Japan Books

Kazuo Inamori, the founder of Kyocera, puts forth his philosophy on success in business and life in this book. One thing that you'll notice is that he takes an almost religious approach to work, and believes that one can find true happiness through work. At the same time, he realizes that work can be a real struggle, so he gives good advice for pulling through those difficult times at work. I recommend this book to anyone who would like to look at success in business through other means than money. It will help you see how you can gain self fulfillment through your work.

I've never written one of these reviews, but this is one of the treasured books in my library. I've owned it since it came out and continually refer to it for advice and council. I have also given it to many customers. Kyocera's website is also an inspiring to place to see how Mr. Inamori put his philosophy to work to bring a legacy of business success worldwide. His people-practices would change the world if practiced.

This is a great book! Whether you read it straight through for the inspiration or read a section a day (usually only a page in length) as a meditation guide, just read it and absorb it. Give it to your boss, give it to your customers, give it to your peers, give it to your team members, even give it to your family. All will be better for it.

I bought this book back in 1995, and after much reflection and numerous business/leadership books, I must say Mr. Inamori is still in a class of his own. Though he teaches seemingly oversimplified concepts, it is indeed the correct concepts--if there is such a thing. Correct, for example, in that you can leave the world knowing your grandchildren will be proud that you existed. If you're familiar with Maslow hierarchy of needs: when you're reading this book, you will have no doubt that the author is at or above the self actualization stage, which I must say 90% of all the so called gurus of business don't seem to be in. The concept that you should speak from your heart, not implementing certain "techniques" in public speaking rings true for me personally. I'm grateful for such a gift from Mr. Inamori.

Kazuo Inamori's book is highly inspirational in its evocation of "passion" as the underpinning driver of success in life. In all fields of social endeavour, it is the most passionate individuals who stand out, and ultimately achieve success. We see this in the sporting arena (Muhammad Ali, Leyton Hewitt), in business (Richard Branson, Jack Welsh), and in politics.

Inamori's book is divided up into two parts. Part one provides a series of insights on "How to Succeed in Life", covering the following key areas: ability, effort, attitude, and success. His central thesis is that success = effort x ability x attitude. Most of us tend to see success as the result of effort and ability, but overlook the power of maintaining a positive attitude. Inamori urges the reader not to overlook the immense power that a positive attitude can have, both in terms of attracting support for our goals, and in terms of building and maintaining our own self esteem.

The second part of this book focuses on "How to Succeed in Business" and covers the following eight areas; passion, profit, ambition, sincerity, strength, innovation, optimism, and 'never give up'.

Above all else, this book contains genuine bursts of insight that will enrich the perspective of most readers. Unlike so many self-help products that promise the earth and deliver disappointment, this book is as close as the thinking person will get to "the real deal".

I would put this book on the same shelf with "The Witch Doctors" by Micklethwait & Wooldridge, and "Dangerous Company" by O'Shea & Madigan - all of these are excellent business books, and stand out as unique and valuable contributions to our understanding of the meaning of success in today's modern world of work.

For those who cannot read Japanese, there are few options with regards to publications and studies on Sakamoto Ryoma. Jansen's extraordinary work simply a 'must have' for all who wish to better understand the Meiji period and one of the most important men in all of Japanese history. Simply phenomenal.

Who is Ryoma Sakamoto? He wasw a samurai in the middle of the nineteenth century. He is considered a hero by his native Japan. His story begins when Commodore Perry brings his American ships to open Japan by force. Many samurai were insulted by this gunboat diplomacy. Sakamoto was one among many who called for the government to expel these foreign interlopers. However, it was more easily said than done. As time passed, Sakamoto came to realize that Japan was in no position to challenge the West because the West had vastly superior weapons. He came to admire the position of strengthing the country through international trade and emulating those institutions that were admirable in the West. For Japan to defend itself, it had to become a strong country and the only was to do that was by modernizing. To modernize, the military government of the Shogun had to be overthrown. This leads to the Meiji Restoration in which the Emperor takes back the power to rule from the Shogun. Unfortunately, in the process, Sakamoto is assassinated, which made him a martyr for the process of modernization.

This book follows the events leading up to the Meiji Restoration, and it especially focuses on Sakamoto's role in setting it up. It provides an overview leading up to this period and shows that there were many factors which lead to the overthrow of the Shogun. Perry's arrival was only a trigger that unleashed years of frustration. To get a better grasp of Japanese politics, I think this book is an excellent source for understanding the founding of the modern Japanese state.

