A Japanese Mirror, heroes and villains of Japanese culture

In this scintillating book, Ian Buruma peels away the myths that surround Japanese culture. With piercing analyses of cinema, theatre, television, art and legend, he shows the Japanese both as they imagine themselves to be, and as they would like themselves to be. A Japanese Mirror examines samurai and gangsters, transvestites and goddesses to paint an eloquent picture of life in Japan. This is a country long-shrouded in enigma and in his compelling book, Buruma reveals a culture rich in poetry, beauty and wonder.