John W. Traphagan is Assistant Professor of Anthropology and Director of the Center for Gerontological Anthropology at California State University, Fullerton.

"With a focus on how old age is viewed and experienced in a rural setting in Japan, the author's work provides a powerful example of how aging-related concepts are socially constructed and culturally circumscribed. He provides an insightful review of some of the facets of Japanese society that contribute to people's concerns related to aging and illness, including culture-specific fears (e.g., concerns about the inability to maintain social interdependencies), patterns of 'age segregation' ('age grading' practices), and demographic and social changes that threaten traditional norms for caring for the elderly. Within his multifaceted focus of the meaning of aging in Japan, the author presents a balanced view of rural life." — Matthew Kaplan, coauthor of Intergenerational Programs: Support for Children, Youth, and Elders in Japan"In an era of lengthening lifespan, declining familism, and a changing concept of aging, this book is timely. It brings together a number of streams of scholarship—Japan ethnology, gerontology, and critical anthropology." — Christie W. Kiefer, coauthor of Refuge of the Honored: Social Organization in a Japanese Retirement Community

• List of Figures and Tables Preface 1. Introduction: The Road to Oblivion PART I: Of Old and New 2. Inaka 3. History and Continuity: Household, Community, and Old Age in Jonai PART II: Age-Structuring Practices 4. Talking about Age 5. Age Grading around Jonai PART III: Aging, Activity, and the Body 6. Being a Rojin: Activity and Camaraderie in the Elder Age Grade 7. Boke and the Disembodiment of Social Values: Mental and Physical Health as Social Responsibility 8. Taming Oblivion: Power, Collectivity, and the Body Politic 9. Conclusion: In the Shadow of Obasuteyama Appendix Notes Bibliography Glossary Index

John W. Traphagan is Assistant Professor of Anthropology and Director of the Center for Gerontological Anthropology at California State University, Fullerton.

"With a focus on how old age is viewed and experienced in a rural setting in Japan, the author's work provides a powerful example of how aging-related concepts are socially constructed and culturally circumscribed. He provides an insightful review of some of the facets of Japanese society that contribute to people's concerns related to aging and illness, including culture-specific fears (e.g., concerns about the inability to maintain social interdependencies), patterns of 'age segregation' ('age grading' practices), and demographic and social changes that threaten traditional norms for caring for the elderly. Within his multifaceted focus of the meaning of aging in Japan, the author presents a balanced view of rural life." — Matthew Kaplan, coauthor of Intergenerational Programs: Support for Children, Youth, and Elders in Japan"In an era of lengthening lifespan, declining familism, and a changing concept of aging, this book is timely. It brings together a number of streams of scholarship—Japan ethnology, gerontology, and critical anthropology." — Christie W. Kiefer, coauthor of Refuge of the Honored: Social Organization in a Japanese Retirement Community

• List of Figures and Tables Preface 1. Introduction: The Road to Oblivion PART I: Of Old and New 2. Inaka 3. History and Continuity: Household, Community, and Old Age in Jonai PART II: Age-Structuring Practices 4. Talking about Age 5. Age Grading around Jonai PART III: Aging, Activity, and the Body 6. Being a Rojin: Activity and Camaraderie in the Elder Age Grade 7. Boke and the Disembodiment of Social Values: Mental and Physical Health as Social Responsibility 8. Taming Oblivion: Power, Collectivity, and the Body Politic 9. Conclusion: In the Shadow of Obasuteyama Appendix Notes Bibliography Glossary Index

John W. Traphagan is Assistant Professor of Anthropology and Director of the Center for Gerontological Anthropology at California State University, Fullerton.

"With a focus on how old age is viewed and experienced in a rural setting in Japan, the author's work provides a powerful example of how aging-related concepts are socially constructed and culturally circumscribed. He provides an insightful review of some of the facets of Japanese society that contribute to people's concerns related to aging and illness, including culture-specific fears (e.g., concerns about the inability to maintain social interdependencies), patterns of 'age segregation' ('age grading' practices), and demographic and social changes that threaten traditional norms for caring for the elderly. Within his multifaceted focus of the meaning of aging in Japan, the author presents a balanced view of rural life." — Matthew Kaplan, coauthor of Intergenerational Programs: Support for Children, Youth, and Elders in Japan"In an era of lengthening lifespan, declining familism, and a changing concept of aging, this book is timely. It brings together a number of streams of scholarship—Japan ethnology, gerontology, and critical anthropology." — Christie W. Kiefer, coauthor of Refuge of the Honored: Social Organization in a Japanese Retirement Community

• List of Figures and Tables Preface 1. Introduction: The Road to Oblivion PART I: Of Old and New 2. Inaka 3. History and Continuity: Household, Community, and Old Age in Jonai PART II: Age-Structuring Practices 4. Talking about Age 5. Age Grading around Jonai PART III: Aging, Activity, and the Body 6. Being a Rojin: Activity and Camaraderie in the Elder Age Grade 7. Boke and the Disembodiment of Social Values: Mental and Physical Health as Social Responsibility 8. Taming Oblivion: Power, Collectivity, and the Body Politic 9. Conclusion: In the Shadow of Obasuteyama Appendix Notes Bibliography Glossary Index