This book is hefty but worth the read. It profiles about 30 Japanese diarists between 1860 and 1920, only five of them women. In many cases the lives of the diarists were intertwined or overlapping. It is not a word-for-word translated account; Keene instead gives a little background on each diarist, then explains the diary, giving excerpts along the way. Often he takes an entire life's worth of diaries and cuts them down to 10-20 pages, telling us what happened, giving highlights, and rendering his opinion. At the end of each chapter (one diarist per chapter) are footnotes, sometimes explaining terms or giving more insight. At the beginning of each chapter I found the end, put in my bookmark, and was easily able to turn there when I wanted to see where the footnote led.
Despite the length of the book, I did not find myself skimming. I recommend for diary readers, lovers of Oriental culture, and those who like to see America through the eyes of others. (Several diarists visited America.)
Despite the length of the book, I did not find myself skimming. I recommend for diary readers, lovers of Oriental culture, and those who like to see America through the eyes of others. (Several diarists visited America.)
