Japan Books

Relevant, pragmatic, an excellent reference for clinical libraries, Introduction to Meridian Therapy is ideal for the beginner and experienced practitioner alike. Well rounded information on meridian therapy that is highly applicable to clinical practice combines with numerous charts and diagrams for easy reference.

My interest in oriental medicine is serious and long-standing, although I have not had the chance to study formally at an established school. Ancient texts are seldom available in translation and can be extremely difficult to understand when they are available. Many of the more modern texts are quite dogmatic. Like second-rate cookbooks, they may give varying results for the home cook. Shudo Denmei's book is a wonderful gateway. It gives a very understandable "big picture" view of acupuncture as it developed from its origins to the present time. It gives extremely practical ways for a student to begin both study and early clinical experience. Without translation from theory to actual practice, no such book is worth anything. This book is the most practical I have seen at making this transition to clinical experience possible. So, this is a wonderful place to begin. On the other hand, the author also outlines very clearly at least one respectable path to mastery of the higher complexities of acupuncture practice. The text can, then, guide a person through long stages of improving practice. There are other wonderful books (consider, as an example, Dr. Manaka's book), but I know of no other text that is nearly as helpful or as practical, particularly for a person like me. I have great desire, but I don't catch on easily. Thanks to the author.

I liked this book - especially the hints to learning the pulse diagnosis, and the "embassy" analogy. This is a great intro to Japanese acupuncture. (Not for total beginners in acupuncture)

This book is the best of all of the books written already by this great master of "Meridian Therapy", Shudo Denmei. This book is extraordinary and indispensable to all and any acupunturista, be him linked to the acupuncture Chinese, Japanese or western. This book is of great aid not just in the diagnosis, as well as in the treatment of the disturbances of the meridians. And their teachings will be of great aid, as it is it for me, in the diagnosis and treatment of at least 80% of the treatable diseases with the acupuncture. Nobody in healthy conscience can stop reading, to study, to dialogue, to discuss and to share the rich information of the same with other work friends. Certainly, well practiced these techniques of the book, his/her performance as acupunturist will be said: before and after Shudo Denmei!

I attribute much of what I do in practice to this book. The text is very readable and the information is presented clearly. If I were allowed only one book on acupuncture, this would be the one.

This is my favorite cookbook. The recipes are simple, healthy, and they don't taste like they are missing anything.

After becoming a vegan, I thought that I would be deprived of all the tastes that I grew up with. I happened upon this book at Borders and have been pleasantly surprised by every recipe that I have tried. Even my anti-vegan sister loves this book.

The recipe for gyoza is a real winner.

This is a great cookbook. As a Japanese-American and a vegan, this is by far the best vegetarian japanese cookbook I've come across.

The veg-anized recipies in this book mimic the real thing--the Japanese curry out of this cookbook tastes the same as I remember the beef/pork/chicken version tasting. The ramen recipe is as close to the real thing as I can imagine, and I'm not referring to the 6 for a dollar insta-packs from the supermarket.

The author includes traditional and modern foods, and recipes which are tradionally vegetarian and not. Most of the ingredients can be bought at your local supermarket. This is the book to get for healthy, completely vegetarian Japanse food.

The few recipes I've made from this book have turned out quite tasty. But almost every single recipe includes either meat substitutes or exclusively Japanese ingredients. That would be fine, except I live in a rural area where I have very little access to exotic "meats" and Japanese markets.

This book would be better if there were a complete shopping list or pantry list so I could stock up on ingredients when I'm in a bigger city. Or are there mail order addresses where I could buy Japanese groceries?

It's hard to search for a cookbook when you can't view it personally so I took a chance buying this and am extremely happy with it! The recipes are authentic and easy. There aren't any photographs but a few drawing to illustrate technique. The recipes are the core of Japanese cooking and the ingredients are consistant and easy to find. Exactly what I was looking for and would definatly say it was not a waste of money. This is getting alot of use.

I came across this book while researching vegan recipes for a family member who is on a really restricted diet. I am not a vegan, but I have loved every recipe from this book that I've made. The maze gohan (Japanese pilaf) and Yasai Zosui (mixed vegetable 'risotto') have become some of my favorite foods.

The book is nicely laid out and it's the perfect size book. It's long enough to contain a wealth of recipes, but not so large that it is unwieldy and awkward to actually have in the cooking area. The directions are extremely clear, and the author does a good job of explaining unfamiliar ingredients.

Vegan or not, this is one of my favorite cookbooks.

