5 comments about Shalom Japan: A Sabra's Five Years in the Land of the Rising Sun.

1. More than merely stereotypical and incorrect, this book and books like it are actually dangerous to genuine understanding between cultures. I'm afraid the "Japan" Ms. Horn lived in for five years doesn't actually exist; however, the Japan she has fabricated for this book is so stereotypically perfect that she might have written it without spending even one afternoon in the country. It is blatently obvious that Ms. Horn doesn't speak a word of Japanese and was never able to break the barrier between "us and them". I don't know why some people will try to explain a culture without understanding it themselves, but it always saddens me when these deep misinterpretations are taken by others as fact. It's not difficult to mock a culture you don't understand, but it is terribly irresponsible in today's global society. I wonder if Ms. Horn would appreciate the trivialization of her own cultute in such a manner. I could site specific errors in the book, but that would take another book. If you wish to understand Japan leave this book on the shelf.



2. It is sad when people with a similar background as yours make such unaccurate, generalized criticisms of cultures they didn't even try to understand. After living in Japan myself, I became tired with foreigners always trying to point out how strange Japan is without realizing that their own cultures also have their own weirdnesses.



3. Hello! I am the translator of this book and the reviewer is right, I am not familiar with the Japanese language; it woudl be nice if I were, but not really essential, since I translate from Hebrew to English. I transliterated the Japanese words from Hebrew and the author - who claims a deep and expert knowledge of all things Japanese - corrected them into what she assured me was the correct, phonetic English spelling.
   My sincere apologies for any offence caused.



4. This is possibly one of the WORST- if not THE WORST-book every written on Japan. Ms.Horn lived in Japan for 5 years,speaks 2-3 words in Japanese,has never studied- not even in an informal manner- the country's history, culture, religions, literature, politics or anything about the country. And she does not deny that she really has no interest or curiosity in all that rubish. I am- or was- a good acquaintance of the author. She is a journalist. And she has said quite openly that she hates Japan, the Japanese and everything they stand for.
   Can you imagine that a local Iranian journalist, who openly claims that he absolutely depises Jews- eventhough he knows nothing about Jewish or Israel history and culture- comes to live in Isreal for 5 years, refuses to learn the language or anything else- and decides to write about "the real" Israel. Ms Horn claims that this is the "reality" of Japan and she makes no apologies about her total lack of knowledge about the country.
   What makes this even worse is that the book became a best seller in Israel and for many Israelies this is the only book that they read about Japan. Although most scholars and students of Japanese laugh at this book, it is taken seriously by people who are unfamiiar with Japan.
   This is exactly how superficial journalists- who know how to write popular, non-academic books make a good money- sadly create misunderstanding, distrust and hatred between countries and people.
   This is the bottom of the barrel and a sad day for those who appreciate honesty, humanity and common decency.
   Japanologist,Tlv



5. Shalom Japan is a great read. It gives an Israeli woman's perspective in adjusting to life in Japan where she is sent with her husband and young son for a five year assignment. What two cultures could be farther apart than Israel and Japan???!!!!!!!!! The book has a wonderful conversational style, with hilarious anectodotes, and shows the sharp observational skills that Shifra Horn has honed in her other two novels. Other reviewers have felt that this book did not give a fully accurate portrait of Japan and the Japanese. For someone with a lot of background in the Japanese culture and history, this might be the case. However, for an average American with little to no knowlege of Japan and her people, this book provides a brilliant window for insights into an often strange and alternate universe. Of course, many of the customs and traditions we have here in the US look bizarre to people of other cultures.
   
   The unique perspective of a woman coming from the vastly divergent culture of modern Israeli society and being thrust into Japanese society provides an interesting and riveting perspective.
   
   I love Shifra Horn's novels. She has a beautiful way of spinning stories with characters who seem so real that readers often assume that the characters really existed in Israeli history. She is a skilled writer with a great sense of humor and I am always sad when her novels come to an end.
   
