An Anthropologist in Japan: Glimpses of Life in the Field

ISBN-13: 9780415195744 / Angielski / Miękka / 1999 / 184 str.

Joy Hendry

Opis

This text, with a personal narrative, provides insights into many elements of Japanese life. Joy Hendry tells the story of a nine-month period of fieldwork in a Japanese seaside town. She originally set out to study politeness, but a variety of unpredictable events occurred and dramatically change the direction of her research. The anthropologist has to deal with a suicide, a volcanic eruption, and the problem of her young son's friendship with the son of a powerful local gangster.

Recenzje

'Well written, and captivating to the end ... fascinating book.' - Anthropos, 95

'Highly recommendable to diverse categories of readers. It is precisely suitable as a classroom text in anthropology, social science, communication, and Japan studies ... not only educational but entertaining.' - Journal of Japanese Studies

Spis treści

PART I Settling in and making contacts 1 Arrival…and an invitation 2 The neighbourhood: a ‘world of blossom and willow’ 3 The hospital…and a strange encounter 4 The school…and a fight 5 A pilgrims’ trail 6 Shiroyama, the Satomi legend and a new look at power PART II Events to attend 7 Wrapping the body: two local festivals 8 The housewives’ ‘Club for Life’ 9 Cubs, sports and a shock 10 Suicide, funerals and the well-wrapped gift 11 Paper walls and flowers at the bank PART III The role of experts 12 A foreigner at the ‘Culture Festival’ 13 ‘Your Japanese is psychological torture’ 14 A volcanic eruption 15 Tennis and the ‘surreal’ dinner 16 Concerts, cakes and spiritual communication PART IV Building a framework for analysis 17 New Year: shrine, mochi and a tea ceremony 18 Valentine’s Day, and the 6th years pick on Hamish 19 The gang-leader’s wife 20 Unwrapping the argument 21 An artistic farewell

O autorze

Joy Hendry is Professor of Social Anthropology at Oxford Brookes University. She has published numerous books and articles on Japan, including Wrapping Culture (1993), Understanding Japanese Society (Routledge, 1993) and Interpreting Japanese Society (ed.) (Routledge, 1998).