If you really want to understand Japan's amazing journey from feudal swordsman to world power in just 50 years... Then you need to learn something about the Meiji Restoration. If you want to learn about the Meiji Restoration... then you must spend some time learning about the life and times of Sakamoto Ryoma. Ryoma, as he is affectionately known by his adoring cult of fans in Japan, is a true legend in Japan, a sort of "Daniel Boone" of Japan, if you will. In spite of its age, Jansen's work is still the definitive biography in English, and is likely to remain so until America's interest in the outside world rises above its currently meager level. To be fair, doing Jansen one better would require an extensive knowledge of one of the world's most difficult languages, and why try when there are still so many corners of Modern Japanese history that are untouched by Western scholars? Do you want to get inside the head of a truly old-fashioned, "swashbuckling" hero who quite literally changed the world by contributing to Japan's entrance into the modern world? This, then, is still the place to start.

This proves to be one of the better books on the Meiji Restoration movement and Sakamoto Ryoma who was the one of the primary movers of that movement as Japan moved to a more modern government and society. But I would be honest to say that this book is NOT for casual readers since the subject matter is so alien and complex to many English speaking readers. Meiji Restoration is a complex subject matter even for Japanese history students but Jansen should be credited for bringing such a matter to clearer light in his book.

Professor Jansen's book is the first English-language biography of Sakamoto Ryoma, the most celebrated historical figure in Japan today. It is also an in-depth study of the political and socioeconomic situation during the turbulent and fascinating years of the Meiji Restoration, the dawn of modern Japan. When I first read this book fifteen years ago, it struck me as an invaluable college-level textbook for students of Japanese history. It also made me aware of the need in the English language for a more probing analysis of Sakamoto Ryoma, the man. It was then that I began the 7-year process of researching and writing RYOMA - Life of a Renaissance Samurai, which I believe is a true-to-life portrait of Ryoma - blood and guts, heart and soul.

Absolutely awesome graphics. Text is a sort of summary of other books of Turnbull. Anyway this book is very interesting, expecially for "rookies".

The Samurai - in modern society, it's a shallow shell of what it formerly was - exaggeratedly awesome warriors capable of sundering tanks in two with there swords. But who were the real Samurai? "The Samurai Swordsman: Master of War" is an examination of the true Samurai, who dominated Japan during its feudal era, much like Knights once dominated Europe. Going deep into the nature of Samurai as complex individuals and not just swords with legs, it looks at everything - the Samurai statesman, the Samurai artist, and more. Enhanced with full color paintings throughout, "The Samurai Swordsman: Master of War" is highly recommended for community library history and art collections and for anyone who has always had a fascination with this warrior caste.

I have read most of the way through, and am *very* happy with this book. The text is engaging and full of interesting facts and anecdotes, the abundant illustrations make for an excellent collection of Japanese art, and the author's command of the subject matter is apparent. This is one I will read through several times.

I'm not certain why the "Samurai" bug bites readers but in my case I lived outside Yokohama, Japan, on the Kanto Plain for 25 months between October, 1962, and December, 1964. (Please see also my review of Oliver Statler's early 1960's book, "Japanese Inn" for additional detail of this area).

Living only a stone's throw from the ancient Tokaido Road, once capital city Kamakura, and medieval Odawara castle, among many other sites, caused me to this very day to have an avocational interest for Japan in general and the Samurai in specific.

I have several of Stephen Turnbull's books, feeling him to be very well versed in all aspects of this field to the point of being a notable expert in that area. The term "expert" is bandied about these days oft times without substance or merit, but in Mr. Turnbull's case it is well justified.

This particular book is one I purchased a year ago, and for the price was very pleased with its content. Should one look into it a reader would find it a good, comprehensive guide to the Japanese warriors known as 'samurai'. There are specific armor and weaponry illustrations and descriptions, as well as four "see-through vellum sections" where each layer of clothing and protective armour offers insight into the dress of these warriors. The text flows evenly and can readily be understood. Should the reader be new to this area of study this volume would easily serve as a great introductory volume.

This oversize book is amply illustrated in color, and in 256 pages offers magnificently "the story of Japan's great warriors".

Semper Fi.

