As the first example of “dialogic cultural anthropology”—integrating native and nonnative research—applied to the study of Japan, this book offers a unique perspective on a unique culture. By taking the reader through the entire process of research, from initial encounter to panoramic overview, and thus from culture shock to culture capture, the author discloses how anthropologists think, and what makes anthropology the most scientific of the humanities and the most humanistic of the sciences. 
The writing is engaging and inclusive, and the images truly complement the words, rather than simply illustrating them. Because of this the book may be enjoyed at many different levels, and will provide unexpected insights. No knowledge of Japan or of anthropology are necessary in order to learn from this book, and readers are gently guided toward discovering how cultural patterns connect to form the fabric of a culture. This in turn aims at stimulating the process of self-reflection that can strengthen so effectively a sense of identity and the appreciation of cultural heritage. 
While the book’s main objective is to add to the scholarship of Japan in a new way, the author also wants to stimulate every reader’s “cultural reflexivity”—the ability to identify and understand one’s own cultural background—a skill that seems to be increasingly necessary in today’s world.