Understanding Japanese Society

by Joy Hendry

Overview

In this welcome brand new fifth edition of the bestselling textbook Understanding Japanese Society, Joy Hendry takes the reader into the heart of Japanese life.

Providing a clear and accessible introduction to Japanese ways of thinking, which does not require any previous knowledge of the country, this book explores Japanese society through the worlds of home, work, play, religion and ritual, covering a full range of life experiences, from childhood to old age. It also examines the diversity of people living in Japan, the effects of a growing number of new immigrants, and role of the longest-standing Japanese prime-minister Shinzo Abe. Fully updated, revised and expanded, the fifth edition contains new material on:

• the continued effects of the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disasters of 2011
• local examples of care for nature and the environment
• new perspectives on the role of women
• Japan’s place in the context of globalisation .

Each chapter in this new edition also includes an exciting insert from scholars in the field, based on new and emerging research. This book will be invaluable to all students studying Japan. It will also enlighten those travellers and business people wishing to gain an understanding of Japanese people.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781351179898
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	07/09/2019
Series:	ISSN
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	334
File size:	31 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Joy Hendry is Professor Emerita of Oxford Brookes University, UK, has held visiting associations with Tokyo, Dōshisha and Keio universities, carried out fieldwork over 40 years, and published many books and articles on the social anthropology of Japan. In 2017, she was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun by the Japanese government.

Table of Contents

Introduction 1. Sources of Japanese Identity 2. The House and Family System 3. Socialisation and Classification 4. Community and Neighbourhood 5. The Education System 6. Status, Hierarchy and Ethnic Diversity 7. Religious Influences 8. Ritual and the Life Cycle 9. Opportunities for Working Life 10. Arts, Entertainment and Leisure 11. Government and the Craft of Politics 12. The Legal System and Social Control in a Global World Conclusion

Editorial Reviews

A comprehensive and coherent approach to understanding Japanese society ... It is a well-crafted introductory book on Japanese society with a strong emphasis on understanding through intimate observation ... this book should be prominent on many reading lists in its own right.' - Sociology

'As our contact with Japan increases, books like this one and the course that inspired it, serve a valuable role in opening up the barriers to understanding.' - - Times Higher Education Supplement

"The author's competence and breadth of knowledge are impressive, and I would have been hard-pressed to find a more suitable guide to introduce me to life in Japan. The bibliography leaves nothing to be desired, and very much fits the metaphor of a branching tree, inviting the reader to explore any branch which he or she finds attractive.
The author also convincingly states her case about some ingrained principles of Japanese society which can be glimpsed in all walks of life in Japan.

The new edition is thoroughly revised, with references to works and studies as recent as 2002, and seems very up to date.

...To sum-up, I would recommend this book as a starting point for any particular subject you find interesting or intriguing about Japanese life, and as a quick yet thorough review of life in Japan." — learnasecondlanguageguide.com

"Overall, I found this book an engaging journey through the complexities of Japanese society. The book challenges the reader to reflect on differences and similarities between Eastern and Western concepts, views, and patterns of behavior. As a textbook for a student with some familiarity with Japanese culture but not much in-depth knowledge, this book is indispensable, as it offers a glimpse into a wide variety of topics which can be studied in more depth, especially if supplemented by the additional readings or films listed under the references." - Ilana Maymind, PhD, Ohio State University, Journal of International and Global Studies

From the Publisher