Their Japan: Brief Descriptions of Japanese Life Being Brief Descriptions of Noteworthy Phases of Japanese Life, of Many of the Customs, Festivals, Arts and Crafts of the JapaneseÉAlso Descriptions of the Principal Places Usually visited by Tourists, Beside Places Away from Well-Trodden Trails, and Numerous Other Subjects
Yokohama: Yoshikawa, 1936. Softcover. 8vo., 204 pp. Illustrations, some in color. Bound in silk moire in the traditional Japanese sewn style with maroon silk covers and a white & green title label paste-down on the cover. The book is printed with double pages uncut on the edges. Illustrated with 345 illustrations some in color and including a full-page image of Mount Fuji. An uncommon and fascinating cultural study written by Frederic De Garis, a British-born scholar who lived in Japan for many years and worked closely with Japanese institutions, including as an editor for the Asahi Evening News. His experience gave him deep insight into Japanese society during the pre-World War II period. Offers an in-depth, often affectionate but occasionally critical, account of Japanese life and customs from a Westerner's perspective. The book is divided into chapters that each focus on specific aspects of Japanese culture, such as family life and structure, religion and spirituality [Buddhism and Shinto], festivals and traditions, education and etiquette, business practices, gender roles and marriage customs, art, literature, and theater. De Garis blends ethnographic observation, personal anecdotes, and social commentary. The tone is respectful and curious, although it does reflect the colonial attitudes and biases common to Western observers of that era. The book was widely read by WesternersÑespecially English-speaking visitors and residents in JapanÑseeking to understand Japanese society and serves as a cultural time capsule, preserving insights into Japan before the dramatic changes brought about by WWII and postwar modernization. Very Good, tight and sound considering the book's fragility. Item #726202517
Price: $100.00