CultureShock! Japan: A Survival Guide to Customs and Etiquette

I found this book very helpful in preparing me for a recent trip to Japan. It contained a lot of information on what to expect culturally in Japan, and helped me make a few less "outsider" etiquette blunders. I would recommend this book to anyone heading to Japan as a good guide to help you feel a bit more comfortable in a strange land.

Having known Sean Bramble since 1989, when he got me hooked on Strat-o-Matic Baseball over the July 4 weekend as my co-worker for a newspaper in Maryland, I can safely say that anyone who thinks Sean does not like Japan, or the Japanese, is dead wrong. Sean has a very acerbic wit, and most of what he says and writes is tongue-in-cheek. I also point you to his Japanese WIFE, daughter and son, whom I refer to as Mini-Gaijin-Me, as evidence that he most likely doesn't hate the Japanese. Sean is a lifelong Monty Python fan, just like myself, and his humor reminds me of it at some times. And yes, some of the things one sees in Japan are laughable by American standards (and vice versa, like our inability to work together when times get tough, at least since, say, 1945). If he didn't like living there or interacting with the people of Japan, I don't think he'd have stayed there for 15 years. Just a guess. The book (since this is a book review, after all) is well-written, typical of the way Sean describes things -- with a laugh waiting around every corner -- and covers a great variety of things. In having the chance to speak with him over the Christmas break about his work on it, I see just how much time he has devoted to explaining and describing the experience of a roundeyed galoot in the Land of the Rising Sun. It's worth the time and money. Of course, having an autographed copy might make me a tad biased, but if this book stunk, I'd certainly tell you so. It's 240 or so pages of interesting and unseful information on what it's like to live in Japan as a westerner. While geared toward the British by its verbiage, it's still clear, understandable, and, as I've said, a good read. I finished it in two just-before-bed sessions, and was a real page-turner. Birnbaum sucks. Go Bramble! PS - A note to Sean: I *WILL* bat Pee Wee Reese third, whether you like it or not. Nyaah!!

This book is an excellent introduction to Japan. The author, P. Sean Bramble, is an American who has lived and worked in Japan for the past fifteen years. As a result, Mr. Bramble has a unique perspective that benefits the reader and distinguishes his book from others on the subject. I found the book an entertaining, yet respectful, look at life in modern day Japan. It's a quick read and provides much useful information for a person seeking to rapidly understand the culture. Recommendated for both business and vacation travellers.

To anyone who is considering purchasing this book: Please note that my edition of "Culture Shock! Japan" was first published 1 October 2004 and reprinted 30 November 2005. Thus, any review listed below that is dated previously cannot possibly be describing the actual book that I wrote! It is my understanding that those reviews describe a previous edition of the book. My edition was based on my long years in Japan, and it was written as gracefully, and with as much humor, as I could muster. I would respectfully ask anyone who is reading this now to kindly give my book the benefit of the doubt -- and if you would like to post your reaction after having read it, by all means be my guest. Sincerely, P. Sean Bramble (author)

Overall the book has good content as far as the basics of the society and culture goes. I do have one complaint about its content; it didnt talk about the tension some japanese have with forgieners. Which I thought would be important in a book of this caliber. Also there seemed to be quite a bit of sarcastic stories of japanese almost bordering on resentment? Although its possible that he can be joking, its really hard to see if hes venting about cultures or joking in a sarcastic manner. Anyways the storys allow for you to remeber the culture tidbits better even if they seem a bit off beat.