main factor into going over there, I don’t see what the point it if the player would be miserable the entire time. Sports are made to be fun and enjoyable, but with all the Japaneses customs and how strict and controlling they are of their players I feel as though the players would lose the love they had for the sport if they played for Japan.
Japanese and American culture and values are very different from each other and show in how each country plays baseball. Japan is a more “hardcore” culture and that was definitely brought into their training programs. America is more laid back when it came to things like training because that’s how our culture is. While Americans still work hard and want to win, the work Americans put into baseball is substantially less than those of Japanese players. Whether in baseball or in general, Japan has a no surrender, never give up attitude while America doesn’t, yet players still get paid more which I thought was interesting.
I found the book as a whole pretty fascinating even though I’m not a huge baseball fan. After learning a lot about Japan’s history in class, it was interesting to see how they did everyday things like baseball and how their cultured was portrayed in the game. I also found interesting that Americans strive for individual talent and how Japan is focused more on the team as a whole. On the whole though, I enjoyed book!
So I guess my question is, is there another reason American players go to Japan to play baseball other than just for the money and if not is it really worth it then? Do some players actually like it over there more than America?
Anyone who loves baseball would love this book. I am only a passive Sports fan, but I loved it because I am fascinated by the concept of Teamwork and cooperation versus competition. The book is non-fiction, and explains the history of Japanese baseball, and the conflict-filled relationship between Americans and Japanese who play on the same teams in Japan. The author skipped around too much. The many paragraphs full of Japanese names, while necessary to a book attempting to be fair and accurate, made some passages dull. I can’t stress enough how great this book was for me, as a growing experience. Experiencing rejection can make one bitter. Reading about the Major League gaijin “foreign devils” who went to Japan and were paid the big bucks but were still rejected in many other ways as being too different and treated as a “necessary evil” was good therapy for me to let go of some of my anger. Also, the book made me appreciate the many wonderful things about Japanese culture. It seemed that the people who did best in the book tried to embrace both cultures and learn from each.
I thought “You Gotta Have Wa” was interesting, more intense way to look at baseball. It is crazy to think how much more severe the Japanese major league managers practice their athletes. What I don’t get about the American recruits, was how they all knew that previous American players hated being in Japan and were discriminated against, but they still wen’t over there. I guess they were persuaded by the amount of money offered, but they usually are overwhelmed when first arriving. The coaches of the Japanese teams aren’t welcoming and neither are the other teammates or fans. All Americans start off in a disadvantage with the language barrier, but it makes it worse when the rest of their team doesn’t trust them or respect them. I don’t get how anyone could enjoy baseball the way the Japanese play with so much discipline that every aspect of their lives are controlled and monitored.
How would our nation’s sports benefit from using the concept of “Wa”?
The sports played in the United States are, for the most part, very individualized. Yes, players are on an overall team, but the outstanding players tend to stand out by far in the media. For example, players are constantly being rewarded for their individual playing – Player of the Week, Player of the Month, Rookie of the Month, College Player of the Year, etc. Rather than working to improve skills as a team, the overall mindset of a player is, “How can I be the best?”. The teams are now working less as a whole, and more as just a bunch of independent players.
“The whole is greater than the sum of its parts” is a popular concept in Gestalt psychology and applies perfectly to Japan’s mindset around sports. Japanese baseball players, practice and play to win, as a team. While Americans expect to win, with only individual preparation. Something that Japan honors of their players that Americans tend to lack, is the level of strength and courage that a player has to qualify. An American player will get hurt, and is given a standing ovation as he walks off the field. However, if a pitcher decided to walk off of the field, he would immediately be kicked off the field.
If Americans adapted the Japanese morals pertaining to sports, I feel like it would quite literally, change the game. There would be more team-awards and rather than a most valuable player, a whole team would be considered. Less individuality would also change the way that the fans behave; fans would become more considerate of the teams effort, rather than idolizing just one player. It is sad that the Japanese players are training and playing harder than Americans, but our nation’s players are considered the “big leagues”. Americans have it easy, and are taking it advantage of it on, and off the field.
Not only do American incentives, such as salary, focus on the individual, but punishments do as well. In attempt to create a more team-centered atmosphere, when one player missteps, the whole team is subject to pay the price. However, this attempt to emphasize teamwork most often ends with all players focusing on the one who messed up. So, not only with big accomplishments, but also with major downfalls, Americans exhibit “kojinshugi” or individual thinking. If Americans were to adopt the Japanese mindset in regards to sports, school, and the workplace, we would be able to accomplish far more than we are currently capable of. Instead of trying to sabotage those who threaten our power, everyone would assist each other in any way possible. Focus would be shifted from what is best for an individual to the common good. This change of mindset would also increase charitable contributions. We as Americans are all part of a “team” and when focus is shifted away from the individual, attention will land on those less fortunate on the “team”.
I thought this book was actually really good! It did a great job of comparing American and Japanese way of life through the sport of baseball. Baseball in Japan is real strict and have long and hard practices. This causes injury to a lot of pitchers due to the excessive throwing. In America, many baseball teams still practice a lot, but it is not nearly as demanding. American players seem more selfish about money, stats, and playing time, while in Japan it is all about being selfless and winning as a team. The paycheck are drastic. Americans get paid about triple what Japanese players get paid. I also thought it was odd how American players would play in Japan at the end of their career just to get more money. They treat Japan ball like its rec. I went to an Orioles vs. Phillies game over spring break and thought it was so great how diverse the players were. Color doesn’t matter now. Your skill does. I also thought it was cool to see a Japanese player on the Orioles with a translator. Overall, I thought this was a great book. Thank you for sharing it with us!
