In the Realm of a Dying Emperor

Rating:
Summary: An interesting but rambling read
Review: Having lived in Japan for many years now, the insights into Japanese culture presented by the author were not particularly new to me. Although the book was interesting when it actually dealt with the lives of the people she interviewed (very briefly), they served as only the backdrop to long sections in which we learn about the author's childhood experiences and her family. For example, the section about the mayor of Nagasaki included excerpts of a brief (probably one hour) interview with the mayor, but pages and pages of description of her aunt and uncle and the author's relationship with them.

All in all, the book had large segments of rather uninteresting discussion of the author's life experiences in Japan, interspersed with small segments that dealt with the issue of what happens to people who speak out against societal norms. So, if you don't know anything about Japan, this book might give a helpful understanding of some of the dynamics of this society. But, if you are looking for a book that thoroughly explores the issue of state vs. the individual, you might be disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: Okinawa cave
Review: I was in Okinawa as a govt airforce civilan in the 1960's. I went on an Island tour with a local tour bus. Our first visit was this cave named something like The 20 maidens, where we were told that 20 (not sure of the exact number), committed suicide for fear of molestation by the American military during the battle for Okinawa. Wew also walked the cliff edges from which many Japanese women and children jumped to their deaths, with each site memorialized. My main point is the name of that cave in the 1960's when I was there.

Rating:
Summary: Okinawa cave
Review: I was in Okinawa as a govt airforce civilan in the 1960's. I went on an Island tour with a local tour bus. Our first visit was this cave named something like The 20 maidens, where we were told that 20 (not sure of the exact number), committed suicide for fear of molestation by the American military during the battle for Okinawa. Wew also walked the cliff edges from which many Japanese women and children jumped to their deaths, with each site memorialized. My main point is the name of that cave in the 1960's when I was there.

Rating:
Summary: CONSTITUTIONALISM IN A CULTURALY EMPERIALISTIC STATE
Review: Norma Fields eloquently provides a historical look at post World War II Japan. She utilizes personal memories as well as interviews with private and public citizens that recount their struggles as Japanese. Japanese life is one filled with contradiction. After Japan's surrender in August of 1945 they adopted an Americanized Constitution to symbolize to the world their commitment to peace. This Constitution has been at times nothing more than that, a symbol, because despite efforts to mimic the American guarantees of personal freedom and liberties, the Japanese traditions and cultural practes of Emperialism and Shinto overshadow these Constitutional gurantees, leaving citizens wondering where Japan's future lies. Norm Field puts faith in the Japanese people, that they as the people in her book have, will take the high road in Japan and except their past for all its good and bad and move bravely into the future.

Rating:
Summary: Still worth reading if you want to understand the 'Japanese'
Review: The book contains three episodes, a man who has lived in Okinawa and fired the (de facto at that time) national flag, a woman who has rejected the burial by the state of her hasband having been a member of the Self-Defense Force and the ex-mayor of Nagasaki City who has referred to the war responsibility of the Emperor, as well as a report on the very curious atomosphere prevailing in Japan on the death of the Showa Emperor. A reader could understand the true but hidden mentality of the Japanese from the contents explicitly and implicitly. The authour of course could have written the original in Japanese, but the fact that the work had to be translated itself has had a significance. I strongly recommend to read the work if you want to understand the Japanese who are now at the crossroad.

Rating:
Summary: An Ok Read If You Set Aside The Writers Whine
Review: The tiny vinettes that make up the book are truly worth the read, but to get past the authors continued psychological issues is extreamly difficult.

When she finds out who she is - let me know, she will have something worth reading.

Rating:
Summary: Modern classic
Review: This book continues to resonate. It was published in the early 1990s and sort of predicted the malaise that Japan went through for the past decade. Even with Japan's economy picking up now, these issues--the lack of dealing with the legacy of World War II--are still problems for Japan as it tries to find a place in the modern world. The writing is sparse and beautiful. Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Pulls back the curtain
Review: Uncovers many of the hidden parts of Japan with interesting and thought-provoking stories. Anyone interested in the culture of Japan should give this book a good reading.