Ishin-denshin (以心伝心) is a traditional Japanese concept of interpersonal communication through unspoken mutual understanding. It literally translates as "what the mind thinks, the heart transmits."[1] Sometimes explained in English in terms of "telepathy" or "sympathy", the term is also commonly rendered as "heart-to-heart communication" or "tacit understanding."[1][2]
Although silent understanding is generally recognized as a universal human phenomenon, the term ishin-denshin is often used to convey a style of nonverbal communication between two people that is felt to be characteristic of Japanese culture.[3][4]
Whereas the Japanese concept of haragei denotes a deliberate form of non-verbal communication, ishin-denshin refers to a passive form of shared understanding. Ishin-denshin
is traditionally perceived by the Japanese as sincere, silent
communication via the heart or belly (ie symbolically from the inside, uchi), as distinct from overt communication via the face and mouth (the outside, soto), which is seen as being more susceptible to insincerities.[3] Such concepts are related to the traditions of Zen, where the term ishin-denshin refers to direct mind transmission.[3][5]
Ishin-denshin continues to influence many aspects of contemporary Japanese culture, ranging from business practices to end-of-life care.[1][6][7] Western preferences for clarity in interpersonal communication can be repellent to Japanese people who are accustomed to ishin-denshin and implicit rather than explicit forms of understanding.[8]
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