About
"From U.S.A." -- November 8, 1997
An e-mail from U. S. A. completely changed my home page.
This is very exiciting for me. The followings are excerpts from e-mails.
English Site
www.dadamo.com--November 16, 1997
The author of the book "Eat Right 4 Your Type" which details the link between ABO blood type and individualized diets
October 12, 1997 -- the First mail
Hi!
How are you?
I am a fan of blood types and characters. Actually, I have a research paper in a community
college in the US, and I would like to write about the relationship between blood type and
character. Your home page gave me a lot of information that I needed. Please insert more
information, I am looking forward at it. And thank you very much!! ;-)
October
12, 1997
Oh!
What a pleasent surprise to receive first mail from overseas!
> How are you?
Of course, I'm fine and very glad to hear from you !
> I am a fan of blood types and characters. Actually, I have a research
>paper in a community college in the US, and I would like to write about
>the relationship between blood type and character.
Oh really! Great! I hope you write fine paper.
>Your home page gave
>me a lot of information that I needed. Please insert more information, I
>am looking forward at it. And thank you very much!! ;-)
Please let me know what kind of information you need.
Which language do you like ? English or Japanese
? -- I hope you are able to read Japanese.
See you!
October
14, 1997
Today I read your home page again, and I found many
information that I may use in my research paper. I have a question for you--did you know
what is the title of Raymond B. Cattell's report that was placed in the "Mankind
Quarterly" magazine? If you do, please let
me know, thank you.
I am a Taiwanese but I speak Japanese, so either English or Japanese will be all right.
And also, if you have any info about TAKEUCHI KUMIKO's book, please let me know, I
appreciate your kindness.
Anyway, thank you for answering my e-mail, I am looking forward to your information.
October
15, 1997
>I have a question for you--did you know
>what is the title of Raymond B. Cattell's report that was placed in the
>"Mankind Quarterly" magazine? If
you do, please let me know, thank you.
Sorry, I don't know. And his name is *Catrel*,
NOT *Cattell*. (I found "Cattell" is correct, later)
> I am a Taiwanese but I speak Japanese, so either English or Japanese
>will be all right.
Oh! Great!
>And also, if you have any info about TAKEUCHI
>KUMIKO's book, please let me know, I appreciate your kindness.
She wrote many books, such as: (in Japanese character) ..... and so on.
And the index of the book is: (in Japanese character) ......
>Anyway, thank you for answering my e-mail, I am looking
>forward to your information.
You are welcome.
I want to know "blood type and character" situation in US and Taiwan.
Is is popular ? or unpopular ?
Bye, bye.
October 15, 1997
Hi!
Thank you for your information, but I couldn't read it because my computer didn't accept
your Japanese letters. I still very appreciate what you did for me.
In the US, the American people seem don't care about their blood type. For example, today
in my English class (which I need to write a research paper) I asked everyone about their
own blood type, but only ten people (include three Japanese and me) know their type. There
were two-B, two-A, two-O, and four-AB. I was very surprised that why the American don't
know their own blood type. Oh! By the way, the four type-AB were all American people, I
think the people of type-AB may be interested in their blood type, what do you think?
In Taiwan, the people also like URANAI as same as Japanese people. I have read some books
which were about blood types were translated from Japanese. So I think Taiwanese believe
that there is a connection between blood types and personality.
These information are now what I know, but I don't think they will help you, I am sorry.
next time I will try to collect more info.
P.S. I am a type-O person.
October
18, 1997
Thank you for your reply.
> Thank you for your information, but I couldn't read it because my
>computer didn't accept your Japanese letters. I still very appreciate
>what you did for me.
It's bad.
> In the US, the American people seem don't care about their blood type.
>For example, today in my English class(which I need to write a research
>paper) I asked everyone about their own blood type, but only ten
>people(include three Japanese and me) know their type. There were two-B,
>two-A, two-O, and four-AB. I was very surprised that why the American
>don't know their own blood type.
Interesting. I've read the same story from some
Japanese home pages, but I couldn't belive it. Now, I have confirmed. Thank you for your information.
> Oh! By the way, the four type-AB were
>all American people, I think the people of type-AB may be interested in
>their blood type, what do you think?
