Chrysanthemum and the Sword by Ruth Benedict

Chrysanthemum and the Sword by Ruth Benedict

The Chrysanthemum and the Sword is the highly-influential, timeless work behind much of our past and present understanding of Japanese culture. Why is it seemingly so self-contradictory and How and why does Japanese culture differ from our own are just some of the questions addressed in this landmark 1946 study.

By shedding light on the unique values that distinguish the island nation, The Chrysanthemum and the Sword reveals a great deal about culture universally and offers a lens through which to view ourselves. With over fifty reprintings, this classic has made an indelible contribution to the study of Japanese culture, not only in the classroom but within popular culture in both the United States and throughout Asia.

Its focus on the very heart of Japanese social structure including hierarchy, marriage and family, filial piety, self-discipline, and other core values illuminates the fact that while much of the culture has changed, much will stay the same. Remarkably, more than seventy years later, this masterpiece of culture by distance remains unsurpassed in its observations of Japan and its distinct way of life.

Ruth Benedict (1887-1948) was an American anthropologist and professor of anthropology at Columbia University. She is most known for her work in bringing anthropology and folklore in the direction of theories of performance as a cultural interpretation. She is the author of several works, including The Guardian Spirit Idea, Patterns of Civilization, and Zuni Mythology.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9780395500750
ISBN 10	0395500753
Title	Chrysanthemum and the Sword
Author	Ruth Benedict
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	Houghton Mifflin
Year published	1989-06-26
Number of pages	335
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.