Japan Books

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!

When I read for the first time this book, I wasn't expeting too much, but it really surprised me. GURPS Japan brings to you a complete description of the social classes and the code of honor of the Samurai, the "bushi" of the legends and history in the feudal Japan. Is very cool meet a lot of friends and try to interpretate the honor of being a samurai, or to understand the essence of this marvelous game. The complete description of the weapons and the costumes is very interesting too.

This is one of the most interesting rpg supplements I have ever read. There are so many interesting historical details in this book which can enhance any rpg campaign set in Japan. It is far superior to Oriental Adventures in the Dungeons and Dragons system. Even if you are not a role player, this supplement can provide interesting information for anybody interested in historical Japan. I definitely recommend it highly.

I picked up a copy of this book when I first started working in clay back in the early eighties. While my style has evolved very far away from this initial influence this book has followed me from coast to coast and remains a constant touchstone. A definite must have and absolute keeper.

Really a documented dialogue between master potters Bernard Leach and Shoji Hamada, Hamada Potter is a wealth of insight into a way of life devoted to form. Following an incredible catalog of images from Hamada's substantial body of work (nearly half of the 232 pages), the reader is treated to a back and forth reminiscence between Leach and Hamada on such subjects as their meeting, the potteries at St. Ives and Mashiko, seeing, handles, chairs, glazes... It is truly a breathtaking opportunity to be able to eavesdrop on this remarkable conversation. For anyone who appreciates art and its ability to chronicle the depth of human experience, Hamada Potter is a document that enriches as deeply as the artist it celebrates.

It seems a crime that this excellent book (Hara) is out of print. The great merit of Durkheim's work is that it makes superb sense of what is often shrouded in exotic obscurities - the psycho-
somatic basis underpinning a multiplicity of disciplnes - Taoist/Zen practice,the Martial arts(Wu shu/Budo) etc.- making the central principle clear, within the bounds of practical discussion - yet never encroaching upon that which defies description. Although it invites materialistic misunderstand- ings to say so, this book offers a 'hands on' approach to quite 'rooted' processes, often glossed over in accounts of 'eastern wisdom' laying almost exclusive stress on 'mind development.' Necessarily, Eastern teachings do stress mind development and from a certain perspective,they eschew body-centered thinking/fixations. But as anyone reasonably proficient in Za-zen (or equivalent disciplines) will find, there is a distinct corre- spondence between mind-states, breathing, and bodily states, making it apparent that the 'brain' is not the primary or real vital centre of man. Za-zen brings the discovery that a balanced awareness finds itself focused - bodily, in the 'hara' - and Durkheim's book attests to the distinct benefits this discovery yields, not in purely bodily terms, but in relation to the life giving force (ki) of the universe. The 'hara (or 'tanden') is a natural reservoir of this energy and therefore, the psychosomatic side of meditation (or martial arts training) is of vital importance.

Much as something like Zen advocates the 'non abiding mind' etc., masters like Dogen and Hakuin both knew the importance of developing the hara. A 'floating' or 'sinking' mind upsets practice, the unstable 'ki' causing bodily and mental illness, exhaustion, or drowsiness. Paradoxically, the best way to bring the mind to rest - predisposing it to return to its natural, 'non-abiding' state - is to first 'fix' it in the hara.
Even if this is thought of 'physically' - at the outset, it will eventually yield its higher, psycho-physical process, merging with the cosmic breath, leaving the mind to mirror events,with-
out sticking to them.

Durkheim writes as one who has found and knows the secrets of the 'hara.' The last thing he advocates, is switching from one bodily fixation - to another, e.g. from the cereberal, brain centered 'west' - to a 'navel gazing' east. On the contrary, Durkheim shows the hara to be a creative and healing centre, linking the 'whole person' with the very life energy of the universe, all other life-forms - and what lies beyond form. Clearly, advocates of the martial arts wouldn't be able to func- tion, if simply fixated on the navel in a pedestrian manner.

Durkheim draws on sources of the Far-eastern tradition to illustrate his point, but numerous anecdotes show that the 'western' consciousness has been aware of hara-power, albeit less consciously developed with us - than in the East. On a very basic level, we talk of someone having 'guts,' of 'gut' feelings etc. - and, needless to say, our sexual feelings are rooted in the hara. Shortsightedly no doubt,some forms of psychology regard the idea sinking to the level of the solar plexus - as a regression to infantilism, the womb - and 'death.' But as this region contains the generative and nurturative powers of life, that is a rather strange deduction. The East knows better. Durkheim doesn't mention it, but the Christian 'Heyschasts' knew of the hara - in their own way, consciously focusing their prayer in the region of solar plexus, the bodily equivalent of the 'omphalos' or cosmic earth-centre. Durkheim links all true creativity with the hara, noting how singers make use it, how old craftsmen seem to have their accumulated 'skills' stored there.

Durkheim skilfully draws on aspects of traditional Japanese culture to show how the energies involved flow from the hara, yet
remain focused there, a deep reservoir and centre of energy, unruffled by the flitting oscillations- of a purely brain centered awareness.The nice thing about this book is that it encourages the attentive reader to develop 'hara' - as a process coterminous with the life process and very cosmic flow, the 'Zendo' of everyday life - if you like. Durkheim respects a plurality of Asian disciplines - which is right and proper, but never loses sight of the fact that - ultimately, they all owe their inspir- ation to the cosmic life-process,that at a basic psychosomatic level, these are all somehow functioning through the hara. The author's fascinating notes and observations are ample testimony to this fact.It is the 'well of life' itself - that we find celebrated in Durkheim's book - at once practical yet intuitive, an invitation to remain in tune with the breath and spirit of life. As such, Durkheim's book will always be a classic, of benefit to a wide range of readers, regardless of background.

Quite simply one of the best books there is on genuine Spiritual development. I first read it in 1966, and each time I come back to it I see more deeply von Durckheim's great practical wisdom. Everyone should read this book!
Particularly indispensable for those interested in the Internal Martial Arts; "Hara" reveals the Spiritual aspects of Centering, which often get passed over in the fascination with physical accomplishment.
Peter Payne