Lost Japan

I recently read Alex Kerr’s appreciation/criticism of Japan-Lost Japan(1996). I had previously read his more recent expose on what’s wrong with Japan-Dogs and Demons (2002). Despite the fact that there are several recurring themes in both books, I did find a lot of worthy passages in Lost Japan that made it worthwhile to read. It is impressive that this book originally was published in Japanese and won the 1994 Shincho Gakugei Literature Prize. Some of the themes that he has become associated with include: the Japanese lack of respect for the past, the Japanese lack of interest in their own cultural history, the insecurity of their borrowed culture, the self-hate of Kyoto manifested in the futuristic train station design, the limited scope of advocacy groups, the short sight of basic design versus overall design in relation everything, Japanese idea of appearance versus reality, the ugliness of fluorescent lighting, concrete, and telephone lines. Some of these observations are a bit over the top, but I think he has some valid points for sure. He is a bit of an elitist and some observations are a matter of person altaste (the Lyotot train station) while other observations are pretty valid (the lack of buried telephone lines obscuring the sky views). I guess Kerr is at his best when he is describing what he loves about Japan and its culture, as well as recounting his own personal history that led him to become a real-estate broker during the bubble years and late as an art collector and traditional arts advocate. He also has a great understanding and knowledge of the history and cultural traditions. Furthermore, he was able to point out why “Nihonjinron” (which literally means "theories/discussions about the Japanese") is a nefarious practice of study-these discussion usually support why the Japanese are superior to other people of the world.

Comments

[Captain]

The Tsutaya near Roppongi Hills had a sale on foreign books the other day. I looked through one called "Great Train Stations of the World," or something like that. Kyoto Station was in there! When I saw that I immediately thought of Alex Kerr.

I never read "Lost Japan," but I thought "Dogs and Demons" was interesting, primarily because it covers my industry - construction. My biggest beef with the book is that Kerr is always saying that in spite of the overwhelming evidence to the contrary (the rampaging construction industry, the continual gravitation toward childishness, the lousy education system, etc.) he argues that Japan is in fact a place very different from the negative images you see on the surface. To me, Japan is what it is. I can never understand why people always want to smarten this place up.

[MC]

I agree with your appraisal, but my beef is that he makes a lot of personal values choices as to what is and what isn't beautiful, useful, productive, etc... I happen to agree with him on several points, but I think counterpoints can be made for a lot of his arguements, like the merit of something modern like Kyoto station.