This book would serve as an excellent introduction to someone who has read little or nothing on the samurai; it covers their history from the days of the Yayoi tribesmen to their overthrow during the Meiji Restoration, and provides much readable detail on their culture, organization, religious beliefs, armor, clothing, and most interestingly, the full range of their deadly arsenal.

Though I have maintained a strong interest in the samurai for several years and have read many books on them, I still learned some things from this book (notably that they used axes in battle, as well as clubs and maces). Anything by Stephen Turnbull can be pretty much guaranteed to be well worth one's money. In short, this book would be especially good for beginners but worthwhile for veterans of Japanese military history as well.

After my grandaughter received "Hey Willie, see the Pyramids" as a gift, we became fascinated with Maira Kalman's books. Our most recent acquisition is Sayonara Mrs. Kackleman. The naive illustrations are wonderful and plentiful enough to spend a good amount of time on each page. We like to fill in the thoughts of all the characters. This has been her "bedtime book of choice" for quite a while now. We now dream of going to Pajan to see the Japansneeze!

Maira Kalman does a wonderful job of capturing her reader's imagination and eye. She has a very playful graspe of the English language. Her style is envigorating. Children and adults are captivated by the rhythmic storytelling. The colorful illustrations make it hard to turn the pages while the text spurs the reader on to do just that. This is an entirely delightful children's book that will give readers the travel bug.

Maira Kalman has captured the best selling points of Japan.
We have lived in Kyoto for 8 years. My husband is Japanese, and I'm American. We're raising our "doubles" (dual nationals)over here. "Sayonara Mrs. Kackleman" is our kids' ultimate favorite book, and they laugh and laugh when I read "Pajan" or they call them "Japansneeze" and "Hey Hiroko...are you loco?" The author writes about the precious things that we wish we could preserve over here. Sadly, the traditional culture is being replaced with the younger generation's obsession with character goods, shopping for horrendously overpriced luxury goods, overwork, porn DVDs in vending machines, McDonalds in every neighborhood. Kalman writes about Japan in the 80s, I think. It has changed a lot in 25 years, so the things she recorded in her book are all the more dear to me. The humor, the illustrations and the fact that she chose this country have turned me into fan.
When we go back to the States I check out all her books from the library, so we can read them as often as we do at home.

This is a story about two kids who take a trip to Japan. The writing style is really humorous, and yet it is not not silly. It uses puns and a wonderful descriptive style in ways that are really original. My son (age 3) really enjoys this story, and so do his older cousins. The illustrations are also interesting and fun to look out. This is a good book to read out loud at bedtime.

From the subway that "smoothed into the station" to all the exotic Japanese meals, this fantasy trip of two kids to Japan is just inspiring. I find myself as delighted and laughing as my kids. Having falling totally in love with Ms. Kalman's words and images I'm off in search of more!

This is the most comprehensive Suppliment for Call of Cthulhu...especially for the Secrets of "" line they have. Thicker than the core book and is literally a better reference than my Japanese language books. The scenarios in the book are ok but don't take advantage of the source they draw from. The author takes various different angles to develope styles of play within the game and can expand from the basic Lovecraft style. You can even involve Delta Green type of flavor from this book. Even though it does not come straight out and say Delta Green. I think some players and GM's may be intimidated by conceptualizing a Secrets of Japan game but I found my players quickly picking up things during the game because of how much Japan oriented stuff we are exposed to in the media. The material is for the modern time and not for the 1920's as most of CoC is based in.
It's very well put together but is a big read if you don't know too much about Japan. It's well worth the price and invaluable resource for any GM.

Secrets of Japan is a new supplement for the Call of Cthulhu role-playing game that moves the setting into the present day and to the far east of Japan. This massive supplement is actually larger than the actual Call of Cthulhu game book, which should give you some idea of just how thorough and comprehensive it is. It covers virtually everything that the original book did but slanted towards play in Japan. Author Michael Dziesinski begins with an introduction to Japan, its people and culture. It's this milieu which makes it unique from the original game which while providing information for playing in the modern day, was still heavily slanted towards play in the 1920's.

All aspects are revisited including character creation, occupations, which include many new ones such as Bushido "The Way of the Warrior" which certainly gives some punch, or kick, to PC's. There's also many new skills, magic, and of course, being in a modern setting, weapons and vehicles to utilize. Dziesinski goes so far as to provide the scope on how PCs find themselves in Japan to begin their investigations, assuming you're not using characters born and raised there. This is an interesting approach as you do become a stranger in a strange land, which certainly adds even more mystery to the game.

