Fucked Up Japan

In the spirit of Lifehacker and JapanProbe’s book recommendation posts today, I’ve decided to do my own list of recommended books on the darker side of Japan. Enjoy!

Dogs and Demons: Tales from the Dark Side of Japan” (Alex Kerr)

From a long time foreigner who despite his harsh criticisms continues to live and work in Japan, Dogs and Demons takes a careful and factual look at some of the less talked about seedier aspects of Japanese culture and history. There are no rose tinted spectacles here, but don’t be mistaken - Alex Kerr certainly doesn’t hate Japan. When I first came to Japan, I was recommended this book but given implicit instructions not to read it until I felt like going home. Of course, I ignored the warning, and in many ways I owe the inspiration for this site to this very book. A must read. Readers in Japan can purchase this book on the Amazon Japan site here.

“Yakuza Moon: Memoirs of a Gangster’s Daughter” (Shoko Tendo)

A little light(er) reading from an ex-Yakuza daughter. Though the writing style is a little basic, the stunningly beautiful Shoko tells her story of growing up with, and eventually into the Yakuza - the drugs, the money, her crazed drunken father, and eventually the debts piling up and being ruined. Certainly an intriguing read for anyone with an interesting in gangster culture. Amazon Japan link here.

“Making Out in Japanese Phrase Book, Revised Edition” (Todd Geers, Erika Geers)

Ahh, this one really came in handy when my Japanese totally sucked. With this book, you can chat up the girl, find out if she has boyfriend, talk sweet nothings, and know the bed language you’ll need later - like how to say “could you give me a blowjob?” (fera shite kureru?). Absolute fucking essential when you first come to Japan, or indeed if you ever plan to. Isn’t there a famous saying, “when in Japan, be sure to fuck the natives“? Yes, yes I’m sure there is. Readers in Japan struggling to get laid can get the book here.

“Japanese Schoolgirl Inferno: Tokyo Teen Fashion Subculture Handbook” (Izumi Evers, Patrick Macias)

My final recommendation for today is Japanese Schoolgirl Inferno, essentially a bible of current and past fashion trends in Japan and how they are all related. Pretty short, but some good photos and a nice little introduction on what to expect before you go galavanting around Tokyo’s cosplay and fashion areas of Harajuku and Akihabara. (Japanese Amazon link).