Japanese Books

This is such an important novel. Everyone needs to read this book, especially as the issue of torture is finally center stage in American politics. The author's writing is beautiful, unusual, and distinctive. She is clearly someone whose career readers should follow. I recommend this book whole-heartedly. I could not put it down.

A brilliantly-written, moving book about the takeover of British-occupied Singapore by the Japanese in WWII.
This story is ingeniously told through masterful writing which is at times poetic, at times cryptic and always beautifully descriptive.
The superbly-drawn characters are utterly human, believable and many-layered. No cliches or stereotypes here.
This novel is political, historical, psychological, and deeply emotional. It seems to transcend time and place.

In the middle of "Breaking the Tongue", Vyvyane Loh repeats Somerset Maugham's warning that:

"'A work of fiction ... is an arrangement which the author makes of his experience with the idiosyncrancies of his own personality.' In other words, if someone messed with him, he'd write him into a story."

It seems that most of the ethnic groups in Singapore must have "messed" with this Malaysian author and she's written them into a mean-spirited parody of life in the island state during the 1940's.

At the center of the action are the Lim's. Father Lim is a sadistic snob, who evicts a homeless family from their temporary shelter in his drainage ditch. Mother Lim is a mentally unstable self-mutilator with the morals and varnished claws of a cat. Junior is a whiny adolescent. Little Sister doesn't have a speaking part, but her Confucian saint of a grandmother makes up for it by reciting large tracts of Sun Tzu at the drop of a hat. The various members of the family detest each other and that is the only part of the book that truly makes sense.

Alert readers will have noticed by now that "Breaking the Tongue" is a farce, not a literal history of Singapore. It didn't take any `courage' to write, just a lot of spleen.

An American reader confronted with a passage of Chinese characters might think: "Well, this is Chinese text so if it were read aloud it would come out as Chinese." This however is completely false. The tens of thousands of incredibly complex Chinese characters are ideograms, they represent not sounds but meanings such as man, flower or war. As a matter of fact, there are many Chinese languages such as Mandarin, Cantonese or Hokkien. All of these spoken languages sound entirely different but they are all written in the same set of Chinese characters. A long time ago the Japanese also adopted Chinese characters to write their language which is of course completely different from Chinese. The practical Japanese use an alphabetic script as well, so in practice a passage of Japanese writng might consist of a mixture of Chinese ideograms and alphabetic symbols. It is clear therefore that if you were erudite enough you could write any language including English in Chinese characters. Conversely, if you were to read aloud a passage of Chinese text you could do so in any language including English. Chinese text in other words is sound-independent, language-independent or as we might say tongue-independent.

In this book, near the end, the English text is occasionally replaced by passages of Chinese characters which are of course incomprehensible to the average American reader. This does not mean that the author has switched from English to Chinese but only that she has abandoned (or broken) the tongue. This is one meaning of the book's title, but only the metaphorical meaning.

There is a literal meaning as well. At the end of the book, the main character Claude Lim cuts out (or breaks) his own tongue. This operation is described in very clinical detail reminding us of the fact that the somewhat intimidatingly brilliant author is in fact a practicing physician who writes Nobel Prize quality novels in her spare time. The reason Claude cuts out his tongue is that he is an "English educated" Singaporean Chinese which meant in the colonial pre-war period that he was taught only English and could not speak a word of Chinese. After the Japanese conquest in 1942 and related personal events, Claude rejected his English education and wished to revert to his Chinese heritage. Since he could speak only English he accomplished this by cutting out his tongue ao that he could no longer speak any language but make only grunting sounds.

The reader may be pleased to hear that in modern independent Singapore Claude Lim's linguistic dilemma can no longer occur. English is now the primary language of education for all Singaporeans but each ethnic group is also taught their "mother tongue" whether it be Malay, Tamil (a southern Indian language) or (Mandarin) Chinese. So there are four official languages in Singapore and every Singaporean of normal intelligence is at least bilingual.

Well, it has taken me the space of a longish Amazon review and I have managed to explain only the title. To explain the body of the book as well is obviously beyond the scope here. But perhaps you can see what I mean when I describe this book as of Nobel Prize quality. I do not mean that Vyvyane Loh will receive the Prize in the near future since the Swedish Academy will not award it for a first novel. What I mean is that there is not the slightest doubt in my mind that she will receive the Nobel eventually. This book has the literary quality and the depth that would be expected. It is also has the exotic setting that is evidently much liked in Stockholm. So congratulations Vyvyane, a great literary future for you is assured.

In BREAKING THE TONGUE Vyvyane Loh successfully brings to life the myriad of cultures and languages resulting in a rich tapestry of colors and flavors of Singapore, situated at the tip of the Malay Peninsula. The days of the British Empire are numbered as the Japanese threaten to invade Singapore in the days leading up to Second World War. Within the unstable economic and political landscape is Claude Lim, a young Chinese boy who was raised to only speak the language and admire the mannerisms of England. His parents taught him that the Chinese along with other non-whites are barbarians; the British are much more civilized and cultured. There is little uncertainty that the British will succeed in protecting Singapore from the Japanese menace.

