As a characteristic which is broadly seen in traditional performing arts, traditional sports, or in manners in Japanese daily life such as bowing, civility and rules of etiquette and table manners, a respect for 'kata' (standard form of a movement, posture, etc. in martial arts, sport, etc.) (or called katachi (pattern)) is pointed, and has been considered to be a virtue of Japan.
伝統芸能や伝統のスポーツ、あるいは日常生活におけるお辞儀・礼儀作法・日本の食事作法などにおいて、広範に見られる特徴として「型（形）」の尊重という点が挙げられ、日本の美点ともされてきた。