Angry White Pyjamas : A Scrawny Oxford Poet Takes Lessons From The Tokyo Riot Police

by Robert Twigger

Release Date: 01 April, 2000

Edition: Paperback

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Unique Tale

I would think that two groups of people in particular would find this book interesting: 1) People who have lived in Japan, and 2) People who have studied martial arts (aikido in particular).

I only qualify for the first category, but I still enjoyed this book. I certainly have new respect for anyone who can devote themselves to aikido, or any other martial art. The author has no concrete reason to start his study other than a realization that you only get one shot at life: "this is it" the author says in a moment of epiphany reminiscent of Chuck Palahniuk's "Fight Club."

The author enters the dojo knowing he'll have to work hard. Once he joins the Riot Police Course he really knows he has to work hard. With a mixture of madness, religious fervor, and perspiration, Twigger manages to survive the course. I can see where hard-core aikido artists might look down on Twigger's attitude to just "survive" the course instead of putting his whole being into it, but the point of the book is not Twigger's transformation into an aikidoka but instead what he gets out of the intense course. In fact, I don't think Twigger says if he even enters a dojo again after finishing the senshusei course. What is important is that Twigger was able to apply what he learned in the dojo in his everyday life, in how he changed his teaching strategy for example.

Several other reviewers have mentioned how this book was oddly inspiring, and I would certainly agree with them. This is the story about a year in the life of a completely ordinary guy experiencing an extraordinary challenge, and coming out victorious. This doesn't mean everyone should run out to a dojo and learn a martial art, but it is a unique spin on the old lesson to dream big, endure hardship, and accomplish your goal.

Great description of one person's Japanese experience

So it may not be the most accurate description of the Japanese culture, so what? Angry White Pyjamas is an excellent account of one person's somewhat extreme experience of Japan.

The author of the book, Robert Twigger, an awarded poet from England goes to Japan as means of escaping the boring corporate reality. In Japan he hopes to find that his life means something. He begins his experience as an Engish teacher in Japan. Shortly afterwards, his job is reduced to a part-time, one day per week position. Poor and disilusioned, living in a cheap apartment with a couple of other random gajins, he finally decides to discover the value of self by signing up for a course in martial arts.

Once a member of a dojo, he realizes that he wants to push himself to the extreme limit of his mental and physical ability. As a result, he signs up for the super-ultra-tough course, usually taken by candidates for the Tokyo riot police.

Insanity ensues as he learns martial arts every day for almost 11 months amongst pain, sweat, complaining of fellow students, and constant cultural faux pas.

Personally, I'm not sure how accurate is Twigger's descriptionon of the fighting, the food, and the cultural differences, but one must admit that whatever he writes, it is written in the most excellent style. Twigger keeps an eye out for details in the Japanese lifestyles and describes them from the point of view of an overly enthusiastic yet naive foreigner.

The account of the training keeps the reader constantly wondering whether Twigger will be able to finish the course. After all, the pain, the unfriendliness, and seemintly little payback seem overwhelming.

This book is not only for martial arts fans nor fans of the Japanese culture. I am only slightly interested in these topics, however, I found the book very engaging. It may not be accurate, but it is an excellent piece of literature, clever, and highly entertaining.