History Analysis / JapaneseSpirit

-->--'''Ryōta Kise''', ''Manga/KurokoNoBasuke''

* WorldOfCardboardSpeech

To understand the use of Japanese Spirit in a FightingSeries, it's critical to know that Feudal Japan only fought two wars against outside forces: the [[UsefulNotes/{{Mongolia}} Mongol Invasion]] of the 13th Century, and the conquest of Korea in the 16th. Unlike many tribes and nations around the world, Japan was never quite faced with [[DayOfTheJackboot a war which threatened the very existence of their culture]]. Mostly fighting with themselves, they created entirely different standards of warfare [[LetsFightLikeGentlemen based around individual skill, merit and "fair" play]]. Even in massive campaigns, most battles involved single combat between {{Samurai}}, thus the Japanese found foreign tactics, like MountedCombat and RainOfArrows (which they adopted and actively cultivated), justifiedly barbaric at the best and unforgivably dishonorable at the worst. Shinto/Buddhist belief and customs have a lot to do with this, as they believed in a very complicated system of karma where someone who lived or died dishonorably would leave behind an evil spirit that would haunt and taint the world for future generations. Thus, dying an honorable death was preferable to living a dishonorable life.

During the [[JidaiGeki Tokugawa era]], "Japanese Spirit" took a backseat to {{samurai}} culture and UsefulNotes/{{Buddhism}}, but the cultural emphasis on hard work and self-sacrifice remained. Aside from scholars like Motoori Norinaga, the concept was barely mentioned throughout the centuries afterward, but reached its peak once [[ImperialJapan Japan began to modernize itself]]. With the entire country desperate to copy, and catch up to, the more advanced West, it became important once again to define what being "Japanese" meant. And for that answer, the state leaders looked to the [[NostalgiaFilter glory days of Japanese warrior culture]].

However, there is one fundamental difference between an American hero and the Japanese hero: their villains. American heroes tend to fight villains who are either roughly the same power level as they or perhaps even a bit weaker. Franchise/{{Superman}}'s archnemesis is ComicBook/LexLuthor and Franchise/{{Batman}}'s is SelfDemonstrating/TheJoker, for example, and neither archnemesis is stronger than their rival. Superman occasionally may face against foes like {{ComicBook/Darkseid}}, and Batman may square off against foes like Bane every now and again, but those are the exceptions--and you rarely ever see the two of them training to defeat those foes. We can certainly assume that Batman works out, trains, and learns new things on his off-time, but the only time it's ever shown is when he's out of his element and needs to develop something specific to defeat the current villain.

Naturally, there are still traces of this in Japanese culture and media--a minor means of spotting it is with the phrase "Ganbatte! (Do your best!)" in place of the Western "Good luck!"--although some scholars predict it will die out fairly soon. The concept of {{Kawaisa}} has been adopted as its chief replacement, although it can be argued that it still promotes a powerful emotional ideal (in this case, cuteness and delicacy) over a logical or unpleasant one. Another possible result of this trope is that Japan at large still has a [[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10543126 mistrust of technology]] in favor of the GoodOldWays.

To understand the use of Japanese Spirit in a FightingSeries, it's critical to know that Feudal Japan only fought two wars against outside forces: the [[UsefulNotes/{{Mongolia}} Mongol Invasion]] of the 13th Century, and the conquest of Korea in the 16th. Unlike many tribes and nations around the world, Japan was never quite faced with [[DayOfTheJackboot a war which threatened the very existence of their culture]]. Mostly fighting with themselves, they created entirely different standards of warfare [[LetsFightLikeGentlemen based around individual skill, merit and "fair" play]]. Even in massive campaigns, most battles involved single combat between {{Samurai}}, thus the Japanese found foreign tactics, like MountedCombat and RainOfArrows barbaric and dishonorable. Shinto/Buddhist belief and customs have a lot to do with this, as they believed in a very complicated system of karma where someone who lived or died dishonorably would leave behind an evil spirit that would haunt and taint the world for future generations. Thus, dying an honorable death was preferable to living a dishonorable life.