Reason for Absence: Lacrosse Practice
My Discussion Question: How does the differences (such as training and team dynamic) between American MLB and Japanese NPB relate to the differences in both societies today?
Response:
In the book”You Gotta Have a Wa”, the training and playing styles of professional American and proffesional Japanese baseball players are uncovered.
American baseball players begin training in March. The training is moderately intense. Japanese baseball players begin training in January and endure extremely intense practices When comparing American and Japanese societies, the training styles of the different baseball countries reflect the work ethic of each society. Some Americans, given the freedom to work and prepare for anything, do not have the desire to get ahead and push through difficulty. Instead of working hard or “practicing” to better their skills, some push practicing off or do not fully commit to an idea. Yet, in the Japanese society, many individuals work hard, practice early, and face harsh conditions. Even though Americans have a better atmosphere and ability to work for what they want, the Japanese work harder, even with more obstacles in the way.
Secondly, the largest incentive for people is money, and American baseball players make a much larger income than Japanese players (as discussed in the book). Thus supporting the difference between both societies today. Americans tend to make a greater income than Japanese citizens. In fact, the average Japanese CEO earns 1/6 of the average American CEO. Hence, Americans (both players and non-players), even when given a greater incentive, still do not work as hard as individuals in Japan.
Whiting also discussed the team vs. individual attitude. American baseball players, focus on their individual game, including batting averages, home run records, and awards. In America’s society, we praise individualism and focusing on self confidence. In Japanese baseball and the society this focus is seen as horrendous. Whiting included that the Japanese even have a negative term to refer to individual thinking – “kojinshugi”. This relates to the difference in the education systems in both countries today. Recently, a test was given to both American and Japanese students. After taking the test, the students had to record the scores that they think they got on the test. The American students recorded higher scores than all of the Japanese students; however, the Japanese students performed better on the test. American baseball players are just like the American students in the survey:” self-confident”. Yet, self-confidence in Americans is turning into cockiness.
American baseball players and citizens are aware of the differences between their society and Japan’s society and I think many American citizens would think that working and living in Japan would “compare it to being in the army”(page 8).
Instead of looking at the current differences in society, these same principles can relate to the varying mindsets during World War II. Just as the Japanese players begin training a lot earlier than American baseball players, the attack on Pearl Harbor was planned months before it even happened. The Japanese troops trained until they were able to accomplish a ninety percent hit rate. The Japanese decided to attack a military base; however, when America dropped the atomic bombs, they chose areas that were heavy populated with civilians. This demonstrates how the Japanese are less self-centered than Americans. While the Japanese were semi considerate about their attack, Americans gave no second thought to killing thousands of civilians. Finally, during the construction of the atomic bombs, each individual component was compartmentalized. Instead of working together as a team, Roosevelt chose to focus on individual accomplishments, revealing America’s lack of “Wa”.
I don’t really understand baseball that much and I’m not one to watch it and such but I really enjoyed this book. I enjoyed how it compared American ball players to Japanese ball players and it gave a little background of how Japanese people play baseball. One thing I don’t get is that why do the Japanese pitchers through balls most of the time and not strikes? They explained it a little bit in the book but i still couldn’t wrap my head around it. Also, why do the American ball players go to Japan to play ball when they can just stay in the U.S, is that where all the really good ball players go? Reggie Smith just ended up leaving like every other Gaijin did, so what was the point of them going? I didn’t get it and i read some of it over and over, all the Japanese players did was throw balls and it said in the book that they don’t fight like fists fights because they have to have Wa. Why doesn’t America play ball like Japan? There rules are much better.
You Gotta have Wa is a very interesting book. At first I was just reading it for the extra credit but, I really enjoyed the book. There were a lot of moments that shocked me. Like how some of the Japanese Baseball players would practice so hard that they would pee blood in their urine. Another moment is when Imbrie jump over the sacred fence to see baseball practice. Someone hit him in the face with a bat just for climbing the fence. When I first looked at the cover, I thought the book was going to be about a Japanese man struggling to fit in the American baseball culture.
Questions 1: Why is there a compass on the book cover that only shows the north letter?
Question 2: We learn about Horner experience with Japanese baseball and what he thinks about it. But, we never learn the impact he have when he left. How do you think Japan would have reacted to Horner absence from their kind of baseball? Do you think that they would be angry? Do you think they would be offended?
Question 3: Why is the book called “ You Gotta Have Wa”?
My Answer to #3: The book is named after the grand Japanese principle of life and baseball, “wa”, which means something close enough to the English concepts of team spirit and unity.
Answer to Question #3: As I said in my post that wa is defined as unity and team spirit. And as the book goes, the audience is directed to American citizens. The one thing that the Japanese have that we lack is the unity of individuals. We focus on the individuals more than the team. For example at the team sports awards we give out awards directed to an individual on the sports team but we don’t have a direct award for the team as a whole. So as the title goes it is directed to us as American citizens because we need to establish team spirit and unity just like the Japanese do. However, the Japanese and Americans get the same perks that come along with baseball and they are played almost the same exact way exact for the Japanese home plate being slightly larger. But the bonds between the Japanese players on the team are closer than those on any American team. The only person that the American players look up to is most likely the one who gets highlighted the most. We need to establish the same mindset that the Japanese have in baseball, which is team spirit and unity. “We need to have Wa.”