The Chrysanthemum and the Sword cover art

The Chrysanthemum and the Sword

Patterns of Japanese Culture

 Preview
Try Premium Plus free
Thousands of incredible audiobooks and podcasts to take wherever you go.
Immerse yourself in a world of storytelling with the Plus Catalogue - unlimited listening to thousands of select audiobooks, podcasts and Audible Originals.
£8.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically. See here for eligibility.

The Chrysanthemum and the Sword

By: Ruth Benedict
Narrated by: Cindy Kay
Try Premium Plus free

£8.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically.

Buy Now for £12.99

Buy Now for £12.99

Confirm Purchase
Pay using card ending in
Switch payment method
By completing your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and authorise Audible to charge your designated card or any other card on file. Please see our Privacy Notice, Cookies Notice and Interest-based Ads Notice.
Cancel

About this listen

"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.

©1946 Ruth Benedict; copyright renewed 1974 by Donald G. Freeman (P)2022 Tantor Anthropology Asia Japan Socialism China

Listeners also enjoyed...

 The Japanese cover art
Identity cover art
The Tragedy of Great Power Politics cover art
The Tale of Genji, Volume 1 cover art
The Fatal Conceit cover art
Bushido cover art
Stoic Wisdom cover art
The Book of Man cover art
10 Books Every Conservative Must Read cover art
No Apologies cover art
The Yellow Wallpaper and Other Stories cover art
Manhood cover art
Gandhi the Man cover art
The Honor Code cover art
Confucius cover art
Fallen Leaves cover art
All stars
Most relevant  
Historically interesting, but dated. It really depends on why you are taking up this book. It is definitely an interesting piece of historical cultural anthropology that reflects both the US views on self and the reflection on Japanese culture from the perspective of a US anthropologist at the time. However, if you are interested in a reflection of modern Japan, stir away.

Historically interesting but dated

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Reads like a novel but has a precision and sparseness that I loved. The narrator suits it well and is easy to listen to

Beautifully written and performed

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.