Japanese Culture: The Religious and Philosophical Foundations takes readers on a detailed and thoroughly researched journey through Japan's cultural history. Based on a conceptual framework known as the multilayered model, which was developed by cultural anthropologists to explain the diverse religious and philosophical traditions that underlie modern Japanese culture, this book Japanese history and culture book begins with an investigation of the origins of the Japanese peoples, followed by an analysis of the most important approaches used by scholars to describe the essential elements of Japanese culture. Thereafter, each of the formative elements in the multilayered religious model are explored in chapters Shinto, Buddhism, Taoism, Zen, Confucianism, and Western influences of the modern era.  "Required Reading." —The Times of London "In this clear and concise guide, Davies explains the key religious traditions that influence life in modern Japan." —Publishers Weekly "This is definitely a book you need to pick up if you want to learn more about Japanese culture and would like more of an understanding of what influenced it." —JLPT Boot Camp blog