An important element in Japanese baseball is wagroup harmonyembodied in the proverb "The nail that sticks up shall be hammered down". But what if...
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Dec 08, 2008
Wes
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A look at the methodical and process-oriented world of Japanese baseball. Like Tokyo Underworld, another of author's books, there's lots of focus on tension between east and west, differences between their game and ours (i.e., they play [or played at the time the book was written] almost nothing but small ball; as a result, their games can last upwards of five hours and still end in a tie), and how western players have found those differences almost impossible to reconcile when they join Japanes
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May 03, 2010
Alex
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Mar 12, 2011
Alan
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Perhaps there is some irony that here I am last night wrapping up Robert Whiting's book on Japanese baseball in light of current events. I started the the book a few days ago thinking a baseball book is appropriate with the baseball season getting ready to begin around here.
Whiting has a different perspective than most others. He has spent most of his life in Japan and as I recall is married to a member of Japan's diplomatic service. He has an understanding of the cultural context More...
Whiting has a different perspective than most others. He has spent most of his life in Japan and as I recall is married to a member of Japan's diplomatic service. He has an understanding of the cultural context More...
Dec 02, 2010
Mike
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Informative and entertaining, but dated. Japan has a drastically different philosophy of sport than we have in the USA, and Whiting does a great job of exploring this idea. The author is not ashamed to editorialize at length about the perceived strengths and weaknesses of both societies. Despite the often harsh criticism of Japan's cultural mindset he manages to come across as an ex-pat who truly enjoys the Japanese way of life. Keep in mind, though, that at this point the book is 20 years o
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Jan 15, 2010
Michael
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Really great insight into the Japanese baseball culture. Wa is the Japanese word for harmony, which more than explains the game of baseball, it can pretty much extend to the entire culture itself. Much of what made me draw similarities to my work experience with the Japanese. Perseverance, hard work, routine, efficiency, and never, never disrupt the harmony of the greater group. Baseball (work) comes first in life, and the nail that sticks up will always get hammered down!
To my surpris More...
To my surpris More...
Dec 12, 2009
Tom
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This book contains hilarious episodes from the history of American baseball players' misadventures in Japanese professional baseball. This is "Lost in Translation" featuring bruises, burned bridges brush-back pitches.
So the gist of the book is that American baseball players are deemed crazy and uncouth by their Japanese counterparts. Many are but others are victims of perception and cultural differences. But it is clear that the Japanese baseball FANS are the real crazies. More...
So the gist of the book is that American baseball players are deemed crazy and uncouth by their Japanese counterparts. Many are but others are victims of perception and cultural differences. But it is clear that the Japanese baseball FANS are the real crazies. More...
Oct 02, 2011
Seth
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Fantastic book for the baseball fan. Does a wonderful job of artfully depicting the historical and cultural differences between American and Japanese baseball, focusing on the samurai code. Many of these differences have been minimized as the number of players playing in both countries has increased. It was amazing, however, to see what Whiting describes in person when I attended a Yakult Swallows game in Tokyo about 10 years ago.
Mar 18, 2010
Joel
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Fascinating look at the history of baseball in Japan and how foreigners (mainly Americans) fit into it.
States that the main cultural difference is in how baseball is perceived by the different nations - people in the U.S. see baseball as a group of individuals working towards a common goal, Japanese see baseball as a true group, with all members sacrificing for the benefit of the whole.
States that the main cultural difference is in how baseball is perceived by the different nations - people in the U.S. see baseball as a group of individuals working towards a common goal, Japanese see baseball as a true group, with all members sacrificing for the benefit of the whole.
Jul 06, 2011
Frank
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Full of interesting, sometimes informative stories about differences in baseball culture. Some of it probably hasn't aged well (with Ichiro, Matsui, et al. coming over) but it did a very good job of capturing the difficulties of transitioning between cultures, without always siding with the Americans or Japanese.
Aug 16, 2011
Rebecca
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Baseball as an avenue for understanding Japan; the author shows how while on the surface its the same game as played in Japan, if you look below the surface, its completely different. The differences are then used to help show those same differences in other aspects of doing business with the Japanese.
Apr 24, 2010
Stephen
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By writing about Japanese baseball from a western perspective, Whiting did a great job of giving the reader insight into the Japanese mind. Baseball seems to be a great medium to explain business culture differences. The book was a pleasure to read. I wish I had read it before moving to Tokyo to work years ago. I'm very curious how Japanese baseball has changed, if at all, since this book was written in the early 1990's.
Mar 22, 2010
Mary
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This book is as much about culture and world view as it is about baseball. Baseball is the vehicle for entertaining and enlightening discussion about east/west, Japan/America--how fundamentally different we are and how we try (and often fail) to build bridges.
Jan 08, 2008
L.J.
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Really well researched and discussed subject but sadly really dated as it was printed two decades ago. I soaked it up as a lover of Japanese culture, baseball and cross cultural relationships. It is based on some pretty true to fact social themes that run into the Japanese culture of harmony and 'oneness'. Social commentary is always difficult because the writer can interpret a cultural in a way that runs to their experiences and slight prejudices but I think he handles the subject well and anyo
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Jul 05, 2010
Nick
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Whiting explores through anecdotes the differences between Japanese and American baseball culture and practice. A very enjoyable and informative book.
Sep 28, 2009
Steve
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Japanese baseball & social culture neatly packaged in an enjoyable package - a must read for those interested in Japanese culture
Jul 06, 2008
Marc
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GREAT book for gaining basic insights into the Japanese culture through the lens of baseball. Having just returned from the island nation and having attended a Chiba Marines game with little to no knowledge of the differences between Japanese/American baseball, I read these tales with great interest. On that level alone, it's a good read. But the organization of the book is choppy and it could have been a better piece of writing. I would recommend this to anyone traveling to Japan who has ba
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Jul 30, 2011
Matt
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This is a very informative, fun book. Historical and social insights are wrapped around colorful anecdotes that give you a real sense of the American/Japanese relationship, as manifested by baseball. Whiting is definitely a scholar and master storyteller.
Sep 08, 2008
Andy
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A great introduction to Japanese Baseball for American fans. Well written, easy to read, and well captures all aspects of the Japanese Game. A niche read for baseball fans with interest in Japanese culture, but if this is your bag it's a must-read.
Nov 26, 2007
Mike
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Very good book. It helped discern some of the differences between American baseball and Japanese baseball. It was also interesting reading the stories of gaijin players in Japan.
May 18, 2010
Donovan
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Makes an interesting point, but then stays there and gets a little boring. Perhaps if I knew more about Japanese baseball the details of the players careers would be more interesting.
Oct 21, 2010
Josh
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Great book about the interactions between American and Japanese baseball, and their effect on each other, with a brief history of Japanese baseball thrown in for good measure.
Oct 25, 2008
Will
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Wonderful baseball book. It has mucho information about the history and practice of baseball in Japan. A must-read for anyone seriously interested in baseball.
Dec 21, 2007
Mario
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It's an enlightening critique of cultures and sport, fairly constructed, well-researched and entertaining. And I don't even like baseball.
Jan 13, 2008
Dave
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Whiting is an expert on Japanese baseball. He gives great insight into the impact of Japanese culture on the game (and vice versa).
Aug 13, 2009
Terilin
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Watashi no sensei no goshujin agemashita.
Some of my new favorite quotes are in this book. Especially "Heck no I aint"
Some of my new favorite quotes are in this book. Especially "Heck no I aint"
Jan 25, 2008
Moira
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Amazingly, I liked this book before I was even obsessed with Japanese baseball and all things Ichiro.