   This book is non-fiction, and gives us a taste of what is like to be an outsider trying to figure out Japanse customs which often seem puzzling to our Western way of thinking. The book is not meant to be everything to everybody, and does not tell people already familiar with Japanese culture anything they don't already know. However, anyone who had to make a similar adjustment will smile when they recognize their own past faux pas, as the book relates the authors'.
   
   I love her writing, and reading this journal is sort of like getting a letter from an old, dear, friend. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in Japan, travel to foreign places, or just loves to read a skilled writer. PS- even though my surname is the same as the author's we are not related- I promise- this is not her mother talking!

3 comments about Culture Shock! Japan (Culture Shock! Guides).

1. As an administrator in a ESL school, where 10% of our students come from Japan, and at least 10% of our ESL teachers trainees plan on going to Japan to teach English, Culture Shock Japan was an wonderful discovery for me! P. Sean Bramble unveiled the cultural mystery step by step from every aspect of life. It's a great reference book for anyone, no matter whether you are planning a trip to Japan, moving to Japan for a long period of time, your work involves dealing with Japanese culture like mine, or you are simply curious about this modern and ancient eastern country. One of my favorite things about the book are the hilarious little stories that Bramble collected from his own 12 years of experience living and working in Japan, which gave me many giggles through out the reading.
   
   Those stories are particularly funny to me, because they often echo my own experience of of culture shock when I first immigrated to the United States from China 7 years ago. Although, I am completely annoyed when people get confused between Japan and China, there are after all lots of similarities when it comes to clashes between Asian and western cultures.
   
   I also admire the fact that the author was willing to take the risk of being accused as negative or judgmental to honestly point out the frustrating reality of living and dealing with a new culture in a tongue in cheek manner. Unlike promotional travel books, which only portray the wonders of a destination, this book gives unvarnished insight into a country where modernity meets ancient traditions, efficiency is created by rules but also destroyed by rules. It gives insider's advices on how a new comer can be prepared to begin understanding, embracing, and even having a bit of fun with the culture he is about to clash into. As I closed the book, I felt as if I had just finished a tour lead by an experienced open heart with a true sense of humor. I am now much more ready for a real trip to Japan.



2. 
   The book does contain usefull information, but it left me with an awkward feeling after reading.
   It describes the 'typically Japanese things' from a personal western point of view, without explaining why, how, what, etc.
   -Japan is a weird and silly country, but there are nice temples-
   Or is it the writer that is the culture shock ?
   If you want an objective book about Japan, keep searching.



3. I was stationed overseas for about 1 1/2 years before I read the book. Many questions I had were answered. This book explains a lot of the everyday things you'll see/notice in Japan. Not much of a history book (which wasn't what I was looking for @ the time) but a very modern explanation of all the strange things Japanese people do.
   
   I highly recommend this book for anyone that is going to live in Japan for an extended period of time.

2 comments about ORDINARY ENGLISH-SPEAKING MEN, EXTRAORDINARY BEAUTIFUL WOMEN, TEACHING ENGLISH IN JAPAN.

1. Describes relationships that seem improbable but now I want to see for myself.
   
   The Ferbal story was masterfully convoluted and the end made me laugh after I though about it for awhile.
   
   Q&A provided some valuable information for job seekers.
   
   The job-hunting steps are helpful. It was positive and encouraging.
   
   I enjoyed the many short stories including those about food and train gropers. I have never heard about these things before.
   
   Overall eye-openning, amusing to read again and again. Now I really want to go to Japan and see for myself!



2. This was the most poorly written, poorly organized books I have EVER read. The reason I bought it was that it is the only book I found that discusses teaching English in Japan. Unfortunately, this part of it is overshadowed by the ridiculous sections on relationships with Japanese women. The relationship sections were shallow, awkwardly written, and full of narrow-minded generalizations. The only useful nuggets I found in this book were the author's descriptions of his everyday life as an English teacher. Unfortunately, these were few and far between, and buried in trash. This author couldn't make up his mind if he wanted to write a travel/reference book, an autobiography, or a relationship book. What were the editors thinking?