Despite their initial beliefs the Japanese experience minimal difficulties advancing south through Malaysia towards Singapore. After his family flees to the relative safety of the countryside Claude is left behind to resume his studies. However, shortly after their departure the routines of everyday life are interrupted when the bombings begin and war becomes more apparent. Claude along with Brit Jack and Chinese Ling-li who strive to survive day by day while running a defunct medical clinic. They dodge bombs and the chaos of the streets to buy food and run the injured to the hospital without knowing when or if any type of normalcy will return to Singapore.

One of this novel's strengths is the manner in which Loh highlights and exposes the issues of cultural identity and belonging. There is Claude who is a devout Anglophile and who has essentially turned his back on his cultural identity, Jack who is British but is interested in the peoples of Singapore, and Ling-li who is strong pro-China. These three divergent individuals bunker down and explore their own cultural identity. Throughout the course of this book Claude slowly realizes that all his father taught him is not necessarily true. He begins to regret not knowing the various Chinese dialects and opens his eyes to the futility of his parent's choices.

BREAKING THE TONGUE is a book that is well worth seeking out and reading. It is filled with mystery, intrigue, and action and there's much to enjoy.

I got this book from the library and was pleasantly surprised at the details and useful, practical advice on conceiving and executing a japanese garden. The book contains detailed instructions on how to lay out, build, select plans for, and maintain a Japanese-inspired garden. It talks about rocks, rock gardening, ponds, water plants and fish, paths, stepping stones, gates, and plants and plant selections. I found it really helpful in getting ideas to give to our landscape architect. I would recommend this book for anyone that is going to actually build (rather than just enjoy looking at pictures of) a japanese garden.

The book is easy to read and explains the whole concept of Japanese gardening. I learned with it and will be using it to plan my Japanese garden. Very pleased customer!

I bought serveral books about creating Japanese gardens. This book by far the best one that I had. I built a Japanese style Rock Garden so I don't have to mow my lawn. My back yard is built based on some of the pictures and tips I read from this book. The fun part is that you put in your hard work and built the garden you wanted which pays off when your guests give you thumb up. I spent about $5000 on the materials and hours of my own labor on the project. Now I can spent my weekend golfing instead of mowing my lawn. Ouch! My back still hurting from all the hardwork.

I've always wanted to have a Japanese Garden but never got around to doing it. I picked up this book at the library and, WOW, it has really inspired me! Not only am I now drafting up plans to turn a corner of my yard into a Japanese Garden but I showed it to a neighbor and he's thinking of making his backyard into something like the courtyard garden on page 20. I'll probably get a library of books on Japanese Gardening but this book will be the first one I'll buy.

This book is one of the best I ever buy about gardening and landscaping. The pictures alone worth the price.
They gives details to build your garden, makes pounds and falls and it seems so easy that I am starting my own right now.

They also list the kind of trees and plants to uses.

Buy this book with confidence.

I own this series in Japanese, and it is a wonderful read! It has all the important elements of a good shoujo manga: it is romantic, twisted, with a shoujo (in the traditional meaning of the word) involved in finding a new family and love triangles galore. It is just a very fun read, no matter the language!

That book is so amesome!! I can't put it down. When I bought it, I started read it about an hour. Believe it or not?

Let me tell you...I don't mean to spoil the story... Yuki, Kyo, Shigure and Tohru went back to the house from vacation. (Oh man, Kyo and Yuki gotta TALLER! Whoa!) Kyo wanted to be with Tohru until the end of his life. Tohru made a call to Kazuma which Kyo's father..err foster father!? She wanted to talk with him about how to break the curse. Tohru thought she was really selfish, but she really wanted to break a curse. Kagura realized why she pushed herself to Kyo and it called force love. But she does love him. She told Kyo everything and Kyo didn't say 'I am sorry;, just say thank you. Kyo was only the one friend to Kagura. Kyo never "like" Kagura. Kagura remembered when she saw Kyo's true form, she just ran away. In volume 6, Kagura watched Tohru ran after Kyo when he was true form. That made Kagura realized how she was stupid because of running from Kyo. Anyway, Kyo was just now single and wanted to be with Tohru and love her a lot. Of course, Tohru didn't know...YeT!? Hmm at school, the parent-teacher conferences, Tohru's grandfather couldn't go there because he had thrown his back. (I think.) So instead of, Shigure would go to her grandfather's place for parent-teacher conferences. Shigure wanted to see how Tohru's teacher's face when she sees Shigure. Between them, it was so funny. Um in the end page, Saki liked Kazuma when she saw him walked with Kyo to parent-teacher conference. Kyo shouted that he don't want to her be his mom. Hahaha! ^^ I hope you don't mind that I told you too much...ehh...

