I've been reading an interesting classic text on Japanese psychology: Anatomy of Dependence by Dr. Takeo Doi. It was written in 1971 and Doi was hailed as the Freud of Japan.
In the book, he explains amae. It's odd but I can't even begin to explain amae even after reading nearly 100 pages of the book, instinctually understanding the concept, even having a few "Aha! That explains that thing I experienced" moments as I read along.
Amae isn't unknown to Western culture, but there's no word for it. It's part unconditional love, part dependency, part selfishness, part generosity, part obligation, part indulgence.
http://www.mediatinker.com/blog/archives/008180.html
AmazonThe Anatomy of Dependence
by Takeo Doi
If you've ever tried to figure out the Japanese mind and couldn't put it into words, perhaps it's because the words don't exist. The Anatomy of Dependence, written by Japanese psychiatrist Dr. Takeo Doi, is one of the most penetrating studies of the Japanese psyche and was conceived after his discovery that a major concept of feeling -- not only among the Japanese but all people -- is easily expressed in everyday Japanese but has no literal translation in Western language.
Published in Japan as Amae no Kozo (The Structure of Amae), Dr. Doi's work is focused upon the word "amae" (indulgence) and its related vocabulary.
Book Review