Customer Reviews

Under the Osakan Sun: A Funny, Intimate, Wonderful Account of Three Years in Japan

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Despite the clumsy subtitle, "Under the Osakan Sun" is a great read for anyone interested in interested in teaching English as a second language in Japan (or China or Korea, there are some similarities in these cultures).

"Teacher Hamish" takes us through his 3 year Japanese tour of duty, working in a High School on the outskirts of Osaka, Japan. It's all go from the moment he arrives on a baking hot day, sweating profusely in his suit, at his school to be met by the School co-ordinator. The author doesn't just focus on his worklife, Japanese students and oddball workmates as a source of anecdotes, but also the foreign teachers he meets on his travels (particularly a woefully unprepared one called Rachel). Hamish's adventures in the Japanese dating game as he tries to get laid is another constant source of amusement. Nonetheless, despite the situations which he gets himself into, it is very clear Japan has captured a little piece of Hamish's heart.

Having taught English myself in Korea, this book has a particular resonance with me. Many of the situations which the author describes are similar to the Korean environment in which I lived, particularly the crazy or unprepared foreigners! It is extremely odd that some people will come from the US, UK or where ever, and truly expect Japan (or Korea) to be just like home!

A great read, one that I whizzed through in a day and a half of solid reading. It is a shame that there weren't a few photographs to add to the very entertaining text. Still, "Under the Osakan Sun" is highly recommended!

When I recently stumbled upon this book at a local store, I had high expectations. I felt it might have special value for me aside from possibly being a nice read in and of itself. Why? You see, I participated in the JET Program in Osaka, like Hamish Beaton, during the early part of this decade. While we weren't friends, the author and I were cordially acquainted and I lived a very short distance to the characters and setting of this book.

Teaching on JET is certainly worthwhile and interesting but it is now hardly unique or that exclusive. The program we were a part of brings thousands of foreigners into schools throughout the country every year. Today, the alumni base exceeds 40,000. Every one of these alums has plenty of stories to tell: eccentric locals, seemingly bizarre customs, 'fish out of water' circumstances and jokes, along with the inevitable warm and fuzzy moments.

Such is the composition of this book. While light and pleasant at times, it is ultimately disappointing for not rising above the cliches and usual anecdotes. There was much more to living in Japan than amusing culture shock: learning about one's individual limits and nature, relating to others regardless of cultural context, and maturing in ways impossible in one's own home country. It's a topic that's difficult to properly document and I won't pretend to have the ability to do so. I just know Hamish doesn't have it either.

I also feel compelled to make a few comments on his description of 'Rachel Brown.' I say this here and now because, for some strange reason, two reviewers on Amazon have found it necessary to make a reference to her. I spoke to several others who were in Osaka at the time and are familiar with this book, and all expressed surprise and disgust at Hamish's portrayal of Rachel.

I knew Rachel very well during our two years in Osaka. I clearly remember that she enjoyed her job and loved her Japanese students deeply. She was someone who always had a smile on her face. At get-togethers, she would tell us stories from her days and the little victories of learning she achieved. She'd come to Japan without any experience abroad or in teaching. It was no doubt a shock for such a young woman but she dealt with the obstacles and overcame them. It is a shame that Hamish says nothing of this, especially since he surely had his own problems in the role he was given. But again, it appears that it was not his intention or in his capacity to approach these deeper matters or to acknowledge and appreciate the challenges faced by others. My own conclusion is that Hamish exaggerated and embellished Rachel to make her character a stereotype or a sort of caricature, all to entertain the reader more. If he was this inaccurate with a character that I and many others knew personally, I can only infer that other people and situations are similarly distorted.

If you're keen for good travel writing or accounts of life in Japan, I do suggest you look elsewhere. A quick query on Amazon or Google will find you ample sources. There are thousands of voices out there telling their stories of Japan. I assure you that most are much more moving, meaningful, and accurate.

I have lived in Japan for the past four years and `Under the Osakan Sun' is absolutely the best book I have read to date about life here. There are plenty of books written about Japan from a foreign (usually US) perspective, but most just skim the surface. What is so enjoyable about this book is that the author lived in a small Japanese village, spoke Japanese, got into Japanese ways (e.g. karaoke and oyster balls!) and really absorbed Japanese culture. His book is not only particularly honest, especially about his lack of success with girls, but shows a nice eye for detail, a big love of things Japanese, and, best of all, a pretty infectious sense of humour. I often found myself roaring with laughter. This book is a must for anyone planning to live in Japan, but I'd also wholeheartedly recommend it for anyone planning a trip there.

This read was "pure joy" I felt as if I was with this homegrown Kiwi boy, Hamish, on his journey and escapades in Japan and did not want his three years to end. I was with him on the train willing him to get off at the correct station when he was too drunk to lift his head. I found myself laughing out loud many times especially when he tried, oh so clumsily, to get himself a girlfriend and when he was questioned everyday when he got home about whether he cooked for himself. I loved his caring neighbours that were so interested in his domestic life. The many diverse personalities of his teacher friends and the silly English girl that needed to take responsibility for her own actions. I loved the way he handled each tricky situation and still retained his easygoing personality.
This book gave me an insight into the culture of this complex society and made me want to go to the little town that he lived in for 3 years to meet the people he lived alongside and take part in their festivals.
I heartily recommend this read, it is light, joyful, funny, informative and extremely interesting. Hamish I am awaiting your next book, I love the way you wrote this book injecting historical and geographical facts, whilst still making it interesting.

I found this book to be one of my favorites of all time. If I could give it ten stars I would. And NO I'm not a relative of this author. But this look at a young man's three years in a world that is so different from most cultures, proved to be laugh out loud funny and sad at times.

You learned to care about the people he met and worked with and taught. You cared about Hamish and what he was doing in Japan. You cared about the young and old folks he met. You cared about his students and the wonderful word pictures he drew about them.

This book gives us a great modern insight into the small town country community of Japan, far from the glitter of Tokyo.

The people of Japan can sometimes stand away from us folks who visit their country. I was born there and yet I'm not considered one of them, since I have American parents. But this delightful book shows us that if you are polite and show interest, the Japanese will be more than friendly in return.

This book is a great read and I'm so glad that Hamish put his three years of his Japanese teaching adventure on paper to share with us. Thank you Hamish very much.