I have no idea.
Americans have relatively less ABs than Japanese/Taiwanese people. So, American AB people have to know their blood type for blood
transfusion, maybe.
> In Taiwan, the people also like URANAI as same as Japanese people. I
>have read some books which were about blood types were translated from
>Japanese. So I think Taiwanese believe that there is a connection
>between blood types and personality.
> These information are now what I know, but i don't think they will help
>you, I am sorry. next time I will try to collect more info.
Thank you again. You give me nice and useful
information.
You maybe interested in this home page--situation in Taiwan and Korea.
ABOBA SAVE THE HUMAN RACE
http://www2.nsknet.or.jp/~c-chan/
By the way, I want to know the author of the books you read. Is he/she NOMI
MASAHIKO, SUZUKI MASHIRO or another one ?
> P.S. I am a type-O person.
You are the first type-O person foreigner who gives me an e-mail.
I updated my home page. I hope you enjoy it.
I'll add more TAKEUCHI KUMIKO-book's information later.
See you!
October
20, 1997
Hi!
How was your weekend? I am pretty good.
Thank you for your e-mail, I read your home page. You added many useful information that I
can use for my paper. I think I can write a good paper. Thanks!
By the way, I looked for the article that Raymond B. Cattell wrote in two libraries, but I
still couldn't find it. I found the magazine called "The Mankind Quarterly," and
Raymond B. Cattell has many articles about IQ. I don't know which article is about blood
types, so I don't have any harvest.
About the book "CHIISANA AKUMA NO SEINAKA NO KUBOMI," my friend in Japan who was
looking for it for me said that she couldn't find the book, is it so difficult to find it in bookstore? I hope not.
October
20, 1997
>You added many useful information that I can use for
my
>paper. I think I can write a good paper. Thanks!
I'm very pleased !
> By the way, I looked for the article that Raymond B. Cattell wrote in
>two libraries, but I still couldn't find it. I found
>the magazine called "The Mankind Quarterly," and Raymond B. Cattell has
>many articles about IQ. I don't know which article is about blood types,
>so I don't have any harvest.
Please look at the magazine "The Mankind Quarterly" pp35-51 Vol. 21, (I
suppose No.1 fall) 1980. I hope you can
find the article.
The publisher has their home page:
http://www.mankind.org/
Good luck !
> About the book "CHIISANA AKUMA NO SEINAKA NO KUBOMI," my friend in
>Japan who was looking for it for me said that she couldn't find the
>book, is it so difficult to find it in
bookstore? I hope not.
It was published three years ago. In Japan
three-year old book usually don't have their position in bookstore's shelf, I suppose.
I found it in public library. Or your friend can order it to
a bookstore.
I can find it using the internet, a book database in Japan --http://www.books.or.jp/. It is still on sale even now.
October
22, 1997
Hi!
Thank you for your information. I have already bought it. And I got an information for you
too. I got a copy of Raymond B. Cattell's article.Its title is "The relation of blood
types to primary and secondary personality traits." I haven't read it yet, but when I
read his references, I think there were more information about blood groups and
personality traits that were reported by others. I have already got three books, three
articles, and four internet resourses so that I think these are enough for me to write my
research paper (because it isn't a long paper, only ten pages). But if you have any new
info please tell me. And if you need the Raymond B.C.'s article please let me know, then I
will send it to you.
October
24, 1997
Hi!
How were you these days? I am pretty good.
I sent the article to you today, and I think you may recieve it next week. Please look
forward to it.
Also, I got the book "CHISANA AKUMA NO SENAKA NO KUBOMI," and I think it is
flying now (on a airplane). After I read all my resourses, I will start to write the
paper. If you have more information, please tell me.
Thanks.
October
28, 1997
Konnichi-wa! It's
becoming cool in Japan.
Thank you, the article has just arrived today ! I'll
update my home page soon. I look over the article, and find traits are diffirent from
Japanese ones. I have to think about it.
November
5, 1997
Konnichi-wa!
>About the books which I had read in
>Taiwan, my mother told me that she had put somewhere, and she cannot
>find them now. I don't remember those books' name, so I feel sorry
>again.
