Japan Books

This book is set in an alley in a poor sections of London and allows you to become part of the lives of it's inhabitants. All of the residents come from different races, colors and creeds and how they share their lives through joy, pain, politics, society and WWII.

This is the story of Tim an Irish labourer, his slow friend Dandy and their wifes and families living in a gaslit cobbled alley at the beggining of 1900. Read about Maud, Dandies loud American wife her beloved son, who goes off to fight in the first world war and tearaway daughter Colleen. Discover the dark secret the Brown twins accross the alley share, and their strange sister Ellen. This is an excellent book if you like to get the feel of old London and life before the Great War.

This awesome book contains everything you'll ever need to know about the Barbies, Barbie friends and fashions that were made exclusively for the Japanese market in the 1960s. But beyond containing a wealth of great information, it is one of the most beautiful books on Barbie ever made! The photography is incredible, even the paper it's printed on is top-of-the-line. Plus, it shows a fascinating glimpse into the history and manufacturing of early Barbies. The book is the best of both worlds -- great information and pure eye candy!

This book shows many vintage outfits that where available only in Japan. I don't know if they show them all, as there is no other book about this, that I can compare it with.

I just loved the info, and the photos, I still haven't read it completely.

If you want to get it go to barbie bazaar website and special editions.

Barefoot Gen: Out Of The Ashes is the final volume of a four part series. The atom bomb has been dropped on Hiroshima, destroying most of the city, killing many people, and causing others to become sick with radiation sickness. Gen's hair has fallen out from radiation exposure. He, his mother, and his newborn sister, no longer able to live in Hiroshima, are refugees in the town of Eba.

As this volume opens, the Emperor has just announced the surrender of Japan. Gen's two brothers return to live with them in Eba, one from the Navy and one from an evacuation camp. US soldiers are landing to study the results of the bomb. The distrust and hatred of the local community eventually becomes too much and the family moves back to what is left of Hiroshima. We see the U.S. occupation and the rebuilding of the city through the eyes of seven year old Gen.

Gen's compassion, humanity, and determination make this an inspiring book about the strength of the human spirit. The close loving values of his family are in sharp contrast to the amoral self interest of the black marketeers and the criminals who thrive in the disorder and poverty.

The work has been wonderfully translated from the Japanese original: Hadashi no Gen. It was originally published in serial form in 1972 and 1973 in Shukan Shonen Jampu, the largest weekly comic magazine in Japan, with a circulation of over two million. The drawings are all in black and white. This US edition was published as part of a movement to translate the book into other languages and spread its message. It is a powerful testimony to the strength of the human spirit and the horrors of nuclear war. There are a few introductory essays at the front of the book that help to put this book into perspective. It is a tragic but uplifting story that I highly recommend for anyone interested in the topic. This and the other volumes in the series are important books for their message on the dangers of nuclear war.

Barefoot Gen is the name of a series of novel-length cartoon books telling the story of the bomb dropped on Hiroshima through the eyes of a young Japanese boy who lived through the experience. (The story is autobiographical; the author is a Hiroshima survivor.) These books are splendidly touching and believable, and readers will walk away with a fuller understanding of the horrors of World War II, and all wars in general. There is no pro-Japanese bias nor is there a pro-U.S. bias: these works give a real rendering of how nightmarish that particular nuclear blast was. Keiji Nakazawa, the author, has given us a priceless treasure in creating these books which can be enjoyed by everyone aged ten and over; they will further your understanding of history and of the indomitability of the human spirit, and they will cement your opposition to the use of nuclear weapons

The Barrier and the Javelin proves to be well written and well researched book which centered around Japanese and Allied strategies that led up the stalement battle at Coral Sea and total American victory at Midway.

The book revealed that Japanese naval forces, despite of all its abilities, superior ships and planes and its highly trained crew, could not defeat its outnumbered enemies due to poor strategy. It was clear that the Japanese have badly over extended themselves and try to be too clever with their strategies which backfired on them.