[[/folder]]

However, this can be a problem if "talent" is [[MightMakesRight decided only by those with power]], and if those without it are outright discarded or shunned. Negatively, Yamato-Damashii has been compared to {{Social Darwinis|t}}m, and also to the western concepts of the "WhiteMansBurden" and "[[{{Eagleland}} American Exceptionalism]]" in that it assigns a specific ethnic group with an immeasurably valuable trait. Yamato-damashii is about all the things that makes Japan and her people good, and by proxy, what the rest of the world lacks. Furthermore, it is ''specifically'' a [[StrawVulcan condemnation of academia in favor of common sense, adaptive thinking, and individual merit]]--in other words, if scholarly wisdom indicates that there is a MillionToOneChance, yamato-damashii demands that those odds not only be challenged, but beaten. Furthermore, stemming from the code of bushido, [[NoTrueScotsman a true follower of yamato-damashii]] will have risked sure-death for their cause at least once. This led to the [[SuicideAttack glorification of kamikaze tactics]] in WorldWarII, which ([[RealityEnsues contrary to use of this trope in fiction]]) [[TropeBreaker did not work out so well]]. And finally, this trope is also partly responsible for the phenomenon of "karoshi", which translates to "death from overwork" in Japanese. In recent decades, Japanese culture has cultivated the existence of the {{Salaryman}} and the {{Otaku}}, who pursue their respective interests with obsessive tenacity.

However, there is one fundamental difference between an American hero and the Japanese hero: their villains. American heroes tend to fight villains who are either roughly the same power level as they or perhaps even a bit weaker. Franchise/{{Superman}}'s archnemesis is SelfDemonstrating/LexLuthor and Franchise/{{Batman}}'s is SelfDemonstrating/TheJoker, for example, and neither archnemesis is stronger than their rival. Superman occasionally may face against foes like {{ComicBook/Darkseid}}, and Batman may square off against foes like Bane every now and again, but those are the exceptions--and you rarely ever see the two of them training to defeat those foes. We can certainly assume that Batman works out, trains, and learns new things on his off-time, but the only time it's ever shown is when he's out of his element and needs to develop something specific to defeat the current villain.

However, there is one fundamental difference between an American hero and the Japanese hero: their villains. American heroes tend to fight villains who are either roughly the same power level as they or perhaps even a bit weaker. Franchise/{{Superman}}'s archnemesis is SelfDemonstrating/LexLuthor and Franchise/{{Batman}}'s is SelfDemonstrating/TheJoker, for example, and neither archnemesis is stronger than their rival. Superman occasionally may face against foes like {{Darkseid}}, and Batman may square off against foes like Bane every now and again, but those are the exceptions--and you rarely ever see the two of them training to defeat those foes. We can certainly assume that Batman works out, trains, and learns new things on his off-time, but the only time it's ever shown is when he's out of his element and needs to develop something specific to defeat the current villain.

The concept of Yamato-damashii has existed in some form for centuries. Japan has a long history of [[PatrioticFervor national and ethnic pride]], partially codified in the [[JapaneseMythology Shinto belief]] that the Japanese islands themselves were divine. In the past, when [[ImperialChina China was the cultural center of the Asian world]], Yamato-damashii was used to [[BrainsEvilBrawnGood draw distinction between the academic and scholarly Chinese values]] and the [[SimpleMindedWisdom simpler Japanese common sense.]][[note]]There was a parable of a Chinese scholar who is murdered by a burglar. For all his intellect and reason, it didn't save him from such a simple and childish death.[[/note]]

Overall, when viewed positively, Yamato-Damashii is a rejection of [[StrawVulcan emotionless logic]] and the failure to try because something is difficult or seems impossible. In this sense, it follows the simple creed of "the only way to fail is not to try your best". On the pragmatic level, Yamato-Damshii is ''intended'' to refer to "RealLife" insight and ingenuity, and not simply blind optimism. It inspires people to constantly be better, to focus more on uncharted paths than roads already paved, and to retain hope even at the DarkestHour. One way of looking at how this differs from the west is that, unlike Shintoism or Buddhism, Christianity has a clear disconnect between mortals and the divine; humans should try to be ''like {{God}}'', but can never [[DeityOfHumanOrigin truly BE divine]]. Further, Judeo-Christians believe that their [[GodIsGood omni-benevolent]] and eternal God transcends weakness and mortality. On the other hand, Shintoism believed that every human was born with a ''musubi'', or a divine spark [[EnlightenmentSuperpower just waiting to be unlocked]], and that their deities (or "kami") were mostly flawed and [[NotQuiteForever ultimately mortal]]. This belief in impermanence was another way that Japanese culture became defined by hard work and sincere, determined effort.

* UniqueProtagonistAsset

During the [[JidaiGeki Tokugawa era]], "Japanese Spirit" took a backseat to {{samurai}} culture and UsefulNotes/Buddhism, but the cultural emphasis on hard work and self-sacrifice remained. Aside from scholars like Motoori Norinaga, the concept was barely mentioned throughout the centuries afterward, but reached its peak once [[ImperialJapan Japan began to modernize itself]]. With the entire country desperate to copy, and catch up to, the more advanced West, it became important once again to define what being "Japanese" meant. And for that answer, the state leaders looked to the [[NostalgiaFilter glory days of Japanese warrior culture]].

