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dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

I've just finished this book by Will Ferguson.

For those who have read this. Is it a fair representation of Japanese society and culture? Or is it just fiction?

Longing for Nippon · Joined: 14 Jun 2004 Posts: 49

To a point, its quite amusing and I could relate to a lot if it but he was a little over critical in some areas. Probably a fair illustration overall though. It ended too quickly for me, he rushed the ending dont you think?

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

Definitely. It seemed like he was bored. Throughout the book though I enjoyed his sense of homour.

Hoser · Joined: 19 Mar 2005 Posts: 694 Location: Toronto, Canada

My sister gave me the Canadian release of this book (now called Hitching Rides with Buddha) and so far I'm enjoying it quite a lot. Will Ferguson's humour is good although I'm not sure how much of the story is truth and how much is fiction. However it's entertaining and I've already had a lot of 'I know exactly what he's talking about!' moments.

furiousmilksheikali · Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2006 11:53 am Post subject:

I think most of it is pretty fair, although when he starts ranting he does exaggerate a little. Some of the book is really entertaining, particularly the visit to the sex museum in Uwajima. But I agree with the previous poster that it seemed rushed at the end. It seems to have a lot of really well-written scenes but he isn't always sure of how to get from one scene to another.

If you liked this book you may want to read the book that inspired it which was "Roads to Sata" by Alan Booth. He took a similar trip to Ferguson but he went the other way, from Hokkaido to Kyushu, and he made the trip on foot. Although it is a little dated Booth seems to have a deeper knowledge of Japan than Ferguson and after reading it. It's also humorously written although he loses his temper at certain times such as when he is refused accommodation for being a "gaijin".

One scene is when he's talking to the owner of a ryokan:

Owner: You can't stay here, you won't like the food.
Booth: What's wrong with the food?
Owner: It's fish.
Booth: I like fish.
Owner: But it's raw.
Booth: That's okay, I like raw fish. I often eat it.
Owner: We don't have any knives and forks.
Booth: It's okay, I can use chopsticks.
Owner: But we don't have any beds.
Booth: What do you mean?
Owner: In Japan, we sleep on rolled up mattresses called futons which we take out of cupboards.
Booth: I know. I have lived in Japan for seven years, I sleep on a futon at home.
Owner: We don't have any armchairs to sit on, we sit on the floor in Japan on cushions called zabuton.
Booth: Look, I know all this. I'ved lived here seven years, my wife's Japanese. I understand.
Owner: Well, you still can't stay here.
Booth: Why not?
Owner: We don't speak English.

(The whole conversation had been conducted in Japanese).

wintersweet · Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2006 7:41 pm Post subject:

I think Ferguson's an excellent comedic writer. The funny passages were occasionally laugh-out-loud funny, but yeah, the ending was abrupt. I need to read the Booth book, I think.

User N. Ame · Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 222 Location: Kanto

Loved this book. I think his insights, complaints, rants all stemmed from his genuine feelings about Japan, which were obviously mixed (he mentions the love-hate relationship most gaijin have with Japan). Overall, he paints a good, often hilarious picture of life in Japan as a foreigner. I was often nodding in agreement as I read thru it.

He could have flat out lied about his cheats (taking lifts from drivers in a couple of desperate situations), but he didn't, which adds to the sincerity of his opinions.

The one scene I felt was sexed-up a bit for dramatic purposes was his invitation into the home of that Japanese war-vet, who, as he (the vet) got increasingly drunk, started to ramble on about the war, eventually confusing Ferguson for an old wartime enemy pal.

The ending was abrupt, but only because his nenkyu had expired and his school was demanding he return to his teaching duties (which, in late August would have amounted no almost no duties at all), so it was kinda funny the way it ended.

One of the five best books on Japan by a foreigner I've read.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

NorthofAmerica · Joined: 17 Jul 2006 Posts: 187 Location: Recovering Expat

I started reading this book before I left but didn't finish it in time. I thought it was alright but not particularly funny or well written. Maybe I need to finish it? It's definitely an interesting read for a foreigner preparing to come to Japan. Is it possible to find in Japan?

kdynamic · Joined: 05 Nov 2005 Posts: 562 Location: Japan

There are a lot of appallingly BAD books about japan - but Ferguson's isn't one of them. Perhaps not a literary masterpiece, but as a "gaijin in Japan" book, I think it's quite good.

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2009 7:05 pm Post subject:

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

I have read the book, but it was a long time ago. I should probably reread it.

As far as I remember, the chief 2 points that came to my mind were:

1. yes, the ending seemed rushed.

2. Japanese who pick up hitchhikers probably are not typical examples of society, but they can show you what some of the atypical ones are like. Keep that in mind. You may never run into those sorts of people ever, or if you do, at least you have some perspective about them.

ex.
The guy who took him home then drove him out of his way. That has happened on a smaller scale (walking around looking for some place) to many foreigners.