Horoscopes make for interesting discussion for many in America weather or not they actually believe it to be true. The same is true for knowing your blood type in Japan, the popular belief is that it determines your personality. Do you know your blood type? I don’t but I would like to find out, the average person in Japan knows their blood type and how it supposedly relates to their personality.
Knowing your blood type and being aware of this cultural incite might be a good way to get to know and make friends with people in Japan. Wikipedia provides a helpful chart with some background information, as well I have included some clips from an article I read about this below.
Typecast – Japan’s obsession with blood groups (guardian.co.uk)– Some experts explain blood typology’s central place in the Japanese psyche by pointing to the rough similarity between the distribution of blood types and social classes in feudal Japan: the strong-willed samurai (O) and mild-mannered farmers (A), and smaller numbers of sensitive artisans (AB) and earthy tradesmen (B).
From A to AB
Type A Reserved and prone to worry, sensitive perfectionists such as Britney Spears and Adolf Hitler.
Type O Decisive, self-confident, curious, and ideal for sport, including Elvis Presley and the Queen.
Type B Cheerful caring, flamboyant free-thinkers such as Jack Nicholson.
Type AB High-maintenance, distant, suited to arts, such as Mao Zedong.
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
I’m type O- but would never compare myself with Elvis Presley or the Queen of England…