Singer taught in Japan between 1931 and 1939, and wrote this manuscript sometime prior to his death in 1969. An economist by training, he had - as Richard Storry (the noted writer on Japan) says - the soul of a poet.

In many ways book, an insight into the interplay of Japanese character and history is dated, but that is its strength as much as a weakness. Singer's portrait of Japanese character is not perhaps completely true of Japan today, but it is a very insightful reflection of Japanese character in the crucial years leading up to World War II. His observations on the Samurai legend and the 'cult' of Bushido are particularly telling. And I'd add that Richard Storry's introduction does an excellent job of looking back and forward between Singer's view of Japan and the Japan we imagine we understand today. In fact I'd strongly recommend going back to read Storry's introduction after you finish reading the book.

Singer joins some very interesting European observers of Japan during the 1930's, thinking of R.H.Blyth and R.van Gulik. Their stories would make an very interesting book in its own right. Recommended for anyone interested in this period in Japanese history. ( )