In a second edition of his book which has become essential reading for students of Japanese society, Yoshio Sugimoto uses both English and Japanese sources to update and expand upon his original narrative. In so doing he challenges the traditional notion that Japan comprises a uniform culture, and draws attention to its subcultural diversity and class competition. The author also examines what he calls 'friendly authoritarianism' - the force behind the Japanese tendency to be ostensibly faithful to particular groups and companies. The book offers a wide-ranging approach to all aspects of Japanese society, with chapters on class, geographical and generational variation, work, education, gender, minorities, popular culture and the establishment. As a reviewer of the first edition noted, 'Accolades to Yoshio Sugimoto for his latest contribution to contemporary literature on Japan, An Introduction to Japanese Society, which is wide-ranging, thought-provoking and comprehensive.' Asian Studies Review
| ||||||||||||||||||
|
There is a newer edition of this item:
|
Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
|
Product Description
Review
'Accolades to Yoshio Sugimoto for his latest contribution to contemporary literature on Japan, An Introduction to Japanese Society, which is wide-ranging, thought-provoking and comprehensive. Although it is written as a students' text, it will be valuable to both students and teachers.' Asian Studies Review
'It is refreshing to have an introductory text focus on the constant tension between the diversity of subcultures and the attempts of the center to control them. I know of no other text, 'introductory' or not, that offers a similar range and level of critical sophistication.' Monumenta Nipponica
'Sugimoto has produced a fine and much needed book which makes a valuable contribution to both Japanese studies and comparative sociology. Sugimoto's book is critical, thoroughly researched and meticulously documented. … as a comprehensive, concise and balanced overview of modern Japanese society Sugimoto's excellent book is without rivals.' Sociology
'Using a series of systematic, broad strokes, this important introductory volume successfully portrays the variety, disparity, and complexity of Japanese society and culture. In addition, it provides useful sections on the ways different groups in Japan are controlled through coercive and ideological means.' Journal of Japanese Studies
'It is refreshing to have an introductory text focus on the constant tension between the diversity of subcultures and the attempts of the center to control them. I know of no other text, 'introductory' or not, that offers a similar range and level of critical sophistication.' Monumenta Nipponica
'Sugimoto has produced a fine and much needed book which makes a valuable contribution to both Japanese studies and comparative sociology. Sugimoto's book is critical, thoroughly researched and meticulously documented. … as a comprehensive, concise and balanced overview of modern Japanese society Sugimoto's excellent book is without rivals.' Sociology
'Using a series of systematic, broad strokes, this important introductory volume successfully portrays the variety, disparity, and complexity of Japanese society and culture. In addition, it provides useful sections on the ways different groups in Japan are controlled through coercive and ideological means.' Journal of Japanese Studies
Book Description
In a second edition of his book which has become essential reading for all students of Japanese society, Sugimoto updates and expands on his original narrative. In so doing he challenges the notion that Japan comprises a uniform culture and draws attention to its subcultural diversity.
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
First Sentence
1 Sampling Problem and the Question of Visibility Hypothetical questions sometimes inspire the sociological imagination. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
1 Sampling Problem and the Question of Visibility Hypothetical questions sometimes inspire the sociological imagination. Read the first page
Explore More
Concordance
Browse Sample PagesConcordance
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By JB
Format:Paperback|Verified Purchase
very well written and still accessible in style for a lay reader such like me. although abit heavy on facts and figures it is still light enough to read and take in.
very interesting even for those like me who use it as a gateway understanding japanese culture rather than a course-book
would recommend
*****
very interesting even for those like me who use it as a gateway understanding japanese culture rather than a course-book
would recommend
*****
By Luca F.
Format:Paperback|Verified Purchase
I bought the book out of personal interest, I'm not a student of Japanese studies. My interest comes from watching animes actually :-) I found the book really interesting in that it gives a thorough description of Japanese society from both a quantitative and qualitative point of view. I am a graduate student in economics, so the book for me was quite accessible, even if I am not familiar at all with the sociology literature (this in fact was an odd way to be exposed a bit to sociological concepts). I think though that any person with some education can understand the book, as it is really well written. The only thing I don't line in the book is having the notes at the end of the chapter. I don't understnad why this is still done, it's so inconvenient.
10 of 19 people found the following review helpful
By D. Clarke
Format:Paperback|Verified Purchase
This book is superb for students of Japanese culture, who don't require the common layers of stereotypes found in many other "explanatory" works.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.5 out of 5 stars
4 reviews
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A good look at real Japanese society
8 April 2005
By Zack Davisson
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
While no book is able to entirely encapsulate a culture, Yoshio Sugimoto's "An Introduction to Japanese Society" manages to showcase the ethnic and economical diversity alongside pop culture and "Friendly Authoritarianism," something that one can see every day in Japan. Scholarly in tone, this is a competent book for serious students of Japan, who want more than can be offered by "culture" books and such.
An impressively wide examination, each of the ten chapters examines a particular face of Japan. Economic class and stratification, varieties in work and labor, diversity and unity in education, minority groups and gender stratification, almost every possible angle is seen. Popular and folk culture are examined in detail, with the "Four Japanese Phenomena" described as manga, pachinko, karaoke and the sex industry. As someone who has spent considerable time in Japan, I can assure that these four areas have more impact on modern Japan than the tea ceremony and the Japanese garden!
Although it is packed with information, "An Introduction to Japanese Society" is also small enough as to not be intimidating. It is only an introduction, but it should be a gateway to those seeking insight into a fascinating culture.
An impressively wide examination, each of the ten chapters examines a particular face of Japan. Economic class and stratification, varieties in work and labor, diversity and unity in education, minority groups and gender stratification, almost every possible angle is seen. Popular and folk culture are examined in detail, with the "Four Japanese Phenomena" described as manga, pachinko, karaoke and the sex industry. As someone who has spent considerable time in Japan, I can assure that these four areas have more impact on modern Japan than the tea ceremony and the Japanese garden!
Although it is packed with information, "An Introduction to Japanese Society" is also small enough as to not be intimidating. It is only an introduction, but it should be a gateway to those seeking insight into a fascinating culture.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent book for Japanese Studies
18 July 2003
By M W
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
This book should be required reading for any introductory course for Japanese Studies. Sugimoto presents a very unbiased view of Japanese society, and covers many different aspects, such as gender, hierarchy (the vertical society), and education that play daily roles in the maintaining of the structure and implement of Japanese ways. Excellent reading for anyone with an interest in Japan, necessary reading for any student of Japanese Studies.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Great Book
23 Nov 2010
By Hayro
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
This book is a great read. Very informative talks about the many aspects of Japanese society that are normally not studied or just ignored. If you really want an unbiased look on Japanese society as a whole, then this is the book you want to read.
3.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting
5 Mar 2014
By Stefano Di Genua
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback|Verified Purchase
A good reference to understand Japan society even if the data are relatively old and may not represent the modern picture of the country.
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 4 reviews
4.5 out of 5 stars
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
New customer? Start here.
Look for similar items by category
- Books > History > Countries & Regions > Asia > East Asia > Japan
- Books > History > Cultural History
- Books > Society, Politics & Philosophy > Academic Sociology
- Books > Society, Politics & Philosophy > Social Sciences > Anthropology > Customs & Folklore > Customs
- Books > Society, Politics & Philosophy > Social Sciences > Anthropology > Social & Cultural
- Books > Society, Politics & Philosophy > Social Sciences > Sociology
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