There are lengthy sections on religions and cults and other shadowy organizations and how they all interact with the Cthulhu Mythos. It's very well thought out and harkens back to yellow menace pulps of the 30's and 40's. Several new monsters, elder gods, great old ones, etc, are included. In addition, there are new, complete adventures included as well as a couple of dozen adventure hooks and ideas that the Keeper can build on. The depth and scope is quite staggering. That is the book's greatest strength and perhaps its greatest pitfall. There's a LOT to try and absorb and you have to wonder if players are going to want to invest the time to learn this new setting. There are great ideas here and it's certainly possible to run a campaign using just the ideas that fit you and your players, and adding more detail as you go along.

Ultimately it will be up to the Keeper to decide how much to use. There's no shortage of source material, that's for sure.

Reviewed by Tim Janson

Japan is a natural setting for Call of Cthulhu. It is a place absolutely festering with monsters, beasts, ghosts and horrors of every possible nature. Combined with a long history and an enigmatic culture, the possibilities for adventures in both modern and past times is boundless. And with Lovecraft's fear of what lies under the sea...why, any trip to a sushi restaurant could be a sanity shattering experience.

Michael Dziesinski has put together a tome. "Secrets of Japan" is a thick book, and the author was sure to pack in as much as possible from his considerable knowledge. The first section, Atmosphere, provides a crash-course in Japan both ancient and modern. Politics, social life, technology...everything you need to give your game the appropriate mood. Other sections detail more specifically game-orientated information, including secret societies and power groups, new skills, magic and characters. The final section contains some very short scenarios, and a collections of scenario ideas. Due to the depth of "Secrets of Japan", it would be great to see a companion volume of scenarios for those who don't really have the time to home-cook their own.

The format of the book also keeps in mind the various way people view Japan. He has a tongue in cheek comic strip running through the book called Cthulhu Sushi which is very funny. A certain giant green famous monster of filmland makes an appearance, although slightly altered. There is even a short section on running Call of Cthulhu anime-style, which made me do a sanity check when I read it.

However, for all of its excellence as a Call of Cthulhu game book, no one should mistake "Secrets of Japan" as anything like an authentic book on Japanese society and folklore. Although Dziesinski deeply mines the rich history of Japanese monster tales, he freely molds them to suit the game, something leaving little resembling the original beast other than the name. He also makes some mistakes in his Japanese translations, specifically in his section titles "Cultural Lexicon", where he attempts to show aspects of Japanese society using the language. This is no terrible error, however, as it doesn't affect game play in any way.

Secrets Of Japan: Surviving The Mythos In Present-Day Japan by Michael Dziesinski, et.al. (1568821565, $34.95) is a guide to roleplaying in modern Japan: a survey of the underworld of Japan which serves as a battle-ground for primordial entities. Japanese cities and suburbs receive histories, roleplaying insights, and extensive links to Cthulhu in this guide for Cthulhu roleplayers in modern Japan. Packed with black and white artwork and complexity: a 'must' for serious Cthulhu roleplayers.

Chaosium shows why their Call of Cthulhu line is considered to have the best supplements by both old and young turks in the game industry. This book is exceptionally well-researched and written; any gm interested in running a game in Japan or using Japanese mythology in a rpg would do well to have this book. I'd recommend it to Keepers, period; it encourages you to think about the Mythos and its relationships in a new light the way that the tragically underrated Creature Compendium can.

I recommend Secrets of Japan to every Keeper out there without hesitation.

I discovered this book at the library, renewed it several times, and then decided I just had to have it. I love fiber arts. The work from the countries of Asia stupefies the mind with its intricacy, delicacy, and sheer beauty. The book explains the meanings of many of the designs and weaves history with aesthetics. The author is an accomplished needle artist herself.

I splurged and ordered this book, and am I glad that I did. It was a jaw-dropping feast for the eyes, and well-worth ever penny spent on it.

The photographs are absolutely amazing, the details are brought to light
exceptionally well, and the text illuminates this Asian craft world just
perfectly.

One of the best features of this volume is that one can readily SEE in detail the various works of the needleworker's arts from each timeper-
iod, providing as an added bonus, inspiration for one's own embroidery.