I agreed with the previous reviewer that the author, H.P. Willmott was bit too judgmental on the wrong sides at times. A good example would be those Japanese raids into the Indian Ocean which was a terrible waste of men and material, especially since the British navy in that area served as no threat and primary duty of the Imperial Navy was to chased down the American carriers. But on the other hand, I thought Willmott's condemnation of Admiral Yamamoto was right on the mark. Too long have this Japanese admiral been overrated by many historians based on one successful attack on Pearl Harbor. Yamamoto fumbled terribly at Midway. (Personally, I thought he fumbled badly at Pearl Harbor too.) The author also cites superior American military intelligence as well as a lot of luck to win a battle of Midway that the Japanese should have won hands down.

Anyone with any interest in this subject should be reading this very insightful book. Its not really for casual reader so I would recommended folks who already have a good background on the Pacific War to tackled this book. A good companion book to Willmot's earlier book, Empires in the Balance, both books, in my humble opinion, belong to any library of a military historian who got an interest in this field.

This book is about Japanese and American planning and strategy in the naval battles of the Coral Sea and Midway. At the Coral Sea in May 1942, the Americans scored their first semi-victory of World War II. At Midway in June 1942 the Americans stunned the over-confident Japanese by sinking four of their aircraft carriers at the loss of one of their own.

Willmott's theme is that Japan should have won both battles against an out-numbered and inexperienced American navy, but did not because of woolly strategy and poor planning. At Midway Japan had two objectives: conquer the island and destroy the American fleet. These objectives should have been reversed in priority. Moreover, Japan split its superior naval forces into three isolated groups and thus permitted the Americans to meet and fight one of these groups on equal terms. The Japanese also assumed that the Americans would always do exactly what Japan wanted them to do and were unprepared for surprises.

The Americans, on their part, had superior intelligence (based on breaking Japanese codes), more durable ships and planes, and good luck. Willmott illustrates luck in his minute-by-minute examination of the mishaps of the Japanese in locating the American fleet at Midway. First, mechanical problems delayed the dispatch of a scout plane for half an hour and, next, the pilot inexplicably lingered near the American fleet for an hour before he reported the presence of carriers, an oversight that paralyzed the Japanese when they should have been attacking. As a result, American bombers scored first -- and decisive -- strikes against the Japanese carriers. But, Midway was a very near thing! 41 American torpedo bombers attacked in the first wave -- and only five came home again.

Willmott, a Brit, is opinionated and in the course of 500 pages, he makes some judgments I found questionable. For example, he seems to think it would have been a good idea for the Japanese navy to invade the Indian ocean and expel the British. That seems like a very bad idea. In my opinion, after the fall of Singapore in February 1942, Japan's overwhelming priority should have been to destroy the American aircraft carriers in the Pacific- but Japan dithered with raids on Ceylon and Australia and invasions of New Guinea. The delay proved to be fatal.

This is a good book for those whose interests go toward detailed examination of the thought processes of military planners and the battlefield decisions of leaders in charge of ships, planes, and men. Willmott probes deeply and provocatively into the calculations and miscalculations of men at war.

herman aihara lays it out. a great book for the macrobiotic beginner or expert.

Herman gives very concise information, in an easy to understand format, as to how and why one might want to eat a Macrobiotic diet. He packs in a lot of statistical data and facts and figures, yet this doesn't overwhelm. A must read for anyone who's thinking about Macrobiotics. Now if only the publisher would print more!

I found this book with very good ideas and easy to understand instructions. I received this book quickly - faster than I was expecting.

I was very excited about this author's first book so I see no reason not to also like this second one. She has 6 basic stitches with the emphasis on peyote in all its types. Three patterns for spiral rope for bracelet, necklace, and lariat. This is followed by patterns in 6 sitches. They include rings in peyote, eyeglass chain and bracelet in daisy, cellphone strap and bracelet in herringbone, necklace and bracelet in netting, earrings and pendant in brick stitch, bracelet and choker in RAW. Two pages on basic tools and supplies which include the latest materials, 3 pages called basic stitch maps illustrating the stitches. Then a "bonus" section on peyote. This includes bracelet in even peyote, ring in two drop peyote, bracelet and beaded bead necklace in tubular peyote and a lovely spiral necklace in peyote. Then comes 3 dinensional peyote with a miniature jewelry box and tiny tote bag. Followed by circular peyote with an applique, and a curly bracelet and frilled pendant. Then odd-count peyote with a cellphone strap, brooch and choker. The instructions include both words and color charts and lots of tips. The beads used are given in both millimeter sizes and the 8s and 11s which are the sizes used in the western world. I think that for the price this is excellent value and is good for self learning or with a class. I haven't made anything yet so will upgrade this review after I have.

this is a wonderful children's book for all ages written by a wonderful professor

It is a must for kindergarden and first grade teachers. Kids love it

The book of wind is the greaest book yet.I mean I love the
whole entire samuri girl book serious.Me and my friends love
it so much we're going to make a little short movie of the first
book.