If you don't read this Fruits basket, go read the volume one. If you don't read this volume, go buy it!!! IT IS SOO MUCH!!! YiKes!!! =D

it's amazing that furuba has managed to stay so funny for so long, as I have read the entire series and I must say-- it's all down hill from here. I don't mean the quality of the manga goes down--the story line gets sadder and sadder, but some of it remains gutbustingly funny. In this volume, Tohru-kun, Kyo-kun, and Yuki-kun prepare to go back to school and for their parent teacher confrences. Tohru visits her grandpa in the hospital (he threw out his back)and he brings up painful part of her past. Tohru also pays a visit to Shisou-san (whom Hana-chan may have a crush on)and learns the more about the Sohma family's eternaly patronizing curse. kagura and kyo have a heart to heart about why kagura has forced herself on Kyo all these years, and Yuki starts his term as the new class president--could he have found a new love interest? it's true that the mystery surrounding the Sohmas is yet to be uncovered, but when Akito reveals a shocking secret in a later volume, a clue to their existence begins to unravel. Furuba is not--as I once suspected--'fluffy'-- it's hardcore, heartbreaking, and hilairious, and it succeeds on very level. One of the greatest manga series ever.

there's two manga i turn to, when i need cheering up Azumanga Daioh and Fruits Basket. Fruits is funny and sweet. And I'm so enjoying the further development of the characters past the anime series. consider me a lifetime fan!

Well, let me just begin by saying that i am totally in love with fruits basket!!! (especially kyo...and kureno, i suppose)This is by far, my favorite book in the series. This volume is filled with drama, especially when yuki meets up with rin, and realizes something about her that he never knew. and what happens when haru shows up? Also, kagura takes kyo on a date, and has an emotional confession about the reason why she always loved him. It truly brought tears to my eyes. and of course, it's hilarious when shigure goes to tohru's parent-teacher conference in place of her grandfather. (her teacher is mayuko, shigure's ex-girlfriend) well, you're just going to have to find out the rest for yourself. GET THIS BOOK!!!!!!

Natsuki Takaya, Fruits Basket, vol. 3 (Tokyopop, 2000)

After a quick re-read of vol. 2 to get my head back into the right place, I decided to continue on with Fruits Basket and see if I liked it any more than I did the first time I tried the series a few years ago. I started reading manga with Fruits Basket and Tarot Cafe, and I wasn't very impressed with either of them. I now realize this is because they're not for beginners; manga conventions are such that, at times, an entire issue of a manga can seem like an in-joke, and an artist's style can be such that most of the characters look similar, if not identical. Takaya and Sang-Son Park (of Tarot Cafe) have both these traits (I'm not sure I can call them drawbacks, but you know) in spades. Now that I have a lot more manga experience under my belt, this is a little easier going, but I'm still having problems telling some characters apart (though Takaya has hinted that in at least one case, this is intentional), and it keeps me from fully immersing myself in the story. I'm going to keep on with it, but where shojo is concerned, I have to say Godchild and Fushigi Yugi really do seem to do it better. ***

If you love mangas and love a story that gives you every emotion a story can give you, then this is the book for you. The main part of the story is comedy but it does have a lot of other emotions to it and there are a lot of plot eliments that will keep you wanting to read. I don't want to give anything away so I wont, you'll just have to read it. ^_^

I own this series in Japanese, and it is a wonderful read! It has all the important elements of a good shoujo manga: it is romantic, twisted, with a shoujo (in the traditional meaning of the word) involved in finding a new family and love triangles galore. It is just a very fun read, no matter the language!

Valentine's day is creeping up on the Sohmas, and for a family that turns into animals when they're hugged by the opposite sex, this could be a problem.

Fortunately Natsuki Takaya doesn't resort to the obvious gags, in the third volume of "Fruits Basket." Instead, she introduces some new members of the Chinese zodiac, brings a couple back into the picture, and sheds some light on Shigure's shady motives for keeping Tohru in his house.

While on an endurance run, Tohru sees a white-haired man lying by the roadside, and rushes to help -- only to find that he's Hatsuharu Sohma, a punky teenager. He and Kyo soon get into a martial-arts (and verbal) free-for-all -- until Yuki collapses from an asthma attack. To get him back home, Haru uses Tohru to change into his cursed form.

Things get even more awkward when Valentine's Day rolls around, and Kyo finds himself being violently wooed by Kagura. And while the four teens go off on a double date, Shigure pays an old visit to his pal Hatori, and hints at the lengths he's willing to go to... for the sake of a "dream of love" he once had. When, of course, he's not torturing his suicidal editor.

And a month later, Momiji unveils a surprise for Tohru -- a trip to a hot spring resort, run by a very easily upset "concubine." Tohru and Yuki are given a chance to relax and unwind in the luxurious surroundings -- and Tohru makes a very surprising discovery about Momiji's future.

Having introduced five zodiac members -- plus the cat -- Takaya keeps introducing new characters, and showing us facets of the established ones. And that takes up most of this volume -- it's one of the lighter "Fruits Basket" volumes, with lots of comic relief ("LOOOOOOOOOOOOVE!") usually provided by Momiji, the violently adoring Kagura, and the sickly onsen lady.

