Smaller is Better

by Ŏ-ryŏng Yi

A Korean critic offers a non-Japanese interpretation of Japanese culture and its tendency to find aesthetic, spiritual, and functional value in the compact and the miniature."

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0870116541
• ISBN13: 9780870116544
• Release Date: January 1984
• Publisher: Kodansha
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.

Customer Reviews

best kept secret

First of all, let me note that I read the book in Korean (the original version), so I cannot speak for the translation. There seem to be numerous works by Western authors regarding Asian culture including that of Japan in the market today. Yet, I have never heard of any other book about Japan whicn is as discussed and read by Japanese people as this book. I am an Asian myself, so I might be a bit biased in saying the following; I find the efforts and dedication of the aforementioned Western authors very noble, yet they often do not have a clue. In many instances, they would find a Japanese trait and/or characteristic, and assume that it is an pan-asian element, or vice versa, thus failing to pinpoint the distinguishing characteristic of the culture. As German culture is very different from English, French and American, so is Japanese culture from any other asian countries. Mr. Lee, the author of this book, is a Korean professor and scholar. He brilliantly distinguishes what is Japanese from What is Asian, and distills Japanese culture into a very simple thesis. More amazingly, he does this without sacrifising depth. He uses all aspects of his knowledge (and his knowledge is enormously expansive); he draws from Japanese language, Japanese theater, music, religion, myths, sports, history, etc. All the while, he does not sidetrack, but stays on the thesis of the book, guiding the readers with him. Whenever you think that he is done making his brilliant point, he give you another, another and another. This is a must read for anyone interested in Japan.