Thanks. Anyway, I understand that many books
about blood type are popular in Taiwan -- as well as in Japan.
> I read your messages (from abo) and your home page. You really got many
>information on your home page. It is very helpful. I haven't decided how
>to write my paper, but I will try my best to analyze it. Thank you!!
Have you decided ? If I were you, I will write
as follows:
1. What is blood type ? -- a scientific story
2. Brief history of "blood type and character" -- from pre-WWII Germany to
modern Japan
3. Furukawa Takeji and his study in pre-WWII Japan -- the rise and fall of blood type
4. Nomi Masahiko and his books -- blood type strikes back
5. Why "blood type and character" became so popular **only** in Japan -- its
complicated reason
6. Pros and cons -- why Japanese psychologists oppose "blood type and character"
7. Situation in the U.S.
8. Toward the Next Generation
Appendix: Statistics and references
(Sorry, If you are not interested in SF movies.)
If you have any questions, please let me know.
> If you need more information from the U.S., I can search for you,
>please feel free to ask me.
Thanks.
November
6, 1997
Yesterday I went to my research paper class, and I gave my questionnair to my classmates. The questions are below:
1. Are you interested in blood types? And do you know how
many blood types are using in the world? (except ABO-blood type)
2. What do you think if there is a method that can let you know about your family, your
friend, and the people who you work with?
3. Do you believe that there is a relationship between blood type and yourself
(personality, diseases, etc.)? If you don't believe, then why?
4. Do you think to use blood types to understand people's personality is kind of
discrimination? If no, how do you think about the relationship between blood types and
personality?
5. What is your blood type? (If you know it, please let me know.)
I got 11 people to answer my questions and five of them didn't know what their blood type is. The other six people (two-O, two-AB, one-A, & one-B) all answered my questions. One of the AB-type people(he didn't write down his name) said that his friends think he was O-type, so he didn't believe the blood type.
Most of the American know ABO-type and Rh+&Rh--type, but they think there are only two blood types in the world. So many of them think if people use blood type to understand personality, it would be only 8 types (ABO & Rh)of people. I think this is ridiculous. I might argue this(it's too easy).
In the Q#4, six of them answered "no," three of them answered "yes," and two of them answered "depends on how to use." But nine of them told me that they were interested in blood type, one was "no answer," and only the AB-type person, he answered "yes."
I will have more people to answer my questions, if I got more information, I will let you know.
November
6, 1997
> Yesterday I went to my research paper class, and I
gave my questionnair
>to my classmates.
Results are very interesting for me. Can I use
these data on my home page ? I hope to make a new page say, "Letters from
U.S.A.", if you are OK.
> I got 11 people to answer my questions and five of them didn't know
>what their blood type is. The other six people(two-O, two-AB, one-A, &
>one-B) all answered my questions.
I understand Americans are less interested in thier blood types than Japanese or
Taiwanese. But, Japanese don't know their
Rh-type than Americans. Not more than *one
percent* of Japanese are Rh--type.
>One of the AB-type people(he didn't
>write down his name) said that his friends think he was O-type, so he
>didn't believe the blood type.
Ha-ha ! So, is Japanese! A famous newscaster MORIMOTO TAKEO once thought he was AB-type,
found he *really* is A-type. He got so angry and
wrote a
book that fiercely criticize the blood type.
> Most of the American know ABO-type and Rh+&Rh--type, but they think
>there are only two blood types in the world. So many of them think if
>people use blood type to understand personality, it would be only 8
>types (ABO & Rh)of people. I think this is ridiculous. I might argue
>this (it's too easy).
Ha-ha !
> In the Q#4, six of them answered "no," three of them answered
"yes,"
>and two of them answered "depends on how to use."
I think most of the Japanese people ansewer "no". The blood type is so popular
in Japan like astrolgy in America.
>But nine of them told
>me that they were interested in blood type,
I think Americans like URANAI too. :-)
>only the AB-type person, he answered "yes."
I don't know why.
> I will have more people to answer my questions, if I got more
>information, I will let you know.
I'm looking forward to.
> One more question, I got your e-mail, and I would like to know the
>No.5's details.
I'll write about it later.