Great book. I was surprised by the depth of the content. It turned out to be more than just a picture book of Japanese tattoos, which was really all I'd expected. It's full of terrific photos, but also provides a lot of information on the tattoo artists and the tattooing sub-culture in modern Japan. Anyone into tattooing, Asian art, or Japanese culture would love this book.

Beautiful tattoos in both eastern and western styles, done by Japanese artists. If Mike puts his name on a book, you can pretty much trust that its going to be a winner.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN JAPANESE TATTOOS THIS IS THE BOOK FOR YOU. GREAT PICTURES AND VERY INTERESTING TEXT.

This is a terrific book full of great Japanese tattoos. There are tons and tons of photos and cool ideas. If you are thinking about getting a tattoo and like classic images, this is well worth it.

Michael McCabe is by far one of the finest cultural anthropologists our generation has seen. His experience as a professional tattooist and his ability to tell a wonderful story make his books both relevant and enjoyably readable---which is not always the case with the THOUSANDS of published books that are supposedly about the tattoo culture.

I buy EVERYTHING and ANYTHING with his name on it, and I've never been disappointed.

Exquisite book, most comprehensive I have seen on this subject. Worth ten times over the Amazon price!

This beautiful book really opened my mind to the influence that Japanese art had on the Impressionist movement. Some very interesting comparisons of woodblocks and the work of Van Gogh.....Wow...It had never occurred to me before & to see the works side by side is fascinating. I first found this book in the school library & kept borrowing it; such wonderful images.I decided I had to own a copy & made my first Amazon.com purchase. Great service, Amazon, thank you....so quick & efficient. This book is great value and very well illustrated. The text is extremely interesting and thought provoking.

This is probably the best and most beautiful art-book I have ever read. I traces the roots of different western artforms like impressionism and abstract expressionism from the japanese traditions of brushpainting an calligraphy.. -I want it!

For anyone interested in both Japanese Art and European Art at the turn of the last century, this book will become the most satisfying reference book in your collection.

"Japonisme" is the term used to describe the Victorian fascination with all things Japanese. Wichmann's book successfully demonstrates the influence of this fascination on the fine art of the era. Lavishly illustrated with over a thousand images, Wichmann's essays are informed both historically and artistically on the detailed ins and outs of the sharing of the two cultures of East and West. Topics include the Asian influence in composition, pictoral space, design, choice of material, and subject matter in the visual art and architechture of turn of the century fin de siecle Europe and America. Visual examples are given from a wealth of artists including Van Gogh, Manet, Cassatt, Whistler, Degas, Mucha, Klimt, the architechs Frank Lloyd Wright and Richard Neutra, and Japanese artists such as Hiroshige and Hokusai, just to name a few.

Being a visual artist from the west trained in the Western tradition and yet fascinated with Japanese fine art and in particular the tradition of ukiyo-e, discovering this book for me was like finding the holy grail, a book filled to the brim with stunning visual compromises between the traditions of East and West from which to take my own influences. Fantastic.

the title says it all - "The Japanese influence on Western art since 1858" --- details print making, textiles, jewelry design, ceramics and glass, home and garden, objects d'art and of course painting. Amazing, for example how much Van Gogh was influenced by Japanese art especially wood block prints and you will see examples of his art and Japanese art which he had access to "Theo and I have hundreds of Japanese prints in our collection..." --- I truly wish I could see an exhibition as put together as this book --- it is absolutely indepth, articulate, clear and consise and immense in scope. Weighs a ton and worth its weight in gold.

The Kindaichi Case Files is one of my favorite manga series. I have tried to read other mystery mangas but none of them can stand up to the intrigue of Kindaichi's Case Files. Kindaichi is a really down to earth laid back guy who has a very high IQ and knack for noticing the small details nobody else sees. One of the greatest things about this manga is the fact that there are clues to solving the case in the drawings. So if you look carefully enough you maybe able to find the casebreaker before Kindaichi does. Compare that to other mystery mangas where you really have no idea what's going on until the main character reveals the solution. With every case, you will notice your ability to solve the cases begin to improve. This is one of the few mangas that will exercise your mind as well as entertain you.

Personally, I believe this is one of the best detectives book I've read. There are so many little details that the main character points out that it's amazing! If you're the type that loves both manga and mystery this is highly recommended

I am a long time fan of Kindaichi and I am thrilled to see that it is finally available in English from Tokyo Pop! The series was very popular in Japan spawning a 50+ episode anime series, 2 animated movies, 2 live action TV series, a live action movie, 2 series of manga, novels, bilingual comics, english novels(printed in Japan), as well as loads of special editions and merchandise!