No comments about Japan's New Imperialism.

1 comments about Hitching Rides with Buddha: A Journey Across Japan.

1. my husband and i moved to japan this summer for a short 3 month visit and i wanted to read a novel while we were here. the travel bookstore in our area only had this book in the japanese section so i decided to give it a go. i just finished the book today and have nothing but great things to say. first off, his writing is hysterical. i found myself laughing out loud throughout the book - driving my husband crazy of course! if you have ever travelled to japan or just wonder what its like from a real life point of view please check out this book. his humor, sarcasm and quick wit are sure to charm you.

5 comments about Japanese Cultural Encounters.

1. ...you need to read this before you leave the States. This inexpensive paperback is a fast way to appreciate just how different the Japanese mindset is from ours, and opens your eyes with a series of typical scenarios in which Westerners and Japanese manage to confuse each other. Even well-intentioned compliments can lead to misunderstanding, and things like when to take your coat off can give false ideas when people's backgrounds are that different. Entertaining and memorable way to steer through a minefield.



2. If you are going to Japan, particularly for the first time, read this book before you go. Japan's culture is very different from so-called "Western" culture, and in addition, Japanese culture is less prepared to handle non-conformists. As a non-Japanese, you are afforded a bit more leeway, but by reading this book, you will have a better idea of what to expect, and can act accordingly. The question and multiple-choice answer format is an excellent tool to help readers remember, as they are active participants in the reading process, rather than just passive observers.



3. Unlike many of the so-called "cultural studies" published about Japan, this book is actually practical. The authors have created 54 different scenarios with which foreigners might have some difficultly due to the different cultural nuances. With each situation, they have thought up four answers that might possibly explain the typical Japanese reaction in each scenario. The reader, in a format quite different from the normal scholarly review, is expected to figure out what the answers are, turning to different pages for confirmation.

   This book is filled with really good advice for anyone planning a stay in Japan, or for anyone curious about the small but important differences between Japanese and American culture. For instance, in Japan, you cannot give four flowers to someone because the number four symbolizes death and is only used in conjunction with funerals. Also, you should not blow your nose in public, nor should you use a handkerchief for task-both are considered rude and slightly disgusting. And did you know there are specific sandals that the Japanese use in the bathroom, and are not appropriate for use anywhere else in their apartments? All of these facts and more are found in this book, which makes it a wonderful resource and a very entertaining read.




4. I can't review this book from the perspective of a beginner, but as someone who's done some reading on Japanese culture, I can say this book doesn't have much to offer. A relatively small amount of general knowledge about Japanese culture and society is all that it takes to be able to easily answer most of the questions in this book. This problem is exacerbated by the tendency for two out of the four choices to be obviously improbable, or even ridiculous, making choosing more an issue of "multiple choice test sense" than knowledge of the Japanese. Yes, I did learn from this book; even the explanations for questions that I already knew the answers to were sometimes informative. However, it is a *very* quick read. I think that books which talk more generally about Japanese/American societal differences, while offering specific and interesting examples along the way, are more informative and worth their price.



5. This book is pretty informative on basic Japanese customs and habits. It did help me a few times when dealing with certain situations in dealing with my wifes family(japanese wife). It is basic stuff that you need to know if you are going to Japan for the first time and need an impromtu starter into the way of the Japanese social structure.

4 comments about The Rough Guide to Tokyo, Third Edition.

1. I made four trips to Tokyo for work in 2000, and this is the only guide book that made it into my suitcase on trips 2, 3, and 4. Filled with concise reviews of all the major sights as well as restaurants and stores, this little book (I bought the pocket, mini edition) is as frank as some of the back-packer guides, but is not prejudiced against the reader who has a bit of disposable income. Some finds from this book not mentioned in most other guides to Tokyo that really made me feel like an insider: taking the Sumida gawa ferry, the underworld of Gay Tokyo in Shinjuku Ni-Chome, and heavenly CHEAP bath salts from Japanese no-name brand Muji.

