national characteristics; national essence
Refers to the unique cultural, spiritual, or traditional qualities considered to define a nation. Often used in discussions of nationalism, cultural identity, and historical preservation.
He argued that Japan's national characteristics should be preserved.
National essentialism sometimes leads to exclusionary policies.
nationalistic; ultranationalistic
nationalism; extreme patriotism
ultranationalist
Compound of 国 (country, nation) and 粋 (essence, pure, refined). The term emerged in the Meiji period as a concept to define Japan's unique cultural identity in response to Westernization.