*ahem*

Hajime Kindaichi is the grandson of the famous Japanese detective Kousuke Kindaichi, a popular fiction character(much like Sherlock Holmes) who was popular in 70's and 80's. Kindaichi is a genius, especially when it comes to solving difficult crimes. Miyuki Nanase is Hajime's oldest friend and she often accompanies him on his adventures.

Each Kindaichi story is a murder mystery(often serial murder) where the murders are carried out in a seemingly impossible way. Kindaichi puts the clues together and finds the link between the victims until he figures out who the murderer is. Then, usually, he tricks the murderer into giving himself(or herself!) away.

Volume 1 "The Opera House Murders" is the tale of Fudo High's drama club who take a trip to an island to prepare for the drama competition in the wake of the suicide of their best actress. One by one, members of the drama club are being murdered in ways that mimic the play they are rehearsing, The Phantom of the Opera. After the first murder all lines of communication with the outside world are cut by a vicious storm and the fact that someone has cut the line on the boat.
I won't say anymore because I don't want to spoil the mystery......

As with all Tokyo Pop titles the print quality is lacking, but for the price there is no sense in complaining. The translation isn't as smooth as it could be. Some of the truly beautiful prose found in both the original Japanese and the bilingual editions are lost. Sometimes the dialogue is choppy and the jokes don't translate well, but overall it isn't a bad translation. One nice thing about the TP editions is the fact that each book is one self contained mystery. The mysteries in the original editions often spanned 2 or 3 smaller books.

Kindaichi is a wonderful read. I loaned my bilingual editions to all of my friends and everyone, male and female, anime fans and otherwise, enjoyed them.

I highly reccomend this to fans of manga and anime, as well as fans of mysteries. Even if you don't normally read mystery stories(like me) give Kindaichi a try. You'll probably enjoy it.

Another plus of these books is the fact that they have a great repeat factor - after the mystery is solved it's fun to read them again and look for the clues(which are there!) that point to the killer!

Just for fun: There is a sequel to this particular storyline. The first animated Kindaichi movie(not currently available R1) is "Return to Hotel Opera" and it draws heavily on the events of this storyline and further explores the past tragedy of the owner. The animated movie is based off a Japanese Kindaichi novel(which is quite a bit better than the animated film - they changed many things in the anime) which is avialable in both Japanese and English, though you may have a tough time finding the English edition outside of Japan.

I stumbled apon this accedentily, sorry for spelling, on the Tokyopop web site. I read the plot and fell in love. I am a HUGE fan of manga and murder mysteries so I got it and I LOVE it it's an amazing manga!!! You also get some major BANG for your BUCK, It's over two hundred paged and only [$$$] which is god for a manga. I can't wait for the rest to come out I promise you I'll buy them all. And if the anime series coems out I'll but that too :)!!

I love mystery, novel or manga. Kindaichi series is one of the greatest Mystery I have ever read along with Agatha's Ten Little Indian and Edogawa Rampo's Japanese Tales of Mystery and Imagination. The English version seems pretty accurated. The only question I have is How many cases TokyoPop planned to release? So far, it seems like they will release 12; however, I remember they are much more than that. I'm not remember exactly how many since it've been awhile since I read them, and the serie end couple years ago. I think the manga serie alone has at lease 19 full cases and some shorter cases.
After this manga serie end, the creator also created another manga serie I don't remember the name, I think it's Dun, Detective School or something along that line. The serie has the same theme and feeling as Kindaichi series, althought I don't like it as much. I hope TokyoPop will bring it here for manga fan in US to enjoy also.

Both these books "The Knights of Bushido" and "The Scourge of the Swastika" are brilliantly written and from an Englishman with as little emotion as poossbile. I am 62 years old and read both these books when I was 12 years old. My Mother,a forward thinking woman, purchased both books with the idea that her daughters should read and know the facts of both enemies during a recent war. Statistics now say(in 2006) that less than 60% of under sixteen year olds in Britian are aware that the massacre of Jews at various concentration camps took place. Based on that fact and others I have gained from recent media coverage I will purchase again both of these books and circulate them among my children , grand-children and great grandchildren, not for bitterness or to continue hatred, but rather to inform as the saying is " If history is not known it is easy to repeat, as the knowledge of the consequences is unknown"

We've seen the movies, the Hollywood glamour of Japanese POW camps in such movies as "Bridge over the River Kwai" and "Empire of the Sun". I had read hints of Japanese brutality, I knew about the rise of the military culture within the government and I, of course, knew of Bushido and the characteristic, xenophobic racism of the Japanese. But I was not prepared for the reality of the Japanese scourge upon the Orient. This fantastic book chronicles the war crimes of the Japanese soldiers and government from the very beginning of the Sino-Japanese conflict and the Rape of Nanking to the frenzied coverup when defeat became evident and the atomic bombs fell.

