Worlds of Japanese Popular Culture (Contemporary Japanese Society) First Printing Edition

by Dolores Martinez (Editor)

8 ratings

ISBN-13: 978-0521637299

ISBN-10: 0521637295

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This is a lively discussion of Japanese popular culture from an anthropological perpective. An international team of authors considers a broad range of topics, including sumo, karaoke, manga, women's magazines, soccer and morning television. Through these topics--many of which have never previously been addressed by scholars--the contributors also explore several deeper themes: the construction of gender in Japan; the impact of globalization and modern consumerism; and the rapidly shifting boundaries of Japanese culture and identity.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

'Sumo, karaoke and Japanese comic-inspired teenage superheroes are part of Western popular culture as well as Japan's, but the contributors to this book show that while globalization may be making Western and Eastern audiences familiar with each other's culture, a great deal is altered in the transfer. Derived mainly from anthropological perspectives, these essays are strong on folkloric continuities, giving rich and subtle readings of a wide range of 'worlds' - how, for instance, the enormous market for magazines, comics and daytime soap operas represents the rapidly changing role of women, or how the cult of the racehorse Oguricap marked the changing status of horseracing from its disreputable, male-dominated past to a respectable leisure activity with female fans ... the contributors write with insight and enthusiasm.' The Times Literary Supplement

Book Description

This is a lively discussion of Japanese popular culture from an anthropological perspective. An international team of authors considers a broad range of topics, including sumo, karaoke, manga, women's magazines, soccer and morning television. Through these topics--many of which have never previously been addressed by scholars--the contributors also explore several deeper themes: the construction of gender in Japan; the impact of globalisation and modern consumerism; and the rapidly shifting boundaries of Japanese culture and identity.

Product details

Publisher : Cambridge University Press; First Printing edition (October 13, 1998)
Language : English
Paperback : 228 pages
ISBN-10 : 0521637295
ISBN-13 : 978-0521637299
Item Weight : 14.8 ounces
Dimensions : 6 x 0.58 x 9 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #3,138,397 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #7,627 in Anthropology (Books)
- #8,394 in General Anthropology
- #21,103 in Cultural Anthropology (Books)

Customer Reviews:
8 ratings

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Yoshiyuki Shiomi

thanks

Reviewed in the United States on September 7, 2009

Verified Purchase

Thank you so much!!
the item that i ordered has come in a really nice condition
that i expected.
thanks again.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Paige

As an introduction...

Reviewed in the United States on April 5, 2006

As an introduction into what "Japanese popular culture" can entail, this is a good book; the articles written may not be as in-depth as wanted or needed, but this is not a book by one scholar alone. It is simply a collection of useful articles, that explore different aspects in Japanese popular culture and act as a sort of "grounding point" for further study.

There are themes of comparative study (American superheroes v. Japanese superheroes) and also themes of changing roles and changing identities (or the converse; that in some popular images, like in manga/comics, the perception that some roles DON'T or SHOULDN'T change).

But for anyone seeking a good introduction, it is a good book and worth having on your bookshelf.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Quick to Judge

Totally Circular

Reviewed in the United States on November 26, 2004

I'm probably not being fair to this book, since I have only skimmed (some of) it, but it seemed rather poor to me. To take a concrete example the essay on superheroes and monsters (by Tom Gill) was especially problematic. It uses the example of Superman vs Ultraman and states that (1) Superman is a total loner with no family or attachments (His family in Kansas? Supergirl? Lois Lane? don't count I guess) whereas Ultraman has a large number of companions (somewhat more true). (2) Superman's colors are like the colors of the American flag, whereas Ultraman's are like the "lucky colors" red and white (Q: has Tom Gill looked at the Japanese flag?). He then uses these and some better thought out characteristics of the characters to show that Superman is an American hero (individualistic) and Ultraman a Japanese hero (more like a kami). The problem is that (1) shows a lack of research, and (2) a lack of thought. This totally undercuts any later conclusions in the article.

The other articles I looked at seems a bit better, but this is not a very select selection.

6 people found this helpful

Helpful

Anna-Lena

For pleasure and easy reference

Reviewed in the United States on September 29, 2000

This is an exellent book for the beginner in studies of japanese culture. It deals with different matters such as: sumo, manga/anime, karaoke, horse-racing and womens magazines - all in a scientific but relaxed tone. Maybe you want what bosozoku-driving is??? In short - comprehensive and informative. A must for your bookshelf!!

7 people found this helpful

Helpful

Yoriko Hongo

good choice

Reviewed in the United States on September 30, 2008

This book arrived by mistake but ended up being an useful book in my class. I have to be careful with "one click order" that is new in Amazon. When I clicked to order other book this book was ordered by accident.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Siriporn J. Magee

for study only

Reviewed in the United States on November 13, 2007

I bought this for my university course in Cultural Expressions in Modern ASia and it was very helpful and insightful but should only be used in an academic way. Not really that fun to read but useful.

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Worlds of Japanese Popular Culture (Contemporary Japanese Society) First Printing Edition

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