The Development of the Rorschach in Japan

Abstract

In 1925, a Japanese psychologist named Yuzaburo Uchida accidentally discovered a copy of Psychodiagnostik. His encounter with Psychodiagnostik marks the beginning of Rorschach studies in Japan. The Rorschach became more widely used after the Klopfer and Beck Systems were introduced. However, researchers questioned whether such systems could be applied to Japanese subjects. The systems were modified gradually and more Japanese systems were established. The major examples were the Nagoya University System and the Osaka University System. Yasufumi Kataguchi created his original system through modifications of the Klopfer System in 1956. The Kataguchi system became the one most often used in Japan. In 1958 the Rorschachiana Japonica was published and it became central to the study of Rorschach in Japan over the past few decades and stimulated various other aspects of study. Hirosi Motoaki translated The Rorschach Systems in 1972. Later, a number of researchers began the study of the Comprehensive System. Currently, the Rorschach Test is widely used in Japan. The future challenge of the Rorschach in Japan is to establish a standard based upon Japanese data and how Japanese studies will compare to other countries' research.