The process of acquiring the self-discipline for Japanese begins in childhood. Indeed, one may say it begins at birth—how early theJapanese child is given his own identity! If I was to define in a word 1the attitude of the Japanese toward their children, I would put it in a 2concise word—Love! Yes, abundance of love, warmly expressedfrom the moment which he is put to his mother's breast. For a 3mother this nursing of her child is psychologically important. Rewards are frequent, a bit of candy bestowing at the right 4moment, an inexpensive toy. For time to enter school comes, however, 5discipline becomes firmer. To bring shame to the family is greatest 6shame 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 7establishment 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 isgentle at first and tempering to the child's tender age. It is no more 8gentle as time goes on, but certainly it is increasingly inexorable. Now, far away from that warm Japanese home, I reflect what I 9learned there. What, I wonder, will take place of the web of love 10and discipline which for so many centuries has surrounded the life and thinking of the people of Japan?