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Audrey Pellerin

01/17/00

Mr.Gardner

Japanese Visual Culture

Baruma, Ian. "Work as a Form of Beauty," Tokyo: form and Spirit. New York: Harry N Abrams, 1986.pp.136-147

The author's intended audiences are Westerners who are interested in Japan's work ethics. Baruma argues that to Japanese people work is an art and not a chore. Japanese people take pride in the work they do and to it to the best of their capabilities with the utmost efficiency. The author gave several examples of "people's" tasks needed to be taken to become a successful photographer, elevator girls, mobsters or mavericks

The author's style of writing allows readers to clearly understand the Japanese's work ethic. Different jobs are defined in describing the importance of imitating the predecessors in the Japanese work force. The author uses an understating tone when he refers to the people of Japan as " copycats" and "robots". Others words could be used in describing the Japanese's fussing over imitating one another to achieve the most efficiency in their work. On page 140, the author begins a sentence by reciting a citation from a "wise Japanese." then adds in his sentence "- I forgot who," This kind of comment could have been left out. It makes the author seem less articulate. The article does mention much dissimilarity between Westerner's work ethic and that of the Japanese. Westerners reading the article can better understand the differences between both cultures. Pictures added in the article also facilitate the comprehension of the author's article.