2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Colorful Snapshot, December 1, 2007
This review is from: Vignettes of Japan (Paperback)
Celeste Heiter is the author of the must-have `Ganbatte Means Go For it! Or...How To Become an English Teacher in Japan'. In `Vignettes of Japan', she once again translates her powers of observation and her ability to tell simple things in beautiful ways of her life in Japan.
She began her adventures after having made the decision to transplant her life completely from California to being an English teacher in Japan. And in 175 pages, she attempts to summarize the highs and lows of her whole experience there, with marvelous results.
Kimonos, sushi, sumo wrestling, tea arts...there are many things that brings the word `Japan' to one's mind when mentioned. Then there are the singing cicadas, Emperor Hirohito, men in parading the streets in mawashi (white loincloths), astronomical real estate, amazing hospitality and excellent healthcare that strike a chord only with those who've been there. Then there's also giving birth and having a haircut, which strikes a chord with Ms Heiter herself. This book is not only about Japan; it is about Celeste Heiter; English teacher, adventurer, journalist, tourist, admirer and self-confessed people-watcher.
I thoroughly enjoyed the casual way Japan is presented; much like chatting with a friend about it over coffee. Why, even her son young Will wrote a paragraph of his experience there. From uptown Tokyo to the heart of rural Honshu, Ms. Heiter has travelled the length and breadth of Japan; and she tells it as she saw it; in good old fashioned day to day accounts. For example, how she ended up going to the zoo all alone on a Sunday morning or undergoing the excruciating process of wearing a kimono.
Pictorial and mesmerizing, I find the author's narrative just as descriptive as the fascinating pictures she took.
Japan is a fascinating place with traditions that is seemingly indecipherable for the foreigner. In spite of its amazing progress and modernization, old traditions still hold sway in many aspects of life. And it is this unique collage that the author encountered and was impressed with. She saw a place where kimono-clad women ride in bullet trains and abacuses lying next to computers.
You might realize by now that Vignettes in Japan is not exactly a travel guide. It pays homage to Japan as a place; not a mere destination. I especially appreciate the various anecdotes, folk tales and stories behind the traditions that are included in this book. It gives a homely feel to the reading experience.
And if you have some vague plans about visiting Japan in the future, having this book now is the next best thing.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Looking beyond the surface of Japan, January 10, 2011
This review is from: Vignettes of Japan (Paperback)
Author Celeste Heiter decided to pack up her bags and travel to Japan to become an English teacher, and afterwards, documented her most memorable experiences in this book. Going beyond the stereotypical Japanese experiences, Heiter has around 40 essays that recount a wide array of adventures from simply getting her hair cut, to visiting remote areas of Japan and various serene gardens and temples, to even having a beautiful baby boy at the end (of whom she makes sure to include pictures).
Like another reviewer stated, part of what makes the book so refreshing is the casual style in which she tells these stories, but also, how she talks about many aspects of Japan beyond what is typically thought of. While Heiter does relate a couple stories about sushi and watching sumo matches, the book goes beyond the surface of Japanese culture and dives into much less looked at aspects such as fireworks shows; the green tea ceremony; being fitted in a kimono; and simply taking in the sights around Tokyo going to and fro work, and many other cities both urban and rural, seeing the vast contradictions and subtleties the nation embodies, all while keeping a very open mind to the culture and soaking as much in as she possibly can.
All this being said, the book is obviously not a travel guide, but more about the spirit of Japan and what it can offer if you're open to all its splendors, through the eyes of someone who regularly and genuinely shows a deep appreciation of it. I'd highly recommend it to those who want to get a deeper feel for Japan either for the heck of it, or if you're planning on visiting as it shows what you might encounter there that you didn't even think was possible.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very intuitive, September 19, 2010
This review is from: Vignettes of Japan (Paperback)
One of my favorite books on Japan. Celeste recounts many of her personal experiences of Japan at a time long before the Japanese government began to endorse and introduce 'english-teaching' programs in their educational system. You could almost call her a pioneer.
Overall, I was glad to find the book to be very open minded as Japan in its entirety can be very difficult to understand often resulting in those less accepting to form prejudiced and biased conclusions on a country that has much to offer. Fortunately, Celeste's mind as a writer helps her look beyond the differences and allows us a much more intimate peek into the lives of the Japanese including the many sub-cultures that have evolved over the years.
While not a guide this book gives much insight on Japan that still retains many truths to today's Japanese society and helps give an idea of what you can expect from Japan should you ever decide to visit.
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