"One of the best books ever about Japanese society…[A] thoughtful, nuanced study." —U.S. News & World Report First published in 1946, The Chrysanthemum and the Sword is one of the most influential and widely read works on Japan in the twentieth century. Written by cultural anthropologist Ruth Benedict during World War II, the book blends anthropology, history, and cultural analysis, and has shaped decades of cross-cultural discourse. Benedict examines themes of social structure, family roles, self-discipline, and other enduring values, seeking to understand how deeply rooted traditions shaped Japanese society at a moment of profound global change This new edition has been completely redesigned for greater readability and features a new foreword by Lois Banner, a pioneer in the field of womens studies.