The author relies heavily upon what was uncovered during the war crime trials of the Japanese hierarchy, as well as testimony from both Allied and Japanese soldiers. The brutality and inhuman conditions of the POW camps, the horrid transportation by ship, and the long death marches (the most famous of which, Bataan) inflicted upon the Allies, the Chinese, the Pacific Islanders, the Indians, and everyone who crossed the path of the Japanese are detailed so meticulously you can see the human skeletons, feel the agony of the raped and slaughtered Chinese, and weep for those prisoners burned alive or bayoneted only because their care had become a burden.

I adore Japanese culture. Bushido is an honorable path for a warrior and the Samurai who practiced it, honorable men. But you cannot forget an atrocity for an honorable past or an affluent future.

With all the candid and realistic portrayals of WWII in Europe and the Nazi concentration camps we have seen come out of Hollywood in the last decade, I am surprised that there is no accurate screen memorial to the millions fallen under the boot of the Japanese.

This book is great for a WWII buff or student of Japanese or Asian culture.

This book is long overdue. At last, a book that doesn't whitewash Japanese atrocities during WWII. This book tells it like it is.

The first chapter was hard for me to get through. It was the politics...too many different Japanese names...too confusing. But after the first chapter, it is Riveting. Unbelieveable! Should be required reading. The bombing of Pearl Harbor, was the tip of the iceberg.

This is a British lawyer's narrative of Japanese atrocities in WWII and in the years immediately preceding. Baron Russell of Liverpool was a senior legal advisor to the British Army of the Rhine during the nazi war trials, and on the basis that someone who writes history is a historian, he qualifies for that title too. Russell starts his narration in the early 30's with the Japanese concession in Manchuria, the running warfare this involved with the Kuo Min Tang government of Chiang Kai-shek, and the conduct of the Japanese military during that period. His purpose in taking his start-point here is to analyse, to some extent at least, the roots and origins of the mind-sets that led certain human beings to behave in the way they did during WWII.

Russell's analysis takes him and us as far as this - Japanese imperial culture was based on total loyalty to the Emperor. A faction in the army took a fanatical interpretation of this loyalty, not one that was amenable to reason, and saw or purported to see a divine destiny for Japan in dominating the far east and possibly more than just that. So absolute was this mission that no consideration of humanitarian values, and no laws that stood in the way of the mission's fulfilment, could be tolerated. Russell does not try to probe much deeper that this, and I would say rightly not. His book was first published in 1958 following the success of his earlier Scourge of the Swastika. The prime virtue of his writing is precisely that it recounts the events from a lawyer's perspective, not totally detached by any means, but having its focus on facts rather than on expressions of outrage, and steering clear of sensationalism. He does not try to account for the change in Japanese posture from its traditional isolationism to this new spirit of aggression, and he does not try to assess the extent to which the religious or quasi-religious element was genuine and to what extent a garb for something more secular, like the contemporary nationalism in Germany. Still less does he probe the basic question of what `faith' may be said to be in the first place or ask (let alone try to answer) the question that should be asked of any believer in any religion, namely `Why?' Why believe in the divinity of the Emperor rather than in, say, Zeus and Hera? Why indeed.

I support entirely the limitations he has accepted for himself. He had quite enough to do in following his agenda of factual accuracy, his lawyer's perspective is valuable furthermore in assessing matters of legal interpretation, and his unemotional tone helps the reader's focus too. Here and there we catch glimpses of theories that must have crossed his mind, such as in the mention of inferiority complex at one point, but he sticks to his last and does not pursue these. I found that my own interest was less in the grand political scenarios and strategies than in what little the book contains about the mentality of those perpetrating the atrocities. There are excerpts, for instance, from the training manual of the Kempei Tai, a kind of Japanese equivalent of the Gestapo though with some important differences. These leave no doubt that torture was considered legitimate on the basis of `do what you have to do'. There is a statement from no less than Tojo himself at his trial that Japanese foreign commanders had wide latitude in their choice of methods and that questions about these were not asked. There are reported comments from certain local commanders that the prisoners were subhuman, and these, together with the strategic perception that supposed global dominance by the Anglo-Saxon powers had to be fought, seem to me to lend credence to the theory of inferiority complex. In particular there are a few snippets from letters written by the troops. These mainly give plain statements of what was done, but one or two actually evince an access of humanitarian conscience. Rightly, Russell knows better than to draw conclusions from unrepresentative sampling, and I for one was left with a picture common to scenes of undisciplined behaviour by soldiery down the ages, regardless of creed. No doubt it was on a bigger scale, but it was a familiar picture, Emperor or no Emperor. One squaddy puts his and his fellows' excesses down simply to `excitement', and that is hardly new or specific to this divine mission as opposed to other divine missions or their secular counterparts.

