This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

1. 1. Memories Of Silk And Straw

   A Self-Portrait of Small-Town Japan

   

   The book offers a vivid portrayal of rural life in Japan during the early 20th century, capturing the essence of a rapidly changing society through the personal stories of its residents. Through a series of interviews with elderly villagers, the narrative delves into their memories, revealing the customs, struggles, and simple joys of a bygone era. The accounts provide a rich tapestry of cultural history, illustrating the transition from traditional practices to modern influences, while highlighting the resilience and adaptability of the community.

2. 2. Confessions Of A Yakuza

   A Life in Japan's Underworld

   

   An elderly career gangster recounts his life in candid, unvarnished detail — from a poverty-stricken childhood and initiation into the criminal underworld to years spent running gambling dens, managing prostitutes, serving prison time and fighting in wartime, all governed by a strict code of loyalty and ritual. Told as a series of personal reminiscences, the narrative illuminates the day-to-day workings and brutal realities of organized crime, the physical markings and ceremonies that bind men to their bosses, and the mix of camaraderie, pride and moral compromise that sustained him, while also reflecting on aging, loss and the social changes that gradually made his way of life obsolete.

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