Japan Books

Big, beautiful B-17s flying at an altitude of 25,000 feet. Japanese ships that must have appeared ant-sized from that height. The question: how to get the bombs from the former to hit and destroy the latter? This book details the development of the technique, 'skip bombing', that increased the percentage of Japanese ships hit from LESS that 1% to an incredible 72%---and once you read what the technique was, you'll be amazed that it was not only conceptualized, but implemented with success. This book takes you from the idea's inception, through its development, and to its stunning success at the Battle of the Bismarck Sea. I thought this was a fascinating book, a definite 'must read' for anyone interested in military aviation or the war in the SW Pacific.

I purchased this book to find out some of my father's history as a B-17 crew member of the 43rd BG. This book put me in the cockpit with the author and I felt every bomb drop and every piece of flack hit the ship. This is an excellent account of the air war in the South Pacific. It will keep you excited as well as bring tears to your eyes. If you enjoy this era, I highly recommend it.

Simply Brilliant. The two detail-oriented authors paint an accurate picture of middle America in the 1980's. They describe the lengths Battle Creek goes to, to bring a large employer into the city. A great study that should be read by all business majors.

This book chronicles how a progressive, forward thinking community (Battle Creek, Michigan) went about attracting one of Japan's largest automotive suppliers, Nippondenso. It outlines the community's economic and political history and all the forces that went into landing this economic entitiy.

Takashi's portrayal of the rigorous life lead by Meiji-era Japanese farmers is so vivid and realistic that this book was selected by the University of Maryland, Asian Division history department as a supplemental text in the Japanese history class. The professor promised it would be a excellent read. He was right! Emotional and visual, the book makes the reader a part of the Meiji world. Yet, as sublime as the work is at moments, there are other moments when it is suprisingly harsh in the presentation of life's hard realities. After I returned the text to the university, I had to buy a copy for my own library.

Takashi's The Soil is an enrapturing gallery of tribulation, pathos, and the fortitude of the human spirit. It does not merely have value as an educational tool for the Japanese historian, but also as an inspirational primer on humanity and mortality. Takashi's vivid portrayal of Meiji Era Japanese culture ties seamlessly with his seemingly effortless chronicles of nature to create a world where mankind is religiously tied to the ground he stands on.

I purchased this book for a Japanese history course, and it is the only one that I refused to sell back to the campus bookstore at the end of the semester.

It is 8x10 glossy air brush works of the artist. A good bit of it is women/fantasy women, which is the reason my husband/artist purchased it, but it also includes some of his advertisement art, which is very good. A lot of steel & chrome. It includes his short biography & a behind the scenes of his sketches. Excellant book

I look it as this, he is showcasing his talents. His diverse choice of material and textures, was a challenge to himself. He demanded much of himself, and to us he delivers! A fun, exciting joyride, causing you to pause and imagine the life, he so closely brings to you with his paintings. -Kevin

Originally compiled in 1958, this book (Volume I) remains standard issue in most university courses on the study of Japan prior to 1868, whether that class is literature, history, philosophy or anthropology. The editor, Wm. Theodore de Bary, and one of the compilers, Donald Keene (see Keene, "On Familiar Terms") are two of the most highly regarded Western scholars on the subject of Japanese culture and literature, each having devoted an entire lifetime to the subject.

On the whole, Sources of Japanese Tradition, Vol. 1 is a reference book on intellectual development in traditional Japan. It is essential for anyone interested in developing a deeper understanding of Japan over a period of time, which means it is not intended as a quick read.

Volume I is mostly an overview of traditional literature, poetry, aesthetics, religion and philosophy from the earliest written works until the end of the Tokugawa Shogunate in the mid nineteenth century. The chapters are chronological and thematic, and each is prefaced with historical context for better understanding. The chapter bodies consist of translations of some of the most representative works from Japan, including excerpts from Japan's most famous novel, "The Tale of Genji" (early 11th century), as well as numerous samples from the spectrum of Japanese Buddhism (not just Zen), and plenty on the philosophy of neo-Confucianism and other Chinese influences on Japan. On the downside, although there is some discussion of Haiku poetry, there is not enough. And unfortunately, Kabuki, Japan's most popular form of theater, and Japanese painting, which has greatly influenced modern artists in the West, are hardly mentioned, and Japanese music is not even addressed. This makes the book somewhat of a companion to political, social and economic history - which is outstanding if that is what you are looking for.

The book represents the yardstick of compilations on Japanese intellectual history and should not be intimidating to readers who have some knowledge of Japan, nor too simplistic for the more informed. Because it is the old standard bearer, there is a definite need for an updated version that includes more for contemporary audiences, such as better discussions of Kabuki, Haiku and scroll painting. However, the volume is organized well enough for readers to concentrate only on sections they have immediate interest, making the book accessible to a variety of readers who seek a broader understanding of traditional Japanese culture and intellectual history.