Most of the plot is light, frothy character development with a crazy double-date, lots of chocolate, and Haru's story about how Yuki won him over despite his prejudices. But there is some melancholy meditation on how cruel people take advantage of selfless people like Tohru, and some of the secrets that older zodiac members are keeping from our teen heroes.

Of course, this volume also introduces us to Haru, a teen who looks like a raver, but acts like a dignified gentleman. Of course, he has a lecherous, gleefully violent dark side if he's pushed too far. We also get Mitchan, the long-suffering editor who threatens suicide of Shigure doesn't start turning in new books on time ("Then do your job for your own sake! Because if you don't, you're forcing me to make your life as miserable as MINE!").

Shigure himself shows some new facets beyond "lovable pervy troublemaker" -- his intentions are revealed to be almost sinisterly selfish, and though he feels regret he won't change his plans. It's a striking, almost haunting scene, and it shows us a lot about his true personality.

The third volume of "Fruits Basket" is mostly fluffy fun and new characters, but it also shows some of the darker currents that run through the series. Definitely a good read.

I purchased this book and two others in the series for my 12 year-old daughter after she received the first volume as a Christmas present. She absolutely loves them all.

I'm so far a huge fan of this series, & the earlier volumes are easily some of the best. This volume is no exception. The artwork is adorable, the characters (while a little cliched at times) are likeable, & the storyline is decent. At times some of the cutesy may get to you, but as long as you take it in stride, it's ok.

(I'm not going to bother recapping the series, since it's so well known.)

Would I recommend this to a friend? To some, yes. This type of manga really only appeals to fans of shoujo, so die hard action & shonen fans probably wouldn't like this series.

I own this series in Japanese, and it is a wonderful read! It has all the important elements of a good shoujo manga: it is romantic, twisted, with a shoujo (in the traditional meaning of the word) involved in finding a new family and love triangles galore. It is just a very fun read, no matter the language!

I love Fruits Basket. It is really awesome, and I love Yuki! Anyway, I have something to say to Mew Pretear. If you had the smallest inkling about Fruits Basket you would know that its nickname is Furuba. Guess what? It was made up by the creator. She says so in either book one or two. So I suggest that you actually think before you try contradicting a fact.

I though this book was very good in this one it starts out with them at the summmer home place that Shigure brings Toharu, Yuki,and Kyo and since no of them can drive Hatori drives them there. When they get back they later find another member of the Zodiac, this time it's Kisa the one cursed by the tiger.
Trough out the book there was a lot of funny parts...but I was reading this in school so every time I can to a funny part I had to restrain my self from giggling in the middle of class(do you know how weird that would seem...). But I thought it was an Awsome book I rate it 2 thumbs up err... I mean 5 stars ^.^' .

Shigure decides to go to the Sohma family lake house for a much needed vacation, and to torment his editor. He invites Tohru, Yuki, and Kyo.. And persuades Hatari to come along as well (because he's the only one with a drivers liscence. This episode deals largely with Yuki and Kyo's changing relationship, and how Tohru deals with. At the Lake house Ayami Sohma shows up out of the blue. The rift between him and his younger brother, Yuki, is tested once again. He also reveals to Hatari that his former fiancee, Kana, has gotten married.

While out on a walk together Yuki and Tohru encounter Hatsuharu Soma carrying a small tiger. This turns out to be another member of the Sohma family, Kisa, also a member of the Chinese zodiac. When Kisa's mother comes to retrieve her it is obvious that she needs a much needed reprieve from her daughter's curse, so Shigure allows Kisa to stay with them for a few days. Kisa soon bonds with Tohru.

Kisa's mute behaviour causes some concern for the Sohma family, and for Tohru as well. Momitchi Sohma reveals the root of Kisa's silence and a letter from Kisa's instructor proves to be too much for Yuki. Then Hanajima suddenly invites the Prince Yuki fan club to her home after they ask to write a newspaper column about Denpa waves. President of the fan club, Motoko Minagawa has ulterior motives, and Hanajima doubts it not. Hanajima's little brother and his ability to curse people is awaiting for them at the house.

Much to Tohru's shame and dismay she fails one of her mid term exams and has to attend a make up test day. Under this stress her body becomes susceptible to a cold and the Sohma family becomes concerned that she is pushing herself too hard and force her to spend her illness in bed convalescing. Kyo proves to be an apt nurse when he makes her a cure all he loathes, and listens to Tohru reveal her anxieties about graduating high school and why it is so important to her.

Again...I am hopelessly addicted. I'm going to stop telling people to read this anymore. If you have read all of my other reviews of the manga so far, you already know how much I love it. Go read it for yourself. It's wonderful.

Having previously read the first three novels, I had no doubt the fourth novel would be just as good. It exceeded my expectations. The manga seems to get better and better with each volume. Personally, this is my favorite volume since the bandit Tasuki is introduced (my favorite character). Miaka continues her quest to find the remaining Suzaku Senshi and runs into all sort of trouble. I highly recommend this volume as well as the rest of the series. Money well-spent.

