Japan: An Anthropological Introduction
Condition: SECONDHAND
This is a secondhand book. The jacket image is a photograph of the exact copy we have in stock. This image shows the condition of this book. Further condition remarks are below.
Condition remarks:
Book: Good
Jacket: No dust jacket
Pages: Good
Condition remarks: Condition as shown in image
Few nations on earth present such a rich tapestry of ancient tradition interwoven with modern dynamism as Japan, and Harumi Befu's Japan: An Anthropological Introduction offers an authoritative and penetrating lens through which to understand it. This foundational academic text presents a comprehensive survey of Japanese society, examining the structural underpinnings of family life, community organization, social stratification, and the cultural values that have shaped one of the world's most distinctive civilizations. Befu grounds his analysis in rigorous fieldwork and anthropological theory, guiding the reader through the rhythms of everyday Japanese life with clarity and scholarly precision. Writing with a measured yet deeply engaging voice, Befu illuminates the complex interplay between Japan's feudal past and its rapid post-war modernization, arguing that these forces are not contradictory but deeply complementary. The work stands as a landmark in the anthropological study of East Asia, offering insights into group identity, social obligation, and the concept of *amae* — the Japanese cultural logic of interdependence — that remain profoundly relevant decades after its first publication. For anyone seeking to understand not just what Japan *is*, but how it *thinks*, this volume is an essential and rewarding starting point.
Author: Harumi Befu
Format: Paperback
Genre: Anthropology
Condition remarks:
Book: Good
Jacket: No dust jacket
Pages: Good
Condition remarks: Condition as shown in image
Few nations on earth present such a rich tapestry of ancient tradition interwoven with modern dynamism as Japan, and Harumi Befu's Japan: An Anthropological Introduction offers an authoritative and penetrating lens through which to understand it. This foundational academic text presents a comprehensive survey of Japanese society, examining the structural underpinnings of family life, community organization, social stratification, and the cultural values that have shaped one of the world's most distinctive civilizations. Befu grounds his analysis in rigorous fieldwork and anthropological theory, guiding the reader through the rhythms of everyday Japanese life with clarity and scholarly precision. Writing with a measured yet deeply engaging voice, Befu illuminates the complex interplay between Japan's feudal past and its rapid post-war modernization, arguing that these forces are not contradictory but deeply complementary. The work stands as a landmark in the anthropological study of East Asia, offering insights into group identity, social obligation, and the concept of *amae* — the Japanese cultural logic of interdependence — that remain profoundly relevant decades after its first publication. For anyone seeking to understand not just what Japan *is*, but how it *thinks*, this volume is an essential and rewarding starting point.