Scan barcode
theoretically_reading's review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-paced
3.5
Very skillfully written, full of both gems of insight and total crap, but definitely worth reading to start understanding some cornerstones of Japanese aesthetics that definitely inform cities like Kyoto and Nara to this day. Just take it on-guard, not like gospel. Enjoy!
Minor: Racial slurs
The author discusses, in an unsettling way, the racialized resistance to/violence towards people of varied skin colorations by multiple societies. There's also an anecdote containing a crack on Einstein's Jewishness. Just don't be caught off guard, reader.potatodel's review
reflective
fast-paced
3.0
Dans l’ensemble, plutôt plaisant à lire, mais laisse une forte impression d’un texte écrit par un homme pour des hommes. Les réflexions sur la peau des japonaises m’ont particulièrement choquée. J’ai toutefois bien aimé les passages sur la laque et les dorures, et en général sur l’architecture.
Le ton est dans l’ensemble plutôt chauvin et nostalgique, voire conservateur, mais on pardonne l’auteur en découvrant la passion qu’il accorde à chacun des thèmes.
Le ton est dans l’ensemble plutôt chauvin et nostalgique, voire conservateur, mais on pardonne l’auteur en découvrant la passion qu’il accorde à chacun des thèmes.
Minor: Racial slurs and Sexism
linguaphile412's review against another edition
informative
reflective
slow-paced
1.5
Graphic: Racial slurs
Moderate: Sexism, Misogyny, and Racism
aritag's review against another edition
informative
reflective
3.5
Graphic: Racial slurs
bookish_bry's review
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.5
It's a very beautiful piece. I often found myself envisioning what was being talked about. Also it's always nice to read about a culture from someone in that culture. Not Japaneese in general, but Japaneese specifically when this book was written. This was written, what? In the 30s, so pre-WWII. It's interesting to get that perspective.
Moderate: Sexism and Racism
Minor: Racial slurs
The racial slurs are more of their time sort of thing. I don't necessarily think he was thinking of them as racial slurs, but I can't be sure.aanikaamin's review
informative
reflective
3.0
Graphic: Racial slurs
More...