The Chrysanthemum and the Sword

by Ruth Benedict

Book Overview

Essential reading for anyone interested in Japanese culture, this unsurpassed masterwork explores the political, religious, and economic life of Japan.

The World War II-era study by the cultural anthropologist Ruth Benedict paints an illuminating contrast between the culture of Japan and that of the United States. The Chrysanthemum and the Sword is a revealing look at how and why our cultures differ, making it the perfect...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0618619593
• ISBN13: 9780618619597
• Release Date: January 2006
• Publisher: Mariner Books Classics
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 0.79 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.4" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

"...a being fallen from some other planet..."

Any westerner who's ever been to Japan may have felt at one moment or another that he or she has landed, not only in a different country, but in quite a different planet. If you're taking a trip to Japan, the cultural tips you find in a quick reference tourist guide might suffice for travel, but if you're planning to live in Japan or study any particular topic of its culture, you'll definitely have to dig way deeper."The Chrysantemum And The Sword" is a classic text of Cultural Anthropology written around the end of WWII, and althought its author, Ruth Benedict, wrote it whithout ever setting foot in Japan, it's remarkable how far she went to understand the underlaying values of a culture like this, at times fascinating, and at times shocking. It was written in 1946, but it's still a book some people in Japanese universities suggest as a reference to understand some key aspects of this amazing culture. I'd also say this book is a must-read for anyone interested in humanity in the middle of war.

Useful insights into a fascinating culture

The Chrysanthemum and the Sword is a book about culture, Japanese Culture. Ruth Benedict explores Japanese culture and tries to explain in English what it means to be Japanese. She does this by analyzing social arrangements and habits of life, drawing on the anthropologists premise that human behaviour is learned in daily living. Benedict covers a wide range of topics including hierarchy, self discipline, spirit, loyalty, duality, rules, frugality, allegiance, responsibility, religion, morality, indebtedness, obligation, human feelings, observation of appearance and behaviour, education and relationships. Structured into thirteen easy to read chapters, the book draws on other notable references to provide further insights and narratives. For those working, doing business with, living or travelling to Japan, this book provides a useful guide to better understanding. Even though it was written over sixty years ago and many changes have occurred in Japan since that time, some key observations still stand today. Where the book shines is in the comparison of Asian and Western values and how vastly different they are. For example: the chapters that explain "indebtedness" on and "obligation" giri from the Japanese perspective. An important book for gaining a greater insight and understanding of this unique and fascinating culture.

Guide to occupying forces

While I lived four years in Japan, I read many cultural books. Most authors referenced the work done by Ruth Benedict. It's my understanding that the military needed her ideas about the enemy to help win the war, and to effectively occupy Japan following WWII. Japanese survivors from WWII have universally told me that American soldiers, following the war, were very kind, respectful, honorable, and helpful to the poor, defeated Japanese in their home country. They seemed genuinely interested in getting Japan back on its feet, and today's elderly Japanese feel a great respect and indebtedness towards those occupying forces from America. American occupying policy was put together fairly quickly. Decisions were made, including whether and in what form the Emperorship should continue. A cornerstone for guiding these decisions was Ruth Benedict's book, "The Crysanthemum and the Sword." Steps taken and structures put in place by America in post-war Japan were consistent, well-thought, and extraordinarily successful. As Americans, we really needed a Ruth Benedict to analyze Iraq and inspire our leaders to put together an occupying strategy there that would acknowledge the strengths of Iraqui culture and re-shape them for success. Instead, we seem not to have a clear plan of who Iraq is or what to do with them. How could we have done so well in the 40's and so poorly now? Anyway, read Ruth Benedict's remarkable book and marvel at the skill of her analysis.

excellent antropology

Chrysanthemum and the Sword : Patterns of Japanese Culture by Ruth Benedict was intended as a commissioned anthropological study of the Japanese culture at the end of WWII. The study was harshly treated and criticized by some of the anthropologists and by many in the near-political university circles because the author use of circumstantial and indirect evidence, since she never went to Japan and did not know the language. In my opinion, the study however is clear, unencumbendt by assumptions, fairly objective. I feel that Benedict accomplished her goal in laying out the foundation for understanding of what American Japanese administration can do in rebuilding the Japan society so the WWII aggression won't be repeated. Personally, Benedicts clear explanation of hierarchy of cultural obligation (to the emperor, family, and to ones honor), descriptions of the child upbringing gave me useful insights into Japanese literary and esthetic traditions; and to the history of the development of Buddhism. I would highly recommend it for anybody who wants to understand cultural foundation of Japanese character; and also as a curious piece on how Japan was perceived circa 1946, when nothing of the impending economic recovery, political reorientation and cultural shifts of today were known.

Perceptive and of historical importance!

After WWII Ruth benedict was sent to Japan to learn and help the US understand the "Japanese mindset". This book is unparalleled in its scope and easy-to-read-ness. It is essential to historians, anthropologists, and the curious. Read it. Read it. Read it