The Japanese

by Jack Seward

Book Overview

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0844283932
• ISBN13: 9780844283937
• Release Date: January 1995
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Companies
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

The Cultiure and Lifestyles of Japan

Jack Seward covers the spectrum of Japanese Life and Thought in his book 'The Japanese: The often Misunderstood, Sometimes Surprising, and Always Fascinating Culture and Lifestyles of Japan. With a jaunty air he covers the need for hot springs and communal baths, matters sexual, crime and punishments and the colourful ways you can leave this world by disembowelment. He also looks at the humor in mis-translation and the Japanese thought on our miscreant Western ways.Its a good read and a must for anybody visiting Japan or a hard core arm chair traveller.

This is a great book

I have read a lot of books on Japanese society and culture and this was one of the most interesting and entertaining. The author lived in Japan for many years, is fluent in Japanese and has operated as an active participant in the Japanese culture. So while gaijin will always be on the outside looking in to some extent, this author got a whole lot closer than most. The tone of the book is informal and occasionally irreverent (laughed out loud on several occasions). The author went more in depth in explaining some issues than I have seen in other works. The previous reviewer's comments are unfounded in my opinion, as the angry tone and the alleged comments about crime and punishment were not in the book (at least the edition I read). The author does make some critical comments about Japanese culture, but overall is very sympathetic and positive toward the Japanese. Perhaps this reflects the fact that the book was written at a time when people were more realistic about cultural differences -- good and bad -- and felt more comfortable candidly talking about them. Overall, this is a very good introduction for beginners, or follow on book for aficianados of Japanese culture.