Japan Books

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This book doesn't mention every Japanese architecture that one would normally associate. It gives an extremely unique and highly critical and selective account of modern Japanese architecture history particularly based on the powerful architecture of Antonin Raymond, Kazuo Shinohara and Arata Isozaki. From the author's tribute to these selected architects and architecture, the reader would be able to receive a new insight and broader yet more focus understanding of contemporary Japanesearchitecture. Original classic photographs

I feel a bit outrageous in assigning my own book five stars, but what can I say, I'm biased!

I am really just writing this note to let potential readers know that my book is winner of the International Planning History Society book award for best single-author book in planning history 2000-2003, awarded at the IPHS conference in Barcelona in July. For me, that is just about the best possible affirmation of the value of the book.

I am also pleased to inform you that a new paperback edition was released during May of 2004. I have included below three excerpts from recent reviews in relevant journals.

Best wishes,

Andre Sorensen


Reviews:

`Andre Sorensen has written a very important book. More than any English language study now available, it unlocks a major puzzle in understanding modern Japan - why has a country that has excelled at industry and efficiency in its economy (and transport systems) failed so miserably in providing a high urban quality of life for its citizens? ... A very well written work'-
Urban Studies

`Meticulously researched and impressively presented ... a tremendous resource for the serious scholar.' -
Geographical Association

`This book should establish itself as the first port of call for both students and scholars embarking on a study of Japanese urbanism and planning history ... a highly sophisticated work'-
Environment and Planning/Government & Policy

Sorensen's book is a wonderful overview of the history of Tokyo (and Edo before it), from the point of view of the geographical and physical structure of the city and its development over time. The book should be read by anyone with a serious interest in the planning, architecture, or social history of Tokyo. Well illustrated with maps and plans many of which are not, to my knowledge, readily available to an English language audience elsewhere.

This one definetly one of the best books available with regards to the history of the Jews of Kaifeng. Pollak writes a convincing and yet entertaining piece of history that is sure to educate all its readers.

* Me: I'm someone interested in serious, semi-academic books about Jewish history. I'm not someone looking for a James Michener book, but I'm not some equipped to critique Pollak's scholarship. * The book: This is a wonderful, well-written book that seems to discuss every old reference to the Jews of China in just about every language. It seems to give every known detail about the lives of China's Jews. Because China's Jews were one of the peoples of the "Silk Road" (the collection of ancient trade routes that linked China with Europe for many centuries), the book is also a pretty good introduction to the history of the Silk Road. * Who for: I think this book might be especially useful to anyone interested in Central Asian history; Jewish history; or extreme Jewish genealogy (i.e., the DNA testing folks). It could also be the basis for a pretty fine martial arts movie.

My 12-year-old daughter is really into drawing manga. She had borrowed this book from the library and was instantly enthralled with it. Now that she owns it, she has used the techniques to fine-tune her drawings. From her mouth to this note, it is "highly recommended" for anyone who loves to draw manga.

Okay. I really liked this book. It doesn't really show you how to draw manga characters. Rather it is tool that shows you the supplies you need, what they do, and how to use them. How to do a layout properly and how to emphasize what you want the reader to view. It also goes over how to use photoshop, a necessary tool because screentone paper isn't sold here in the good ol' USA anymore, plus it can get expensive. So it is basically a finishing book, if you want to get published this will help you get a professional look. Very nice and very cute.

This book is probably the best yet that I've read from the Manga Techniques series. While not as extensive and rich in pages as other series, this particular volume has enough to get someone through the basic steps of drawing manga characters. As usual, the title is "Manga Techniques", so it's supposed to show techniques and tips in drawing, not really ideas or concepts. But it's good enough to show a starter how to make characters. Tips on head size, body measurement, body parts shaping, and posing characters are included, all the technical stuff that some artists might miss. I guess one drawback is that the book focuses on human characters only, no orcs, monsters or any other such variations on characters. But after all, that's not what this book is for. Of course, this series is meant to be a beginner's series, so more advanced artists could use professional samples or more advanced instruction books for more developed concepts and ideas. But this particular volume could be considered an essential.

