Japan from Anime to Zen: Quick Takes on Culture, Art, History, Food . . . and More

by David Watts Barton

This friendly guide offers concise but detailed demystifications of more than 85 aspects of ancient and modern Japan. It can be read in sequence, or just dipped into, depending on the moment’s need. Explanations go much deeper than a typical travel guide and cover 1,500 years of history and culture, everything from geisha to gangsters, haiku to karaoke, the sun goddess to the shogunate . . . and anime to Zen.

Genres: Japan, Nonfiction, Travel, History, Japanese Literature

304 pages, Paperback

Published April 27, 2021

Reviews

[GONZA · Rating 3 out of 5]

A concise handbook for those who do not know Japan and want to approach a very special world without trauma. I would only recommend it to absolute beginners.

Un conciso manuale per chi non conosce il Giappone e vuole avvicinarsi senza traumi ad un mondo molto particolare. Lo consiglierei solo a chi non ha letto mai niente prima a riguardo.

I received this digital ARC in exchange for a honest review.

[Kieran · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was turned off by the cheesy title and went in expecting a surface level summary from a Western perspective. Instead, I was pleasantly surprised to find that this book is the best introduction to Japanese culture that I’ve read. Covering everything from history to food to subtle cultural traits, this book is a wonderful one-stop shop for all things Japan. To anybody interested in learning more about this fascinating country, this would be a great place to start.

[Ashley Lambert-Maberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy good non-fiction, but am often disappointed by what are essentially small encyclopedias, essays on topics, etc. Sometimes they're inordinately compelling (I can read Murderess Ink or Bad Movies We Love over and over again, but often they just seem like lists with no connection between them. I even gave up on my beloved Diana Wynne Jones's The Tough Guide to Fantasyland, it didn't grab me.

So it was with slight trepidation (I can always close the book) that I began this one. But because the author grouped his topics into themes, his short essays, when read together, gave the effect of reading an actual book-form book. Furthermore, despite my recent great interest in Japan (I was supposed to visit, Covid prevented that, so I've been learning the language and more, since then) I was able to learn many new aspects of their history and culture, all while being interested and entertained.

It became my go-to book, the one I'd pick up if I had a spare three minutes (and it's a good format for that, you can finish another essay on another topic), but also the one I'd take with me to lunch. It's not so esoteric, though, that a beginner to Japan and its many differences would find it confusing. It's clear and compelling. What more could you want?

(It could be a literary masterpiece, and make me cry. It didn't. So not quite the five stars I give the very highest pinnacle of books, for me).

Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book on my way and during my recent visit to Japan. It was an excellent resource for understanding the nation's customs, complex culture and psychology. It helped me to ask informed questions of my guides and avoid the many social and cultural landmines that non-Japanese people stumble upon. It is a book that does not need to be read cover to cover (although I did). It can be dipped in and out depending on points of interest. It will certainly help the traveller decode the various unique social mores of the Japanese people.

[Lana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a super easy read. It doesn't go deep into Japanese history or culture, but at the same time it gives you a perfect overview of all the different things from food to manga. Also it kinda highlights the fact that many limitations gave a push to create unique Japanese things that are now so appreciated all over the world. I think it can be be a perfect read on your flight to Tokyo or shinkansen to Kyoto (:

[Honorata · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's an easy, breezy read that allows one to pick up on many topics concerning Japan from a very Western perspective. Perhaps because of that it doesn't possess much individual perspective or depth but I gotta give it to any book that has a chapter 69 on hentai and then follows it up with the Fukushima disaster. Iconic.

[Jacqui · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of essays on Japanese culture. It’s a great concept, but they all felt way too short. I would have preferred a deeper dive on fewer topics. However, it be a good read for travelers looking for only the basics.

[Deirdre · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent!!!

This book is well worth reading! Very interesting, informative., and insightful. I greatly appreciate the author for such a well- written and helpful book. I feel much better prepared for my trip!

[Shweta · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good read. I have been curious about Japan and its culture and customs and this book gave me a crash course. If you're looking for a more detailed guide about specific aspect of Japan, this book might not be right for you, but if you're looking to scratch a surface little bit on everything, this would probably be a great book for you.

[Jake · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick overviews of a lot of different aspects of everything Japanese. Useful if you want a very surface level examination, but not for much else.

[Dani Ollé · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deep, detailed and also enjoyable

[Ietrio · Rating 1 out of 5]

A book of trivia. Nothing special. Nothing deep. YouTube is chock full of videos of people living and experiencing precisely those issues vaguely described in this blog book.

[Helen Cummings · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this book up to read to coincide with a trip to Tokyo and found it very helpful and informative and a good introduction to a unique culture.