Tatami Days: Getting a Life in Japan

“You see, Japan does not actually rest atop an infinite pile of turtles, but on the back of a giant carp . . .”

In his mid-thirties, Australian freelance writer and PhD English literature graduate Michael Guest headed for Japan on a whim, worked as Professor in a national university, and stayed fifteen years. Memoir and cultural reflection, his captivating story is one of growth, adaptation and an ever-deepening appreciation of an enchanting, at times perplexing, society.

The author is an expert on modern literature and humanities, with many academic and media articles to his credit, alongside international academic conference lectures. Tatami Days takes an intellectual step ahead of other books on culture and the expatriate experience, and a rich and witty read. In this original take on the creative non-fiction memoir, we pursue the elusive spirit of the country. Notably, the book offers a unique insider’s view of the nuances of business college and university cultures, and the challenges and opportunities encountered in a career in Japan.