Culturally significant and historically important, this work preserves the integrity of the original artifact, including copyright references and library stamps. It serves as a vital part of the knowledge base of civilization, reflecting the context in which it was created. This reproduction aims to maintain authenticity, offering readers a glimpse into the past through its original notations and markings.
The book delves into the life of Kimitsu, a Japanese day laborer whose journey spans from a wartime childhood in Kyushu to a career on Tokyo's docks and construction sites. Through conversations with anthropologist Tom Gill, Kimitsu shares his unique perspective on life in the slums and post-war Japanese society. Lacking traditional comforts like family or stable employment, he explores existential philosophy and Buddhist mysticism, seeking enlightenment in second-hand bookshops during his downtime from grueling labor.
The narrative offers a nostalgic reflection on childhood experiences in a sharecropper family in South Georgia, contrasting the typical hardships associated with such a background. Despite the challenges, the author recalls fond memories of abundant meals and a cozy home, highlighting a sense of warmth and security that defies expectations. This perspective invites readers to reconsider the complexities of upbringing and the resilience found in familial love and community.
Exploring the lives of Japan's day laborers, the book delves into the unique culture of yoseba, urban labor markets where these men congregate, and the cheap lodging areas known as doya-gai. Focusing on Yokohama, it reveals how these individuals live outside traditional societal structures like the nuclear family and corporate life. Through comparative ethnography, the author highlights their libertarian and egalitarian lifestyles, while also addressing the challenges they face, including social exclusion, lack of family, and precarious living conditions.