Lord Russell's style is dry, clear and economical. As far as it's possible to read such stories without revulsion, it's possible in this book. The final chapter, as we might expect from a lawyer, is a summary of the trials of the major actors and the sentences they received. As usual, Russell permits himself a certain amount of comment but does not become emotive. One interesting detail is that there was a dissenting opinion from the Indian judge, who found that all the prisoners should be exonerated on all charges, on the ground that these trials were, or would be seen as, victors' justice - I'm not quite sure how to read this. There is no mention whatsoever of the fire-bombing of Tokyo, of the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, or of General LeMay. As these topics are not mentioned, there is no discussion of the difference in principle from atrocities performed hand-to-hand at ground level. Issues at this depth are not explored in this book, so regarding this particular difference the question left with us once again is - what exactly was it?

The Legends of the Samurai is a collection of excellent translations from a number of samurai-related original sources, mostly chronicles and treatises. Along with such better-known books as Kojiki, Yamamoto Tsunetomo's Hagakure, Miyamoto Musashi's Book of Five Elements and Mori Ogai's The Abe Family, this volume includes selections from the sources that are difficult to find in English translation, such as Konjaku Monogatari Shu and the records of various clans from the Sengoku Period. The information on the Forty-Seven Samurai is very valuable and different from that given by Mitford in Tales of Old Japan. All translations are accompanied by commentaries that help put the original sources into historical context. The book also contains a historical map of Japan and a chronology. The edition is hardcover, beautifully illustrated with modern Japanese woodblock prints. This book is a pleasure to read and would be an invaluable addition to the library of any English-speaking student of Japanese culture and history.

This book is all I needed to write a report for an AP World History class. Hiroaki Sato takes whatever fictional depictions of the Samurai a reader might think, and throws them out the window, bringing in detail after detail of what they actually are. Instead of tough, merciless soldiers, a more elegant, and "chivalristic" person is unsheathed. Legends of the Samurai is a great title. I recommend it.

First things first. Do not purchase this book if you are looking for a storybook collection of Japanese Samurai legends, for this is not what it is. If I were to try to classify this in a genre, I would say it is a history book written for the lay person. Hiroaki Sato is an extraordinarily gifted translator who has chosen to trace the history, or metamorphosis, of the Samurai consciousness from its primitive roots to the point at which it reached its very peak before giving way to the socio-economic tidal wave created by Edo-era Japn.
Sato's 'history' is not a linear depiction of events that he has marshalled into a unified narrative from a myriad of sources. Rather, he has chosen to wear his editor's hat to select various primary sources and then translate them into the English as faithfully as he can without rendering them meaningless. Many of the 'stories' he relates are translations of official Japanese histories (however fancifully told and embellished), among them some of the earliest extant written Japanese documents, also of autobiographies and memoirs of important Samurai men of letters. Along the way he does a magnificent job of explaining to the reader the significance of certain lines of poetry, or literary references that crop up continually during the momentous and not so momentous exchanges between antagonists, friends, teachers and students, leaders and servants, etc. Thus the tradition of speaking volumes in three short lines of poetry comes alive for the Western reader. Much of the text is allowed to speak for itself, of course with Sato's guiding editorial hand to take us where he wants us to go.
One way that this form of non-narrative narrative plays out, for example, is in an explication of that super-famous story 'The Forty-Seven Ronin.' Sato does not choose to translate one of the many dramatic stories that were written around the tale, but to first explain in dry and informative prose what occured and then to translate various contemporary critiques of the actual events. Thus, we get a translation of the official report filed with the Shogunate by one of the officials who helped to adjudicate and administer the sentence, and criticisms of the hero and heroes of the story as well as a defence of and criticisms of the villain. Utterly fascinating stuff, all.
Also, Sato allows the Samurai to unpack his mind and explain his aesthetic to us by translating select passages from books by Samurai explaining what it is to be a Samurai. Sato's selection of trenchant philosophical gems will have the reader examining himself and resolving to live and think differently henceforth from the way he was before reading this book.
Criticisms: This is not Sato's fault, but because he is translating from official histories, one's eyes can begin to glaze over from the long lists of difficult to remember, multi-syllabic, multi-word titles, names and place-names. Thus a single person can have two or three titles, two or three names and be associated with two or three places and go into battle with a handful of like-titled companions against an array of similarly named foes. This process is made even more difficult by the fact that Samurai might change their names and titles three or four times in the course of their lifetime: One is never just 'Bob.'
I'm sure it was intentional, but the last entry in this volume really sums up all of the flaws and weaknesses of the Samurai system and aesthetic and places a fitting closure on the book when he describes the mayhem that occurs as a result of the death of a Daimyo. The reader is left with perhaps a sense of awe, certainly a new perspective on a way of living life, and finally an appreciation of how cruel and senseless the code of the Samurai can be when taken to absurd extremes. One closes the book with a completely different perspective of the Samurai than the one he had when opening it.