>I just find a patient that had bone morrow transplantation, and his
>blood type changed. I am so confused that yesterday I found some
>information about bone marrow transplantation, it said physicians need
>to check blood type and many other things before the operation. How do
>you explain it?
I don't mind at all.
For example, If we are discussing about the relations between nationality and personality,
we don't mind you are Taiwanese who live in America. So is the blood type.
The relations between the blood type (nationality) and pesonality are *only* in
statistical ones. There are many exceptions and
individual differences.
If most of people easily change their blood types, we have to consider carefully, but
that's not true. Most of people don't experience
their blood type changes. So, we don't have to
worry about it.
November
6, 1997
The reasons are very easy to explain.
1. Most of Japanese know their ABO-type.
2. Prof. FURUKAWA TAKEJI was once influencial before WWII.
3. NOMI MASAHIKO, the blood type genius
You may have read the TAKEUCHI KUMIKO's book (pp60-73).
If so, you can understand the reasons of 2. and 3., with ease.
As you know, people don't know their blood types in Europe and America. Even if they know,
they won't talk about them. I don't know why.
But in Japan situations are completely different. People know their ABO-type. Why ?
Let's get back to the past. Before WWII, Japan was one of the military powers in the world.
Japanese Army used the blood type to reinforce themselves.
For example, each blood type troops were once organized (only O, only A etc.).
The army tested which blood type was suited for each
positions and so on.
During late WWII, Japan was continuously bombered by American air forces. Many Japanese
died. Japanese government forced people to wear
nameplates (including blood type) for ease of blood transfusion. Not to mention Prof.
FURUKAWA TAKEJI.
By the way, many (or most of) psychologists in Japan oppose the blood type. The reasons are very easy to explain.
1. Prof. FURUHATA TANEMOTO of the University of Tokyo (the
best and the brightest university of Japan) denied it. He was one of the authorities in Japan at that time.
2. Prof. FURUKAWA TAKEJI couldn't find clear relations.
3. Statistical mothods were imperfect at that time.
November
7, 1997
Hi! Thank you
for your information. It helps me a lot.
And if you want use my letter, go ahead, I don't mind. I think I will have new data next
week, please look forward to it. Thanks again!!
November
8, 1997
> And if you want use my letter, go ahead, I don't
mind.
Thanks. I have added your and my e-mails to my
home page. The title: From U. S. A. If
you feel unconfortable, please let me know. I'll
correct soon.
November
15, 1997
Hi!
I saw your home page and I am suprised that you really got more information on your home
page.
When I was looking for new info about blood types, I found another book that was wrote by
American (I think, his name was Pete Constantine), and the book's title was " What's
Your Type?: How Blood Types Are the Keys to Unlocking Your Personality."
I haven't got this book, but I will get it.
About the book, "Eat Right for Your Type", I read it and it has something about
the blood type boom in Japan. I think you might want to know:
" The leading proponent of the blood type-personality connection is a man named TOSHITAKA NOMI, whose father first pioneered the theory.
In 1980, NOMI and Alexander Besher worte a book called *You Are Your Blood Type*, which has sold more than 6 million copies in Japan.
It contains personality profiles and suggestions for the various blood type- right down to what you should do for a living, whom you should marry, and the dire consequences that might befall you if you should ignore this advice."..." Futhermore, as with all attempts to label people, this one has ominous undertones. Once you say, 'Type A is this,' or 'Type B is that,' the unavoidable next step is to say, 'Type B is superior,' or 'Only a Type O can be president.' Caste systems develop. A variarion of this happens every day in Japan- for example, when a company advertises that it is looking for Type Bs to fill middle management position."
The author said he couldn't deny that there is probably an
essential truth to the theories about a relationship between people's cells and people's
personalities.
I need to start to write my research paper, so talk to you later.
November
15, 1997
>" The leading proponent of the blood
type-personality connection
>is a man named TOSHITAKA NOMI, whose father first pioneered the theory.
>In 1980, NOMI and Alexander Besher worte a book called *You Are Your
>Blood Type*,
Oh! Thank you for your information.
But I don't know the book. Why ?
> which has sold more than 6 million copies in Japan.
