Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Lost Japan

3.85 of 5 stars 3.85 · rating details · 317 ratings · 29 reviews

Originally written in Japanese, this passionate, vividly personal book draws on the author's experiences in Japan over thirty years. Alex Kerr takes us on a backstage tour, as he explores the ritualized world of Kabuki, retraces his initiation into Tokyo's boardrooms during the heady Bubble Years, tells how he stumbled on a hidden valley that became his home...and exposes...more

Paperback, 269 pages

Published April 1st 1996 by Lonely Planet Publications

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

More…

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

Best books on Asia

71st out of 409 books — 266 voters

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

Leituras 2012 - Clube de Leitores em português

261st out of 971 books — 96 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 615)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

Oct 19, 2012 Patrick McCoy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: japan

I recently read Alex Kerr’s appreciation/criticism of Japan-Lost Japan(1996). I had previously read his more recent expose on what’s wrong with Japan-Dogs and Demons (2002). Despite the fact that there are several recurring themes in both books, I did find a lot of worthy passages in Lost Japan that made it worthwhile to read. It is impressive that this book originally was published in Japanese and won the 1994 Shincho Gakugei Literature Prize. Some of the themes that he has become associated wi...more

2 likes · like · see review

Feb 09, 2008 Chris rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: culture, japan, history

Alex Kerr is one of those writers you have to end up reading when you live here. There's this book and Dogs and Demons, which invariably tend to signal the end of the Japan Honeymoon for any long-time resident.

To explain - for a lot of people who come here, Kerr included, there's a kind of romantic idea of Japan that keeps people here. It's the Zen and the temples, the red torii gates, the yukata and the festivals. It's the Japanese Mind and the Far East attitude, so different from our own, that...more Alex Kerr is one of those writers you have to end up reading when you live here. There's this book and Dogs and Demons, which invariably tend to signal the end of the Japan Honeymoon for any long-time resident.

To explain - for a lot of people who come here, Kerr included, there's a kind of romantic idea of Japan that keeps people here. It's the Zen and the temples, the red torii gates, the yukata and the festivals. It's the Japanese Mind and the Far East attitude, so different from our own, that entrances us and keeps us here.

Then along comes the moment you realize that, as with so many things in this world, the romantic ideal doesn't match the reality. That's where Kerr comes in.

He's lived here for many years, and spent all of that time getting to know Japan and its culture, and like so many people who study Japan's culture, he mourns its demise. He longs for the simplicity of hidden valleys, of wabi tea bowls and the days when you could buy really good calligraphy cheaply at auctions. He has en entire chapter entitled, "Kyoto Hates Kyoto," about how the city, so desperate to be a Modern City, is tearing down everything that made it the cultural center of Japan. He sees Japan in a state of flux, and he's really worried that it'll go the wrong way.

This book is a series of essays about his life in Japan, the things he's seen that he doesn't see so often anymore. It's pessimistic, to say the least, though not quite so pessimistic as Dogs and Demons is. This kind of harsh eye has led to Kerr being labeled as a Japan-basher, which is a very odd thing to say about someone who's spent most of his life studying and living in Japan.

As he notes, though, there are certain fundamental forces in Japan that resist change, and not the least of those forces are the Romantics who refuse to admit that Japan, the land of philosophy, tea ceremony and Zen, is royally screwing itself up.

He is hopeful, though. He believes that this is another age of transition for Japan, and knows - or at least I think he knows - that no age, however glorious, can last forever. Many of the things he loves about this country will indeed be lost, in the fullness of time. All we can really hope for is that amazing things will arise to take their place.(less)

10 likes · like · see review

Jan 10, 2008 L.J. rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Japan studies, travel

Shelves: belongs-on-my-shelf

Remember reading this when it first came out and enjoyed it, but was a little cautious to the opinions from Mr. Kerr as he has very clearly looked at Japan from a perspective of what he thinks it could be like and what it is. I respect his bold attitude toward the need for the younger and current generation in regards to losing their culture but then the Japanese are still very much a distinct people in language, arts, social mores and such that it sounds more of a modern/traditional argument an...more