This book was awsome, just like the rest of the series. Its just so good that its addicting. There is alway something going on it never boring. I can't believe that Hiro would keep such a secret, Heaven needs to learn that everyone has there dark secrets from the past that they just want to forget.

Takamura Kotaro was one of the few Japanese writers to continue publishing during the height of World War 2. He managed to do this by writing propaganda poems of the government. After the war, he found himself regretting his support for something that seemed so against his principles. This collection of poems and prose traces back his blind devotion to key moments in his childhood. Educated in France, his free form poetry smacks of French influence giving it a much lighter tone. Almost as moving as his collection of poetry about his wife, Chieko, it offers an eye opening look into one poet's remorse about his past actions.

I came across this talented poet/sculptor when I read the powerfully longing poem "To Someone [Not To Play]" p. 98 and knew that I had to have a book of his writing. I don't normally buy books and this is money well spent. I typically will borrow from the library but I had to make an exception with Takamura Kotaro! I only wish I owned a book of his and his wife's sculptures/artwork compilations!

I think e.e. cummings would have enjoyed "To Someone" a lot. I definitely find that his work is emotive, in the most creative sense imaginable. He was a Japanese sculptor, who was inspired by Auguste Rodin and worked in Paris. This book includes an incredible, insightful biography and commentary on his poems.

Chieko, his wife, suffered from schizophrenia and then later died in a sanitorium, much to his guilt. I noticed the similarities to his mother, when I read one poem [p.57 "Thinking of Mother"]. He idealized both of them, in their insecurities, martyrdom, and pure conscientiousness. His poems seemed to ask, "is a female's power wielded in ...leaving it, in leaving him?" Quite passive-aggressive.

The timeless poems, "Mountain Woods", "The Snow Has Piled White", and "Fountain of Mankind" reminded me of Robert Frost in their beautiful imagery of Mother Nature, of life as an endless experience of the seasons, both internally and externally.

"Lemon Elegy" was SO intense, you could TASTE the poem itself! The words conveyed an emotional power that could only be described as similar to the black and white, silent cinematography in "Snow Falling On Cedars". This is also one of his most famous poems and completely deserving! I will print this out and frame it, display it with a Rodin sculpture reproduction in my house, in tribute of this truly exquisite poet. Takamura Kotaro is my favorite poet of all time, after reading this wonderfully translated book that Hiroaki Sato made rich with nuance and kept authentic to the poet's character, meanings and moods. You will not regret buying this book. You will only regret not having enough copies to go around, when you want to send it out to everyone whom you share a special, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual bond with in your life.

I believe that Kotaro's experiences of guilt, grief, and frustration, even anger would be very useful for anyone whose had to cope with a chronic/debilitating illness in a family member. His wife died of TB 3 years after he had her hospitalized. Only those who have lived with schizophrenia in their families or have seen it up close in friends/loved ones can truly understand his decision and his intense guilt.

The insight this book offers is wonderful for ANYONE caught up in grief, or has experienced loss, as it is highly cathartic.

This is a superb selection of the best short stories written by expatriate writers living in Japan. It is also the first such selection and promises some rare treats to readers unfamiliar with both the writers and the topic. There is a broad range of both topics and literary styles, by both well-known and previously unanthologized authors.

Anyone who writes for a living knows the first and foremost rule: write what you know about. The authors in this collection of short stories certainly know what it's like to be outsiders looking into a foreign culture. Anyone who has lived in a foreign country can identify with these rare glimpses into battered hearts which results from the initial over-idealisation of an adopted culture. The writing is superb and colourful and each story feels like a poignant confession. One thing which is missing; however, is the lure of the culture and the aspects which keep us all living in foreign countries. Hats off to the editor.She did a remarkable job of bringing all these stories together. If you enjoy good writing of any kind, you'll cherish this book.