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A review by anna_whitehead11
Lost Japan: Last Glimpse of Beautiful Japan by Alex Kerr
adventurous
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
This was a highly informative and enjoyable read; Kerr writes beautifully about different elements of traditional Japanese culture (e.g. kabuki, calligraphy, art collecting) while weaving in his own experiences and encounters from living in Japan and studying its unique culture.
I particularly enjoyed the chapters which focused on cities and areas such as Kyoto or Osaka - Kerr seems to write about them as if they were familiar friends with peculiar quirks, as opposed to resorting to the sweeping generalisations and cliches travel-writing often tends to fall back on.
I particularly enjoyed the chapters which focused on cities and areas such as Kyoto or Osaka - Kerr seems to write about them as if they were familiar friends with peculiar quirks, as opposed to resorting to the sweeping generalisations and cliches travel-writing often tends to fall back on.
Kyoto hates Kyoto. It is probably the world's only cultural center of which this is true. The Romans love Rome. [...] But the people of Kyoto cannot bear the fact that Kyoto is not Tokyo. [...] I first noticed the malaise shortly after moving to Kyoto. I asked a friend, 'When did the unhappiness set in?' and he answered, 'Around 1600.' In other words, the people of Kyoto never forgave Edo for usurping its place as capital. When the Emperor moved to Tokyo in 1868, that was the final blow to Kyoto's self-esteem.
Kerr's appreciation and deep knowledge, as well as his commitment (see his admirable efforts to restore abandoned houses), to Japanese culture is evident throughout the novel, making him the expert guide to take his reader through this endlessly fascinating country and its shifting cultural landscape. Kerr's observations about the increasing ugliness and standardisation of Japanese architecture and city planning are both striking and alarming.
Kerr's writing also feels very warm and genuine, and has touches of wit and humour which render Lost Japan a particularly delightful read. Would thoroughly recommend for all Japanophiles, and indeed all those restless for their next adventure.
(Also interesting that Kerr originally wrote this book in Japanese; it was then later translated and reworked into English!)