A Gaijin’s Guide to Japan by Ben Stevens

A Gaijin's Guide to Japan A Gaijin’s Guide to Japan was sent to me by Scott Pack of the Friday Project, the publishing house whose praises I have sung in the past.

“Enjoy it”, he said.

And I did.

The book has been written by Ben Stevens, a long-time Japan resident, and it’s a perfect primer for the curious, the tourist, or the entrenched Japanophile.

It’s an A to Z of Japanese cultural tidbits, personalities, peculiarities, history and foibles. Each of the entries (from Abe, Sada to Zen) is short, digestable, and informative. I found it a joy to jump from cross-referenced entry to entry, learning more in a Sunday afternoon in the park than I had done in the past month. About anything.

It’s a beginner’s guide; the “gaijin” in the title refers to the Japanese word for outsider, or foreigner. Stevens’ matey, colloquial style informs without presuming that you come equipped with prior knowledge. If you’re looking for something meatier, your choice is almost unlimited, but you can begin here and stimulate your curiosity to make future reads more targeted.

Short, easy on the eye (some beautiful illustrations) and humorous. I can’t think of a better gift for your neanderthal brother-in-law when he finds out he’s off to Kyoto for a ten-day business trip.

go see –> A Gaijin’s Guide to Japan by Ben Stevens



May, 2009 | Omphaloskepsis

One Response to “A Gaijin’s Guide to Japan by Ben Stevens”

  1. Book Review: A Gaijin’s Guide to Japan by Ben Stevens « Haikugirl’s Japan
    08/02/2009

    [...] like this book, so I’ll let you read those reviews too and make up your own mind.  Check out kim bah lee and Andy in [...]

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