Going by the last reviewer's tirade, one would be forgiven for avoiding this book as another example of Japanese right wing nationalism. Sadly, their review had little, if anything, to with the book "Legends of the Samurai" itself. There is not one whiff of nationalistic parading in the entire book, and Hiroaki Sato avoids anything even hinting at it. Rather than call the Eastern Sea "The Sea of Japan", Sato uses "Eastern Sea", (see the chapter on Oda Nobunaga).

The book itself is divided into 4 broad sections, each containing excerpts and sections dealing with the broad theme at hand. These themes include martial prowess, samurai in battle and war, samurai as they viewed themselves and so on. Although the arrangements come from a large array of sources, they are not as disjointed as they could have been. In fact, Sato has done exceptionally well to blend them as much as he has.

All of the translations come from primary sources, providing a rare insight into a lot of events from people living much closer in time. The translation into English was handled well, and Sato has to be one of the more pleasurable translators to read. I enjoyed the translation for its ease and structure very much.

Sections of particular interest to me were extracts dating to around the end of the Kamakura Bakufu, especially Kusunoki Masashige. Also, the trouble between Minamoto brothers, Yoritomo and Yoshitsune, made for absorbing reading. Having read about Takeda Shingen in novels, it was with relish that I read some primary sources that mentioned him.

Sato provides commentary and explanatory footnotes throughout, and these prove both insightful and helpful in understanding the situation in which the events occurred. Sato's love of Japanese poetry shines through, as he does emphasise it in places and mention it passing when relevant.

Rather than right wing, nationalistic yearning for the past, I found "Legends of the Samurai" to be an excellent foray into the history of one of the most iconic symbols of Japan's history. It would not be an exaggeration to say that I utterly loved reading it, and learned a huge amount about the samurai, their history, and their views on themselves, the world and more. An interest in the samurai almost makes this book a must-have addition to your library.

I really enjoyed reading the accounts told in this book. The poetry and duty of the Samurai are truthfully displyed. Eye witness accounts of events give unique feeling to the stories told.

What becomes abundantly clear as one reads through this bok is that H.E. Davey writes from experience. He has practised several of the "ways" to a very high level, and he is able to write about his experiences in a readable, almost conversational manner. He sees quite deeply into the heart of Japanese culture, taking the reader along a path of understanding and discovery as he presents the key concepts of that tradition. In addition to the text, the marginal reminders and definitions of the key concepts reinforce what one has already encountered in the text, and serve as a glossary of important terms. Davey provides exercizes to try at home, as well. All in all, this is a first-rate book -- helpful, accessible, accurate, and often profound.

H.E. Davey excels at communicating an approach for the Westerner to Japanese concepts of universality, aesthetics, and human spirituality. Written in a very accessible form, this book is an excellent introduction to those topics for the beginner; as well as being a great reference book for those already practicing any form of meditation, martial art, or fine art. Full of concrete descriptions of ideas and relationships that often go mute in Western culture. Read it over and over!

This book is unique in that it gives Westerners a comprehensive insight into Japanese arts and ways. Not many are able to capture something so inangible as Japanese aesthics as well as Davey. A great read.

Davey provides a clear and comprehensive overview of the principles and aesthetic qualities that characterize the Japanese arts. Ideal for Westerners interested in Japanese arts, particularly those who have practiced an art for some time and are looking to go beyond merely practicing the form and delve into the spiritual dimensions embodied in these arts. Highly recommended.

H.E. Davey excels at communicating an approach for the Westerner to Japanese concepts of universality, aesthetics, and human spirituality. Written in a very accessible form, this book is an excellent introduction to those topics for the beginner; as well as being a great reference book for those already practicing any form of meditation, martial art, or fine art. Full of concrete descriptions of ideas and relationships that often go mute in Western culture. Read it over and over!

