Ms. Big

There are many occasions in Japanese companies that there is a female key figure in an office.  Such a woman is usually called "otsubone" in Japanese which is derived from a female leader in the shogun family, who controlled a women's society in the shogun family.

Otsubone (right in this case)

The original otsubone was a very capable woman and maybe had a true leadership and was well respected.

The otsubone in the Japanese company usually have a negative image.  The definition of otsubone should be different depending on each person but usually include the following things:

• Spinster, who has been working at the specific division for a long time and knows lots of things of the division.
• She is not keen on promotion or pay-raise, but on becoming influential from behind in the office.
• Acts insidious behavior.
• Playing her otsubone role is becoming a purpose of her life.  

Western people might imagine otsubone like a woman in the below picture.

Otsubone?

But Japanese type of otsubone is not so apparent like the above lady but is more hiding existence, which is closer to the below.

Many people in the office try to very carefully deal with otsubone just like she is a head of the division although she is normally just a regular employee.  In fact, an actual head of the division might treat her very importantly and in a respect manner.

I will close the today's blog with the following Japanese saying:

"Keep clear of the gods." (Let sleeping dogs lie.)

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