Wa
The work wa appears in Article 1 on Shotokutaishi's 17-Article Constitution&sbquo which is the first written code of laws in Japan. Wa is Japan itself&sbquo the most important concept that express the basic Japanese sense of values&sbquo and also &sbquo at the same time a philosophical term that expresses japan itself. For example&sbquo in a phrase wa o tamotsu (maintain harmony or peace)&sbquo wa represents a cooperative state without conflict and alienation. Moreover&sbquo as in such phrases as wa o musubu (reach a peace accord)&sbquo which means to quit fighting and became reconciled&sbquo it is an important word that expresses a directive aiming for collective harmony and peace. Terms that express Japan itself ideologically and conceptually include wafu (Japanese taste)&sbquo washiki (Japanese style)&sbquo wayo (Japanese form) and wagi (settlement&sbquo compositon). These terms are used to direct people's nationalistic sprit towards Japanese things&sbquo and connoted consciousness and ideology of the Japanese when accepting foreign cultures. Incorporating collective and integrative cooperativeness and the concept of peace at the beginning of the 17-Article Constitution had significant important as it symbolizes the japanese spiritual culture that transcends religiousness. Furthermore&sbquo the ethos&sbquo consciousness&sbquo and creativity of the Japanese in incorporating foreign cultures and sublimating them with an originality that goes beyond mere arrangement are reflected in such later expressions as wafu and washiki. It must be noted&sbquo however&sbquo that it is also possible to create deception&sbquo as if one were embodying Japan in such terms as wafu&sbquo washiki&sbquo washoku (japanese food) and wayo. Moreover&sbquo the difference betoween wa and yo are being made vague when contrasting yoshiki (western style) and washiki. It is necessary to re-acknowledge the pure Japanese concept of wa.