Here is a collection of very fine, delightful 5-line waka poems by Otagaki Rengetsu, a Pure Land Japanese Buddhist nun (1791-1875). Her poems are teachers about life and nature on the way to wisdom and compassion. They derive from a brave life lived partly in seclusion in the mountains and partly in Kyoto, where she sold her much-acclaimed pottery for so low a price that she had to keep moving her residence, else be overwhelmed by visitors. So many of these poems are in my memory without any effort to memorize them -- the translations are as pure as they could be. Rengetsu says:

"The echo of the bell at Yoshimizu -- I am here too in a black robe set against the white mist."

Another reviewer called the translations of these waka "pure" and John Stevens truly collaborates with the Buddhist nun poet, Rengetsu ("lotus moon") in this collection. Each poem has crystalline clarity and shines like a full moon. One that stays in my head and my heart is:

Looking out over the bay,
I see clouds of cold rain
Summoning winter,
And hear the wind in the pines
Whisper its name.

Ah!

I have been reading the poems of this woman for some time, and enjoyed this book of her poems so much. She saw so much tragedy in her life, yet saw the true nature of existance in all things. Highly recommended.

This is it the, the real thing. Start with the afterword by Zen master, Myotai Treace,it provides a special insight into the poems,the practice and the nature of reality.You might begin with "Heart" on page 97 to enter into the depths which beckon.

Whatever you do, don't rush through this book. The waka poems (or tanka, as they're called today) in this collection by the Buddhist nun Rengetsu are wonderful, filled with a strong spirituality alloyed with a refined sensitivity...along with brief shimmers of gentle wit. But these qualities are extremely subtle and subdued, and I nearly missed them. Read each poem with care and let it sink in slowly, and the poem will gradually unfold in your mind's eye. This is Buddhist literature at its best, not only fostering a meditative attitude through its content but requiring it through its form.

John Stevens' introduction at the beginning is concise and to the point, explaining Rengetsu's poetics and introducing us to a marvelously self-determined religious woman who made it through an incredibly tough life full of sadness and hardship and supported herself though her artistic pursuits in ceramics and calligraphy. Much can be gleaned in these few pages on the vibrancy of the Buddhist tradition in late Tokugawa Japan (vs. theories that it was moribund and decadent) and of its empowering potential for women (vs. recent overarching charges that Buddhism is misogynistic and sexist), not that such issues are overly emphasized here per se. More to the point is the interaction of Buddhist ideals and aesthetics, of which the whole book is an invaluable showcase. I still can't decide whether it appealed more to the side of me fascinated with Buddhism or the side of me moved deeply by Japanese literature, but why quibble? The total effect transcends such limiting discriminations.

This is a soft yaoi about Matsukawa a manager of an adversiting company and Nishioka a photograher who are always agruing with each other. The story starts of slow but as you go along it get interesting as they realize each other's feelings for one another.

Toko Kawai artwork is pretty good but I like the way she puts more emphasis in the characters expressions as the story develops.

I actually read this book waayy back when it was fan-translated and I made SURE to get my very own copy! The translation is better and tighter then the fan work- which is how it should be, but often is not.
Toko Kawai's art is beautiful and her characters tend to be more adult,less hormonal. Hey, these guys have carreers that DON'T depend on sleeping with the boss or a co-worker. The story itself has a slow build for most yaoi fans, but the resulting relationship is cute as brash photographer Nishioka comes to realize he has feelings for his contact in an advertizing co Matsukawa, and comes to realize that said contact has always, quietly been watching him since they first met- 5 years ago.
And hey, if you're anxious for action, the last chapter and the short- showing 18 year old spoiled, directionless Matsukawa and reveals the reasons why he is so gentle and patient TODAY- should be right up your alley!

I love this manga. I'd vaguely heard the name before but never paid attention to it until I stumbled across it on Amazon and read a few reviews, then decided to just go for it. I'm so glad I bought it!

I tend to like character development in my yaoi/shounen ai and get a little irritated with the stories that have characters go from thinking they're straight or not questioning a relationship with someone they know to sleeping with them in 0.002 seconds. That's not the case with Loveholic. I'll try not to repeat too much of what other reviewers have said though I agree with the fact that this is a great manga and I love the expressions. I actually like the art as well, and Nishioka is adorable in his glasses.

