essay

Taira: an Okinawan village

six cultures : studies of child rearingNew York • Published In 1963 • Pages: 1-13, 363-539

By: Maretzki, Thomas W., Maretzki, Hatsumi, Whiting, Beatrice B..

Abstract
This is an ethnographic report of Taira, a northeastern Okinawan village, based on field work conducted by a husband-and-wife team during 1954-55. The document has two parts: (1) a description of adulthood, and (2) a chronological account of child training from pregnancy to preadolescence. Part 1 includes, in addition to a general description of economy, polity, religion, family and kinship, education, and social organization, such special topics as social control, theory of disease, and leisure-time activities, in order to test patterns of succorance, nurturance, self-reliance, achievement, responsibility, obedience, dominance, sociability, and aggression (nine behavioral system hypotheses developed by Whiting and Child). Throughout the text, an attempt is made to compare the situation as it existed before World War II, during the War, and as it was in the mid-1950s. The introduction by Whiting has been included to provide the theoretical orientation and methodology of the document.
Subjects
Fishing
Tillage
Dwellings
Real property
Daily routine
Rest days and holidays
Nuptials
Community structure
Social control
Theory of disease
Medical therapy
General character of religion
Pregnancy
Childbirth
Infant care
Child care
Childhood activities
Techniques of socialization
Weaning and food training
Cleanliness training
Independence training
Elementary education
culture
Okinawans
HRAF PubDate
2000
Region
Asia
Sub Region
East Asia
Document Type
essay
Evaluation
Creator Type
Ethnologist
Document Rating
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
Hesung C. Koh ; 1965-1967
Field Date
1954-1955
Coverage Date
late nineteenth century -1955
Coverage Place
village of Taíra, northeastern Okinawa, Ryukkyu Islands, Japan
Notes
[by] Thomas W. Maretzki and Hatsumi Maretski. Introduction by Beatrice B. Whiting
LCCN
63008908
LCSH
Okinawa