The first day I got this book I was amazed how much it taught me. My kids love it, and it has become one of my favorite hobbies. It shows you everything from head to toes how to draw your favorite Manga characters. It has detailed pictures and discriptive words to explain the correct way to draw Manga characters. If you love Manga and want to know how to draw, I erge you to get this book.

This is the definitive book on Maritime Operations in the Russo-Japanese War. Originally a classified document in the British War Ministry it was finally published by the Naval Institute in the 1990's. Used as a principal reference document at the U.S. Naval War College. No longer available anywhere. Corbett provides a insightful contrast to Mahan in the examination of many core concepts on early 20th century naval strategy. The war itself is a perfect vignette on how a lesser power can defeat a more powerful foe given the right political and geographical situation. All the main themes of Land and Sea, Joint Military Operations are displayed in this too often overlooked "first" modern war.

Julian Corbett is a great contrast to the likes of Alfred Thayer Mahan. While presenting the Russo-Japanese War in an unbiased play-by-play way, he does not guide his analysis by mathematical strategies nor does he judge battles solely by their tactical outcome.

The more interesting Strategic topics covered herein are the ideas of "Fleet in Being," naval blockade and torpedo warfare. It is an eye-opening analysis for the way it shows the naval war between Japan and Russia as being in a far more precarious situation than anyone might have expected. Thorough and well-written, Corbett has produced a solid, well thought-out and intriguing analysis of the naval strategy of the Russo-Japanese War.

Excellent introduction to a variety of asian cooking. Helpfully explains some of the more esoteric foodstuffs, et al. Based on the straightforward presentation I intend to buy more of his books. Also, I found the written forum a much more direct way to learn from Yan than his cooking show.

Even if you find his television show to be over the top, you have to admit that Martin Yan always presents very tasty recipes. This book is an introduction to a variety of Asian cuisines with recipes and helpful hints not just on preparation, but on eating as well.

I've prepared roughly 40% of the dishes included in this book and have yet to find one that wasn't delicious. I was sufficiently impressed to buy his other books as well.

The most commonplace items of the past occasionally become treasured collectibles today. But miniature advertising graphics that adorned Japanese matchboxes were more striking (forgive the pun) than common as one discovers in this delightful introduction to Matchibako by Maggie Kinser Hohle.

The matchbox labels depicted in forty-two full-color plates are from the collection of designer Naomichi Kawahata. The collection itself spans the 1920s and 30s and provides snapshots of a country in transition and internal turmoil, both embracing and decrying modernist influence of industrialist nations.

Above all, the images in this micro gallery had one intent, to advertise anything from sox to sex. These palm held billboards enticed the holder with promises of "modern" life, euro-hairstyles, jazz cafés with sexy moga (modern girls) or pitched the entaku (yen-taxi) delivering fares anywhere in Tokyo for only one yen.

It is said that "good things come in small packages" as does this superb gallery of 42 plates, with one matchbox label to a page, perfectly frames the near-actual sized labels so that each reproduction appear larger than life.

Another highly unique aspect of Matchibako is the accordion page format, which if you were to unfold would stretch over fourteen feet from cover to cover. Hohle's 4.75 x 4.75 inch art book was not meant for the bookshelf, but to be left in plain view to entice closer inspection in the same way the original matchbox labels delivered their messages over seventy years ago.

This tiny little book is a perfect gift for any Japanophile or matchbox collector. Built like an accordian, its pages exhibit gorgeous Japanese matchbox covers from the 20's and 30's, images like I've never seen before, accompanied by explanations chronicalling why the covers are so unique: they were manufactured during a time when Japan was transforming from traditonal to modern, from culturally-singular to Western-influenced. One panel, for example, shows a Japanese girl depicted in a strikingly untraditional manner, not simply because of the flapper haircut she sports or the cigarette hanging from her mouth, but because of the decidedly cubism-influenced illustration style.

