Everyday Life in Asia

'This book takes a big step toward understanding that human existence is in all its aspects a social existence. After the traditional focus on action and interaction, and the more recent sociological concern with the body and the emotions, now comes the time to demonstrate the social nature of seemingly private sensual experiences. By linking persuasive argument with colorful cases from the exotic context of Asia, the authors open new vistas for sociological research, but also make the volume sheer fun to read.' Piotr Sztompka, Jagiellonian University at Krakow, Poland 'This is an important collection, essential for anyone interested in the sensory veining of everyday life. Beautifully conceptualized and expertly executed, the essays grant us unprecedented access to the interplay of the senses and society in one of the most underrepresented areas of sensory study: Asia. This is a collection at once fascinating and edifying.' Mark M. Smith, University of South Carolina, USA 'Each chapter of this book presents a fascinating insight into an aspect of everyday life in Asia. A seemingly eclectic mix, ranging from sound-scapes in Israel to ritual practice in China, from shopping in Vietnam to massage in Thailand, the essays are linked by their connecting of the senses with the social. ... the editors have captured how sensory research can yield insights into social relationships, social processes and social transformation within local, national and global interactions. The essays are very interesting in their own right, introducing aspects of everyday life in Asia that have been little explored, and shifting the focus from particular senses to multi-sensory experiences that are integral to the construction and understanding of place.' Social & Cultural Geography