James Clavelle's "Shogun" is a pretty good "historical novel". Well written. Basically it tells the story of Will Adams (Major John Blackthorn) and Tokugawa Ieyasu (Toranaga-sama) using fictional characters and some great liberties with the actual story, nicely profiling all of the background political intrigue and Japanese cultural stuff. The inevitable "romance" thing in there is pretty improbable for the times...... but hey.... it's a fictional novel.

The original TV mini-series was great too. Incredible period sets. However, there is an edited down version of that series on video that is absoultely and totally AWFUL! If you want to see it... try to find the original; it was five nights of programming.... about 10 hours long. I hav a copy of the program on VHS cassettes. I think it takes five of them.

best,

.............john

Story of an Englishman who gets involved in feudal Japanese politics. Seriously westernized for for its audience, but far better than Last Samurai. At least Richard Chamberlain could act.

Demo.. Watashee wah.. nihon jean... dewahnai.

:D :D :D

best,

...............john

I agree that Japanese Culture is in demand and more patronize because of its tradition and passion. :) I love everything about Japanese Culture because I could learn a lot from it. I wanted to go back to Japan for a vacation, that's why, I am still practicing my Japanese language :) To be able to interact to people. :) I want to adapt their culture, too. :)

See, and thats where I was getting at! Your reasons of not wanting to live in Japan or your so called "bad" things about Japan aren't at all bad for other people. There are bad for you, but wouldn't bother me at all for example and most likely the majority as well.

It always only depends on the person itself!

All I wanted to say with this is, do not generalize the things you might find bad about Japan as a general bad thing, if it isn't at all for other people out there.

I don't think he was generalizing, he was only answering your question for his reason. And he is only merely pointing out the fact that its not a perfect world out in Japan.

As its not perfect, its not a wise decision to just move there base on trivial understanding and exposure, as such, all that we ask is for all those want to mover to at least spend some time understanding the place and visit it for an extended period of time before making such a significant decision....

No no, he said multible times that there are so many bad things in Japan and let's talk about the bad things first.. well, then he answered my question about his so called bad things and came up with this. Of course he was including this how could he not!

Also, of course you have to visit the country first. Otherwise how could you move there?? ;D
I mean look, if I go to Japan with the Working-Holiday Visum just an example.. and after the year, I decide to stay there, it would be the exact same thing.

Of course nobody shouldn't move to any country they have never visited before. That would be really dumb but that wasn't the point I was getting at. I totally agree with you here!

Thank's for the head's up. And Shogun is based on the true historical account of the first westerner, an Englishman, to ever become part of the samurai. How he moved from prisoner to hatamoto to one of the daimyos. Brilliant stuff. Gives an interesting insight into Japanese people. That lead me to hunting down Musashi a few years later. Also brilliant!

I recommend reading Tai-pan. It's about Hong Kong, not Japan, but I read it my first year in Japan and thought it was pretty awesome.