‘How to Live Japanese’, a Glimpse of Japan Beyond the Stereotypes

How to Live Japanese contains no trace of geisha, tea ceremonies, or samurai. Writer Yutaka Yazawa wished to redefine the contours of Japanese people and their core identity, moving away from the somewhat stereotypical presentation of Japan often found in tourist guides. 

A glossary of Japan

Through 100 concepts like wabi-sabi, umami, haiku, and bento, the writer offers a dive into everyday life in Japan. This compilation implicitly enables the reader to learn about the evolution of the country, its philosophy, and its art of living. For each of the concepts, the author explains the origin and the development of the term being examined. The reader discovers, for example, that judo was invented by Jigoro Kano, heir to a family of sake brewers from the Kobe region, and that karate developed in Okinawa and was introduced to the rest of the country in the early 20th century. The rich, detailed texts are all accompanied by photographs or illustrations. 

Yutaka Yazawa is a Japanese author who, after studying and beginning a career in law in London, returned to Japan and notably his birthplace, Tokyo, where he published his first book, How to Live Japanese. 

How to Live Japanese (2018), by Yutaka Yazawa, is published by Aurum Press.