Japan Books

This is a partial review as I'm only 1/3rd into the book. So far, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. It offers insight into not only what makes the Japanese tick but also what aspects of their experience differ from those of a typical American. It's also a great book if one wishes to 'triangulate' ones knowledge of, for instance, China as it allows one to further sort out and categorize otherwise vague stereotypes and tidbits of information about that side of the world.

This book was written in the 1980s*, while Japan was strong and it's future was bright. Most books in the West fell over themselves extolling the virtures of Japanese style capitalism. Anyone who disagreed was called a "revisionist". Frank Gibney was branded such because, while recognizing many of Japan's strong points, he dared point out that all that rigid, central planning might not work forever. Turns out he was right. Some of his references may be dated (unless the reissue has updated them) but the book is an excellent look at the Japan of the 1980s, and correctly predicts the problems to come. Highly recommended to anyone who wants to see how Japan got into the mess it fell into it's recession of the 1990s

*I know it says 1996 as publishing date, but I read it in the mid 1980s; maybe it's a reissue.

This children's book is the only version of this 12th century Japanese fairy tale I could find in English in the US. The bold, courageous heroine of the story is charming and delightful, and the illustrations are beautiful. The original story was supposed to have informed Miyazaki's lovely animated film "Nausicaa and the Valley of the Wind," which I also highly recommend.

This is a marvellous presentation of the traditional Japanese tale ``The lady who loved insects''. It has an admirable protagonist in the title character who is sensible and strong, able to think for herself, who resists the pressures to conform.

Girocho: A Gi's Story of Bataan and Beyond

I had a special interest because John Henry Poncio is/was a relative, but even more because he bore no enmity for the Japanese. That still amazes me. The story of what our troops endured should be required reading in our schools.

Poncio's story from Bataan to Hirohata, written with total context of the war. An outstanding and complete story.

Every so often, one discovers a "POW" book that is not only accurate, but well written. Each line, each paragraph, each page weaves a complete tapestry of a Prisoner's life under the Japanese. Add to this, one sees beautifully crafted typography that makes this a classic. Of the more than 1000 books w have on the subject, this book ranks in the top ten.

Poncio adds depth and meaning to the history of our POWS, especially the guerilla and public support by foreign nationals and Filipinos. His is one of the rare books that even acknowledges the support from the legendary Madame Utinsky, a heroine who deserved the Medal of Honor. No phase of the experience is slighted nor any detail ignored as the writers weave a tapestry of horror endured yet an inspiring and unending battle to survive and sabotage the Japanese war effort. Poncio's description of desperate hunger alone is worth the price of the book. On a scale of one to five stars, Poncio's book deserves seven extra large stars.
Center for Research
Allied POWS Under the Japanese

The Global Studies series is a great way to get a general overview about a region of the world and its quick history. Each country is divided up into a quick overview of demographics, trade, economics, population and other pertinent data similar to a scaled down CIA world fact book. There is then a general overview of each country and how it has played its part in the region with a particular focus on World War II to the present. Finally there are about 24 articles in this one that focus on all sorts of different aspects from the region. They address everything from gambling opportunities in Macau to population control in Japan. Overall this book does an excellent job of capturing the Pacific Rim and the countries that reside there. It is a great start to learning about the region and provides an overview that will give you a focus to direct further investigations. If you are just getting started on this area of the world as I am you will find it an invaluable resource.

Book was new and just as described. Good information regarding Japan's history and economy as well as good information on countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand.

"Gracious Gifts: Japan's Sacred Offerings" is a lush book of beautifully composed color photographs by Gorazd Vilhar and knowledgeable, well written interpretive text by Charlotte Anderson. The authors have lived in Japan for 15 years, and their reverent, yet dramatic presentation of more than 100 sacred offerings left at Buddhist and Shinto sites gives the Western eye a rare glimpse into the Japanese custom of leaving small gifts in daily rituals honoring their gods, ancestors and lost loved ones. Even with little knowledge of Japan or its customs, readers of this book will be thrilled with the simple elegance of Japanese form, as well as the intense color and remarkable variety of the offerings. From daikon radishes carved into genitalia, offered to encourage fertility, to the 1000 handfolded origami cranes in every color, offered up for learning, the offerings shown in this book provide the reader with a feast for the mind and the spirit. Vilhar's photographs respect and preserve the sacred nature of the offerings. In fact, his careful attention to the form, color and precise arrangement of each offering provide one with a sense of awe that was surely felt by the bearer of the gift, but which might not be as immediate if one were to encounter these simple offerings in person. In the interpretive text, Anderson carefully and reverently provides enough background to enhance one's appreciation of the images, without presuming to explain the religion or its role in modern Japan. She accepts and describes what is. This beautiful book teaches one how to pay attention with a higher level of awareness.

