• Cross-Cultural Studies
• /
• v.30
• /
• pp.73-95
• /
• 2013

The purpose of this paper look at the basis of the cultural differences of Korea and Japan by comparing the view about the death. Firstly, in terms of language to express the death, Korea can be summarized 'doragada (go back) Japan can be summarized sayonara(goodbye). Koreans' view about the death is that life and death are not separated and death is the start of another life not the end of existence through 'doragada' Japanese accept death as the order of the universe and the order of nature with resignation. At this time resignation means that Japanese accept the sad feeling to sublimate aesthetically while mourning the death Secondly The view about the death of Sunbee in the Joseon era and Japanese Samurai who were the traditional ideal figures is compared. The Sunbee dies from a justification and the Samurai die from the honor on the other hand. Unconditionally, the sunbee was not loyal to an individual but they thought significantly of the fidelity about the joint value. Unlike this, Japanese Samurai laid stress on the loyalty toward their lord and sacrifice. They selected the death conclusively when this fidelity was suspected. Thirdly the view about the death of Korea and Japan is summarized to the aesthetics of the survival and the aesthetics of the death. Korean saw the death negatively and regard exceedingly the extension of life, they preceded to survive in all kinds of difficulties. On the contrary, Japanese see it positively. They beautified the death and sublimated with the aesthetics. they pursue the nature of the life through the death. Finally, the basic difference of the korean and Japanese culture originate from the view about the death that is, the difference of the values about the life and death.