Understanding Japan

A Cultural History

By: Mark J. Ravina, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Mark J. Ravina

Japan's extraordinary culture is like no other in the world, and it remains mysterious to many of us. And that's unfortunate, because to truly understand Japan's influence on the world stage, one needs to understand Japan's culture - on its own terms.

In an exciting partnership with the Smithsonian, The Great Courses presents these 24 lectures that offer an unforgettable tour of Japanese life and culture. Professor Ravina, with the expert collaboration of the Smithsonian's historians, brings you a grand portrait of Japan.

From the dawn of Confucianism and the Meiji Restoration to World War II and the economic miracle years of 1955 to 1975, you'll explore landmark periods of Japanese history and learn how broad events and movements introduced, innovated, and revised everything from spirituality to popular entertainment. Along the way you'll get revealing insights into Shinto (Japan's indigenous religion), the art of Katsushika Hokusai, literary works like The Tale of Genji and the haiku of Basho, the everyday lives of samurai, the universal appeal of filmmakers like Akira Kurosawa, foods like yakitori and tempura, and so much more.

You'll come away from Professor Ravina's final lecture with a stronger sense of the very soul of this one-of-a-kind nation.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

©2015 The Great Courses (P)2015 The Teaching Company, LLC

I am obsessed with Japan

I love Japan. I loved this course. I enjoyed this narrator. I can't wait to one day actually get to be in this magnificent land! ❤️

Fantastic

please read this book. I wish there were more material to read on this subject.

Enlightning

As one who has fallen in love with Japan, this was a fresh wind of clarity and no romanticising, but also nourishment for the fascination I have. What a wonderful person to listen to. Perfect for my upcoming third trip in as many years. While much is just confirming what you observe while experiencing Japan, some stuff promptly corrected misconceptions, partly based on misinformation. Will listen again.

Great narrator

Professor Ravina's passion for the subject comes through in every lesson. He was a good guide for this survey course of Japanese culture.

Educational

Really interesting, but would have liked to find out who Sakamoto Ryouma was and why his name is so well circulated amongst Japanese people.

Great series

great overview. learned many things I didn't know before. hoping for some more nuanced history...but that would be a different series. very knowledgeable lecturer.

Will listen again - for 3rd Time!

This narrator is wonderful - has a dry sense of humor that I thoroughly enjoy. The 2nd time through I picked up a lot I missed - details, foreign words & names, etc and I am really looking forward to hearing it again.

Loved this book.

Very well performed. Informative and entertaining. Highly recommended!!!!! This is probably the best audio book I have listened to.

Outstanding and fascinating

Professor Ravina tells the story of Japan in an entertaining and thought-provoking manner. I enjoyed every session and gobbled up hours a day. A great primer for the budding Japanophile.

Not Just the Bare Bones

I read Ravina's book "The Last Samurai" for a class. When I saw his name attached to this lecture series I had to get it. Ravina does a great job of keeping you engaged. He doesn't suffer from being too stuffy as so many academics tend to do. What's particularly great about this lecture series is that when it looks at Japanese history it is a comprehensive look. All too often, anything relating to Japanese history briefly covers the time before the Sengoku Jidai and Tokugawa Shogunate. This definitely doesn't do that, which I found very refreshing. If you like Japanese history, liked the book "The Last Samurai," or just need to study for a history test, check this out.