While going some digging in my room recently I unearthed a long lost book I bought over a year ago when I acquired Drainspotting, The Sword that Cut the Burning Grass and the book I am currently reading A Samurai Never Fears Death. I remember putting it away for “safe keeping” as everyone who saw it thought that it was some kind of porn, not sure if it was from the title or cover design. I’ve been meaning to blog about it, so although it is over a year since it’s release I still believe it is relevant and now is as good a time as ever to check I out.
How Teenage girls made a nation cool
Japanese Schoolgirl Confidential was written by well known blogger Brian Ashcraft who writes on popular blogs like Wired and Kotaku as well as contributor Shoko Ueda (Brian’s Japanese wife I think). Japan is famous for a lot of things – anime, samurai, manufacturing and sushi are a few that immediately comes to mind but what about Japanese School Girls? Brian and Shoko details how Japanese schoolgirls have influenced, changed or impacted various parts of all things “Japanese” such as fashion, entertainment, art, culture etc.
The book is incredibly well detailed and researched with interviews, references and sources all stitched together in a well layed out and photo-heavy book that gives it a funky artbook vibe that’s perfect for skipping through and allowing your eyes to latch on to interesting tidbits about anime, singers and more. I can’t help the weird stares and questions I get when seen with the book but it was worth every penny. Pick it up for yourself or the Japan enthusiast in your life on Amazon or your favourite book store - Japanese Schoolgirl Confidential: How Teenage Girls Made a Nation Cool.
![[girl]](http://www.jamaipanese.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/girl.jpg)
*adds to wish list*
Have you read Bash’s other book “Arcade Mania” – well worth a read!
no i haven’t, I’ll check it out now and see if I can acquire it
I think I remember when yonasu blogged about this on his blog, and you mentioning something about it quite a while ago. I’d actually forgotten about it. It might be worth a read, but I don’t think that’s one I’d take outside the house.
Definitely one for inside the house… actually they say that the Japanese economy and development is definitely driven by the young teenage girl market… however, I’m not entirely convinced (and not sure that’s a healthy sign).
We need some more photos.. what does Gundam Unicorn think about it or is he still without arms and unable to read it?
*hangs head in shame* I promise I will finish the Unicorn Gundam before the month ends!
Noticed this the other day while browsing jlist. Placing an order for a few things on pay day so may be worth a look.
Read this book during my first year here, and recommended it to someone, who actually cited it in her thesis…the cover comes off as quite playful….but it’s definitely really worth the read…learnt so much..