Alex Kerr has written some interesting and provocative books about Japan and Japanese culture in the past (Lost Japan and Demons and Dogs) and has also written a similarly compelling book on Bangkok and Thai culture, Bangkok Found (2010). Kerr has studied Chinese and Japanese history academically and had lived most of his adult life in Japan before he moved to Bangkok permanently in 1997, therefore he makes several points by comparing or contrast aspects of Thai culture with those of Chinese or Japanese culture. For example he discusses the different roof designs from traditional buildings in China and Japan that point down to the ground whereas Thai roof eaves point up deflecting the negative energy away from the earth. I think he also does an excellent job of explaining Bangkok's appeal to foreigners and why it is such a fascinating and interesting place. Much of this has to do with Thailand's openness to foreigners and all things foreign. Kerr's background and interests lie in traditional arts like dance, flower arranging, and collecting art objects like pots, vases, and the like; therefore he explores the differences of these arts between his experiences in Japan and those in Bangkok. I found the section on Thai etiquette also quite interesting because the wai and bow is something that is absolutely charming and indicative of Thai-ness, but so frequent and out in the open that one doesn't really contemplate the meaning and significance of such gestures. It is important enough to Kerr that he teaches about it, along with the other arts in the Thai culture school, called Origin, that he founded. It is part memoir, part cultural history, and part love letter to one of my favorite cities in the world.
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February 09, 2013
Bangkok Found
Alex Kerr has written some interesting and provocative books about Japan and Japanese culture in the past (Lost Japan and Demons and Dogs) and has also written a similarly compelling book on Bangkok and Thai culture, Bangkok Found (2010). Kerr has studied Chinese and Japanese history academically and had lived most of his adult life in Japan before he moved to Bangkok permanently in 1997, therefore he makes several points by comparing or contrast aspects of Thai culture with those of Chinese or Japanese culture. For example he discusses the different roof designs from traditional buildings in China and Japan that point down to the ground whereas Thai roof eaves point up deflecting the negative energy away from the earth. I think he also does an excellent job of explaining Bangkok's appeal to foreigners and why it is such a fascinating and interesting place. Much of this has to do with Thailand's openness to foreigners and all things foreign. Kerr's background and interests lie in traditional arts like dance, flower arranging, and collecting art objects like pots, vases, and the like; therefore he explores the differences of these arts between his experiences in Japan and those in Bangkok. I found the section on Thai etiquette also quite interesting because the wai and bow is something that is absolutely charming and indicative of Thai-ness, but so frequent and out in the open that one doesn't really contemplate the meaning and significance of such gestures. It is important enough to Kerr that he teaches about it, along with the other arts in the Thai culture school, called Origin, that he founded. It is part memoir, part cultural history, and part love letter to one of my favorite cities in the world.
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I read this book on an extended trip in Thailand and enjoyed it. My only criticism is that he may have written it too early. His ideas don't seem fully formed, like in a freshman English paper. It lacks the confidence of his Japan books, which were authoritatively written after years of study and experience in that country.
Posted by: ted | February 10, 2013 at 06:38 AM
Ted, you may be right, but I thought that was one of his points about Thai culture, that it is more elusive and difficult to pin down than Chinese or Japanese culture.
Posted by: MC | February 10, 2013 at 04:19 PM