1 like · like · see review

Jun 20, 2012 Chuck rated it 5 of 5 stars

I have been involved in teaching Asian studeis in high school for almost 10 years, and this has to be the best book on Japan I have ever read. It is very accesible to westerners becasue it is written by an American who has spent most of his adult life living in Japan and Asia. Kerr is an admitted Japanophile, a guy who has been fascinated with the country since he was a boy. However, what is extraordinary about this book is that even though he loves Japan and has bought two old houses in Japan a...more

1 like · like · see review

Jun 21, 2011 Andreas rated it 2 of 5 stars

In preparation for a vacation to Japan, my mother gave me this one to read. Its main themes are about the loss of important Japanese cultural traditions and the uglification of both the body and the soul of Japan. The author is an art collector, calligrapher, Japanologist and long time resident of the country. Kerr decries modern Japan as filling with concrete, electricity poles, neon pachinko parlors and ugly rooflines while her inhabitants have become conformist, dull and unimaginative.

I found...more In preparation for a vacation to Japan, my mother gave me this one to read. Its main themes are about the loss of important Japanese cultural traditions and the uglification of both the body and the soul of Japan. The author is an art collector, calligrapher, Japanologist and long time resident of the country. Kerr decries modern Japan as filling with concrete, electricity poles, neon pachinko parlors and ugly rooflines while her inhabitants have become conformist, dull and unimaginative.

I found the book quite interesting in parts. His stories of finding and buying an old house in a secluded valley, of the inner workings of kabuki theatre, of unappreciated artworks and of the history of tea ceremony and zen are everything from fascinating to merely eye opening. Unfortunately Kerr does give a strong impression of being the kind of luddite who wishes for all old things to be preserved. By the end of the book, I had somewhat amended this initial impression. I think he does appreciate the need for change, even encouraging it. But he does not understand why there should be change for its own sake if the change only leads to worse things. As an ideal, there is of course nothing wrong with that. But in reality, things don’t really work that way. Change happens and decades or even centuries later people figure out what the actual causes and effects were.

One particularly annoying thing about this book is the constant name dropping. All the people described in the book seem to be maverick geniuses in their fields and Kerr is a close personal friend of every single one. It comes off as not a little pompous. Kerr has certainly led an interesting life, and it is through his life experiences that he can describe his “lost Japan” so deftly. However, this reader felt a bit put off by the tone.

I was also left wondering why, among all this horror at the disappearing culture of Japan, he does not spare even a moment for one of Japan’s most vibrant forms of modern literature, manga/anime cartoons. This art form is lauded the world over. One could even draw parallels to the kabuki described by Kerr, with its emphasis on single moments of resolution as opposed to the narrative continuitiy more emphasized in the west.

The episodic nature of the book works against it. It was originally a series of articles, and the disjointed nature of the whole is unfortunately quite glaring. All in all, the book gave me an eye opening view of Japanese culture through anectodes and strong opinions. I may not necessarily agree with the author, but I suppose that is as it should be. The text should serve as a brief and good introduction to Japanese culture through the eyes of a foreigner who has made it his own.

http://www.books.rosboch.net/?p=880 (less)

1 like · like · see review

Nov 07, 2010 FreshGrads .Sg rated it 4 of 5 stars

"Lost Japan" by Alex Kerr is a great read for all Japan fanatics. The book gives an personal yet indepth look into the Asian leader's culture, art and literature world while shedding fragments of light on the country.

To be precise, it is a collection of autobiographical essays that describes the experiences Kerr accumulated since he stepped into Japan as a boy in 1964. And having stayed there since then, he shares his observations of how the country has changed as well as the direction it is hea...more "Lost Japan" by Alex Kerr is a great read for all Japan fanatics. The book gives an personal yet indepth look into the Asian leader's culture, art and literature world while shedding fragments of light on the country.

To be precise, it is a collection of autobiographical essays that describes the experiences Kerr accumulated since he stepped into Japan as a boy in 1964. And having stayed there since then, he shares his observations of how the country has changed as well as the direction it is heading towards on top of his deep knowledge of Japan's tea culture, kabuki and the concept of zen among others.

