Ideology and Practice in Modern Japan (Nissan Institute/Routledge Japanese Studies)

Ideology and Practice in Modern Japan looks beyond assumptions of Japanese ``uniqueness'' to explore the extremely complex and heterogeneous nature of Japanese society. The essays in this volume examine the failings of conventional models and examine ``practice'' at the micro-level of society to illuminate a broader, less simplistic ideology. They investigate a wide variety of subjects such as attitudes towards death, the role of education, gender segregation and film-making. The contributors draw bold conclusions for our understanding of Japan in general and of society in the broadest sense.