   Truly, if you want to feel like you are an insider, and you don't want to have to read four or five of the same old, same old guides, this is the book for you!




2. I bought this thinking that it is a more in-depth guide of Tokyo. But it is simply a cut down version of the Tokyo section of Rough guide to Japan. I immediately returned it because I'd already bought the latter. For the price, I would at least expect something more original.
   The only advantage over the guide to Japan is that it is pocket-sized.



3. This book scores high marks for excellent maps and very extensive listings of restaurants. You could certainly take it as your only guide book if you were going to Tokyo.
   
   However, I was still quite disappointed by the descriptive text in the book. Too often, the neighborhood descriptions were very superficial and bland. Fortunately I didn't rely very much on these sections of the book. However, since so much of the book is comprised of these lengthly text passages, it felt as if the book was about twice as heavy as it needed to be.



4. The Rough Guide to Tokyo provided a good overview of the city and some of the best tourist destinations. The overview of the regions in the city was particularly helpful, as were the transportation guides (although similar information was available at subway stations.)
   
   Several times during our one week visit, my wife and I attempted to find a restaurant or bar that was recommended or described in the Rough Guide, only to discover that it had closed some time ago. This was particularly frustrating as the 3rd edition was less than a year old at the time of publication.
   
   Overall, a convenient way to get your feet wet, but ask the locals where to eat for dinner, they gave better advice and the restaurants still existed!

No comments about Kyoto Map (with Nara) by ITMB (Travel Reference Map).

2 comments about Subway Guide to Tokyo: Take the Right Line, Get Off at the Right Station, And Find the Best Exit!.

1. This new (2005) book from Tuttle is not to be confused with the same author's "Tokyo Subway Guide" (2002) published by Kodansha. In one aspect, the newer book has the advantage of including the newly designated codes for each subway stop (a letter and number combination that uniquely identifies each station on each line). However, the older volume is more useful to this reader than the newer one because it includes area maps of 50 major stations, each showing interconnections between lines, numbered exists, and major buildings. The `area profiles' in the newer volume are limited to 13 in number (thus omitting Ikebukuro, Jimbocho, Shimbashi, Ueno, and others). While each area profile includes some text describing noted features in the areas of interest, they are far less detailed than the older maps. Of the newer volume's 160 pages, 100 are given over to category listings (`acupuncture clinics' to `zoo') that could allow the newer volume to double as a guidebook, though the listings are not annotated and, thus, will have utility primarily to those already familiar with the city and who know what sights, stores, or services they are seeking.



2. See my review for TOKYO CITY ATLAS. It is much better than this albeit newer guide. The signage in Tokyo is still a mix of the "old" and the "new" system and TCA has better station area maps.

5 comments about Schizophrenic in Japan: An American Ex-Pat's Guide to Japanese and American Society/Politics & Humor.

1. To the person who asked why so many reviews are the only review anyone did...plus have some bad spelling...is your point that the author wrote them himself?
   
   Is the book about Japan, about libertarian politics espoused by Lew Rockwell, or about the author's self promotion?



2. For a variety of reasons America's image in the world community has suffered greatly. Anyone seriously interested in good international relations must take the advice of this work to heart. I place it on a contemporary pedestal along with Thomas Friedman's The World Is Flat. Both authors have given us insight and advice about the global village we call Planet Earth. Michael Rogers has given us a witty and profoundly simple set of recommendations for getting along with our Asian friends and the world community as well. This book is a must for all citizens of the world. I could not put it down; I read it cover to cover in one sitting.
   
   --Al Miller, Professor of Communications, Moorpark College, Moorpark, California



3. Luce wrote: To the person who asked why so many reviews...is your point that the author wrote them himself? Luce, this shows that you either have a distinct lack of knowledge on the subject at hand, or a decidedly obvious case of penis envy. One would definitely suspect the latter.
   