*Out of all the manga I read from this series, I like this one the best cause of Tasuki. Tasuki is my favorite character cause, he's always sarcastic and is always ready to kick... But its all good! Fushigi Yugi is serious must have for the anime otaku (otaku- japanese word for obsessed fan).

Yu Watase, Fushigi Yugi: Bandit (Viz, 1992)

The fourth installment of Fushigi Yugi has Miaka and crew searching for the last three Constellations of Suzaku. We get two stories here; the first takes them into a bandit camp, the second into a town stricken by plague. As the story's ramped itself up and some of the major pieces have fallen into place, there's more focus on the action in the stories, and things are getting faster-paced and building to the first of what is likely to be a number of climaxes. A fun series, well worth your time. *** ½

Ok, now taking into consideration that this book is totally great, in fact so great that i can't even tell you the 1/8th of it. So i will introduce you to tama-home he is really to-die-for, and to think, manga artists get paid to draw him all day... anyway tama-home was (and occasionally still is) always looking to make some cash, not because he is greedy, but to help his family. When he meets Miaka, a girl from today, who opens a book and goes to this other land, he is brusqe, but after she goes home for a while, (3 months) then he realizes how much he loves her, which is a good thing because miaka fell for him a bit a go...
So BUY THESE BOOKS! TAMA-HOME rules!...

Fushigi Yugi is about a bouncy eighth grade girl named Miaka. She's just a regular junior high school girl trying to get through exams, but one day she goes inside a restricted library and opens up a book called The Universe of the Four Gods. She gets transported inside the book and finds herself in Ancient China. She had to get out of the book, so she has to find the seven oracles. On her mission she falls in love with a handsome seventeen year old guy named Tamahome. He's caring and does the best for his family by earning as much money as possible - but at first when Miaka tells her feelings for him, he rejects her and says doesn't feel the same way.

Eventually Miaka discoveres that the beatiful emperor of Hong-Nan, Hotohori, is in love with her. By then Tamahome also discovers he had fallen in love with Miaka, so it form a love triangle. When this is all happening, Miaka is able to get in her own world...but then her best friend, Yui, who is the one who saved her gets stuck in Ancient China. A day passes by, then Miaka goes back to the restricted library to seek for Yui. She transports back into Ancient China, and she finds out a lot of bad things had happened to Yui during that time. Even though it was only a day in the present time, it was months in the other world. Yui sides with another country, and this forces them to become rivals.

This is a good book that has a mixture of romance, friendship, comedy, horror, action and adventure all in one great series. A must-read!

This is a must read. A fascinating, gripping story filled with life lessons. The Nakatanis are honoring their children with their display of brutal honesty and courage!
As a parent of a gay child, as someone who also grew up in Hawaii, the emotions of the Nakatanis are not unlike emotions that many parents in small town America might feel when their children disclose their sexual orientation. Although the American public's awareness of the diversity of sexuality is increasing rapidly, unfortunately, that knowledge is not widespread.

Can anyone describe this book in just one word? I know I definitely can't! I'm a psychology student and we used Honor Thy Children in the human sexuality class as a secondary text. Reading it was one of the most difficult yet most rewarding experiences in my life. It is as wonderful as Tuesdays With Morrie, another book of the same genre, incredibly touching and had me laughing uncontrollably at some moments and crying with wrenching sobs the next. This book is incredible and reaches to everyone who has ever lived through a death of a loved one, familial problems or questions about sexual orientation. I feel honoured to have the opportunity to meet the Nakatani's in the next few weeks and share our thoughts.

This story hit home for me. We like to believe we are so accepting in this society and that we always do what is best for our children. This story takes place in very recent history. The familiarity of the setting was profound for me.I graduated the same year as Guy Nakatani and went to the neighboring high school. A lot of my friends say they knew him. I didn't . Even in 1986, in San Jose, it was not acceptable to be gay. Most of us didn't discuss it, if we did we made fun of people. Looking back, I can see that a lot of mistakes were made out of ignorance. As a new parent myself, my heart will always be with Jane and Al. I was so proud of this family for sharing their story with all of us who needed to hear it. And an extra thanks to Molly Fumia for bringing it to us.

I first picked up this book almost by accident at a bargin bookstore in the mall one day

I read the cover and was curious why it said honor thy children and what were the stories behind the people on the cover

ThenI sat down and read it , and I was moved to tears!!

It gives a moving yet brutal picture about a family's stuggles. I can even imagine how devastating it would be to loose all 3 children

What makes this book so interesting is that is is told from the point of veiw of the parents that last surviving child guy and the author and all 3 points of view sucks you into their world their joys and thier pain.

It also eduacated me about AIds, and aids prevention not only in practices but in mindset

As a young woman who is in the era of the Aids epidemic this book as shown me the importance of holding your own life scared and to protect oneself from this disease by becoming informed

I am apart of my colleges gay straight alliance and my first instinct from reading this book is that I have to donate it to the library because is wass too sad for me personally to read again , but if someone else could get what I got from this book then that would be great

The book also gives a look about the 2 gay son's different views on being gay men, and how that realization changes thier lives forever

I suggest that you read this book because this is a true life real glimps of am american family and what they go thorugh as human beings, it will move the unmovable , inform us about other people, and touch us

It's been said: "There are people who take the heart out of you, and there are people who put it back."