I highly recommend this book, for needleworkers and designers and for
the aficionado of handwork arts.

This comprehensive account of East Asian embroidery is a must for any textile collector. Beautifully illustrated throughout and wonderfully informative it educates and feasts the eye. The photographic details are very clear and provide a good indication of the different textures. There is also a useful, fully comprehensive bibliography encouraging further exploration of this fascinating subject.

Silken Threads leads the reader through a wonderful journey charting the evolution of the embroidery of the East Asian region.

Dr. Chung apart from being a Master Embroiderer, and probably the only women in the word who has had a Museum named after her in her native Korea, is also a well respected Art Historian. This is not a "how to" book but a serious study of the history and art as it relates to the embroidery of China, Japan, Korea and Vietnam.

It is well illustrated and reflects the many years of study that Dr. Chung has spent researching this absorbing area of study.

Silken Threads is real winner ! Collectors, Asian Art scholars ,and Costume designers ,both fashion and theater,will find this book an indispensable reference work in the field of East Asian embroidered textile and costume. What this book is NOT is a "how-to" on embroidery.

Dr.Chung gives a comprehensive history of the evolution of East Asian embroidery and the significant contributions it has made to the cultural history of the region. The influence of China and the dissemination of Chinese techniques , motifs and artistic convention on other regions in East Asia are thoroughly discussed. The author examines in depth a wide variety of embroidered costume ,accessories,household furnishings and religious textiles.

Perhaps the most valuable aspect of this book,and there are many,is its pioneering effort in the field of Vietnamese textiles and
costume,a subject largely ignored before this publication .

Silken Threads is a exemplary production of scholarship,beautifully illustrated and completely documented .Dr.Chung's grasp of her subject represents the culmination of many years of extensive research by a leading authority on East Asian embroidered textiles .

I love the format of this book. Lots of pictures and maps. Flipping through the book you see things that look beautiful, fun, exciting, interesting and tasty. A picture is worth a thousand words, and this short, compact book packs a lot of information. Text is only used to explain concepts and history, while pictures are used to show places to visit, things to do, things to eat, with lines back to their source on an easy to read map. It really is an excellent way to convey this type of information.

I will be making the trip to singapore later this year, and this book will be right there with me.

In my opinion, the "Eyewitness Guides" are a must reading whenever my wife and I travel to a location we've never been before.
In addition to the usual tourist information they present great background on the history and culture of the area. This particular guide was no exception.
Well worth the money by adding immeasurably to the trip.

I needed a travel guide to help me with my first trip to Singapore. The Eyewitness guides have consistently been the best for me. They contain a good mix of historical information and practical guidance, and the graphics are excellent (I keep my Eyewitness travel guides as souveniers so I can remember all the things I did on my trips and their pictures are usually better than mine). The writing is interesting and informative - not too technical and not too "touristy". For the Singapore edition, the mapping, directions and information were particularly helpful and accurate. Singapore is not a large place but it has a mountain of things to do and see, so it is important to have an accurate guide that breaks things down into specific geographic sections as well as into subject matter. This book does just that. I highly recommend this guide to any traveller heading to Singapore.

Seduced as I am by the highly glossy, supremely compact and wonderfuly illustrated DK Eyewitness Travel Guides, I suppose I am somewhat biased as a reviewer. The combination of succinct text, numerous useful details, spectacular photographs, eyecatching 3-D graphical images, and user-friendly maps make the Eyewitness Travel Guides uniquely useful, distinctive and even collectable. The new Singapore book is no exception to these considerations, so much so, I wish I had it my disposal when I visited there last year, if only for the invaluable details it provides. Now shortly before leaving for Singapore once again, I have recently acquired this book, and it has whetted my appetite, by reminding me of the places, the colors, the smells, the greenery, the heat, and the vibrancy I had already experienced. It has also made it quite clear, exactly how much I missed last time, particularly in terms of wildlife reserves, museums, and galleries. The book contains a brief, but informative overview of the history and multi-cultural nature of this exciting island country. As with other titles in the series, the guide enables the user-traveler to gain maximum benefit from his or her visit, by highlighting THE places to visit, and what to expect from these experiences. If I have any criticisms of this, and indeed with many other Eyewitness Travel Guides, it is a shade small, with tiny text font, and it is a tad too short for my liking. But I guess they have to fit comfortably into your pocket, and, in any case, you cannot have too much of a good thing, otherwise you may just stay at home and gloat over the marvellous pictures.

