About the book
Taming Oblivion examines the cultural construction of senility in Japan and the moral implications of dependent behavior for older Japanese. While the biomedical construction of senility-as-pathology has become increasingly the norm in North America, in Japan a folk category of senility exists known as boke. Although symptomatically and conceptually overlapping with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of senile dementia, boke is distinguished from unambiguously pathological conditions. Rather than being viewed as a disease, boke is seen as an illness over which people have some degree of control. John Traphagan's ethnographic study of older Japanese explores their experiences as they contemplate and attempt to prevent or delay the boke condition.
Editions of Taming Oblivion
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780791444993
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780791445006
- PDF
- ISBN 9780791492963
Read an Excerpt
Taming Oblivion examines the cultural construction of senility in Japan and the moral implications of dependent behavior for older Japanese. While the biomedical construction of senility-as-pathology has become increasingly the norm in North America, in Japan a folk category of senility exists known as boke. Although symptomatically and conceptually overlapping with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of senile dementia, boke is distinguished from unambiguously pathological conditions. Rather than being viewed as a disease, boke is seen as an illness over which people have some degree of control. John Traphagan's ethnographic study of older Japanese explores their experiences as they contemplate and attempt to prevent or delay the boke condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Taming Oblivion about?
Taming Oblivion examines the cultural construction of senility in Japan and the moral implications of dependent behavior for older Japanese. While the biomedical construction of senility-as-pathology has become increasingly the norm in North America, in Japan a folk category of senility exists known as boke. Although symptomatically and conceptually overlapping with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of senile dementia, boke is distinguished from unambiguously pathological conditions. Rather than being viewed as a disease, boke is seen as an illness over which people have some degree of control. John Traphagan's ethnographic study of older Japanese explores their experiences as they contemplate and attempt to prevent or delay the boke condition.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Taming Oblivion?
Society and Social Sciences > Sociology and anthropology > Anthropology > Social and cultural anthropology
Where can I read a sample of Taming Oblivion?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780791444993
How long is Taming Oblivion and how many pages does it have?
Taming Oblivion has 225 page(s)
Is Taming Oblivion part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series SUNY series in Japan in Transition
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Taming Oblivion?
John W. Traphagan
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Taming Oblivion is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780791444993) and paperback(ISBN 9780791445006) and pdf(ISBN 9780791492963)
Where can I buy Taming Oblivion online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Taming Oblivion from below
Where can I buy Taming Oblivion?