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Well, I can’t recommend an overview but I hope these might be of interest. I would recommend unreservedly “Angry White Pyjamas: An Oxford Poet Trains with the Tokyo Riot Police” by Robert Twigger, which does exactly what it says on the tin. The Tokyo Riot Police Aikido course is meant to be the toughest in the world and this is an account of the author’s year spent dragging, pushing and punching himself through it. It’s filled with all kinds of fascinating observations on Japanese culture, and what it’s like to be a gajjin there. It’s actually better than it sounds, if that’s possible. It’s really a book about being in Japan, encountering another culture. I liked it so much I read it near enough one sitting.
I’d also recommend “Speed Tribes” by Karl Taro Greenfield which is a chapter by chapter account of different facets of Japanese youth culture, told in semi-fictional form. Gives a human and disputable face to Japanese youth. It was an influence on William Gibson’s second trilogy. It might be a bit dated now, it’s pre the burst of the bubble, but it’s still worth reading. Can lend you this one if you want.
And just for fun, I’d recommend Fruits. I so need to buy this book. |
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