I don't think this is true. Nomi's books in
total (65 books, maybe) are said to be sold not more than *10 million* copies in Japan.
>It contains personality profiles and suggestions for the various blood
>type- right down to what you should do for a living, whom you should
>marry, and the dire consequences that might befall you if you should
>ignore this advice."..." Futhermore, as with all attempts to label
>people, this one has ominous undertones. Once you say, 'Type A is this,'
>or 'Type B is that,' the unavoidable next step is to say, 'Type B is
>superior,' or 'Only a Type O can be president.' Caste systems develop. A
>variarion of this happens every day in Japan- for example, when a
>company advertises that it is looking for Type Bs to fill middle
>management position."
Oh! He correctly understand how the "blood
type" is popular in Japan. But, I don't think the last part is correct. "Caste system" has developed in Japan, but not to such a
degree.
Some companies tested such cases that "Type Xs" to fill middle management
position or "Type Xs" to fill planning section . But these were NOT in success. Individual differece and environment are more influential, of
course.
>The author said he couldn't deny that there is
>probably an essential truth to the theories about a relationship between
>people's cells and people's personalities.
Great!
> I need to start to write my research paper, so talk to you later.
I'm looking forward to it.
November
19, 1997
Hi! How were you? I am fine.
I don't know whether you remember or not, I got the book " What's your type?: How
blood types are the keys to unlocking your personality." The author's name was Peter
Constantine. This book was published in July 1997. The price was $10.95. If you want to
see the book's cover, please access: <http://www.barnesandnoble.com/>
and enter 'blood type,' then you can see the title of the book. Click that title and you
can see the cover and info about the book.
About the author: Peter Constantine is the author of numerous books on Japanese and Far
Eastern language and culture. He has also done a number of pieces in such magazines as
*The New Yorker*, *Details*, *Arena*, and *Harvard Magazine*, as well as scholarly
magazines. He is continuing his research on biopsychology for a book on blood types and
relationships. He lives in New York City.
The information below was in his introduction:
"Blood," the Japanese expert Toshitaka Nomi says, "is much more than the vital fluid that carries oxygen and other necessary life-supporting nutrients through your cardiovascular system."
In 1901, Dr. Karl Landsteiner, who later won the Nobel Prize, identified the four blood groups (Note: actually three. Type AB was found later) to which we all belong, revolutionizing the world's view of man's biochemical makeup. Reliable blood transfusions were now fatal reactions that occur when blood from incompatible groups combines. Then, in 1910, von Dungern and Hirszfeld began researching the genetics of blood. They identified the inherited patterns, isolating independent pairs of genes that transmit blood type from parents to children.
The first links between personality and blood groups were made by the Japanese psychologist Takeji Furukawa, who published his findings in the German *Journal of Applied Psychology* in 1931. The German psychologist Karl H. Göbber took Furukawa's work further, widening the research in scope and depth. In Switzerland, Dr. K. Fritz Schaer had begun independently researching personality and blood groups, using the students of the Swiss Military Academy as test subjects.
In France, Jacques Genevay and Léone Bourdel were publishing their own groundbreaking scientific work, and throughout the fifties, sixties, and seventies Brazilian, Russian, Japanese, Chinese, Australian, and American specialists expended blood group psychology into the field of education, psychiatry, medicine, and even criminology.
I hope this can help you.
November
19, 1997
Great thanks!
I've just ordered seven books by the net. Two
English ones ("What's your type?" and "Eat right for your type") and
five Japanese ones (by Japanese psychologists who oppose to the blood type).
I'll update my Japanese and English home page later to add your information.
January
3, 1998
A Happy New Year !
Thank you very much for your kindness. I will continue to update my home page this year,
too.
If you have any questions, please let me know. I wish you have a good year, too!
January
11, 1998
Hi!
A HAPPY NEW YEAR! And thank you for your e-mail.
Sorry I didn't answer you faster because I am going to transfer to another university this
semester, and I was busy for my moving. I think I won't have another chance to write a
title such as "Blood type," but I will access your home page some time. If you
need my help, please feel free to ask me. O GEHKI DE!!
Last update: January 11, 1998.
E-mail: abofan@js2.so-net.ne.jp
Home Page