cover image The Idea of Japan: Western Images, Western Myths

The Idea of Japan: Western Images, Western Myths

Ian Littlewood. Ivan R. Dee Publisher, $26 (255pp) ISBN 978-1-56663-117-4

British author Littlewood maintains that images of Japan in the West have been dominated by four main stereotypes--the Japanese as robot-like, less than fully human Aliens; as Aesthetes, supersensitive and addicted to picturesque beauty; as Butterflies, exemplified by the demure, remote geisha or the average Japanese woman, pictured as submissive and delicate; and finally as Samurai, cruel, fanatical warriors. Using photos, advertisements, posters and drawings, plus the novels of Michael Crichton, Ian Fleming, Pierre Loti, Clive James and Eric Van Lustbader and writings by Lafcadio Hearn, James Michener and Nikos Kazantzakis, this delightful, penetrating study dismantles cliched Western images of the Japanese by demonstrating how they are tailored to Occidental needs and fears. The samurai stereotype, argues Littlewood (The Writings of Evelyn Waugh), melds into the contemporary image of ""samurai in suits,"" ruthlessly efficient businessmen bent on taking over the world. (Sept.)