"Manga," "anime," kabuki, geisha — these are some of the images of Japanese culture that Westerners are most familiar with. But one writers' club is seeking to shift the spotlight with their recently published English-language book about everyday life in Japan.

"We wanted to let foreigners know about Japanese culture from a housewife's point of view, with all the colors of emotion that surround daily life," said Harumi Kimura, president of Kimura Harumi Essayists' Group and editor of the new book "Living Japan: Essays on Everyday Life in Contemporary Society." The group, whose members are mostly housewives, collected 70 essays that often give a snapshot of historic events and changes in society from the ordinary person's point of view.

According to Kimura, the anthology was inspired by a similar venture undertaken by a Korean writers' group.