In addition to this, Japanese Spirit also frowns upon [[LogicBomb over-thinking a problem]], especially when dealing with an enemy. {{Swordfight}}ing evolved into a very fast-paced, fluid style of combat that made it ''[[CentipedesDilemma impossible]]'' [[CentipedesDilemma to think during a skirmish]]--thus, every fight essentially came down to an individual's training, skill, and ability to read an opponent's intent through pure "instinct". Further, samurai scholars posited the benefits of [[LeeroyJenkins taking to action "within seven breaths"]].

Overall, when viewed positively, Yamato-Damashii is a rejection of [[StrawVulcan emotionless logic]] and the failure to try because something is difficult or seems impossible. In this sense, it follows the simple creed of "the only way to fail is not to try your best". On the pragmatic level, Yamato-Damshii is ''intended'' to refer to "RealLife" insight and ingenuity, and not simply blind optimism. It inspires people to constantly be better, to focus more on uncharted paths than roads already paved, and to retain hope even at the DarkestHour. One way of looking at how this differs from the west is that, unlike Shintoism or Buddhism, Christianity has a clear disconnect between mortals and the divine; humans should try to be ''like {{God}}'', but can never [[DeityOfHumanOrigin truly BE divine]]. Further, Judeo-Christians believe that their [[GodIsGood omni-benevolent]], eternal, and transcends weakness and mortality. On the other hand, Shintoism believed that every human was born with a ''musubi'', or a divine spark [[EnlightenmentSuperpower just waiting to be unlocked]], and that their deities (or "kami") were mostly flawed and [[NotQuiteForever ultimately mortal]]. This belief in impermanence was another way that Japanese culture became defined by hard work and sincere, determined effort.

First, it should be noted that in the page quote, [[Manga/{{Bleach}} Yoruichi]] is not entirely accurate. The term "Instinct" refers to behavior which is biological in nature and can be done at any time without any form of education or learning. Yoruichi is using the [[YouKeepUsingThatWord colloquial understanding of "instinct"]] to refer to any unconscious or automatic behavior, which is inaccurate. For examples, humans ''very much need to learn to walk''. It takes several years for a human being to completely master walking, while a horse can do it within minutes. What is being referred to is actually [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heuristic "Heuristics"]], or the ability for the human brain to turn learned skills or experience into automatic habit and judgment.

Yamato-damashii has existed in some form for centuries. Japan has a long history of [[PatrioticFervor national and ethnic pride]], partially codified in the [[JapaneseMythology Shinto belief]] that the Japanese islands themselves were divine. In the past, when [[ImperialChina China was the cultural center of the Asian world]], Yamato-damashii was used to [[BrainsEvilBrawnGood draw distinction between the academic and scholarly Chinese values]] and the [[SimpleMindedWisdom simpler Japanese common sense.]][[note]]There was a parable of a Chinese scholar who is murdered by a burglar. For all his intellect and reason, it didn't save him from such a simple and childish death.[[/note]] Aside from scholars like Motoori Norinaga, the concept was barely mentioned throughout the centuries afterward, but reached its peak once [[ImperialJapan Japan began to modernize itself]]. With the entire country desperate to copy, and catch up to, the more advanced West, it became important once again to define what being "Japanese" meant.

It's critical to know that Feudal Japan only fought two wars against outside forces: the [[UsefulNotes/{{Mongolia}} Mongol Invasion]] of the 13th Century, and the conquest of Korea in the 16th. Thus, Japan created entirely different standards of warfare [[LetsFightLikeGentlemen based around individual skill, merit and "fair" play]]. Even in massive campaigns, most battles involved single combat between {{Samurai}}, thus the Japanese found foreign tactics, like MountedCombat and RainOfArrows barbaric and dishonorable. Again, Shinto belief and customs has a lot to do with this, as they believed in a very complicated system of karma where someone who lived or died dishonorably would leave behind an evil spirit that would haunt and taint the world for future generations. Thus, dying an honorable death was preferable to living a dishonorable life. Also important is that Japanese {{Swordfight}}ing evolved into a very fast-paced, fluid style of combat that made it ''[[CentipedesDilemma impossible]]'' [[CentipedesDilemma to think during a skirmish]]--thus, every fight essentially came down to an individual's training, skill, and ability to read an opponent's intent through pure "instinct".

