Japanland: A Year in Search of Wa

A great insight in to unknown and uncommon areas of the Japanese society. How many regular visitors or even people living in Japan get to do apprenticeship in sword making? This book gives you the rare peak in to the little known things in the society. Very well written, and researched book!

Karin Muller's writing and adventures are always wonderful. Japanland was such an enjoyable read. Karin tells of her adventures in a realistic and fun nature. I recommend reading all of her books!!!!!!

Karin Muller's memoir/travelogue of her year spent in Japan is almost two books in one. The first half of the book describes her failed relationship with Yukiko, the perfect Japanese housewife of the host family in Tokyo that took her in. Muller's story recounts the differences between American and Japanese culture and the societal roles expected in Japan that can make or break a relationship. As an unmarried, free-thinking, American traveler and writer, Muller is anything but Japanese when placed in a society that demands sacrifice based on society's expectations. Finally, after months of struggling, Muller left her host family and moves into what is described as an alley in Japan's second-largest city, Osaka. That is where the travelogue portion of her book begins. In an effort to create a documentary on Japan, Muller travels the country to find the lost Japan of centuries ago. Her writing style is engaging and her thoughts are often insightful. Her portrait of Japan would be helpful to any beginner of Japanese studies and culture, but is most valuable, if not more entertaining, to those already familiar with the culture, language and the people.

It has been almost as interesting to read the reviews of this book as to read Japanland itself ... one is reminded that through book reviews reviewers reveal as much about themselves as they do the book they are reviewing. Part of the difficulty of reviewing a book like Japanland is that one struggles with the inability to separate the author from her work (or as one reviewer aptly put it: author-Muller from character-Muller). In addition to that, Muller's style is quite detached and largely absent of judgment, unique for this type of book. Evaluating character-Muller for a second, the judo master's words chosen to close out the book--"Commit. Believe"--are apt advice for a woman who struggles with the conflicting desire to belong and the desire to gather no moss. This personality trait leads to an objective, documentary-style of presentation that allows the reader to draw his or her own conclusions about Japan in general and Muller's search for "wa" in particular. Intentionally or not, Japanland follows the traditional "ki-sho-ten-ketsu" style of Japanese writing. A brief introduction (ki) leads to the main exposition of content (sho). A sudden change (ten) sends the story in a new direction, resolving finally with a conclusion (ketsu) that ties the story together. In the introduction, Muller gives the reader a brief overview of who she is and her mindset and reasons for going to Japan. She outlines her three main objectives. First, to "understand Japan". Second, to "become Japanese". Finally, to achieve enlightenment and harmony in the form of "wa". In the exposition, the reader encounters Muller's tumultuous relationship with the Tanakas. Muller seems unable to do anything right, but along the way she begins to understand Japan. She also shows that understanding and compliance are quite separate issues. However, this should not take away from that fact that Muller's insights are so clear and nuanced that one finds it hard to believe this is only her first year in Japan. She understands that her best bet at "becoming Japanese" was by strict daughter-in-law-esque obedience to Yukiko, but her nature will not allow for this obeisance. She subtly shifts her focus from "becoming Japanese" to the more realistic goal of "fitting in with the Japanese", leading to the main turn in the story--leaving the Tanaka household. Muller wanders Japan, taking in a lifetime of experiences. Cerebrally she understands Japan, but she struggles with the paradox of her desire to assimilate and relieve her loneliness that contrasts with her greater tendency to enter "document, leave, and retrospect mode" rather than "enter, feel, and attach mode". Despite her many experiences, she is always much more Observer than Participant. That is, until her pilgrimage in Shikoku; specifically her bout with pneumonia, and her conclusion with the dramatic showdown with the wizened judo master. Note, I say "conclusion" rather than "resolution" for Muller leaves i

I enjoyed the style of this book very much. It was a surprise to see that the author identifies herself primarily as a filmmaker rather than as a writer, since she writes with a very natural narrative style that seems more purely literary than visual, and I mean that as a compliment. In any event, it is a style that propels the reader through the book while transporting the reader into another world. Having never lived in Japan or any other Asian country myself, I could not pass judgment on how vivid the characterizations might seem from an insider's point of view. However, I certainly felt as if I personally knew the host-family daughter, Junko, among others. I've been checking out various memoirs on life in Japan by westerners as part of a research project. The two most interesting I've uncovered among recently published works are this book and something called "How to Pick Up Japanese Chicks and Doom Your Immortal Soul" by Josh Muggins. They are an interesting study in contrasts. One is a short-timer's view of Japan as told by a self-possessed, clear-headed woman; the other describes a man's turbulent lifetime in the country. If you're going to buy just one book to prepare you for a limited stay in Japan, though, I'd go with "Japanland." For a somewhat deeper look into the experience of living in the country, the other might be the better bet.