Cultured Gaijin

Having lived in Japan during the same time period as the author, of course I was eager to read this book and hear his perspective and experiences. I was pleasantly surprised by the writing itself which was quite well done. The story line was interesting though I felt like a fish on a hook, wondering how it would all end. Is it a love story or something else? It's a bit hard to categorize.
All in all, this short book gives an intriguing look at a time and a place and a coming-of-age. Anyone interested in Japan and specifically life in Japan for Americans will find this book of interest. Is there a follow up book planned? Because.... I'm waiting!

Also, for non-Japanese speakers, the glossary at the end of each chapter was a great touch!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book.

As a world traveler I've always tried to respect the cultural differences and pay close attention to hat is acceptable around the world. Joseph Delmastro's Cultured Gaijin gives an intimate portrait of how this acceptance can determine acceptance in a foreign country. In Japan, first as a young Air Force man assigned to a base near Tokyo, he as introduced to Japanese society by his friends who were also in the military. Fortunately for him he soon made friends with a young Japanese woman and her mother. He learned two different ways to behave in Japanese society and saw the good and bad of both.

With his desire to remain in Japan after leaving the Air Force, Joe had to make a decision on how he wanted to be seen by the Japanese - either as a gaijin, who are normally not well accepted, or a understanding and cultured gaijin, who acted in ways that were respectful and mostly accepted by the Japanese. With his love of a young Japanese woman, he learned more than most gaijin, these lessons leading to a dramatic conclusion of the book and of his love of all things Japanese.