Tatami Days: Getting a Life in Japan

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About Tatami Days: Getting A Life In Japan

"You see, Japan does not actually rest atop an infinite pile of turtles, but on the back of a giant carp ..." In his mid-thirties, Australian freelance writer and PhD English literature graduate Michael Guest headed for Japan on a whim, worked as Professor in a national university, and stayed fifteen years. Memoir and cultural reflection, his captivating story is one of growth, adaptation, and an ever-deepening appreciation of an enchanting, at times perplexing, society.The author is an expert on modern literature and humanities, with many academic and media articles to his credit, alongside international academic conference lectures. Tatami Days takes an intellectual step beyond other books on culture and the expatriate experience, providing a uniquely rich and witty read. In this original take on the creative non-fiction memoir, we pursue the elusive spirit of the country. Notably, the book offers an insider’s view of the nuances of professional college and university cultures, and the challenges and opportunities encountered in a career in Japan. Anyone fascinated with Japan and its people, or contemplating spending time there, will find this book to be particularly delightful and valuable.Advance praise:"Rarely is a reader granted such enlightened insights into the people and culture of Japan. Guest navigates the unfamiliar society and employment hierarchy to obtain a university professorship. His intellectual disciplines of language and semiotics serve him well. Engaging and amusing vignettes of his interactions illustrate the character of the people brilliantly. Entrancing pictures of scenery, historic places and city life are superbly executed, complete with underlying context. “A very human account of a stranger in a strange land, Tatami Days is a series of adventures coming to grips with Japanese people and their culture. From everyday customs such a