Japanese author publishes novel on our platform
Japanese Professor Furuta Motoo has recently published a book titled "Việt Nam - Một Góc Nhìn Từ Nhật Bản" (Vietnam - A Perspective from Japan) in Vietnamese, offering readers a unique and comprehensive view of the country. The book, originally published in Japanese in 2017, is based on over 50 years of the author's research and experience.
Professor Furuta began studying Vietnam in the late 1960s, during the height of the American War, and has since published several works on the country, three of which have been translated into Vietnamese for this release. The book covers ten chapters, exploring various aspects of Vietnamese history, economy, society, culture, diplomacy, and regional roles.
The focus of the book is not merely to retrace historical milestones in a chronological manner but to offer a multi-dimensional perspective by examining everyday life and societal behaviors as reflections of deeper social structures and spiritual beliefs. For example, Furuta discusses how small social behaviors like cyclists signaling or street barbers quickly withdrawing at the sight of authorities illustrate a highly adaptive and self-regulating community. He also delves into Vietnamese spirituality, highlighting its practical and community-oriented nature.
The book features vivid descriptions of daily life in key regions such as the Mekong Delta, the Northwest Highlands, Southeast Vietnam, and major cities including Hanoi, Hue, and Ho Chi Minh City, providing a sensory and experiential understanding of the country.
In the final chapter, Furuta analyzes the historical and contemporary relationship between Vietnam and Japan, tracing it from feudal times through wartime periods to the current era of comprehensive development and cooperation. This reflects Furuta's long-term scholarly engagement with Vietnam, culminating in his role as rector of the Vietnam-Japan University and president of the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Association.
The book was published by Sự Thật (Truth) National Political Publishing House, with support from Vietnamese historians Professor Vũ Minh Giang, Professor Nguyễn Văn Khánh, and Professor Phạm Hông Tung. It provides readers with valuable insights into Vietnam through the eyes of an experienced Japanese scholar, blending academic rigor with vivid personal observations to present a nuanced and multi-faceted portrait of the country’s history, culture, and social dynamics.
In conclusion, "Việt Nam - Một Góc Nhìn Từ Nhật Bản" offers readers a fresh perspective on Vietnam, inviting them to understand the country in different ways based on its historical and social context.
- Professor Furuta's book, "Việt Nam - Một Góc Nhìn Từ Nhật Bản," presents a unique and comprehensive analysis of Vietnam, incorporating aspects of its history, economy, society, culture, diplomacy, and regional roles.
- The book delves into Vietnamese spirituality, highlighting its practical and community-oriented nature, while also exploring societal behaviors as reflections of deeper social structures and spiritual beliefs.
- The book's final chapter examines the historical and contemporary relationship between Vietnam and Japan, providing insights into this relationship from feudal times through wartime periods to the current era of comprehensive development and cooperation.
- In addition to academic rigor, "Việt Nam - Một Góc Nhìn Từ Nhật Bản" offers vivid personal observations, offering readers a sensory and experiential understanding of the country.
- The publication of "Việt Nam - Một Góc Nhìn Từ Nhật Bản" was supported by Vietnamese historians, suggesting potential implications for political discourse and diplomacy between the two nations.
