Full name: A Japanese Mirror: Heroes and Villains of Japanese Culture

Author: Ian Buruma Year: 1984 Rank: Rating: Original Rating: Pop Rating: Genres/categories: Non Fiction, History Purchase/reserch links: LibraryThing Goodreads Amazon ISBNs: 9780753812549 9780394537757 0753812541 0394537750

The received myth is that the Japanese are a race so different from the rest of us that no outsider can understand them - a myth they seem rather to enjoy. But one that Ian Buruma explodes in this fascinating study of the Japanese character through an analysis of the way they perceive and, more importantly, portray themselves in their popular culture. Anyone who has ever been intrigued by the images of kamikaze pilots, geisha girls or the intricate arts of Japan will find this book a revelation.