One of my favourite and fitting passage about the country's culture in the book goes like this: Japan is like an oyster. An oyster dislikes foreign objects: when even the smallest grain of sand or broken shell finds its way inside the oyster shell, the oyster finds the invasion intolerant, so it secretes layer after layer of nacre upon the surface of the offending particle, eventually creating a beautiful pearl. However, while pearls may vary slightly in size or luster, they all look very much alike. In the process of coating, not a trace remains of the shape or colour of the grain of sand inside. In like manner, Japan coats all culture from abroad, transforming it into a japanese-style pearl. The finished pearl is a thing of great beauty - often, as in the case of the tea ceremony, more refined than the original – but the essential nature of the original is lost.

Now, you might be thinking why read a foreigner's take on the country instead of a local's? Well, as a foreigner we might interpret things differently from that of a local and might identify better with the initial outsider. Besides, it is an interesting new perspective to read.

Also, this guy really knows his stuff! Kerr studied Japanese in Yale, and Chinese and Tibetan as a Rhodes scholar at Oxford. He has also lived a great part of his life in the country. And hence the great knowledge and fitting descriptions of Japan in his book, which won him the Shincho Gakugei literature award in 1994 – the first ever by a foreigner.

In all, "Lost Japan" by Alex Kerr is the perfect read before travelling to Japan, and especially as a gift to someone who would be staying there for awhile.

For more book reviews, visit FreshGrads Reads. We also do reviews on food, movies and more in Singapore. Check us out here!(less)

1 like · like · see review

Jan 30, 2010 Kapalama rated it 1 of 5 stars

This is about as irritating as a book can get. Kerr majored in Japanese Studies at Yale. However, his handle on historical facts is almost non-existent, seemingly learned by watching movies, and reading 'Shogun'.

His observations are accurate, but his handle on historical facts is shaky at best, and his analysis is nearly psychotic in its disconnection from reality. An example: He talks about love for traditional ways in his dream house of Chiiori. 'Of course, getting electricity and running wat...more This is about as irritating as a book can get. Kerr majored in Japanese Studies at Yale. However, his handle on historical facts is almost non-existent, seemingly learned by watching movies, and reading 'Shogun'.

His observations are accurate, but his handle on historical facts is shaky at best, and his analysis is nearly psychotic in its disconnection from reality. An example: He talks about love for traditional ways in his dream house of Chiiori. 'Of course, getting electricity and running water and sewage' came first for his 'traditional house', blithely ignoring the fact that concrete is needed to run the power lines and poles, and lay the pipes of for the water and sewage. Apprently, he think that the infrastructure for public utilities magically appears before the houses of those who need it, rather than being a part of a necessarily invasive system. If you live in a house in Japan without sewage and without running water, you soon realize that there is nothing beautiful about the smell of feces.

This is not a book about Japan; this is a book about an American who suffers from yearning for the 'good old days' that never were, spreading that lie over a culture he simply does not understand. He does not understand the culture because he simply does not know the history. Everyone is sentimental about the past, and his mistakes that sentimentality expressed by older Japanese people for a thought that these Japanese people are powerless to stop change. He rides a Shinkansen to Kyoto, then drives his car an hour and a half to his house, only to complain about the fact that there are train tracks and roads everywhere. And he lives half the year in Thailand, flying on a plane to to get to Japan, landing in an airport whose construction he criticizes.

He needed a better copy editor to catch some of his blatant mistakes. But his factual errors, as many as they are, are actually the least worrisome part of the book. His analysis is just beyond redemption.

"The whole of Japan is a pure invention," said Oscar Wilde. This book is proof that even in the modern age this is true.

(less)

1 like · like · see review

Dec 30, 2011 Mitchell rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A very interesting combination of memoir, cultural guide book and lament for a golden age.

