- Paperback: 230 pages
- Publisher: McGraw-Hill Contemporary (1 Jan 1995)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0844283932
- ISBN-13: 978-0844283937
- Product Dimensions: 21.3 x 14 x 1.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 549,728 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Time-treacherous, as always-had played another of its cruel tricks in passing far more quickly than it had any right to. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
Time-treacherous, as always-had played another of its cruel tricks in passing far more quickly than it had any right to. Read the first page
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Jack Steward arrived in Japan shortly after WW2, and spent 25 years in six Japanese cities as a writer, businessman, Army officer, and intelligence agent. His attempt to live completely in the Japanese style, speaking only Japanese, has given him much more understanding of the Japanese than the average Westerner living in Japan; and his wealth of knowledge is very impressive. In the first chapter, 'First Acquaintance with the Japanese', Steward gives a brief autobiography, and looks at some of the differences between Japan and his hometown in Texas. He also discusses the culture shock he encountered on arrival back in the US after 25 years away in Japan. The second chapter, 'Land of the Ripe Rice Ears' seems to be in two parts. The first half is packed with useful and interesting facts and statistics about Japan. The second is a short, condensed history of Japan since 1456. The following chapters discuss the "Often Misunderstood, Sometimes Surprising, and Always Fascinating Culture and Lifestyles of Japan" -- in the chapters, 'Hot Springs and Baths', 'Can Humour Survive Translation?', 'Colourful Ways of Departing this World', 'Crime and Punishment in Two Countries', 'What - and How - the Japanese Drink', 'Matters Sexual', 'Japanese Views of the West', 'The Devil's Language', 'A Museum of Religions', 'Child-bearing Housekeepers?', and lastly, 'A New Breed of People'. I enjoyed this book as it is easy to read, and covers topics, many illustrated by Steward's own experiences, that are not covered in most of the books on Japanese culture... A must-read for anyone interested in Japan!
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4 reviews
8 of 10 people found the following review helpful
This is a great book
10 Aug 2001
Format:Paperback
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.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
The Cultiure and Lifestyles of Japan
12 Mar 2004
Format:Paperback
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.
Its a good read and a must for anybody visiting Japan or a hard core arm chair traveller.
6 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Valuable info, but disappointing writing
5 May 2000
Format:Paperback
I found Jack Seward's book valuable for the amount of interesting insights it contained, but I think that many of his views and assessments are outdated. In addition, he occasionally gets sidetracked by passionate feelings on certain subjects (America's high crime rate, prejudice against biracial children). These long monologues are extremely angry and at times offensive (Seward claims that crime is an activity engaged in primarily by 'Negroes' and that those who would rehabilitate criminals are 'bleeding hearts'), and I felt that they detracted from the book's credibility. I think Seward's book might have been revolutionary when it was first published, but I didn't find it very helpful in the year 2000.
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