The Chrysanthemum and the Sword
The Chrysanthemum and the Sword is a 1946 study of Japanese culture by the anthropologist Ruth Benedict, first published by Houghton Mifflin in Boston. It grew out of her wartime work for the US Office of War Information and has sold over 2.3 million copies in Japan.
- Editions tracked
- 1
- First edition
- Houghton Mifflin, 1946
- First published
- Houghton Mifflin, Boston, 1946
The first edition of The Chrysanthemum and the Sword by Ruth Benedict was published in Boston by Houghton Mifflin in 1946. We track 1 edition.
Which edition do you have?
First edition
- 1st Houghton Mifflin1946 Hardback I own The Chrysanthemum and the Sword, Houghton Mifflin 1946 Log in to want this
We have not yet researched the issue points for this book. If you know how to tell the first from later printings, tell us and we will credit you once it is checked against a second source.
Awards, adaptations and setting
In print
- Editions recorded
- 21 on Open Library, 11 in English
From Wikidata and Open Library, both CC0. A prize or a new adaptation often lifts demand for the first printing.
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How to Identify a First Edition
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Read the guide →Frequently asked questions
Who published the first edition of The Chrysanthemum and the Sword?
The first edition of The Chrysanthemum and the Sword by Ruth Benedict was published in Boston by Houghton Mifflin in 1946.
How many editions of The Chrysanthemum and the Sword are there?
We track 1 edition of The Chrysanthemum and the Sword, including 1 first edition. Each has its own page with how to identify it.
Where these facts come from
- The Chrysanthemum and the Sword, Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)
- The Chrysanthemum and the Sword editions, Open Library (openlibrary.org)
Every fact on this page was checked against the sources listed. Checked 3 November 2026. Reviewed by Harriet Ellis; read how we check facts.