I identify with Alex Kerr's lament for modern Japan's disinterest in the great cultural treasures of their country (calligraphy, Kabuki, ikebana). I have experienced this first hand asking young Japanese about Kabuki - I had seen the Kabuki-za in NYC when they were on tour and was amazed. The response is bafflement. Why would I be interested in that - no one today understands it. Even classic films get the...more

like · see review

Apr 23, 2013 Penelope Irving rated it 4 of 5 stars

Absolutely fascinating miscellany of musings on the author's personal experiences of aspects of Japanese culture, most of which are in danger of vanishing into the mists of history. The author is a westerner who has spent most of his life in Japan, and studied the country and culture academically, so his perspective is powerful and informed. It's a bit of a whistle stop tour of everything from Kabuki to calligraphy, but it educated me on the existence of things I had no idea about, and encourage...more

like · see review

Jan 13, 2013 Paul rated it 4 of 5 stars

A very cleanly written and organized introduction to many of the 'lost' arts and traditional cultural sites of modern Japan, written in the early 1990s, first in Japanese, then in English for publication as this book. Indispensable if one is going to visit that country out of a love for its past. Having been to Kyoto, Nara, and Osaka, his take on those cities seems deep and clear, as well as deeply refined and clearly nostalgic. A book of immense charm, and far less simple than it appears, for t...more

like · see review

May 21, 2013 Heather H rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013-reads

An interesting book to read while on holiday in Japan some 30+ years after I had the dream to go, inspired by a teacher when I was around 8.
I fear yet more has been lost though I head to Kyoto tomorrow so time will tell. Japan is a country that's hard to understand / obsessed with cleanliness and hygiene but you can smoke in a restaurant, guards and such like now as they enter and leave a carriage on the train, yet it's not the Japan I imagined. An urban chaos if electric wires is everywhere and...more

like · see review

May 26, 2009 Kiri rated it 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed the journey that this book provides. It's a tour of modern yet magical remnants of an older Japan, an education in Japanese arts, and a paean to that which is beautifully and uniquely Japanese. The author also clearly intends it as a wake-up call to alert us to the destruction of that beauty that has been going on for decades. I enjoyed it for the fun glints of recognition when the narrative passed over places I've actually visited, and for the insight into arts and worlds I wou...more

1 like · like · see review

Jul 21, 2009 Noah Dropkin rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is an interesting collection of essays. Some are beginning to show their age but many are still relevant and I am glad that I read this before heading over to Japan.

Alex Kerr is certainly longing for a Japan of times gone by. Even if you don't agree that the Japan he longs for is the real Japan or even a Japan that should be preserved, many of his observations are well-founded. Further, these observations ring true 15 years later as separate from the recreation of old Japan.

A good read for...more

like · see review

Oct 10, 2012 Colleen rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: asian, non-fiction

Recommended, but only to someone with an interest in Japan and Japanese culture. Written by an American who has lived in Japan for over thirty years, discusses the environmental and cultural destruction of present day Japan. I skimmed some sections as his background is in the arts and he got heavily into “artsy” topics at times, but otherwise it was an interesting book.

like · see review

May 24, 2011 Crystal rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-about-japan

I read this in the original Japanese - it was the first book by a non-Japanese author to win the Shincho Gakugei Prize. I deeply respect Kerr's understanding of Japanese culture, and therefore I find his criticisms of the excesses of modern Japanese society insightful and spot-on. I am recommending this book to my 10th graders to see a) how it is possible to acquire a foreign language and foreign culture completely without losing your original identity and b) an interesting take on kabuki, as w...more

like · see review

Oct 18, 2012 Mohamed Saied rated it 5 of 5 stars

Amazing portrayal of post-WWII Japan from the point of view of an expat studying Japanese culture. The book took me through a journey of lost culture in the new industrialized Japan. Incredible read.

like · see review

Aug 03, 2011 Janet rated it 3 of 5 stars

It's a series of essays that don't really hang together as a narrative, but do come together to illuminate some things about living in Japan as a foreigner and about change and "progress".

like · see review

Sep 04, 2010 Saya Hashimoto rated it 4 of 5 stars

A fascinating collection of essays by a foreigner who knows Japan as well as the back of his hand and neither worships not despises it, a first?

like · see review

Sep 11, 2011 Judith rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: anyone interested in Japan

This book really is wonderful. Kerr writes about the Japan he encountered as a student, as a collector and as an artist. While it is a personal account, it is critical, though positive. He shows people and places that are removed from the common cliches of Japan and shows the background of things. The writing and stories are engaging and interesting and draw you in, while vividly creating the scenes Kerr is telling of.

