A Geek in Japan: Discovering the Land of M Paperback – 10 June 2011

Muy útil y entretenido.

Bought as a present for someone off to Japan next year looks lovely lots of great colour photos and some interesting subject matter inside

The book is really carry "A Must Read" tag for all those who are passionate about Japan.

I have a number of travel guides and books on Japan, I have several language books as well. I've gotten interested in Japanese culture through manga and anime, which while it may be fiction, it often tells things about a culture I find fascinating. Most of the travel books are more from a tourists perspective on what to see, where to eat, with a few cultural references thrown in on the given areas visited. This book is more of a culture book which explains or at least tries to demystify the what and who is Japan and Japanese. From the origins of some of the more quirky customs to the influence of past history and the modernization of Japan.Along the way you learn a few words and terms and what they stand for. Some interesting cultural behaviors like Honne and Tatemae, which don't translate very well in Western terms but in general explain a lot about the people. of Japan. Other cultural topics explored include Bushido, the Real Geisha, Martial Arts, Zen, and the use of the Swastika called the Manji symbol in Japan. It explained the use of wearing masks, which I though was just not to spread germs, but is mainly used as a filter for all the pollen released in cherry blossom season. Food and other pastimes are explained as well, each in a nice concise little story fashion conducive to easy reading.They also explore the culture I like the manga, and the anime, and the craziness of it all. The festivals, the shrines and what the different beliefs represent. It does this all is such a way, it's like reading a good book you can't put down. The book does a nice job of weaving its tales through a historical perspective of Japanese history and without being boring doing so. Highly recommended for anyone looking to learn more about Japan or just someone who likes other cultures. Be forewarned if you know nothing about Japan and you read this book, you can be their will likely be a trip to Japan in your future.

Muy recomendado. Una lectura muy amena e informativa, perfecta para todo aquel que tenga algún interés en japón y su cultura y para aportar una visión más amplia a Otakus y fans de lo japonés