The Chrysanthemum and the Sword

Patterns of Japanese Culture

De: Ruth Benedict

Narrado por: Cindy Kay

"One of the best books ever about Japanese society ... [A] thoughtful, nuanced study of the Japanese character." (U.S. News & World Report)

Essential for anyone interested in Japanese culture, this unsurpassed masterwork opens an intriguing window on Japan. The World War II-era study by the cultural anthropologist Ruth Benedict paints an illuminating contrast between the people of Japan and those of the United States. The Chrysanthemum and the Sword is a revealing look at how and why our societies differ, making it the perfect introduction to Japanese history and customs.

©1946 Ruth Benedict; copyright renewed 1974 by Donald G. Freeman (P)2022 Tantor

Must read even after all these years

Clarity of arguments with evidential examples using common sense logic. Using this book to describe Japan in my college courses has made a significant impact on my students despite the obvious historical progressions in the societal mores. I recommend it highly for anyone trying to understand Japanese for the first time.

Brilliant!

True classic— remains just as relevant today. Well worth listening to. And terrific narration by Cindy Kay— made listening extra enjoyable.

Amazing

This is an excellent book, well researched, well conveyed, and well narrated. Something I’ve meaning to learn. Should have read/listened to years ago.

GOOD

This book describes all aspects of Japanese culture, in many ways far superior to Western mentality.
Needless to say that I HIGHLY recommend listening to this book, especially to the younger generation.
There is a lot to learn and to apply to one’s own philosophy and way of life.
The narrator Cindy Kay is a pleasure to listen to.
My thanks to all involve, JK

Fascinating Even If A Little Dated

Every culture changes, obviously the values held by our grandparents may or may not be similar to what we hold as meaningful. But this book is a great look at the Japan at the moment in time at the end of World War 2. It sounds a little dated in places where it talks about the 'unusually high birth rate of the Japanese' but it does give a sense of the overall cultural differences between Japan and the broader Western culture they've been assimilated into. I'd love for a followup talking about Japan in the era of videogames and kawaii but I don't think Ruth will be doing one since she's been dead since my father was born...

Historically interesting but outdated

Chrysanthemum is well written and presented but it’s obviously not the guide to Japan that it might have been 80yrs ago when written.

Outdated book

This book is valuable if you're interested in history of anthropology or a snapshot of immediate postwar Japan. Other than that, it's horribly outdated and does little in explaining Japan of 2024.