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Summary: The thinking reader¿s ¿Shogun¿
Review: "Lost Japan" is a fascinating book on several levels. In some respects, "Lost Japan" is the thinking reader's companion follow-on to James Clavell's "Shogun", minus the sex and fighting, which means several hundred pages lighter.. The swashbuckling Blackthorne of the blockbuster novel is replaced by the fastidious, aesthetic author in "Lost Japan". But in both cases the reader has the pleasure of accompanying an outsider as he develops an insider's view of Japan's unique culture. In both cases, the tone is ultimately elegiac as the outsider mourns the passing of a nobler Japan. And in both cases, being an outsider with deep insider insights enables the protagonists to stand head and shoulders above the locals. But let's not push the comparison too far - "Shogun" is cliched while Kerr's book is full of original thoughts and observations, based on lengthy immersion in Japanese culture. On another level, there's an historical irony. Throughout the 70s and 80s, the myth of Japanese superiority grew to enormous proportions - their products were wonderful, their companies bestrode the world and their management, production methods and social practices were held up as examples for the rest of us, with little regard to the downsides. Kerr gives his view of what this effort actually cost the country and how the deadened aesthetic sensibilities of Japan Inc overwhelmed the finer culture of earlier times. Yet by the time "Lost Japan" was first published in 1993 (Kerr wrote it in Japanese), the mighty post-war Japan of concrete and ugliness was also on the wane. On yet another level, this book is an engrossing study of one man - the author. His cultural sensibilities are honed to a samurai sword edge far sharper than the average salariman could aspire to. He gives us some very selective insights into his cultural passions such kabuki and household decoration. His idea of a fun evening is to get a few drinks in ,do calligraphy and watch the fireflies. The overall impression is of a hugely refined and cultured individual unburdened by mundane considerations. In the absence of any reference to significant others in his life (unlike Blackthorne in "Shogun"), he often comes across as being deeply self-indulgent. His insights are precious in every sense of the word. "Lost Japan" is often compared with "The Road to Sato", which I subsequently bought. I haven't yet finished it after two years, whereas I polished off "Lost Japan" in just a few sittings. Strongly recommended.
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Summary: Award-winning Book!
Review: "Alex Kerr's book carries a powerful message applicable to all cultures. He is on a life-long quest for beauty." -- Issey Miyake "Infused with love for Japan and its traditonal arts." -- The New York Times The winner of the Shincho Gakugei Price for the year's best work of non-fiction -- the first book by a foreigner to win this prestigious award -- and the winner of the Asia Pacific Publishers Association (APPA) Gold Award, Lost Japan is a passionate, vividly personal book that draws on author Alex Kerr's experiences in Japan over a thirty year period. Kerr has written a thoroughly entertaining and nostalgic look at traditional Japanese culture and the way it is changing. A must-read for anyone who is interested in the culture we live in today.
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Summary: A fascinating trip into an ancient culture.
Review: A fascinating trip into an extremely interesting but nearly lost culture. A very captivating read.
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Summary: Fascinating look into Japan's lost culture
Review: Alex Kerr does an excellent job of pointing out one of Japan's greatest tragedies, the loss of it's own culture. You will be spellbound as Alex takes you into Japan's Iwa Valley. This book is a must have for anyone interested in Japanese culture.
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Summary: Arrigato Gozaimasu Alex Kerr
Review: Alex Kerr has authored the best book I've read on contemporary Japan. I lived in Osaka from 1992-1994. Mr. Kerr's observations on everything from the arts and environment to business and education struck familiar chords. This book is excellent for foreign nationals currently living in Japan, and for anyone who's ever lived there. The book was originally written for a Japanese audience so some points may be lost on readers who've never made the trip. However, if you're planning to go to Japan and want to learn about more than cultural stereotypes, Lost Japan is your ticket.
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Summary: Beautiful, but...
Review: Alex Kerr is an artist. He can evoke beautiful scenes and feelings by gently describing his surroundings and experiences. It is evident that he has a great love for Japan. For this reason, as well as the nostalgia it invokes in me (a one time resident of the country), this book will remain on my "keeper" shelf. The book is a collection of articles previously written, then edited and expanded (in certain instances) to convert into book form. Though some might consider parts of the book "Japan bashing," truly they are not. Yes, Kerr expresses concerns about the future of Japan and the disassociation between the Japanese and the governmental goings-on that are slowly sinking Japan deeper and deeper into trouble. But you can tell that these criticisms are raised because Kerr wants them to be addressed and then solved in order to save the Japan that he loves. While the book is about Japan, it is also about how Japan has affected Kerr, particularly the hidden parts of Japan he encounters through friends, such as the back stage world of a Kabuki theater and a traditional Kyoto house. It is beautiful and well-written glimpse into Japan as seen through the author's heart. However, there were a few moments in the book where the gauze-encased beauty and emotion of the book was interrupted, at least for me. Not by any mistake or discord on the part of the author, but instead on my part, encountering a passage that made me say, "Huh?" One example of this was when Kerr was describing the city of Osaka. He said it was the most "un-Japanese" city in Japan and therefore his favorite. That he appreciated the city seemed to stem solely from the fact that it was not a real Japanese city to him. At times like this it seemed that Kerr's enchantment with Japan was with the countryside and the more unusual cultures present in Japan, not the everyday people and culture. Of course, I suppose this enchantment explains the title of "Lost Japan", but one must wonder how prevalent those "lost" worlds were before the government started encasing everything in concrete. Nonetheless, this is a beautiful book about the less accessible aspects of Japan. Those interested in "seeing" more of Japan should pick this book up.