This book is wonderful introduction to Japanese history. It covers Japan from the earliest sources through the late Tokugawa Shogunate in the 18th century. The sources trace political, social, artistic, philosophic, and religious trends throughout Japanese history, in the words of the Japanese of those former periods. Selections from all the important source material for Japanese history are assembled in this book.

Takashi Atoda is a prodigious writer of popular fiction in Japan and deserves the attention of the outside world due to his universal themes of first love, lost love, change and fate with which he imbues a dreamlike quality. Small seemingly insignificant acts take on important meanings, and one realizes how much one is missing in the western world of hasty observations. A book not to be missed to further one's understanding of the Japanese and their relationships.

The book contains 11 short stories. They are all very different, with ingenious plots, but all have the feeling of the Japanese "inner life" in them. My only regret is that this appears to be the only English translation of his many collections of short stories.

This is the best book in statistical quality control. A very good start for undergraduates. However, problems are not suitable for mathematicians because they are very very simple. The logic behind quality control is best presented in this book. I wish the author can increase the number of problems in this book by adding some difficult excercises.

Well written book within 500 pages. Dr. Ryan has done a great job in presenting the material without much mathematical details. A good reference for any one from industry and can be good text for University.

This book is part of an excellent series of non-fiction books for children on cultures from the past. While the title of this edition states "ancient", the focus seems to be on the period of the bushido and samurai (it does briefly cover the Jomon period). Fiona Macdonald did a great job, as usual.

There is an abundance of beautiful, full-color pictures (mostly photographs, but a few illustrations) of famous art, buildings, and maps on every page. Each two page spread covers a specific topic and is organized with a paragraph or so of text surrounded by the photographs with interesting facts or expanations. It does not appear too cluttered and again, these pictures are almost entirely real examples of the culture, not just illustrations. A descriptive timeline with is also included on the preliminary pages. The glossary and index are useful too.

Fifteen do-able activities/crafts/recipes are found throughout the book: samurai helmet, shell game, rice balls, carp streamer, screen painting, homemade paper, Noh mask, votive dolls, ikebana flower arrangement, fan, fox netsuke, origami box, calligraphy, kite, and clay tea bowl.

NOW FOR THE IMPORTANT PART...this is out of print, but apparently the publisher joined this title by Fiona Macdonald with Step into the Chinese Empire Chinese Empire (Step Into Series) by Philip Steele to forge a 128 page book called SWORDS AND SAMURAI. I've ordered it Swords and Samurai: The Ancient Warrior Culture of the East and hopefully my information is accurate!

I also highly recommend Exploration into Japan (Exploration Into) for a more in-depth, yet still interesting history of Japan for kids. If you're looking for more crafts and some info, try Japan (Make it Work! History). Also, The Japanese (Ancient World) has some good information about the culture of Japan as well.

This book is an amazing resource book for a teaching unit onJapan. It is written with consultants from the Japanese Festival Society. They have arts and crafts ideas that are easily made by children.

This book has numerous color photos, and includes clearly written step-by-step procedures for making many of the dishes you'll find in a Japanese restaurant. The range of recipes span from appetizers, to rice dishes, to miso soup, to sushi and dessert. There are so many photos to guide you through the cooking process, that you are left with few (if any) questions. I've looked at a lot of Japanese cookbooks written in English and this is easily one of the best that I've seen.

American Lesley Downer supplies the text and reverent mood for this book. Japanese Minoru Yoneda demonstrates, in elegant color photos, the classic preparatory and cooking procedures. Not just an authentic Japanese cookbook, but a triumph of publishing. Should be declared a Japanese National Treasure.

Artist Betty Reynolds entertains us while she enlarges our understanding of what is foreign to our own culture. Some may think it is more a preparation for a trivia game but it is written/painted with great delight and should be received the same way. "STILL CLUELESS . . ." is brilliant. Be sure to add it to your book shelves; it works magic on a gloomy day.

The watercolors are as amusing as they are bright. Reynolds, an acclaimed family flag-designer, takes the reader 'every-which-way' - - what may at first seem strange is shown to make sense: foods (gingko nuts are grilled - and delicious); holidays - including religious observances; seasons; advertising & vending machines; and a double-page spread about "the talented & terrifying toilets" mentioned by others . . .

The New Year celebrations seem more interesting than ours in the U.S., or perhaps they are more age-friendly? And what country could match "Harikayo," a ceremony for retiring broken or crooked needles by burying them in tofu? I will now cultivate my "morning faces" (Morning Glories) as I say a prayer of Thanksgiving that my toilet is low-tech & doesn't require Japanese language skills to operate - or something similar to a TV control. Betty Reynold's sketchbook is about as opposite as you can get from the sumi-e of mcHAIKU's previous review (# 0806908335) but they each give delight.

Still Clueless in Tokyo continues to delight while sharing knowledge about a wide variety of common things found in Japanese Culture. Keeps you laughing while you learn.