Chrysanthemum and the Sword: Patterns of Japanese Culture by Ruth Benedict

For our next meeting, we'll be reading and discussing The Chrysanthemum and the Sword by Ruth Benedict.

As always, no problem if you don't get a chance to finish the book - please feel free to attend and contribute your takeaways. I look forward to seeing you all there!

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First published in 1946, The Chrysanthemum and the Sword is renowned for its insights into Japanese culture—examining social structure, family roles, self-discipline, and other enduring values—and has shaped decades of cross-cultural discourse by showing how these elements have persisted amid sweeping modernization.

This masterpiece remains unsurpassed in its keen observations about Japanese culture. By shedding light on the core values that make the Japanese unique, it reveals a great deal about culture in general and provides a lens through which to view ourselves.