Japanese Women: New Feminist Perspectives on the Past, Present and Future
Twenty-seven essays by Japanese women (and three men, one an American) discuss the changes in women's status in Japan since the Meiji Restoration (1868). Divided into five parts?women's place in culture, education, marriage and family, work, and the future?the essays range from historical studies of little-known women artists and writers through contemporary studies of sexist portrayals of women in the mass media, continuing gender stereotyping in schools, the pernicious effects of Japan's sex industry, and profiles of women politicians to assessments of the slowly changing attitudes of Japanese men. Most of the contributors are professors at Japanese universities; all of them have considerable backgrounds in women's studies and/or work in eliminating gender discrimination. The focus is very academic, and the translations are dry and sometimes awkward, but this comprehensive study is recommended for academic and larger public libraries.?Katharine L. Kan, Aiea P.L., HawaiiCopyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.