We, Japanese, gotta have WA?:

―“ Collectivism” in Japanese sport culture―

Abstract

　“ You Gotta Have WA” is the title of Robert Whiting ‘s best-selling book, in which he observed the characteristic Japanese teammate relations in Yakyu (“baseball “in Japanese language) , namely “the spirit of WA (collective-oriented attitudes)”.
　As Whiting , many japanologists have been pointing out the traditional collectivism in Japanese culture, from organized workers’ line in the industrial factories to elementary school pupils’ march in perfect order at an athletic meet.
　However, getting a general view of Japanese traditional sport culture, you can be aware of an interesting fact. Among worldly known Japanese traditional sports , as Judo, Sumo, Karate, Kendo and so on, you cannot find “collective” ones.
　Now the question arises: Is it true that Japanese are collectivistic traditionally as many japanologists indicate? And if so, in what sense do we have gotta WA?
　In this paper, I’ll consider the enigma of this “spirit of WA” in Japanese sport culture from the various points of view, looking around the changing Japanese sport scenes.