   On Lew Rockwell - the site that Mike (in Tokyo) writes for regularly, and at an awesome pace, shows that he doesn't need to write his own reviews. He is quite well loved and respected as a writer and scored two of the top ten most read articles of all of 2005 - quite the accomplishment for someone who writes for one of the most popular sites on the Internet. I also see where he did write his own review here and he even had the guts to put his name on it - I think the word for that is honesty.
   
   Oh well, Luce, jealous adults with small, um, hearts, are like little dogs yapping in the yard. They make to much noise, but all they really are is a noisy nuisance.
   
   But this is a review of a book that I, a father of two girls, found to be a joy to read. MIT's material is really thought-provoking, and I think that those who don't feel that his prose is the best could possibly be used to having writers talk down to them or force the useage of huge vocabulary. MIT's writing sounds like he is sitting right in front of you, talking to you as a friend. I find that quite likeable.
   
   The older I get, the more I want to talk to old people and people who are truly "down to earth" like MIT. Mike (in Tokyo) has helped me to see that it is okay to think and feel the way that I do.
   
   I want to read about how good things were once and how safe it was when one walked around at night. I enjoy people who speak their mind without making excuses. MIT preaches the Golden Rule, mutual respect, and modesty. Something that is in short supply all over the world and can be witnessed by the jealous flaming even here on this page.
   
   MIT asks questions to the reader also. Some of these questions are tough to answer and will make you feel uncomfortable. But they are questions that need to be asked. We've lost much of our freedom America, and Mike (in Tokyo) is in the forefront, pointing it out and shoving it into our faces. This is one more reason that you will see MIT being attacked here and at other places: The right wing have it out for him as a target of derision it seems.
   
   I wish that American society was more like the elderly-respecting society that Mike (in Tokyo) often writes about. I used to work at Burger King in the 70's. When a middle-aged couple walked-in, we said "sir" and "ma'am". I'm 48 now, and when I walk into a Home Depot, the teenaged employees say, "What's going on, man?" This is the kind of thing that MIT dislikes and, come to think of it, I don't like it either.
   
   Reading this book made me want to go talk to my 84-year-old Mom. I did after finishing the last chapter of the book and, for the first time in years - I think, I was able to tell her that I loved her.
   
   This book is food for thought and something that will help you to do some things that just need to be done.
   
   The best book of its type I've read in a long time. And, yes, I am a huge fan of Mike (in Tokyo). You will be too after reading this great book.
   
   For a taste test to show you the quality writing this guy is capable of and why, not just me, but a lot of people think MIT is one of the best writers anywhere on the Internet, go to:
   http://www.lewrockwell.com/rogers/rogers-arch.html and read some articles for free.
   
   He'll make you think, laugh, and cry.



4. ...then Mike Rogers will be part of what does it. Yes, yes, the book is somewhat haphazard and seems at time to be cobbled together [as it was somewhat] from a "blog" or "stream of conciousness" catalog of Mike's thoughts and insights.
   
   But the humour is great and underneath all of the self-effacing antics beats the heart of an intellectual [if somewhat unorthodox] heavyweight.
   
   Indeed, when reading Mike's work I am reminded of the great debt all thinking people owe to the LewRockwell and the Mises Institute websites and the technological revolutionizer called the "Internet" that enabled Mike's potential. IMO, Mike is a prime example of what those three invaluable resources can be for adult Americans [and others] who have been raised in an education system of controlling, provincial, and propagandistic BS.
   
   In a nutshell...
   
   The duncetariat need not apply but for the rest of you this book is a realtime five-star treat! [The analysis comparing modern "Professional Wrestling" to the Roman Gladiators is precisely dead on and should give anyone pause to examine themselves in light of this human tendency toward "mob frenzy".]



5. A collection valuable, though somewhat rambling essays. They are fun to read, profound and insightful, a definite five-star!