The Chrysanthemum and the Sword: Patterns of Japanese Culture

"One of the best books ever about Japanese society . . . [A] thoughtful, nuanced study of the Japanese character." —U.S. News & World Report

Essential for anyone interested in Japanese culture, this unsurpassed masterwork opens an intriguing window on Japan. The World War II-era study by the cultural anthropologist Ruth Benedict paints an illuminating contrast between the people of Japan and those of the United States. The Chrysanthemum and the Sword is a revealing look at how and why our societies differ, making it the perfect introduction to Japanese history and customs.