like · see review

Feb 22, 2012 Lysergius rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: culture

So, the Japanese are covering their heritage with concrete... Too bad.

like · see review

Nov 29, 2012 Alexandra rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: non-fiction, travel

A poignant book; you do get a feel for the sense of loss the author feels, perhaps for more of an idea than a place. Kerr meanders from his own personal story to his thoughts on the environment, history, the culture of caligraphy, opera and domestic life. It's a book to time your time with, to linger and swim around rather than devour. From what I remember, he can be a little vague at times. A little pompous. But I came away thinking he would be an incredibly interesting man to know; you get a...more

like · see review

Jan 27, 2009 Che rated it 3 of 5 stars

A good novel for anyone about to go to Japan.

like · see review

Jul 11, 2008 Nina rated it 4 of 5 stars

After living in Japan two years, I felt like Kerr put into words a lot of my feelings (without the bitching) about the country.
I especially liked his writing on Kameoka, where we both currently live. I never knew my town had so many hidden treasures!

However, at times Kerr got too caught up in his privilege and came across as arrogant when speaking about art and culture. I had to skip the chapter "calligraphy" because it was just too much.

like · see review

May 29, 2007 Channing rated it 5 of 5 stars

Incredible book by an American who has spent more than half his life living in Japan. After reading this, I was inspired to travel to Shikoku and spend a few days at Alex's 300+ year old house in the mountains of Tokushima Prefecture. Alex wasn't there, but the house's co-owner, Lonely Planet writer/photographer Mason Florence, was. Possibly a few of the best days of my life...

1 like · like · see review

Nov 14, 2010 Amanda rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2010, from-the-library, japan

Decidedly less sour than "Dogs and Demons," but still thought-provoking. Having spent two years in Kansai, I enjoyed Kerr's explorations of Kyoto, Osaka, and Nara (but no love for my dear Kobe? Sad). As this book was originally written in Japanese for a Japanese audience, I wonder what the public reception to it was like?

like · see review

Aug 09, 2007 Nick rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: people who are interested in Japan

This book was originally written in Japanese the mid 1980's and is a very well-thought-out look at the rapid changes Japan is making and what gigantic parts of its culture are being lost in the name of modernization and westernization.

like · see review

Nov 06, 2008 Colleen rated it 3 of 5 stars

Interesting intro to modern Japan. Somewhat problematic - author seems to think he knows whats best for Japan and that he appreciates Japan more than the Japanese, but still useful and well-written.

like · see review

Jan 26, 2007 Pat rated it 5 of 5 stars

Insight into Japanese culture and how it has changed from post-WWII to the present, written by an American expat who has lived in the country most of his life.

like · see review

Oct 17, 2011 Cc rated it 3 of 5 stars

Interesting book.. but didn't finish it. might pick it up again.

like · see review

Aug 22, 2009 Babushak added it · review of another edition

http://theshelftalkers.co.uk/2009/08/...

like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 20 21 next »

Non Fiction

23 users

Travel

19 users

History

5 users

Writing > Essays

4 users

Cultural > Asia

3 users

Culture

3 users

Culture > Society

2 users

Reference

2 users

Asian Literature > Japanese Literature

2 users

See top shelves...

Readers also enjoyed similar books

Books by Alex Kerr

Dogs and Demons: Tales From the Dark Side of Modern Japan

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About Lost Japan

No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »

title link	preview: Lost Japan
avg rating	preview: Lost Japan Goodreads rating: 3.85 (317 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42676.Lost_Japan?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1169882698l/42676.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42676.Lost_Japan?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Lost Japan by Alex Kerr[/url]

Lost Japan

Friend Reviews

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topic
Discuss This Book

combine
Other Editions (4)

Genres

Readers also enjoyed similar books

Books by Alex Kerr

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website

Trivia About Lost Japan

Lost Japan

Friend Reviews

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topicDiscuss This Book

combineOther Editions (4)

Genres

Readers also enjoyed similar books

Books by Alex Kerr

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website

Trivia About Lost Japan

new topic
Discuss This Book

combine
Other Editions (4)