The Cambridge Companion to Modern Japanese Culture

Cambridge Companions to Culture

by Yoshio Sugimoto (Editor)

This Companion provides a comprehensive overview of the influences that have shaped modern-day Japan. Spanning one and a half centuries from the Meiji Restoration in 1868 to the beginning of the twenty-first century, this volume covers topics such as technology, food, nationalism and rise of anime and manga in the visual arts. The Cambridge Companion to Modern Japanese Culture traces the cultural transformation that took place over the course of the twentieth century, and paints a picture of a nation rich in cultural diversity. With contributions from some of the most prominent scholars in the field, The Cambridge Companion to Modern Japanese Culture is an authoritative introduction to this subject.

Genres: Japan, Nonfiction, History, Sociology, Cultural, Essays, Reference

430 pages, Paperback

First published April 14, 2009

About the author

Yoshio Sugimoto is a writer and sociologist professor at La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia. He grew up in Kyoto where he graduated from the Kyoto University with a BA in Law and Politics.

From there he worked as a staff writer at the Mainichi Shinbun, which is a national level Japanese newspaper. He got his PhD in Sociology at the University of Pittsburgh.

Reviews

[Shaun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highlights for myself, the chapters on language, work, school, manga/anime (part of which is extended in the "exporting Japan's culture" chapter) and surprisingly housing. Those looking for politics would have more fun with Curtis' "The Logic of Japanese Politics".

Nice, short, sharp well-researched chapters with further reading lists a plenty. Good addition to my slowly growing Jap history/culture shelf.

[Grace Kwan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit drier and more academic than I expected given the cover, but the essays provided a fascinating overview of trends in modern Japanese society.

[Kamila · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really great book that introduces "Modern Japanese Culture" but by modern it means up until ~2006 (it was published in 2009). Nether-less it's still a great read and I'm very happy that I've read it. Do I recommend it? If you like Japan and you want to know more, why not? It's very interesting ☺️

[S.P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the book on modern Japanese culture I have been looking for. It is more academic than some of the popular titles (a relief to me because I like to know why, rather than just what), but not so heavy as the really chunky tomes (Yes Cambridge History of Japan, I am talking about you). It is organised into 20 chapters, each is essentially an introductory text concerned with a particular aspect of Japanese culture and each written by a different author (one assumes an expert in that particular field). The sections conform to a similar format – an introduction, main body covering the salient points, a conclusion and list of footnotes with further reading – I may well be spending some time tracking down a few of the further reading articles from the particularly interesting sections.

The over all conclusions are that the homogeneous culture, is in fact a construction of various nationalistic tendencies and this has masked a considerable absorption of immigration and diversity of native peoples. The further importation of 'Western' ideas and technologies has changed Japan in the last 150 years, but without seemingly altering 'Japaneseness', and even enabling Japan to export culture that has been absorbed and re-imagined in a Japanese form.

An extra star has been appended to my rating here for the quality of the artwork on the cover. It is quite beautiful, I wonder if there is a poster of it somewhere...

[Praj · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yoshio Sugimoto presents systematic introspection of Japanese culture through a multifaceted lens. The study integrates a series of literature compositions and conjectures by well-known intellects; diminishing the myth of Japan being a homogenous social order. Formerly know for its obstinate and inflexible cultural, religious and political principles; Japan amended its societal infrastructure integrating a secular and heterogeneous atmosphere whilst preserving its legacy and mores.

[Nathalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a quite interesting book, a good insight into modern Japanese culture, spanning over many topics, such as family life, music, work culture... It will never be the same as experiencing the culture hands on, of course, but it was a good introduction and overview.

[Ehsan Choudhry · Rating 1 out of 5]

Instead of highlighting what the Japanese culture is (very brief details), the book is more interested in falsely projecting it is a regressive and hierarchical culture, and how recent westernisation is “improving” it.

Its more a biased bashing of the Japanese culture, and not an objective description of one of the most fascinating and successful cultures in the world.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the most part, this was a dry read. There is no doubt that I walked away feeling like I learned from it and knowledge is power. For that reason, this book deserves four stars despite it not being the most engaging book.

[Cassey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very easy to read short chapters covering a wide range of topics.

[Blake Wardell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic. A must read for those interested even slightly in Japan. This book was part of my motivation to pursue studies of Japan and the Japanese language.

[Enrique · Rating 5 out of 5]

La compilación de textos realizado por Yoshio Sugimoto es completa y muy detallada para ser un libro de introducción a la cultura japonesa. El libro trata de distintas formas de cultura contemporánea actual, donde tienen cabida los deportes, la tecnología, la mujer, etc. El estilo del texto es académico y profesional, con numerosas citas y una extensa bibliografía al final del libro.

Aunque la portada pueda llevar a error, no es un libro de divulgación. Es un libro académico y, que a los lectores no acostumbrados, puede ser un "rollo" por el estilo utilizado.

[Lara Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most comprehensive books I've ever read about 21st century Japan. For one, I love the coverage: language, political culture, music, housing culture, sports culture, leisure culture, religious culture, and school culture among many others. Aaaand what also makes this worth reading are the emerging paradigms and trends in analyzing Japan, its identity, its position in East Asia and the world, and Japan Studies in the 21st century.

I'd recommend this to the Japan specialist friends. :))

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

A comprehensive general overview on the background, development and future of modern Japanese culture.
There are chapters that I thought are inadequate, such as the one on sports culture - it does not include a more lengthy discussions on corporate athletes, which is how most athletes in Japan make a living.

[Jane Massy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent wide ranging review of Japanese culture today - terrific introduction