Brad –
The list was:
- Korean
- Other Asians – such as Cantonese, Chinese, etc. except Japanese
- Japanese
- White guys in general except the Scandanavians
FYI - the list was compiled by my relatives who live in Korea, not by my parents.
Well Spidey - it does depend on the person as with everything. I was generalizing, my bad.
I’ve met all kinds in Tokyo including those who seem to constantly travel the world hostelling it.
Some books about Japan
Here’s a list of books, both fiction and non-, that anyone interested in Japan might find worth reading:
The Enigma of Japanese Power, by Karel von Wolferen
This is a heavy tome, but is the best dissection of a government/industrial complex I’ve ever seen. Von Wolferen (whom I’ve actually met; he’s an impressive guy) has lived here since the early 60s and knows absolutely everything there is to know about the business/political landscape here. Although the book is a bit outdated now, it’s still extremely relevant and worthwhile.
Speed Tribes, by Carl Taro Greenfeld
A look at the youth culture here around the time of the bubble economy (i.e., the late 80s/early 90s). This book is a series of vignettes that deals with every possible aspect of the youth culture that you could want. It’s also funny, and occasionally horrifying. Greenfeld is another one who has a great insight into the Japanese mind, and he makes things accessible to the average westerner.
Gate of the Tigers, by Henry (or Harry, I can’t remember) Meigs
Fiction. It’s a spy thriller set in Japan. Again, Meigs knows what he’s talking about here. Even if you don’t have much interest in Japan, you’ll probably enjoy the book if you like the spy genre.
Books NOT to read if you want to learn anything about Japan:
Silent Honor, Danielle Steel and anything by Sujah (sp?) Massey. Neither of these writers knows the first thing about about Japan. I know more about mesopotamian basket weaving than they know about Japan. But of course, if you go to Amazon and read the reviews, there are all sorts of comments from housewives in Kansas saying stuff like, “Reading this book, I feel like I’ve traveled to Japan and back! Thanks for saving me the price of the plane fare!”
No. Buy the plane ticket. Come see for yourself how little the events described in the books resemble the real thing. Please.
This is a great thread, with tons of information.
I wish I could add something, but I have never really lived in Japan.I think the longest time I was ever there was 3 monthes when I was really young.
I do agree though, make an attempt to learn the language and culture/customs.
It will earn you big rewards in terms of how people will treat you.
Don’t be an ugly American.
Char et al.,
Have you read “Angry White Pyjamas” by Robert Twigger? Do you think the description of aikido training in the book is representative of the Japanese system of instruction?
Speed tribes IS a great book. Funny as hell.
I would also recommend “Rice as Self” by Ohnuki-Tierney. A scholarly work, but interesting look at identity issues.
Edward Reischauer (sp?) has been living in Japan for nearly 50 years and has written some good material as well.
mata
Ouster: Sorry, haven’t read it so I can’t help you.
And kuri’s right about Reichauser (sp?) - he’s got a lot to say about the country, all of it pertinent.
I heard a lot about American actors doing weird commercials (by American standards) that will never be seen here.
And the cartoons. I have often wondered if there are higher quality cartoons that are not making it to America.
(Notice how I only asked about the couch potato culture?)
Bruce Willis advertises for a gas station. Arnold does beer. Dicaprio does credit cards. Brad Pitt does jeans. Natalie Portman, Charlize Theron, Penelope Cruz and Catherine Zeta Jones do shampoo. Nicholas Cage does Pachinko(kind of like Japanese slot machines). Brad Pitt(again!!), Kevin Costner amd Ewan Magregor do cofee. Ewan also does an english school called AEON( as does Cameron Diaz).
Those are just the commercials I can remember off the top of my head. Could be lots more.
As far as animation goes there is some of the best in the world to be found in Japan.
Excellent thread!
Just to add a few MUST read books to the list. “Dogs and Demons” by Alex Kerr. Kerr has spent 30 years living in Japan and critically analyses contemporary Japan as it descends into the abyss of cultural and environmental ruin. I know this book was mandatory reading for those doing Asian studies (majoring in Japanese) at the local university in Australia. This is a MUST READ if you are interested in Japan.
“Looking for the Lost” again by Alex Kerr. An outstanding look at several facets of Japanese culture that are fast disappearing as Japan’s crusade to “do away with the old” continues.
“The Roads to Sata” by Alan Booth - concerns a British expat that had lived in Japan for many years, and decided o chronical his adventures of his 2000 mile walk from the nortenmost tip of Hokkido to the southern west tip of Kyushu. Provides an excellent incite into a Japan that Booth acknowledges is disappearing. Also read Booth’s “Looking for the Lost” that explores similar issues.
Speed Tribes is a great read and is well complemented by the website Quirky Japan Home Page (do a search on google) Check out the section on Japanese Television - particularly the reality tv show called Nasubi.
Engima of Japanese Power is another great read as Char mentioned already.
Oh and “Dave Barry Does Japan” is awesome.
Char, I loved Hesig’s “Remembering the Kanji” and I cannot recommend this book enough to anyone grappling with the difficulties of learning the Kanji. Did you not like the second book Char? I haven’t seen it yet, but the first is sensational and I remember learning (and remembering how to write) 300 Kanji in as many weeks when I first stated reading it.
Char, I would like to take you up on your offer sometime. Maybe I can drop you a PM and we can hook up once I get my shit sorted out.