If you ever go to Singapore, don't forget to bring this book. Even if you have been there many times (I have), you will always find new and interesting sights to visit and new information you didn't know about. What I like most is the detailed map section that covers most of the central city, that is the part you would want to visit as a tourist anyway. The street-by-street pictorial maps are excellent, but not always true to detail. The general index (for looking up things) is very good. However, on the downside, I would have liked to see more budget options in the "where to stay"-chapter. Nevertheless, probably the best guidebook to buy.

A Special Fate is the story of Chiune Sugihara, a Japanese consulate to Lithuania who, against the wishes of his superiors, hand wrote about six thousand transit visas to Jews fleeing the invading Nazi forces. His bravery saved many lives, but cost him not only his political career but also his youngest son's life. The author also weaves the story of two Jewish children who received visas from Sugihara into the main narrative.

The book is very engaging, not at all like the dry lists of dates that typically pass for history. I usually don't find history books enjoyable, but I enjoyed this one and learned a lot, not only about how Sugihara's visas saved so many people, but also a bit about Japanese culture.

The story moves quickly enough to keep younger readers from getting bored, but not so fast that the details are lost. Most older children will be able to read the book and understand what is going on as long as they have a basic knowledge of W.W.II history.

I would recommend this book to anyone learning about W.W.II, and even though it is supposedly a children's book, I would recommend it to adults too.

This is a beautiful book. I had to check the total number of pages after the first 10 pages, because I knew I would want to read the whole book in one sitting. "Hands reaching... for visas for life." Some people had never seen a Japanese person before. We hear the ice on rivers breaking up with loud cracking, we taste the Lithuanian pancakes with cheese filling and jam, we experience the shock of watching an American movie to then walk out into the light and see Russian tanks rolling down the street. The writer carries us gently through a lot of history, pain and beauty. I thought this would be a depressing book about the Holocaust, I was very wrong.

Alison Gold has documented with elegance the selfless humanity of Sempo Sugihara, a Japanese diplomat of the World War II era. Against the orders of his superiors, Mr. Sugihara wrote 6,000 visas in an effort to spare the lives of Polish and Lithuanian Jews. Through Alison Gold's brilliantly crafted accounts, we learn of the horrors and atrocities of the Holocaust, of the mixed fates of several families who were granted visas, and of the injustices to which the Sugihara family was subjected as a result of Sempo's courageous response to human torment. In several places throughout this magnificent book, Ms. Gold introduces Japanese phrases that do much to enrich our understanding of cultural concepts at the core of the Sugihara's way of thinking and living. We learn of the considerable influence that Mrs. Sugihara had on her husband's decisions. While this book was written for a young adult audience, most adults would find its content engrossing.

Chiune Sugihara's story needed to be told. In a dark period of Japanese history, one man listened to his conscience, discussed the consequences with his wife and children, and chose to do the right thing. In the early days of WWII, Sugihara, a diplomat to Lithuania, issued thousands of life-saving visas to the Jews of Europe against the direct orders of his superiors. After the Russians took over Lithuania, Sugihara was forced to close the Japanese Embassy, but he continued writing visas until the last possible moment.

The rest of Sugihara's story is anti-climactic, dealing with his diplomatic career throughout the war. After the war, the Soviets sent the Sugihara family to a Siberian detention camp. When they were finally repatriated, Sugihara was immediately dismissed from government service for disobeying orders. He spent many years in obscurity before finally being found by some of the grateful Jews that he had saved. Near the end of his life, he received some well-deserved acknowledgement by both the Japanese and Israeli government including being recognized as "Righteous Among the Nations."

Alison Leslie Gold, who has written several other non-fiction books of the Jewish experience during the Holocaust, tells the story of three families. Besides Sugihara's story, Gold describes the experience of a Jewish family from Poland and another from Lithuania who received Sugihara visas. Gold focuses on Solly and Masha, children from those families. She interviewed them as well as Sugihara's widow, Yukiko, for first hand accounts of the heroic and tragic events described in this book. Masha's family used their visa to travel to Japan and survived the war. Tragically, Solly's family repeatedly delayed using their visa until it was too late to use it resulting in many family members' deaths at the hands of the Nazis. Solly found it quite ironic that a Japanese man tried to offer his family assistance at the beginning of the war and the first American face that he saw when he was liberated at the end of the war was a Japanese American soldier.