So aside from the fact that this story has a plausible plot, good character development, and likable characters (Nishioka yells and complains a lot but I find it endearing for him and Matsukawa's gentle, reserved nature conveys a sense of almost sadness at times without it ever explicitly being stated), what I actually loved the most were tiny little details in the art that made the people seem more realistic. For instance, there's a part where Matsukawa is leaning between elevator doors and the way he's posed is how I've seen real people pose in similar situations. In another part, Nishioka is staying late and he's troubled, has a lot on his mind, and is trying to act casual so his assistant doesn't notice; rather than having him sitting statically at the table, he's drawn leaning against the table with his upper arms, one leg supporting him on the ground, the other bent and resting on a rolling chair next to him. I saw that and thought, "I've done that before when I was in a particular mood."

The expressions and poses of the characters convey their own sense of emotions and thoughts without needing little bubbles all over the place stating, "And now Nishioka is feeling sad." I never realized before how much that can impact a story, and how little other manga does that, until I started noticing the details in Loveholic.

Another thing I love is that there are two little stories included in this volume that show an excerpt of each of Nishioka and Matsukawa's pasts, giving a glimpse into why they are the way they are now, and also giving an explanation as to why they could accept having some sort of relationship/ sexual relationship with each other. The flashbacks/back stories are well done, in my opinion, although Nishioka's did briefly confuse me because I couldn't tell if it was a flashback or something current and the borders around the panels weren't black. But I figured it out in the end.

I seriously wish I could buy the entire series right now. I can't wait for Volume 2...

i have been a fan of this series for a long time when it was scanlated by fans, and could barely contain my eagerness to see it in print in english. loveholic displays all the delicate touches inherent to all the works of kawai-sensei, and then some. compared to her earlier works, the themes, characterization and the writing in loveholic is a testament of her maturity as an artist and storyteller.

the manga revolves around two seemingly opposite characters; nishioka the eccentric and temperamental photographer and matsukawa, the cool, calm and collected advertising executive. both are involved through work and despite the differences in personality, both actually shares a long history and friendship. the volume slowly explores the growth of their initially platonic relationship as it deepens into a more intimate bond. nishioka and matsukawa recognizes - subconsciously or otherwise - the strong attraction to each other, and takes their time in figuring out what exactly they want from the other. their cautiousness stems from the fact that both has been scarred by personal tragedies in their past. on his part, matsukawa's maturity comes at a bitter price, while nishioka still struggles to reconcile with his past.

the sedate pacing underscores the poignant revolution of their love story and showcases the intricacies of human relations. in this sense, it is truly an adult romance. kawai-sensei's gentle touch graces the tale with a sensitivity that is often overlooked by many yaoi (even traditional romantic) mangas. it is not to say that the characters does not resonate on a sexual level; they do, but it is their deep understanding of each other that serves as the foundation of the plotline, making the manga utterly beautiful and fulfilling.

the art, as always, is typical to kawai-sensei. her character designs are lanky and gorgeous, the lines simple and uncomplicated. the facial expressions are delicate and expressive, which reflects her themes and writing style very well. i enjoy the chibi-fied forms as well. her panels are generally simple and clean, but not too sparse. the plot, while angsty, is interspersed with many comic moments, with a natural flow to it and she makes some of the most memorable supporting characters, especially kumi, nishioka's perky assistant. like most of her work, loveholic so far remains soft yaoi with not too revealing love scenes. those looking for racier mangas should look elsewhere.

this volume is a magnificent start to the loveholic series. i look forward to the continuation of the adventures of nishioka and matsukawa in the future. being a big fan of touko kawai fan, i may be biased, but this is one of the better offerings in the genre, and worth a check.

This soft core Yaoi between Matsukawa, a successful executive, and Nishioka, an independent photographer, is just the type of heartwarming and emotional romance I expect from Toko Kawai. Her artwork may not be the best but I marvel at her ability to inject so much feelings into the facial expressions of her characters. Her words may be simple but they are underlined with emotional depth and her story telling skill is remarkable.
Both Matsukawa and Nishioka are well developed characters. They have been badly scarred by their unhappy pasts and therefore afraid to love again. On the surface they seem to drive each other nuts. But deep down they do care for each other as their feelings caught up with them over the years. Here the mangaka does a marvellous job building up the emotions, from the subtly hint of attraction to full blown need for the other. Her plot is well thought out, credible, engaging, warm and sprinkled with humorous moments. The revelation of both men's unhappy pasts does catch me by surprise, especially Matsukawa's story which is deeply touching and tragic. Finally the last bonus short story is especially sweet.
A great release from Junemanga and I definitely look forward to the evolution of their love in Loveholic 2.