Shogun's Ghost

Rating:
Summary: An eye-opening -- if somewhat negative -- account
Review: Ken Schoolland's book, "Shogun's Ghost" offers a compelling picture of Japanese schools that is likely to surprise those who may have formed their opinions of Japan based on sterotypes. In particular, Schoolland does a masterful job of portraying the pressure that Japanese schoolchildren face in a society that values education as almost its sole means of determining status.

Where Schoolland falters, it could be argued, is in not presenting anything to balance the dark picture he paints of Japanese schools. They are either too strict or too lax; the students are either victims or bullies. He seems to imply that every day is sheer nightmare. It's possible that this was his intent; that he feels everyone already KNOWS all the good stuff, he wants to shine light on the bad. He does a fine job of that, and the book is quite an eye-opener. One has to question, however, whether a more balanced approach might not have been more valuable, especially in terms of longevity. Iijime (bullying) still goes on in Japanese schools, and there is a new, violent "knife culture" among even junior high children, but as the problems get fixed, the book will fall by the wayside except as a history text. The inclusion of more general information about the schools might have been a wise choice.

Rating:
Summary: An eye-opening -- if somewhat negative -- account
Review: Ken Schoolland's book, "Shogun's Ghost" offers a compelling picture of Japanese schools that is likely to surprise those who may have formed their opinions of Japan based on sterotypes. In particular, Schoolland does a masterful job of portraying the pressure that Japanese schoolchildren face in a society that values education as almost its sole means of determining status.

Where Schoolland falters, it could be argued, is in not presenting anything to balance the dark picture he paints of Japanese schools. They are either too strict or too lax; the students are either victims or bullies. He seems to imply that every day is sheer nightmare. It's possible that this was his intent; that he feels everyone already KNOWS all the good stuff, he wants to shine light on the bad. He does a fine job of that, and the book is quite an eye-opener. One has to question, however, whether a more balanced approach might not have been more valuable, especially in terms of longevity. Iijime (bullying) still goes on in Japanese schools, and there is a new, violent "knife culture" among even junior high children, but as the problems get fixed, the book will fall by the wayside except as a history text. The inclusion of more general information about the schools might have been a wise choice.

Rating:
Summary: Seemed too argue both sides against the middle
Review: This book was written during the height of our fear and misgivings about Japanese takeovers in the late 80's and early 90's. Their economy was incredibly strong and our's was not so swell. Movies like Black Rain and Rising Sun that displayed corruption in Japanese society were relished by the public at the time.

Now, in the introduction to the book, the author complains about students being too rowdy and undisciplined. Then he shifts to complaining about too much discipline, too many rules. He recounts numerous tales of harsh corporal punishment for minor infractions. How can mutually exclusive themes of too little discipline and too much discipline possibly be universal?

There is little if anything presented as positive about the Japanese school system from elementary to college. The book is clearly playing to an audience and lacks much that would imply any balance. A view is taken that Japanese schools are bad and anything that supported that view was included with nothing that discounted the view.

I don't know-- the Japanese school system could theoretically consist of nothing but negative qualities. They could just put on shows of quality for visiting gaijin. However, this seems like a potential exageration to say the least. Although, I am sure there are many problems with bureaucratic intransigence, with abuse of corporal punishments, and with teenage rebellion, would millions of Japanese just live with it if it did not produce any positive results at all?

The major thesis that no system is a panacea is valid, but the execution is just as heavy handed as the Japanese schoolmaster's portrayal.