Learning to Bow: Inside the Heart of Japan - Bruce Feiler
by Zia ~ July 7th, 2006. Filed under: Books.
In this series of essays, Bruce Feiler recounts the year he spent in Japan as a teacher. The first essay describes the bonding ritual of all the teachers in the Japanese bath — in this case, a natural (and rather muddy) hot spring — in which he forgets his towel. And from there, he plunges us into the clash of cultures, describing social rituals, the Japanese educational system, and the role of teachers as guides in how to become a true Japanese citizen.
I would prefer not to compare this book to Japanland because they cover entirely different territory. Nonetheless, comparisons beckon, and their siren call is too tantalizing to resist; it was too recent a read. While Learning to Bow was very interesting, it wasn’t nearly as riveting a read. Muller does such a fine job of describing her year, drawing us into her struggles. Feiler speaks Japanese and understands Japan more — yet Muller manages to paint a more descriptive picture. Still, this was good, and I would recommend.