What does "GIRI-NINJYO" mean?

[AlbertSiegel]

What does "GIRI-NINJYO" mean? I heard this today and it is new to me.

[Speed]

Giri is an obligation to pay back (not necessarily money) someone for doing you up. This could be a favor or help from a co-worker, acquaintance, boss, etc. When someone has helped you out or done things for you, or brought you a gift/souvenir "the giri falls on your shoulder."

Ninjo is doing something nice for someone strictly from the heart. This is done without feeling any obligation to do so. Usually close friends or people that are really tight do things because of ninjo.

Hope this helps. If not ask the Buddha.

[Taro Toporific]

Giri is an obligation to pay back ...
Ninjo is doing something nice for someone strictly from the heart.....

"Giri-ninjo": Typical pop socio-psycho analysis that nihonjin-ron to explain how the Japanese are supposed to be so "different" from the rest of us.

The FG theorist Ruth Benedict used the giri-ninjo and shame society to explain Japanese. Other gaijin theorists you'll run into hearing are: the "vertical" society of Nakane Chie, the amae society of Doi Takeo, the k&#246]SUCHNESS not ABOUTNESS[/i] if I recall....

[Crispy]

What's really important is that it seems to be at the center of 99% of all Japanese literature or media*. Should I follow orders from people I am sworn to obey or should I not burn down that village of peasants? Oh, the drama...

*based on random samples by me and what my Japanese prof said

[Ptyx]

Chie, Takeo and Ruth the holy trinity of nihonjin-ron

[Taro Toporific]

Chie, Takeo and Ruth the holy trinity of nihonjin-ron

Yes, I hate to say it but I guess Albert ought to read 'em. Know thy enemy----nihonjin-ron.

[AlbertSiegel]

LOL!!

Taro, that was funny.

[jingai]

There is no point in explaining the meaning of giri and ninjo because foreigners can't possibly understand them.