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Summary: Beautiful, but...
Review: Alex Kerr is an artist. He can evoke beautiful scenes and feelings by gently describing his surroundings and experiences. It is evident that he has a great love for Japan. For this reason, as well as the nostalgia it invokes in me (a one time resident of the country), this book will remain on my "keeper" shelf. The book is a collection of articles previously written, then edited and expanded (in certain instances) to convert into book form. Though some might consider parts of the book "Japan bashing," truly they are not. Yes, Kerr expresses concerns about the future of Japan and the disassociation between the Japanese and the governmental goings-on that are slowly sinking Japan deeper and deeper into trouble. But you can tell that these criticisms are raised because Kerr wants them to be addressed and then solved in order to save the Japan that he loves. While the book is about Japan, it is also about how Japan has affected Kerr, particularly the hidden parts of Japan he encounters through friends, such as the back stage world of a Kabuki theater and a traditional Kyoto house. It is beautiful and well-written glimpse into Japan as seen through the author's heart. However, there were a few moments in the book where the gauze-encased beauty and emotion of the book was interrupted, at least for me. Not by any mistake or discord on the part of the author, but instead on my part, encountering a passage that made me say, "Huh?" One example of this was when Kerr was describing the city of Osaka. He said it was the most "un-Japanese" city in Japan and therefore his favorite. That he appreciated the city seemed to stem solely from the fact that it was not a real Japanese city to him. At times like this it seemed that Kerr's enchantment with Japan was with the countryside and the more unusual cultures present in Japan, not the everyday people and culture. Of course, I suppose this enchantment explains the title of "Lost Japan", but one must wonder how prevalent those "lost" worlds were before the government started encasing everything in concrete. Nonetheless, this is a beautiful book about the less accessible aspects of Japan. Those interested in "seeing" more of Japan should pick this book up.
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Summary: Fascinating look at Japan and what could happen elsewhere!
Review: Alex Kerr's "Lost Japan" works on so many levels. It is a glimpse of what is happening to a traditional culture through rapid modernization, industrialization and ultimately "western-ization." Kerr laments the loss of Japan's natural beauty and simultaneously celebrates Japan's fine arts traditions in various fields: music, painting, architecture, theatre, etc. At times the book gets a little weighed down by Kerr's personal anecdotes. He obviously comes from a background that allows world travel and leisure, and some of the assumptions he makes are perhaps a little alienating to some readers. He seems to be a man of great sensitivity and intellect and his radar for the current situation in Japan is certainly appreciated. Not only would this book be interesting to lovers of Japan, but also for those wanting to develop greater appreciation for their own surroundings or those wanting to ward off similar tragedies in their own backyard. Much of what Kerr had to say struck a nerve with me because I see many of these own things happening in my community in America. The landscape of my town is being overdeveloped, and the stream I used to play in as a child has now been put underground and runs through a concrete pipe in much of my town (Kerr lamented the same thing several times.) The book is also fascinating for foreigners wanting to live in Japan. He offers a lot of insight that would otherwise be difficult to learn, or would have to be learned through a series of baffling and awkward experiences. The sociological/ecological/cultural value of this collection of essays is immense. For lovers of nature & culture, this is a must read!
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Summary: Finally I (almost) understand!
Review: Alex Kerr's sensitive and knowledgeable insights into Japanese culture and its people should be required reading for all who have been struck in the heart by this country. After living there six months (and not wanting to leave) I could never articulate to those back in NA why I loved it so much and why it had really captured my heart... Kerr comes very close to giving me the key. What is remarkable (and, hopefully, telling of an awakening amoungst the Japanese to their environment and history) is the fact that it was originally written in Japanese and won a prestigious Japanese literary award (never before won by a westerner).
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Summary: Comforting to find a like mind....
Review: As a on/off resident of Japan I am interested that Alex Kerr finds Japan so fascinating yet is also able to see its flaws and its lack of humanity. NB Kabuki and the lack of themes of friendship. I am particularly fascinated why he debunked to Bangkok.
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