Japan Through the Looking Glass - Hardcover

Alan Macfarlane

3.31

391 ratings by Goodreads

9781861979520: Japan Through the Looking Glass

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1861979525 ISBN 13: 9781861979520

Publisher: Profile, 2007

View all copies of this ISBN edition:

Our journey encompasses religion, ritual, martial arts, manners, eating, drinking, hot baths, geishas, family, home, singing, wrestling, dancing, performing, clans, education, aspiration, sexes, generations, race, crime, gangs, terror, war, kindness, cruelty, money, art, imperialism, emperor, countryside, city, politics, government, law and a language that varies according to whom you are speaking. Clear-sighted, persistent, affectionate, unsentimental and honest - Alan Macfarlane shows us Japan as it has never been seen before.

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

Review:

In recording his attempts to grapple with Japan's often baffling realities, he allows the rest of us to step through that looking glass. (Sunday Times)

On his journey through Japanese society, he encounters subjects from the most public to the most intimate and uncovers a nation that is even more extraordinary than he first thought. (Glasgow Herald)

...an engaging and well-informed analysis of Japanese culture and society. (The Independent)

Synopsis:

This entertaining and endlessly surprising book takes us on an exploration into every aspect of Japanese society from the most public to the most intimate. A series of meticulous investigations gradually uncovers the multi-faceted nature of a country and people who are even more extraordinary than they seem. Our journey encompasses religion, ritual, martial arts, manners, eating, drinking, hot baths, geishas, family, home, singing, wrestling, dancing, performing, clans, education, aspiration, sexes, generations, race, crime, gangs, terror, war, kindness, cruelty, money, art, imperialism, emperor, countryside, city, politics, government, law and a language that varies according to whom you are speaking. Clear-sighted, persistent, affectionate, unsentimental and honest - Alan Macfarlane shows us Japan as it has never been seen before.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.