Al and Jane Nakatani have turned their hearts inside out for the world to see...and Molly Fumia, as their story's conduit, treats those hearts with the tenderest, utmost respect. I find it difficult to convey how deeply moved I am by the infinite losses this family has suffered, and by the love and blessings that they have chosen to offer the world out of their broken-open hearts. *Please* read this book, and follow its most courageous lead: Honour your children, whoever they may be!

This book should always be in print. If I taught history in school or college, I'd make sure it was required reading. I first read the book as a mere lad of 14, always kept my copy around. It did much - in the postwar years, to wash away any bitterness toward former 'enemies.' In all honesty, I have never been able to forget certain things said by Hara - in his book, about human conduct. The other reviews say it all. Hara was a remarkable person. He took his duties seriously, but always remained a conscientious individual - candidly critical of the Japanese high command, when necessary - always ready to pay tribute to the skill of his opponents - peers in the U.S. Navy.I was struck by Hara's integrity - his strength of character, his leadership qualities - his daring, often fighting unequal battles. He realised the importance of learning from experience - of not making the same mistake - twice. I missed the references to the 'Rape of Nanjing' - must check it out. Still, as other reviewers noted, Hara was inclined toward a certain universalism in his thinking, moving toward a kind of pacifism toward the end of his career.He never approved of the senseless brutality frequently doled out to young cadets etc., and maintained a code of honour - worthy of the best Samurai tradition.I liked the goodwill expressed between Hara and his American peers, upon the surrender of Japan.As regards naval history per se, Hara's accounts of battles like Santa Cruz, Guadalcanal/Vella Lavella etc., question Sam Morrison's conclusions or observations in the official study (H.U.S.N.O. WW2).Alas, Hara could be accorded a bit more respect in his native land. An NHK t.v. documentary covering the loss of the Yamato, didn't make a single reference to Captain Hara, or the Yahagi, then escorting the Yamato, lost alongside.Like one of the other reviewers, I've read Hara's book so many times, it has fallen to bits. In the present climate, there is something sobering about Hara's book. That honour matters - in war, that military action always requires clear and attainable objectives, and ought never to become a mindless slaughter of the enemy, or a mindless sacrifice of one's own personneland resources.

Little can be added to the reviews below, expect to add that this book really shows how Hara was a leader of men. In spite of IJN policy and militaristic propaganda he trains his crew to a superlative level. He is also brutally honest about himself and his mistakes and foibles. Add to this some invaluable historical eyewitness data and you have a great book. Hara, by rewriting IJN torpedo doctrine in the 30's, can honestly be said to have contributed more to the IJN's battle success than any other person. This book is rich in history and flavor and well worth tracking down. My paperback copy is in three parts with the spine gone, but I still consider it one of the stars of my collection.

This book provides a welcomed view from the other side from Captain Tameichi Hara, Imperial Japanese Navy, who perfected Japanese Naval torpedo doctrine just prior to WWII - enabling the Imperial Japanese Navy to exploit and use to devastating advantage, the Type 93 oxygen fueled torpedo, aka "Long Lance"

Captain Hara injects humor and adds a personal side to his story while providing his views of key naval battles that he fought in against the United States Navy during World War II

This is a must read for any serious naval historian interested in the Imperial Japanese Navy, particularly as it relates to the naval engagements Hara fought in and the destroyers he commanded.

In this book (the correct title is JAPANESE DESTROYER CAPTAIN), Captain Hara (not Harra) discusses how he commanded a Japanese destroyer in all of the major Pacific sea conflicts: Empress Augusta Bay, Coral Sea, the invasion of the Philippines, Guadalcanal, Savo Island, and Midway. While on a re-supply mission through Blackett Straight in August 1943, upon noticing a fire-ball explosion near the destroyer "Amagiri" in front of his destroyer "Shigure", he ordered for his ship's crew to shoot at Lt. J.F. Kennedy's sinking PT-109. He provides a most harrowing description -- as commander of cruiser Yahagi -- how he barely survied its sinking alongside the ill-fated battleship Yamato on their suicide mission to attack the U.S. forces invaiding Okinawa. He details his training of the pilots of suicide motorboats (Shinyo: "ocean shaker") that were designed to ram Allied warships approaching Japan. After I wrote to him, he sent me an autographed photograph of himself in 1968 -- a fine keepsake from one of the luckiest Japanese destroyer commanders to have survived so many desperately fought WWII sea battles. His 312-page book was published by Ballantine Books, initially in 1961.

The other reviewers have eloquently stated the case. This is a book you will read and re-read throughout your life. It is first and foremost an incredible eyewitness account of the Pacific War by a ship captain who was intimately involved in many of the key small battles of the war (the major battles were settled by air power, not his area). It is one of the best written war accounts to come out of any nation.

