My Japan Workshop might seem like a long way off, September, but in my world the physical and mental planning must begin now. I have three more countries on tap for the next month and a half, so my mind can’t fully engage with Japan quite yet, but I am beginning to set the table for when the time arrives. How I do this might surprise some of you.
I don’t look at Japanese photography. Heck, I don’t look at photography online either.
I’m a book guy, as we all know, and I do have books by Japanese photographers but I won’t look at those either. (This is an exception but also not a classic photobook.) I don’t want to know what other photographers are doing, but I like to know about other creative genres when it comes to understanding Japan. (And remember, I’m teaching so not there to focus on my own work.)
For those of you who are about to tell me I’m doing this wrong, and that I have all the wrong books, movies, and songs, etc. just hear me out. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of options when it comes to the music, books and films about modern Japan. I’ve already had someone say “Oh, you can’t read a book about Japan by anyone other than a Japanese author.” I said, “Shouldn’t you be protesting on campus somewhere?” I can, in fact, read a book about Japan by a non-Japanese author, and in fact that is where I’m starting. Why? I’m not Japanese and I’m going to Japan.
And yes, I have read plenty of books by Japanese authors. Anyone with copious time can search my site for those names and titles. Yes, I’ve read Murakami. Another person told me that Murakami had “lost it,” by writing a book about running. I said, “That’s one of my favorite books.” But there are others I’ve read like Hiromi Kawakami, Yoko Agawa, and many, many more. But as I mentioned before, I’m starting at one place and moving on to others. I’ll eventually get around to more.
Lost Japan by Alex Kerr, The Road to Sata by Alan Booth, Tokyo Vice by Jake Adelstein, and The Japanese Mind by Roger Davies. These are the first four books on the list. Chosen at random but refined through who the authors are, and what they did. Some to satisfy my historical needs, others my love of journalism, and others still to satisfy my long-range hiking and anthropological needs.
And then there are the movies. Godzilla vs Megalon. Saw this in 1975 and didn’t know what to think other then, “I probably need to go to Japan.” Seven Samurai, Ghost in the Shell, and Lost in Translation, which I can see being fitting for a guy like me landing in a place like that. Again, just starting points here people, there are SO many options to choose from.
And then there is the music. Do I start with Lamp? Or official HIGE DANdism? They must be cool right? I don’t know. I don’t listen to Japanese music but I’ll bet I can learn something from it. How about some algorithm’s take on a day in Japan? I’m an ambient music guy, and I’m sure there are huge choices when it comes to Japanese ambient sound. And maybe those sounds will spark something in me as I walk the streets of Tokyo or Kyoto.
I’m looking for feel. I’m looking for emotion. And I’m looking for threads I can link together to make sense of my time. Knowing more, feeling more, will help with guiding students in their quest to make sense of time and place. Any tool I can acquire is good for all. The photography, for me, is the least important part, at least for now. There will come a time when framing up and dissecting Japan will be the duty at hand, but until then, I’ll be off exploring the pages and the sounds and the motion clips that attempt to share an opinion or an observation of this unique country.
PS: All recommendations are welcome!
Comments 40
I’m diggin the new layout….
Author
Thanks Jerry. Will pass that along. Still needs a few things but will address once I return home.
Tokyo Vice is an amazing book, I’m starting the follow up, Tokyo Detective, very soon. If you’re into manga, my two favorites at the moment are City Hunter (it’s from the 80’s but hasn’t aged too much, they’re re-editing it in a deluxe version in France right now), and One Piece which is the biggest one right now (not sure you’ll like this one, but worth a look, it starts being really great with the fishmen arc around book 9). Tetsuwan Atom is manga history at this point, and a milestone in Japanese Culture, I read it to my kids because it’s very modern around themes like ecology, etc., and very poetic. And Vagabond, which is the story of Miyamoto Musashi (legendary swordsman) by an amazing Mangaka named Takehiko Inoue (read anything by him, it’s great).
If you’re in Kyoto, Golden Temple is a must (I was lucky to visit the year after fukushima so no crowd, and you can sleep inside if you make a reservation early enough), as well as the manga museum (did i mention I love manga?).
For movies, Lost in Translation was made by Sofia Coppola and Fast and Furious – Tokyo Drift, by Justin Lin, so you know which one you’re allowed to watch (Lin is actually Taiwanese, but most people can’t place Taiwan on a map so it will pass).
Author
How did I know that Julien would have a Japan take. All good stuff my friend, and thank you. We are going to Kyoto. Oh, and the ONLY Fast and Furious film I’ve seen is Tokyo Drift. First ten minutes I was like “This sucks.” Ten minutes later I was drinking Red Bull and surfing for nitrous oxide canisters for the van.
Talking about Japan and books, there are four I’ve picked up recently: Hokusai by Rhiannon Paget (Taschen edition), Hokusai’s Fuji (Thames&Hudson edition), Sugimoto’s Time Machine and Sweet Bean Paste by Durian Sukegawa.
Author
Wow. you are all in. Those SOUND fantastic.
Add this film your list if you have not already seen .. Hiro Dreams of
Sushi. Beautiful meditation..
Author
I LOVE that film. I felt SO bad for the son. Anytime I think I’m dedicated to something I think of Jiro.
Recommending Neurotic Beauty: An Outsider Looks At Japan by Morris Berman.
Author
Oh, that sounds perfect. Thank you.
Do you know Chrysanthemum and the Sword, by Ruth Benedict? It’s a classic of anthropology from the 40s. Very controversial, but it might be interesting for you
Author
No, but I love anthro and I love controversy.
