Japanese Slang: Uncensored

by Peter Constantine

Reveals, in vivid detail, the richness of Japanese slang in all its amusing, bizarre and shocking forms.

Genres: Japanese Literature, Language

208 pages, Paperback

First published June 15, 1994

Reviews

[Andreas · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book that summarises the author’s research into slang spoken by various subsets of Japanese people. The book is very well written, giving background to both the words themselves as well as the people who speak them. Specific chapters focus for example on pickpockets, gamblers, burglars, sex workers, monks, slang spoken at fish markets, and it also includes three whole chapters dedicated to terms for the penis and vagina and how these vary throughout Japan.

This book was perfect for me as someone who is interested in the development of slang and argot but speaks no Japanese and has no desire to actually learn the words themselves.

[Dustin Dye · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is misrepresented by the title (which was probably the publisher's decision). The book has very little everyday slang, and is mostly slang very specific to certain sub-subgroups, like Tokyo subway pickpockets. It was probably meant to be a study in linguistic anthropology, but it is sold as a book general language students might enjoy. I'm sure Constantine put a lot of work and research into his book, but I wonder who this was written for and why.