Secondly, it provides an unique insight into the Japanese at the time that has relevance over the entire 19th and 20th centuries, explaining such things as the origin of the Japanese navy in imitation of the American and British navies...which can easily be taken as a model for the industrial imitation leading up to Japanese economic superpower status by the 1980s.

Finally, Hara is a great autobiographist who shares his heart, displays his heroism and intellect, but does not fail to describe his weaknesses. Whenever there is a conflict, war or political or business or social, it is good to remember the other side is human too.

Comprehensive with many beautiful pictures. Deserves a place on the coffee table for everyone to see. Contains all the information you need plus many great recipies.

Japanese Food and Cooking is what I would call a school book for Japanese cooking. Important ingredients from spices to fish, meat and vegetables are explained item per item. You will also learn the typical courses of a Japanese meal. Finally you will learn the preparation of meals and the required traditional cooking equipment. Presentation of the meals and the typical tableware to be used is also explained in detail. Creative people will start developing their own cooking ideas after working with this book. Less creative people will have to purchase additional Japanese recipe books but will go back to this book to find explanations for what they need to successfully purchase the ingredients and to prepare the meals they find in the recipe book. For me this is the basis for authentic Japanese cooking and I believe it must be the first book to own if you want to start to become a non-Japanese Japanese cook.

And I should know because I think I have all of them!

The photos are stunning and this is one of the most extensive books on Japanese food that I've found. I will admit, Japanese cookbooks written by Japanese are really the best. The few books I have written by Western authors pale in comparison. They also tend to have fewer photos for some reason.

Alot of Japanese food and the ingredients are kind of odd. Some may not appeal to Western tastes so there are substitutions which is a great idea. There are some things the Japanese love and eat which will never translate to the Western palate such as devil's tongue jelly and natto. Eww. They taste terrible (though actually it is the texture of both that really offend!).

This book however tastes great. If you are going to own one Japanese cookbook - it should be this one.

As a cookbook author, I often use other works for research. I am working with a Japanese chef on his book, and I felt I needed a brush-up on Japanese ingredients. This was mainly because so many new foods have been introduced to America since I first shopped for them in San Francsico when I was learning Japanese food basics in my youth. I flipped through many books, including the ones I had already, and this book blew the others out of the miso soup, hands down. The book does the reader a great service by giving two in-depth, encyclopedic sections on Japanese cooking equipment (including food culture)and ingredients. While these two sections take up half of the book, you won't be flying blind, mixing up udon and soba or the different kinds of miso. The writing is excellent, and the recipes interesting and only mildly challenging. If you are in the market for a primer on Japanese food, look no further.

I'll be breef. Excellent book with large picture to the point reciepts and durable cover. I love it!!!

I have yet to encounter one of the Pantheon folklore series that was not a good read. This is no exception. My regret is that they have not published more and that some of their folklore books seem out of print. I enjoyed this book and I am happy to recommend it. I have one other book on the subject (purchased over ten years ago) and this one complements the first.

By using his extensive knowledge in the Japanese literature, Royall Tyler collected and translated Japanese stories into English and into one volume entitled "Japanese Tales." This book drives the readers to experience the enchanting Japanese folklore and ancient short stories of spirits, demons, monsters, gods, monks, heroes, snakes, robbers, foxes, love, and families. There are 220 tales in this book, which are grouped into sets of four to six tales with each having its own theme or heading. In addition to the sets of the book, there is an introduction which describes the history of Japanese lore and mythology; and the culture of Japan including the capital, provinces, the emperor, ministers, houses, the manners of the Japanese people, and the religion during the period of 9th to 13th centuries. Throughout the selected sets of "Japanese Tales," one can understand the Japanese culture from 9th to 13th centuries by looking at the influences of Buddha and Lotus Sutra, the interferences of gods and goddesses, and the stories of snakes and foxes.

"Japanese Tales" explores the influences of Buddha and Lotus Sutra in the medieval Japanese culture as seen in the sets of 'Monk Jokes,' 'Beyond the Rules,' and 'Parent and Child.' Since the religion of Buddhism officially came to Japan in the mid-sixth century, large temples were built and respected monks were scattered across Japan in which people viewed them as saints, frivolous, worldly, and rich (p. xxxvi - xxxvii). However, the tales in the set of 'Monk Jokes' demonstrated as a way of insult to the Buddhist monks because of their sexual behavior, and this set has a twist and humorous end. But the religion of Buddha also had great positive influences on the Japanese people as their view of life and death. The best example of this is a tale of 'The Stinking Hut' in a set of 'Beyond the Rules.'

The important part of the Buddha religion is its scriptures called the sutras, and Lotus Sutra was the only important sutra in Japan which was a "basic of great many monks" and its powerful spiritual merit was copying the text (p. xxxvii, xliv - xlv). The mention of Lotus Sutra appeared throughout the selected sets as a chant or a benefit for someone in need. A good example of the Lotus Sutra can be seen in a tale of 'Hell in Broad Day' in a set of 'Parent and Child.' The religion of Buddha and the Lotus Sutra made strong impacts upon the rich culture of Japan, as evidenced in the living folklore and tales.