Positively, Yamato-Damashii is a rejection of [[TheSpock emotionless logic]] and the failure to try because something is difficult or seems impossible. In this sense, it follows the simple creed of "the only way to fail is not to try your best". On the pragmatic level, Yamato-Damshii is ''intended'' to refer to "RealLife" ingenuity, and not blind optimism. It inspires people to constantly be better, to focus more on uncharted paths than roads already paved, and to retain hope even at the DarkestHour. One way of looking at how this differs from the west is that, unlike Shintoism, Christianity has a clear disconnect between mortals and the divine; humans should try to be ''like God'', but can never BE divine. On the other hand, Shintoism believed that every human was born with a ''musubi'', or a divine spark [[EnlightenmentSuperpower just waiting to be unlocked.]] In this philosophy, every person is born with everything they ever need to become great in their own way. In short, people who have talent should not be [[IndividualityIsIllegal held back to accomodate for the less-talented]], and the less-talented should acknowledge their limitations and perhaps [[NormalFishInATinyPond try to succeed in other respects.]]

However, this can be a problem if "talent" is dictated by societal conformity and elitism, and if those without it are outright discarded or shunned. (After all, if someone is talentless, and thus unworthy of having their story told, why should anyone care?) Negatively, Yamato-Damashii can be compared to {{Social Darwinis|t}}m, and has also been compared to the western concepts of the "WhiteMansBurden" and "[[{{Eagleland}} American Exceptionalism]]" in that it assigns a specific ethnic group with an immeasurably valuable trait. Yamato-damashii is about all the things that makes Japan and her people good, and by proxy, what the rest of the world lacks. Furthermore, it is ''specifically'' a [[StrawVulcan condemnation of academia in favor of common sense, adaptive thinking, and individual merit]]--in other words, if scholarly wisdom indicates that there is a MillionToOneChance, yamato-damashii demands that those odds not only be challenged, but beaten. Furthermore, stemming from the code of bushido, [[NoTrueScotsman a true follower of yamato-damashii]] will have risked sure-death for their cause at least once. This led to the [[SuicideAttack glorification of kamikaze tactics]] in WorldWarII, which ([[RealityEnsues contrary to use of this trope in fiction]]) [[TropeBreaker did not work out so well]]. And finally, this trope is also partly responsible for the phenomenon of "karoshi", which translates to "death from overwork" in Japanese. In recent decades, Japanese culture has cultivated the existence of the {{Salaryman}} and the {{Otaku}}, who pursue their respective interests with obsessive tenacity.

[[/folder]]

* AllYourPowersCombined
* AttackReflector

Villains typically have a FatalFlaw which involves [[NotQuiteTheRightThing being mistaken about the way they THOUGHT the world worked]], [[EvilIsEasy taking an easier path than the protagonist did]], or [[WeHaveBecomeComplacent becoming convinced of their invincibility.]] In short, the villain became complacent. When this is discovered within the story, it spells doom for the villain.

* BecauseDestinySaysSo: Some people are just {{Born Winner}}s and some aren't. DeusExMachina and DiabolusExMachina can also determine who is fated to succeed.

It's critical to know that Feudal Japan only fought two wars against outside forces: the [[UsefulNotes/{{Mongolia}} Mongol Invasion]] of the 13th Century, and the conquest of Korea in the 16th. Thus, Japan created entirely different standards of warfare [[LetsFightLikeGentlemen based around individual skill, merit and "fair" play]]. Even in massive campaigns, most battles involved single combat between {{Samurai}}, thus the Japanese found foreign tactics, like MountedCombat and RainOfArrows barbaric and dishonorable. Again, Shinto belief and customs has a lot to do with this, as they believed in a very complicated system of karma where someone who lived or died dishonorably would leave behind an evil spirit that would haunt and taint the world for future generations. Thus, dying an honorable death was preferable to living a dishonorable life. Also important is that Japanese {{Swordfight}}ing evolved into a very fast-paced, fluid style of combat that made it ''[[CentipedeDilemma impossible]]'' [[CentipedeDilemma to think during a skirmish]]--thus, every fight essentially came down to an individual's training, skill, and ability to read an opponent's intent through pure "instinct".

* CentipedeDilemma

It's critical to know that Feudal Japan only fought two wars against outside forces: the [[UsefulNotes/{{Mongolia}} Mongol Invasion]] of the 13th Century, and the conquest of Korea in the 16th. Thus, Japan created entirely different standards of warfare [[LetsFightLikeGentlemen based around individual skill, merit and "fair" play]]. Even in massive campaigns, most battles involved single combat between {{Samurai}}, thus the Japanese found foreign tactics, like MountedCombat and RainOfArrows barbaric and dishonorable. Again, Shinto belief and customs has a lot to do with this, as they believed in a very complicated system of karma where someone who lived or died dishonorably would leave behind an evil spirit that would haunt and taint the world for future generations. Thus, dying an honorable death was preferable to living a dishonorable life. Also important is that Japanese {{Swordfight}}ing evolved into a very fast-paced, fluid style of combat that made it ''impossible'' to think during a skirmish--thus, every fight essentially came down to an individual's training, skill, and ability to read an opponent's intent through pure "instinct".