"Gracious Gifts: Japan's Sacred Offerings" is a lush book of beautifully composed color photographs by Gorazd Vilhar and knowledgeable, well written interpretive text by Charlotte Anderson. The authors have lived in Japan for 15 years, and their reverent, yet dramatic presentation of more than 100 sacred offerings left at Buddhist and Shinto sites gives the Western eye a rare glimpse into the Japanese custom of leaving small gifts in daily rituals honoring their gods, ancestors and lost loved ones. Even with little knowledge of Japan or its customs, readers of this book will be thrilled with the simple elegance of Japanese form, as well as the intense color and remarkable variety of the offerings. From daikon radishes carved into genitalia, offered to encourage fertility, to the 1000 handfolded origami cranes in every color, offered up for learning, the offerings shown in this book provide the reader with a feast for the mind and the spirit. Vilhar's photographs respect and preserve the sacred nature of the offerings. In fact, his careful attention to the form, color and precise arrangement of each offering provide one with a sense of awe that was surely felt by the bearer of the gift, but which might not be as immediate if one were to encounter these simple offerings in person. In the interpretive text, Anderson carefully and reverently provides enough background to enhance one's appreciation of the images, without presuming to explain the religion or its role in modern Japan. She accepts and describes what is. This beautiful book teaches one how to pay attention with a higher level of awareness.

The book has excellent photos. Intense consentrative enhansement to the reader capability. That is important while trying to use the computer at the college to complete work.

This is the best book you could buy on Sumo. It is informative for the beginner, yet it is not simple facts about the sport because it goes into great detail showing the authors extensive knowledge.

Highly recommended.

It does. Early years are the stories of our main character from GTO in his early years. One of the best Manga's around now and it's far bigger then a normal Manga. It's over 500 pages EACH volume. Must buy now if your a GTO fan!

This mange is just the thing I was looking for. I finished watching the TV series and wanted MORE, prequal or sequel I did not care. I started reading GTO manga (also Rcamended) and I came across GTO Early years. I thought I would cry. It's about Onizuka & Ryuji (the mechanic in GTO) and they're preset to loose their virginity and the formation of the natoreious "ONI KAKU" biker gang of Shonen beach. Also you should know that this was infect made before GTO in the early 90's so it an older style of anime like yu-yu-hakisho. It's got comedy, drama, love and the great mindless violence.

This mange is just the thing I was looking for. I finished watching the TV series and wanted MORE, prequal or sequel I did not care. I started reading GTO manga (also Rcamended) and I came across GTO Early years. I thought I would cry. It's about Onizuka & Ryuji (the mechanic in GTO) and they're preset to loose their virginity and the formation of the natoreious "ONI KAKU" biker gang of Shonen beach. Also you should know that this was infect made before GTO in the early 90's so it an older style of anime like yu-yu-hakisho. It's got comedy, drama, love and the great mindless violence.

After the last volume I was getting a little tired of the bad guy shows up then gets beat up formula; however, this volume has renewed my faith in the series due to how the characters act. This really is a high school series, but Fujisawa keeps it fresh and exciting with his heartful characters who really do care. If you enjoy this series that GTO, by the same author, is a must read.

This book is an indispensible aide to anyone planning a trip on his own. This book contains over 50 individual entries describing the gardens of Kyoto and environs, grouped by geographic location within the city. Overview maps for the different districts show the approximate location of the individual gardens, so that the traveller can put together itineraries for daytrips in the Kyoto area.

Each entry gives details of opening hours, historic background and special features of the garden described. The name of the garden and its location are additonally specified in Japanese characters, making this book the ideal travel guide for those embarking on a trip to Kyoto.

There is a limited number of photos, so that those wanting to plan a trip using the guide might consider referencing other books with numerous color photos to pick the specific gardens they are interested in.

Don't leave home without this book! Anyone who is planning a trip to Japan (resident foreigners included) and has even the slighest interest learning about the Gardens of Kyoto should buy a copy of this superb book, which is small enough to carry in your shoulder bag. The book contains gives the balance of detail,giving good a historical background and landscape points overview. This is a buy you will not regret. Well done to the authors.

Once again, just as the second had better art than the first, the third has better art than the second! Iwase-sensei is getting more comfortable with the characters.

Story? Nope. Great ending, of course (brought tears to my eyes) but the story is still sort of condensed. Compare it to the novel and the anime and this storyline is the worst out of the three. Just disregard the few mistakes in translation, and you've got a pretty good manga!

This was the first GundamSEED manga I read, but I had seen a few anime episodes before. It was understandable to me, even without reading the first two. Now, that I have read the first and seconds volumes I must say that this is my faveourite. It is very interesting and has nice battle scenes, though I thought the battle in the first and second were a bit better. Nevertheless the plot is interesting and the ending is full of suspense. I can't wait until volume 4 comes out, it will leave you itching to find out what happens. I would recommended this to those who have read or watched GundamSEED before or have a bit of background knowledge. It's still an allright place to start off though! I find that if you have seen the anime first, it is a bit different. The anime is more light-hearted in my opinon. I rate this book really 4.5 stars out of 5 but, a) there is no such option and b) the drawings and ending are so great, I think they earned it!