The Chrysanthemum and the Sword: Patterns of Japanese Culture
Apr 2026 · Tuttle Publishing
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"One of the best books ever about Japanese society…[A] thoughtful, nuanced study of the Japanese character." —U.S. News & World Report
"A classic of Japanese cultural studies…debunks the stereotype of the Japanese as hopelessly rigid and incapable of change." —The New York Times
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.
This new edition has been completely redesigned for greater readability and features a new foreword by Lois Banner, a pioneer in the field of women's studies.
"A classic of Japanese cultural studies…debunks the stereotype of the Japanese as hopelessly rigid and incapable of change." —The New York Times
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.
This new edition has been completely redesigned for greater readability and features a new foreword by Lois Banner, a pioneer in the field of women's studies.
"One of the best books ever about Japanese society…[A] thoughtful, nuanced study of the Japanese character." —U.S. News & World Report
"A classic of Japanese cultural studies…debunks the stereotype of the Japanese as hopelessly rigid and incapable of change." —The New York Times
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About the author
Ruth Benedict (1887-1948) was an American anthropologist and a key figure in the development of cultural anthropology. She earned her doctorate from Columbia University, where she remained throughout her entire career. She is best known for her pioneering work Patterns of Culture (1934), where she explores how individual societies form unique patterns of values, beliefs and practices.
Lois Banner is professor emeritus of history at the University of Southern California and one of the first academics to concentrate on women's studies. She has won several prestigious awards for her scholarship including a Rockefeller Fellowship. She is the author of many books and articles, including Elizabeth Cady Stanton: A Radical for Women's Rights, and Intertwined Lives: Margaret Mead, Ruth Benedict, and Their Circle.
Lois Banner is professor emeritus of history at the University of Southern California and one of the first academics to concentrate on women's studies. She has won several prestigious awards for her scholarship including a Rockefeller Fellowship. She is the author of many books and articles, including Elizabeth Cady Stanton: A Radical for Women's Rights, and Intertwined Lives: Margaret Mead, Ruth Benedict, and Their Circle.
Ruth Benedict (1887-1948) was an American anthropologist and a key figure in the development of cultural anthropology. She earned her doctorate from Columbia University, where she remained throughout her entire career. She is best known for her pioneering work Patterns of Culture (1934), where sh...
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