(Most read article) Similarities and differences in leisure conceptualizations between Japan and Canada and between two Japanese leisure-like terms

The article by Dr. Eiji Ito (Wakayama University) and Prof. Gordon J. Walker (Distinguished University Professor, Wakayama University / Professor, University of Alberta) published in Leisure/Loisir is now ranked No.1 of the Most Read Articles since the online launch of the journal in 2011.

 

Title

Similarities and differences in leisure conceptualizations between Japan and Canada and between two Japanese leisure-like terms

 

Author

Eiji Ito, Faculty of Tourism, Wakayama University, Wakayama City, Japan (current)

Gordon J. Walker, Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

 

Source

Leisure/Loisir, Volume 38, 2014, Issue.1, pp. 1-19

DOI: 10.1080/14927713.2014.880613

*Indexed in Scopus

Source details: https://www.scopus.com/sourceid/19700188161?origin=sbrowse

 

Abstract

This study investigated similarities and differences in leisure conceptualizations between Japan and Canada and between two Japanese leisure-like terms: yoka and rej¨¡. To address these purposes, we developed the Leisure Ten Statements Test (LTST). The LTST asks people to provide 10 open-ended responses to a prompt (e.g., “Leisure _____”). Responses from university students in Japan and Canada were classified, and then statistical analyses were conducted on the proportions of the 26 resulting categories. Results indicated that: (1) leisure conceptualizations differed not only between Japan and Canada but also within Japan depending on terminologies; (2) the loanword rej¨¡ has different meanings from its original English word, leisure, suggesting that it has adapted Japanese cultural contexts; and (3) the Japanese leisure-like term that best compares with the English word leisure varies depending on which specific aspect of leisure is of interest.

 

Key words

culture; conceptualization; leisure; leisure-like terms; Japan