The process of acquiring self-discipline for the Japanese begins in

childhood. Indeed, one may say it begins at birth—how early the

Japanese child is given his own identity! If I was to define in a word the 【M1】_________

attitude of the Japanese toward their children, I would put it in a concise 【M2】_________

word—Love! Yes, abundance of love, warmly expressed from the

moment that he is put to his mother’s breast. For a mother this nursing 【M3】_________

of her child is psychologically important.

Rewards are frequent: a bit of candy bestowing at the right 【M4】_________

moment, an inexpensive toy. For time to enter school comes, however, 【M5】_________

discipline becomes firmer. To bring shame to the family is greatest 【M6】_________

shame for the child.

What is the secret of the Japanese teaching of self-discipline? It

lies, I think, in the fact which the aim of all teaching is the 【M7】_________

establishment of habit. Rules are repeated over and over, and

continually practiced until obedience becomes instinctive. This

repetition is enhanced by the expectation of the elders. They expect a

child to obey and to learn through obedience. The demand is gentle at

first and tempering to the child’s tender age. It is no more gentle as time 【M8】_________

goes on, and certainly it is increasingly inexorable.

Now, far away from that warm Japanese home, I reflect what I 【M9】_________

learned there. What, I wonder, will take place of the web of love and 【M10】________

discipline which for so many centuries has surrounded the life and

thinking of the people of Japan?

【M8】