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200th out of 804 books
—
656 voters
A Daughter of the Samurai
A Daughter of the Samurai tells the true story of a samurai's daughter, brought up in the strict traditions of feudal Japan, who was sent to America to meet her future husband. An engrossing, haunting tale that gives us insight into an almost forgotten age.
Madam Sugimoto was born in Japan, not in the sunny southern part of the country which has given it the name of "The L
...morePaperback, 336 pages
Published
January 1st 2003
by University Press of the Pacific
(first published January 1st 1900)
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a slightly smarmy posh girl goes off on the mores, customs, culture, and world-view of the sword-bearing feudal class of old Japan. tellingly put out by an academic publisher in the UK, the work is at most didactic reaffirmation of old-fashioned values of duty and honor, but suffers from the same narrow-viewpoints of social conservatives. Sugimoto apparently doesn't have a revolutionary bone in her body, but although there are moments of charm, on the whole the work is forgettable. we're suppose...more
Her childhood is written very matter-of-factly with a slant towards the charming nostalgia - which she addresses at the very end when she revisits her old hometown. The reality of her hometown, much changed, is a striking and startling contrast to her memories. From memories of her childhood, she creates a foundation that tries to express her worldview: that all people, though different, still have the same fire and energy as each other.
Also, I'm super into Japanese-transplant stories!!!
Also, I'm super into Japanese-transplant stories!!!
Aug 11, 2011
José Almeida
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
non-fiction enthusiasts, anyone interested in japanese history and culture
Shelves:
non-fiction,
biography
A beautiful, endearing story that captures the mistique of remote areas of Japan and the turmoil of the end of feudalism. The tale of Sugimoto-san is the tale of Japan as it approaches the end of an era and is confronted with the western world as it enters the XXth century.
I found this at a book store in Denver. It was interesting to read how the author adjusted to U.S. life. You'll like this if you liked "Memoirs of a Geisha."
This is a treasure and hard to find. Etsu was welcomed to America by Amanda Landrum Wilson, my first cousin 3 generations removed. A wonderful story.
Still to premature as I am in process of reading. So far, so good....
Feb 05, 2011
Katherine Collett
added it
A daughter of the samurai: how a daughter of feudal Japan, living hundreds of years in one generation, became a modern American. The most striking thing is that she is describing her childhood from the inside, as the Samurai daughter being brought up into the traditional woman's role and ALSO having the education almost of a son (both roles stiff with honor and hedged with tradition)--but from the perspective of the American acculturated woman that she became--and that this is the _same person_.
Very charming and interesting. A view of a way of life very foreign to me.
unexpectedly readable. and lots of little tidbits and stories intertwined into the greater narrative. i liked her comparisons of america and japan, even if they are a bit superlative.
An intriguing autobiography of a Japanese woman who comes to America. She successfully paints both early 20th century Japan and California and her own role and troubles.
Luminous, lyrical memories of life in Japan. Exquisite and haunting.
loved it---I took a long time to read this a) because I had so much else going on and b) it was a book to savor even for a person who usually doesn't slowly savor the best of books.
May 02, 2013
Andreea
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