The photographs in the book help readers understand that this is a true story that happened to real people. There are photographs of all three families and additional photos from the time period. The photos are separated from the narrative in two clumps. Though this distracts from their impact, they are still powerful.

This is an easy to read introductory book on the incidents in Lithuania. However, I found information on the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum web site that was not included in the book. In the web site's section on Sugihara, I learned about the interesting larger story involving the Dutch council, Jan Zwartendijk and his involvement in helping the Lithuanian Jews. I also learned that Yukiko was Sugihara's second wife.

Gold is non-judgmental towards Japan's involvement in WWII and of Sugihara's father's involvement in occupied Korea. However, she seems to lose some of that impartiality when she adds comments on Sugihara's conversion to Russian Orthadoxism. She adds the comment that he did not forget his Buddhism and Shinto religions from his youth (10). I wonder how she knows that detail of his conversion.

The research that went into A Special Fate could have been better documented. Gold's sources are summed up in an author's note at the beginning of the book and an author's acknowledgement at the end. The book does not include a bibliography for further reading or works consulted.

It is estimated that Sugihara wrote 6,000 visas. Now there is a group numbering over 40,000 descendants known as "Sugihara Survivors." Even in later life, Sugihara remained a humble man and once said, "I didn't do anything special....I made my own decisions....I followed my own conscience and listened to it" (175). Yukiko also should be commended, because had she dissuaded her husband, he might not have written the visas that saved so many lives. Karen Woodworth-Roman, MS Library Science

Chiune "Sempo" Sugihara is one of the little known heroes of the Holocaust. This is rather unfortunate, as Mr. Sugihara was probably responsible for the saving of more Jews than any other individual! While serving as Japanese Vice Consul in Lithuania in 1940, Mr. Sugihara, against the express orders of his government, issued some 6,000 visas to people (individuals and families) desperately seeking to avoid the Nazi death machine. This book is the story of Chiune Sugihara, from youth to honored old age, and also the story of two young Jews, one whose parent took the visa and ran, and one whose parent waited too long.

This is a great and exciting story! I got this book for my twelve-year-old daughter, but found that I liked it just as much as she did. I really enjoyed this story of one man standing up and doing what was right, in spite of the costs. If you are looking for an uplifting story, one that teaches an invaluable lesson, then I highly recommend that you get this book!

Delicious! If you read just one book this year, read Sweet Daruma! The journey is delightfully shocking and juicy, as are the characters. Magda is a shiny Canadian girl musing and plotting her way through a perplexing yet addictive Asian way of life. Can you imagine a more clever and even funnier Bridget Jones busting out, growing up and taking on a hard core adventure in a hard core world?
I loved this book. It is witty, insightful and downright naughty.

This book has everything: goofy Japan, offbeat characters and situations (just like REAL life), introspection, pathos, suspense, thrills and romance. And so darned funny. I was eating oatmeal while reading the "Sento" chapter, and I exploded and almost choked when I got to the "long dark green bath...." I spent the next 3 minutes convulsed in laughter, vainly trying to clean up the oatmeal. And the surprise ending was.....what's the right expression?....oh yes, a real gas!

This book has everything: goofy Japan, offbeat characters and situations (just like REAL life), introspection, pathos, suspense, thrills and romance. And so darned funny. I was eating oatmeal while reading the "Sento" chapter, and I exploded and almost choked when I got to the "long dark green bath...." I spent the next 3 minutes convulsed in laughter, vainly trying to clean up the oatmeal. And the surprise ending was.....what's the right expression?....oh yes, a real gas!

Janice Valerie Young is a great writer from Toronto and her insight into both the Canadian and Japanese psyche is impressive. Sweet Daruma uncovers crazy, hilarious Japanese pop-culture, and it's a must-have book for anyone who is curious what life is really like in Japan in the 21st century. I highly recommend it! An over-the-top, reality-comedy!

Wow, this book truly uncovers all the crazy, hilarious Japanese pop-culture! Sweet Daruma is a must-have book for anyone who is curious what life is really like in Japan, in the 21st century. I highly recommend it! An over-the-top, reality-comedy, much more entertaining than Lost in Translation!

