Abstract:

This article is a comprehensive comparative study on different living environments for Chinese and Japanese villagers. Based on the data from on -the -spot investigations, some fundamental differences between them can be pointed out. First, Chinese emphasize a choice of living environment, whereas Japanese an arrangement of it. Second, there are more customs in building houses in China than in Japan. Third, Chinese have fewer scruples in the arrangement of house furniture, while Japanese housing involves more factors of religion and faith. Fourth, basically there is no preservation of old-style houses in Chinese villages, but Japanese villages keep traditional houses and avoid reconstruction. Finally, living in Chinese villages is considered on the principle of reserving high-quality houses to the following generation, yet Japanese stress seniority in this respect.

Key words: comparison between China and Japan, village, housing, environment, custom