The interferences of gods and goddesses in the tales appeared to be of a great importance for the Japanese people because of hope, prayers being answered, and their roles in the vast universe. The religion of Buddhism has many gods and goddesses which appear or are mentioned in the Japanese Tales as part of the Japanese culture. In a sense, the tales would teach the new Japanese generations about the roles of the gods and goddesses and the lessons from their seen or unseen actions. Like a shocking story of 'Buckets of Marital Bliss,' tales that involved gods or goddesses would seem to have important lessons for the readers or listeners during the period of 9th to 13th centuries. The lessons that were demonstrated to the mortal people in the stories would have included the morals, relationships, virtues, and characters. The interferences of gods and goddesses in the "Japanese Tales" played an important role in a traditional society which formed a moral root of the Japanese culture.

The stories of the "Japanese Tales" consisted of many symbols and hidden meanings as related to the conditions of human beings. There are two major creatures of human conditions that appeared in many of the tales, and these were the snakes and the foxes. The snakes in the tales can "embody sinful" conditions including lust, forbidden desires, and evil while the foxes were tricksters for their own sexual desire, love, family, and they were also messengers of gods (p. xlvix - li.). Like in other foreign stories such as the Genesis story in the Bible, the snakes in the "Japanese Tales" represented evil and the actions of the dark side of all human beings, such as lust and forbidden desires. Foxes, on the other hand, do not represent evil, but they represent something between good and evil. Since they were not viewed as good creatures, the foxes can be tricky in such a way that they can be manipulative in love and family. The fox would change its appearance into a woman to get attention from a man, to feel appreciated and loved. Sometimes, a fox can be a messenger of a god appearing in dreams. These 'messenger' foxes would sometime play a divinity role for Japanese people as they would become important creatures of Japan, while the "manipulative" foxes can be the most annoying yet tricky creatures. While they appeared often in the tales, the snakes and the foxes were important figures for the readers or the listeners as they are the representations of major human conditions in Japan.

In Tyler's "Japanese Tales," one can understand the Japanese culture from 9th to 13th centuries by looking at the influences of Buddha and Lotus Sutra, the interferences of gods and goddesses, and the stories of snakes and foxes from the selected sets. The rich culture of Japan was formed by the impact of the religion of Buddha and the Lotus Sutra which affected Japanese folklore and tales.

A well-written book of tales with an accessible source of traditional Japanese society, Royall Tyler's "Japanese Tales" gave a fascinating picture of the Japanese culture and its people during the period of 9th to 13th centuries. For those who love folklores and legends, this book is most recommended.

"Japanese Tales" is probably the best collection of Japanese folk tales available. Every conceivable piece of folk lore is packed in this book, categorized and deftly translated into English. A host of monsters, ghosts, demons and heroes are packed in tightly, their stories waiting to be discovered.

Of course, with 220 stories in one volume, some of the stories are very short indeed, lasting a half-page at best. Many are just the right size for a child's bedtime story. Some of the stories are longer, but I don't think any of them run over 2 or 3 pages. Some stories have a moral, or tell a cautionary tale, while many are merely there to entertain, frighten or amuse.

As interesting as the book itself is the author's introduction, a 35 page quick course on Japanese folklore and mythology. In it, he outlines some fundamental themes as well as showing the logic behind his categorizing of the stories.

An excellent book, belong on the shelf of anyone with an interest in Japanese folklore.

"Japanese Tales" boasts an incredibly rich assortment of old Japanese stories, most either from or about the Heian period, an early classical golden age of Japanese culture and literature. The stories themselves evoke a great number of moods, and cover topics that run the gamut from vulgar (even the Japanese aristocrats of a thousand years ago enjoyed fart jokes) to austere. Most interesting is the incredible juxtaposition and intertwining of the spirit world with the "real" world. Asking the people of this classical age whether they believed in demons, fox spirits, bodhisattva, and the like would be about as ridiculous as asking people of the modern age whether they believed in puppies and bunnies. It's not a question of belief--these creatures and deities simply "exist".

The translations are excellent, and it is an incredible credit to Royall Tyler that these stories--set in a time a millennium removed and half a world away from the reader--are so accessible and easy to read. Tyler effectively groups the stories by topic, giving the reader a bit of structure to the wonderfully diverse range of tales. The introduction is packed full of information, but perhaps my only (small) complaint is that with the large number of place names mentioned it would have been nice if a map had been included. Overall though, this collection of tales is an excellent addition to the canon of English translations of ancient Japanese literature and provides great insight to the mind and world of Heian Japan. "Japanese Tales" should be a must-read for all people interested in the folklore and literature of Japan.

I rate this book to be Pretty Killer. It is extremely well, written, with translator Royall Tyler keeping up his usual excellence. if you are new to Japanese literature, i reccomend The Tale of Genji (Tyler), The Pillow Book of Sei Shonagon, and As I Crossed A Bridge of Dreams- Sarashina Nikki (Morris). Even if you hold little interest in Japan or the literature of such, this book is engaging, amusing, thoughtful, and supplies you with stories you can retell. Read the darn thing.