Japanese Culture : The Religious and Philosophical Foundations

The Japanese are fascinating. Their culture, their religious traditions, their philosophical differences and disagreements…all are immensely complex and deserving of study. And if you’re wondering exactly where to start, Roger Davies has got you covered.

Japanese Culture is an in-depth introduction to different aspects and influences that make Japan the unique world it is. From its history, its isolation, and its aesthetics to the influence of the Chinese, the West, and beyond, this book won’t make you an expert, but it will give you a solid foundation of knowledge to build upon.

The book’s central focus is religion, and even as someone who has casually studied religion in the past, I learned quite a bit about the various religious permutations and their role in modern life. Shintoism, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism…each gets its moment in the sun with Davies, who explains what makes each valuable and different.

With numerous thought-provoking questions to discuss and appendices loaded with additional information, Japanese Culture is both an accessible, erudite guidebook and a launching pad to greater, more enriching studying to come.