A solid overview of Japanese culture from essays written by student authors. It lacks depth, but those seeking wholesome learning will be able to find it by way of the questions at the end of each chapter. It also lacks unifying elements, the only cross-references having been put in by editors, since all of the essays were written independently. The discussion questions left me thrusting selected Japan facts onto my friends then trying to corner them into discussion, which didn't work too well. As lonely as it was, spending some time carefully considering the discussion points drastically increased my reading comprehension. I chose to read this book, among others, with the object of writing an essay about Japan for a class I am taking. After working through only half the book, I had an excess of material to run with as a result of the frequent analysis that was encouraged.

I recommend this book. Cover to cover, there truly was not a single dull essay. It increased my appreciation for and curiosity toward the enigma that is Japan.