This is a wonderful book that demystifies and illuminates the role of the exuberant textiles and costumes at Shinto-Buddhist celebrations. Through her extensive ethnographic research, she uncovers not only the symbolism and social significance of Japanese festivals, but also how modern people today actively engage and exult in this tradition. Particularly fascinating is the chapter on imported textiles in Kyoto's Gion festival. Gonick's investigations in Japan and China reveal a story of trade and transmission that unexpectedly links several cultures. Central Asian tribal artisans, Indo-Persian ateliers, as well as Ainu chieftains create or convey the astonishing artworks which adorn Japanese festivals (matsuri). I recommend Matsuri! as the epitome of a crossover book that will interest academics and general readers alike.

This book documents the fascinating history of Matsuri - colorful Japanese village-level festivals. It seeks to convey an understanding of Shinto, the indigenous belief-system of Japan, through color illustrations, field and studio photographs, as well as scholarly descriptions of the lively artworks that accompany Shinto rites. The text parts of the book are interesting and well-researched. The high-quality images add elegance. "Matsuri!" is an academic resource and a lavish coffee table book. I recommend "Matsuri!" it to anyone who enjoys learning about Japanese culture and history.

This book seems to me the best book on the topic. It tells you why and how the revolution took place in Japan in the mid 19th century. It doesn't compare different ways of modernizing but tells the story from the Japanese side only. By this revolution Japan became a modern industrialized state. Beasley explains also why it isn't called a revolution but a restauration. The book starts with the problems Japan was facing round 1850 and the different ways different classes reacted on these problems. It also pointed out in which way the West influenced the internal and foreign policies of the Bakufu and their advisaries. The revolution from above was followed by anarchy from below. After beating the power of those anarchists the upperclass lost their power to middle-grade samurai. The reason for this were the emotions the anarchists unleased in the people of Japan. All this was disguised by a formal appeal to the Emperor, who was in the end "restored" to his power. In reality a group of lower samurai sized power in name of the emperor. Beasley explaines why they used traditional ways to introduce a new kind of governement. The book is well written in a clear style. Beasley knows what he is talking about and knows well to tell a story. His explanation why things went this way is convincing. A great book about a difficult topic.

Beasley takes on an wide and very complex period of Japanese history with "The Meiji Restoration". Although the book is somewhat aged, and somewhat expensive, it is still a serious work on the period, and offers a fantastic introduction into the time of the Meiji Restoration and the end of Tokugawa rule.

Beasley basically views the Restoration from an "internal" perspective, attempting to see it from Japanese angles, rather than foreign angles. In so doing, he deals with a broad range of aspects including economic, social, military and political spheres. Seen from this viewpoint, you gain a very interesting insight into Japanese society in the late Edo period until the early Meiji. Despite this, Beasley does not neglect the massive impact contact with Western powers and the West's activities in China had on Japan.

The bewildering number of figures that come and go during the book presented me with some problems. It was difficult to keep track of which person came from what class and what domain, especially when they had similar names, likes Okuma and Okuba. This might require a bit of flipping through the index to refresh one's memory, as it did with me.

Particular points of interest for me included the increased social mobility between the classes in later Edo times, such as people moving into the lower Samurai ranks, and even Samurai leaving the class to become merchants and the like, to make more money. Additionally, I found the fact that many of the middle and lower Samurai survived and became major players in the Meiji government very interesting. It was not simply Samurai versus the merchant and village classes, but actually a lot of it was samurai working against the Bakufu.

Despite the age and the expense, this is one book anyone interested in the Meiji Restoration should get. This is definitely a book that upholds the adage "Don't judge a book by its cover". It doesn't look much, but the plain cover hides an excellent addition to your Japanese history collection. It is still an authoritative exposition on the time.