Wisdom on the Pursuit of Happiness in Daily Life.
Abstract The aim of this paper is to provide perspectives on conducting an international comparative study of happiness. This comparative survey, which the Free University of Berlin, Germany, and Kyoto University began jointly in 2008, is a truly international, interdisciplinary research project that designated Japan and Germany as sites for anthropological fieldwork where experts in philosophy, sociology, and pedagogy would jointly tackle the same field. Employing a historical and cultural anthropology perspective, this research project starts with the assumption not to seek to identify a model of happiness or well-being that goes beyond history and culture. Rather, the main focus of the research has been on how happiness and well-being are constructed in interactions among family members in the course of their various daily practices as well as in the ritual practices involved in families celebrating a festive occasion. First, in addressing family happiness, we examined the Christmas period for German households as typical seasonal festivity celebrated by families.