media consumption

Inventing Japan

By Ian Buruma

This is an excellent introduction to the tumultuous history of Japan in the century following the arrival Commodore Perry's fleet in Edo Bay. Beginning with this clash of cultures, Buruma traces what he sees as a unique cultural outlook steering the course of Japan's political, economic, and (particularly) military actions from the Meiji restoration through World War II and the post-war economic resurgence. But this is really only an introduction, requiring large doses of salt to properly digest Buruma's conclusions.

As someone who has little to zero understanding of Japanese history prior to WWII, I found Buruma's book highly enlightening. Buruma clearly describes the schizophrenic and confused nature of Japanese society as ideas from the West began creeping into a culture that had intentionally isolated itself from all outside influence for centuries. He shows how the conflicts of new vs. old helped set the stage for a political structure and cultural outlook that led to the 20th century tragedies of Nanking, Pearl Harbor, and Hiroshima and Nagasaki. He also shows how this tension persisted in the post-war environment and actually helped to spur the economic boom of Japan's post-war economy.

Buruma's argument is strongest when he points out the unique weakness and imbalance in the Japanese political system that failed to tame the power of a military that actively fostered a cult-like devotion to the traditions of the Samurai. His argument is weakest when he suggests that a unique cultural outlook made this outcome inevitable. He also claims that remnants of this outlook persist today, creating the danger for a return of the warrior culture.

This book is a great starting point for Westerners eager to learn more of Japanese history; however, it is written from a Western perspective and should not be treated as the final word by those who truly want to understand Japanese history.

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