This book was suggested to me by a very famous tattoo artist when I was considering getting some work done. To say I was completely astonished by my own ignorance of the art form is an understatement. Although much of the book was a little too complex for me to understand, the pictures, process and artists were a great tool to study. The book also provided surprising information on American artist Ed Hardy--a fashionable rage right now--who apparently was one of the rare American artists to be allowed access into this world. Highly recommended

I just bought this over the weekend. If you like japanese tattoos as much as i do, you may wanna check out there other 2 books I also got last weekend.

The japanese Tattoo
Bushido : Legacies of the Japanese Tattoo


It's worth every penny! I also want to get Horiyoshi III's book too but can't find one. =(

Takahiro Kitamura's "Tattoos of the Floating World" is far from a be-all and end-all guide to Japanese tattoos. However, it is for the moment without peer in providing a cultural context, and it thus adds depth to a reading of many other favorites, including Fellman's "The Japanese Tattoo," Addiss' "Japanese Ghosts and Demons," and Klompmakers' "Of Brigands and Bravery: Kuniyoshi's Heroes of the Suikoden."

In this slender volume, Kitamura's primary focus is the linkage of the woodblock printing tradition of the Edo period (1615-1868) to the development of the tattoo as art. With such a focus, afficionados of the print artists Kuniyoshi, Kunisada, and Kunichika will find many illustrations to delight them, and there are as well photographs of the current artistry being worked by tattoo masters. Adding to the value of the book are a preface written by Donald Richie and an afterword by Don Ed Hardy. The first essay is elegiac and lyrical in tone; the second provides personal insights by a Western connoisseur of the tattoo art form.

The shortcomings of "Tattoos of the Floating World" concern what is not included. The book would have benefitted greatly from having an index as well as a more generously-executed glossary. Moreover, I regret that Kitamura, who as a tattoo artist is uniquely qualified to do so, did not more systematically and fully catalogue and explain the symbolism of Japanese tattoos.

Most tattoo afficianados are aware that Japanese tattoos are steeped in history and culture. But Tattoos Of The Floating World: Ukiy-o Motifs In The Japanese tattoo explores this history and culture in a way never done before. Takahiro Kitamura's research and unique insight combine to present the reader with not only a history of the Japanese tattoo, but also with an understanding of how it came to be, how it continued to maintain its traditions through centuries of persecution and cultural metamorphosis, and how it both influenced and was influenced by the contemporary arts of early Japan.

The first half of this excellent work explores the early history of the Floating World (as pleasure districts were known as Japan's Edo period), focusing on the "triumvirate of arts": ukiyo-e (wood block prints), irezumi (tattoos), and kabuki theatre. Ukiyo-e and irezumi are so closely intertwined that tattoos of the day were referred to as horimono (carved object) in deference to the process of carving a wood block print. Kabuki was the theatre of the people and expressed not only the history and mythology of Japan, but the people's innermost desires as well. Kitamura's exploration of the ways in which these three arts intertwined demonstrates his love of the topic and inspires a similar affection in the reader.

The latter half of Tattoos Of The Floating World details many of the themes so strongly connected with Japanese Tattoo today. Sections devoted to such heroes as Fudo Myoo, Fujin and Raijin, Kumonryu Shishin, and Tennin give a basic understanding of their characters themselves and their endurance as tattoo motifs. Details are also provided on such traditional images as dragons, koi, shunga, falcons, the Kurikaraken, tigers and the phoenix.

Illustrated throughout with ukiyo-e, original sketches by Horiyoshi III, and photographs by Jai Tanju, this work is as beautiful as it is educational. The pairing of sketches next to their finished tattoos highlights the artistry involved in Japanese tattoo while the presentation of ukiyo-e prints alongside tattoos of the same characters and motifs demonstrates the cultural and historic similarities.

As a special bonus, Don Ed Hardy weighs in with an essay exploring his own discovery of Japanese tattoo. Ed Hardy is the foremost American authority on Japanese tattoo and was one of the first Westerners to write on the subject. This essay follows his discovery of Japanese tattoo and his adventures in crossing the borders (both physical and cultural) between Japanese and Western tattooing.

Never has a book demonstrated so well the relationship between Japanese wood block prints and tattoos. Despite the seeming deluge of complex images that appear in large Japanese tattoos and body suits, the elements and themes are actually not that many and are readily recognized with practice. Tattoo artists will pour over this volume and collectors (both book and tattoo) shouldn't be without it.