I’m the opposite. I rarely look at anything other than Japanese when it comes to photography. I have lots of Japanese photo books on my shelves and rarely buy from elsewhere nowadays. As for ambient music (and I know you like dub/reggae) you’re in for a treat. Japan has plenty of good artists.
I’ll send you an email if you want.
The point is though, that Japan has such a wealth of modern and historical cultural movements that it really is difficult to say where to begin. After 20+ years here I’m still scratching the surface and no matter what you dive into you will not go wrong (a few J-Pop band being the exception to this).
Dan, you might want to look into the life of Lafcadio Hearn, forgotten man of American letters who went to Japan, married a Japanese woman and had four children by her … wrote a well regarded retelling/ translation of Japanese ghost stories …..and what doesn’t give a good peep into another culture if not. Good ghost story…. Eccentric character…. Might be your kinda guy.
Author
So many great recommendations here, thank you.
You can’t go wrong with In Praise of Shadows , a slim volume on aesthetics by the Japanese novelist Junichiro Tanazaki….and there are lots of great music from there, from Ryuchi Sakamoto to the band Boris.
Author
Hmm, good intel. Thank you. Some of my favorite things in the world have slim aesthetics.
Japanese Funk
Author
Funk ya.
One Euro-sized carry on for that trip? I hope we get to see a packing list!
Author
Not even. Going backpack and fanny pack. That’s it. Cotopaxi Alpa 35 and an old Mountain Smith fanny pack I normally use for fishing.
Talking Japanese music… Hiromi has been on heavy play for me.
Author
Ah, a little piano I see.
A good friend of mine who taught English in Japan told me the film “Tampopo” would tell you all you need to know about contemporary Japan. Plus, it’s funny. And, the director got offed by the Yakuza for being impertinent, so there’s that, too. Another American who’s lived in Japan for a long time said that the novel “Kokoro” is essential. I’d add the film “Drive My Car” — it’s based on a Murakami story and a fine film. On the next one this one, you’re going to have to trust me. But the animated films by Murakami are real masterpieces. “Spirited Away” is a great one. And it’s emphatically not anime. I’d second the recommendation for “The Sword and the Chrysanthemum” — a Japanese management consultant said it was the best introduction to the culture. It helped me when I taught English to Japanese students. Finally, and just because it’s my favorite film, “Ikiru” by the great director of the Seven Samurai, Akira Kurosawa. It’s so great I recommend it to everyone every chance I get.
Author
Wow, so much good stuff here. I knew this post would elicit a tidal wave of suggestions. Thanks Tim.
Long time lurker, first comment here.
One of the many fascinations of Japan(especially when you are visiting Gion), will be Geishas. It is a entire ecosystem of old Japan tradition mostly governed by women.
My recommendation – The Kagai in Kyoto by Hiroshi Mizobuchi. Unfortunately, it is a photobook, but contains snippets of information on the Hanamachi(Geisha streets) and the annual festivals they revolve around. Both aspects of the culture that is often underlooked in other medias.
Through my research I found a lot of English literature on Geishas to have plenty of misinformation and sensationalism.
Also echoing a previous commenter on ‘In Praise of Shadows’. It has a chapter dedicated to the Japanese toilet!
Author
We are visiting Kyoto but not sure we will spend much time on the Geisha story. Friends have, and it looks interesting, but a nice thing to research. Thank you. Glad you posted, and glad you are here. And yes, the toilet will be fully investigated.
Book recommendation- The Office of Gardens and Ponds by Didier Decoin. He won the Prix Goncourt, beautiful writer. This book is a novel, but he often blends fiction and nonfiction.
Also, check out Yukio Mishima- both his books and life story are priceless.
Author
I already have so many great recommendations. Thank you. These will keep me busy for quite some time.
“Tampopo” has already been mentioned. I’d like to add “Swallowtail Butterfly” () and “Go” ().
Pretty obvious, but the later episodes of Bourdain showed his appreciation of Japan…. this came after his proclamations of Vietnam being his spirit animal. After his death there were many attestations by the many people he touched, if you can find them.
He dug deep into the culture there…food of course, but really all the arts and traditions. I don’t think the best stuff made it into his TV show, but hunt for it, it’s worth it.
Author
I agree. For me, he was a better writer than anything else, and you could see how pained he was to be in front of the camera.
I’m sure you already know, but any of Craig Mod’s newsletters or books are great for the “outsider slowly becoming an insider” take on Japan’s culture — particularly the less obvious shadows.
Author
OH ya, been following for years. Love it.
You only really need to watch “Monarch: Legacy of Monsters” on AppleTV. Covers everything from WW2 to now.
Author
Done. Why didn’t someone tell me sooner?
Robert Twigger’s ‘Angry White Pyjamas’. Listless guy in Tokyo looking for the answer to life, the universe… manages to enroll in the Tokyo Riot Pilice’s year long, brutal budo training program; unfit, never done any martial arts. Brilliant and funny as hell.
Takeshi Kitano. Any of his films really. Hana-bi is devastatingly beautiful, haunting, funny. Besides writing, directing and starring he also painted the art that features throughout. And I don’t think he utters a single word. Brilliant.
Kikujiro just outrageously funny and heartwarming.
And before there was the Hunger Games there was Battle Royale. And far and away the better film.
Author
Wow, good stuff. Thank you. I’ve now got enough movie, book and music to last a lifetime.
My book recommendations would be “In Praise of Shadows” by Jun’ichiro Tanizaki, and “Zen And The Fine Arts” by Shin’ichi Hisamatsu. My favorite music albums by a Japanese musician are “Sunrise” and “Black Orpheus” by Masabumi Kikuchi (both on ECM Records).
Author
Others have recommended that Shadows book, and the rest look good as well. Thank you.