摘要
In Japan hierarchy is no abstract term. It is a very real fact of life which overrides and bypasses the ‘class’ divisions of Western industrialised countries. As Westerners believe in equality and free enterprise, so Japanese believe in holding their proper station. Every person’s status is clearly defined and acknowledged by all he meets. Minute gradings of rank are carefully distinguished so that everyone is able to relate his position to those with whom he comes in contact. Visiting cards, a major tool of the system, give not only names, addresses and phone numbers but also rank. They show the fraternity the individual belongs to and his status within it. Cards should be exchanged when strangers meet so that each knows the other’s position and is then able to behave in accordance with it.
摘要译文
在日本，等级制度不是抽象术语。这是一个非常现实的事实，它超越并绕过了西方工业化国家的“阶级”分裂。由于西方人相信平等和自由企业，所以日本人相信他们拥有适当的工作站。他遇到的所有人都清楚地定义并承认每个人的身份。对排名的微小等级进行了仔细区分，以便每个人都能够将自己的位置与他所接触的人联系起来。名片，系统的主要工具，不仅提供姓名，地址和电话号码，还提供排名。它们显示了个人所属的兄弟会以及他在其中的地位。当陌生人相遇时，应该交换卡片，以便每个人都知道对方的位置，然后能够按照它行事。
Douglas Moore Kenrick[1]. Hierarchy. The Success of Competitive-Communism in Japan[M].DE: Springer, 1988: 75-81