/lit/ - Literature

>>16196225
in terms of tone and general enjoyability? im>>16193879 btw. definitely recommend Japan:An attempt at interpretation by Lafcadio Hearn. he is from the same early 20th century time period and has a similarly enjoyable writing style that trys to get at the “essence” and quality of the subject.

However, Hern’s writing is for an older audience and is somewhat more advanced. however, this allows him to be more in depth about the topic. but it has the same essential serendipity and convivial tone as The Story of the middle ages.

it is probably the best sociological dissection of the japanese i have read. though it is of its time. i have yet to read something that so thoroughly portrays the Japanese as a culture.

>>16159121
similar vein is Japan:an attempt at interpretation

>>16137811
yikes!

>>16137658
good bait op, most people here are to retarded to get it even though you are laying it on thick.

also I liked Japan:An Attempt at Interpretation

>>15888035
i read pick related who worked and lived in japan while modernization happened and he basically said the same thing. good book btw. nip students never seemed to think critically or tried to understand the why. never volunterally put their hand up to ask a question. they did it largely for the grade and social prestige. never wanting to learn why, but how. little curiosity. and this was comming from an absolute japanophile who studied their culture intensely and even married yellow. even thought the introduction of christianity to japan was a mistake.

>>15592942
Excellent book despite its age. Highly recommend.

>>15382065
I keep shilling it here, but unironically I think it best encapsulates the Japanese spirit and has that old early 20th century if not caring if politically sensitive. Herb has an amazing way painting pictures with words and is a great sociologist and portrays the Japanese amazingly to a western audience.

>>14656206
There really isn’t much about Shintoism. It was mostly the cult religion of the lower classes historically while the more high minded metaphysical and philosophical tradition was largely dominated by buhdism. It was rehabilitated and gained more focus in the late 1800’s though due to rising nationalism and the intelligencia wanting something that was more purely “Japanese”. I would recommend puck related for info.