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First Sentence
Mitsunori Izumi, twenty-nine, sat on an imitation leather chair in the Wakao Wrecking Crew offices, sipping Bron brand cough syrup from a brown bottle and trying not to stare at the big, square Hino Truck Company clock on the wall directly opposite him. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
Mitsunori Izumi, twenty-nine, sat on an imitation leather chair in the Wakao Wrecking Crew offices, sipping Bron brand cough syrup from a brown bottle and trying not to stare at the big, square Hino Truck Company clock on the wall directly opposite him. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
In Speed Tribes, Greenfeld has captured the essence of contemporary Japan. Forget geisha, kabuki and zen gardens, this is the real Japan that most foreigners don't know about. Greenfeld is by profession a journalist and that comes across strongly in his style. The book is split into 12 chapters which each follow a character or two around to explore their lives. Each of the characters is something new: a yakuza (gangster), a hostess, a right-wing activist, a bosozuku (Speed Tribe) chief, a high-school drop-out, an aspiring Tokyo University student. Through these individuals, and numerous statistics and interview material that only a Japanese speaker could provide, Greenfeld paints a complete and totally accurate picture of the underbelly of Japanese society. Speed Tribes has been attacked by some for being 'unacademic'; my own feeling is that, firstly, it is not meant to be an academic text, yet, secondly, it provides enough supporting material, and so subtly that one is not beleaguered by dull statistics or tangential discussions, that it more than backs up what it has to say. The only people who could dislike this text are those it, by its very existence, exposes and ridicules. As the cliche goes, the truth hurts. The chapter on Tokyo University was particularly enjoyable for me, since it says everything I've been saying about the place since I arrived there four months ago, but says it better. Speed Tribes has masses to offer to any reader, but those who know Japan will enjoy it much more. If you're interested in the truth about Japan.. read this book.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
To think that a reviewer living in Yokohama believed this to be totally unrealistic and a false reflection of what life is really like in Tokyo and Japan is laughable. The reader concerned, if they live in Yokohama is probably stationed at one of the bases in the Yokohama/Kanagawa area and, therefore the only slice of Tokyo life they are likely to see is Roppongi and the inside of various hip hop clubs on a Saturday night when they get released for a brief period.
Karl Greenfield has taken some of his experiences in Japan and I believe a lot of them to be very real. I have grown up in a Tokyo suburb since becoming a teenager and have seen many similar things occur in this country. I was very excited when reading it and wanted to recommend it to many of my friends living outside of Japan to let them know that these things do go on in this country yet many foreigners will never hear about any of them as they are only consummed with what occurs in foreigner friendly areas. It is clear that the author has done quite a lot of research into his work and therefore deserves the credit for it as young Japanese people are definitely more likely to reveal these facts and open up to a foreigner than to a Japanese person enquiring on the subject. The realism of this book adds to the excitement, and in my opinion and that of many of my peers the author has unveiled many interesting pieces of information on undiscussed topics.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
In the west, we are always told the same old rubbish about Japan: the subservient women in the house, the salaryman working himself to death, schoolgirls flashing their white panties for the amusement of said salarymen... And while I am in no doubt that there is more than just a glimmer of truth in all of these images, the feeling has always been that there has to be something MORE going on there, some subculture or other.
And here it is...
This book proves it. Here you will find the juvenille delinquents, the motorbike gangs, the office ladies who convert to club kids by night, the porn stars and ultra-nationalist Yakuza surfers. And more.
Read this and you will be booking tickets to Tokyo tomorrow!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
The Japanese sub-culture book you want
The books is gorgeously-written, simple but evocative. It offers a real behind-the-scenes view of Japanese culture. No clichés and zero predictability.
Published on 4 Jan 2009 by Alex Shapiro
Utter drivel - a fairy story
This book is unbelievably bad. Look, I live in Japan and I can't believe that this joker has ever been here. Read more
Published on 26 July 1999
sex, drugs, and rock and roll
This is a fun exciting read for anyone who loves good writing. A great way to learn about the other Japan that we never see or here about in the news.
Published on 14 April 1999
Right On!
I was really impressed with Greenfield's book. I've lived in Japan since I was a young teenager and what I've read in this book is pretty much true to life. Read more
Published on 7 April 1999
A look below the surface of today's Japan
The Japanese will share all the details of their sacred traditions with outsiders. However, they won't reveal what's going on with the kids on motorcycles, the high school... Read more
Published on 30 Jan 1999
Fantastic Neo-Japan counter culture expose lacking substance
Karl Taro Greenfeld has concentrated more of his focus on who was going to buy this book than to what message the book sends. Read more
Published on 3 Jan 1999
Fiction Parading As Fact
Yes, when I first started reading this thing, I also thought it was great. Startling imagery of a "Blade Runner"-type world, valuable details about Japanese society,... Read more
Published on 27 July 1998
Thrilling
As a teenager spending a homestay in Japan a few years ago I was amazed at the vitality and energy of my Japanese counterparts. Coming home to the States I picked up this book. Read more
Published on 27 May 1998
good value
The book is a collection of enjoyable anecdotes. Engrossing without being heavy, the pieces read like newspaper features. Smart and pleasant.
Published on 3 Feb 1998
Gritty, rings true
As someone who has lived, studied, and worked in Tokyo, I have come in cursory contact with many of the types of people described in this book. Read more
Published on 4 Jan 1998
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