Japan Books

I heard of the name of the author because this year Japan is coming out with a tv drama serie about some of her hidden letters. This is a passionate observer/participant of life who articulates prose with clarity and ingenuity of an accomplished writer, and with subtle modesty representing a women of the last century.

Reviewed by Deb Shunamon for Reader Views (7/06)

"The Name of the Flower" by Kuniko Mukoda is a wonderful book that would be of particular interest to those who think they know and understand Japan. While I can envision a Japanese reader nodding his or her head and muttering over these brilliantly translated snapshots of male/female relationships, a lot of "gaijin" will likely be quite bewildered as to what is going on much of the time. The reader quickly learns that this is not going to be an easy read. That's exactly what makes this book such a delight - it's a great, emotional reading experience that will show Westerners how little we truly understand Japanese society.

Kuniko Mukoda was a prolific scriptwriter for Japanese radio and television, and at the time of her death in a plane crash in 1981 she was well into a career as a popular essayist and short story writer. The Afterward by translator Tomone Matsumoto is an interesting piece on just how popular and hard-working Mukoda was. So much can be learned and enjoyed from this collection, the least of which being that Japan is now, of course, a very modern, westernized society. That this modernity can be unrecognizable when it concerns human relationships, or that Westernization does not necessarily mean the North American way, is repeatedly revealed in Mukoda's book. In addition to outright bewilderment, feelings of being insulted or angry can be indicators that you've encountered a cultural difference, and these strong emotions are evoked by many of the stories. "Small Change" is guaranteed to make any independent, Canadian woman scream in frustration. "The Carp", "The Fake Egg", and a few others still have me puzzled, while "Half-Moon" and "Otter" will break your heart.

What will non-Japanese readers take away from this book besides knowing that they may never fully understand Japanese society? This will likely be answered differently depending on whether the reader is male or female, and could be the start of some great discussions. However, seeing the familiar importance of marriages, families, and lovers in these stories, as well as the struggles we all go through to understand our own lives, keeps you riveted to this cross-cultural reading encounter to the last page. Modern works such as Kuniko Mukoda's "The Name of the Flower" will leave all readers with a great deal of respect for how similar relationships are between men and women around the world, yet how truly different.

There is a fairly silly comment in the Publisher's Weekly review above that Kuniko Mukoda's stories "mix Eastern tradition with Western values." Another reviewer on this page states that this short story collection will demonstrate how little Westerners understand Japanese society. I couldn't disagree more. The late Mukoda wrote closely observed stories about domestic dilemmas set in Japan of the 60s and 70s. Although there are naturally references to Japanese traditions and cultural practices, I did not find them a barrier to understanding--and I don't think that's just because of my long acquaintance with the country. Mukoda's characters are typically experiencing a crisis in their family life that is illuminated or complicated by memories of past events. These characters, their emotions, and their struggles are very recognizable to Western readers, not because Mukodas wrote about "Western values" but because she is a talented observer of human nature, which remains a constant everywhere.

I picked up this book for some light reading over the weekend. I am doing research for an essay and I wanted a book of short stories to read while I was in between sections of the books that I am supposed to be reading. Unfortunately I found this book so interesting that I finished it in a couple of sittings. I am pretty sure that this book gets lost between the cracks left between the works of Mishim, Tanizaki, and Kawabata and those of Yoshimoto and Murakami. I'd certainly had never heard of the writer and when one reads the bak of the book one learns why. Kuniko Mukoda only wrote prose fiction for a very short time because soon after she started writing her short stories she was killed in a plane crash, before that she wrote radio and television dramas. The translator points out that she wrote over one thousand radio dramas.

The stories in this little book seem to follow under one main theme infidelity. The reader gets to see both sides of the relationship. We see the husband who is being eaten up inside because of his outside relationhips, and we see the wife's side in which wonders if in fact her husband is cheating on her. Interesting stories of daiily life that makes one wonder how Mukoda made such mundane things so interesting.

While a translation can always be disputed, it is the illustrations that make this book worth the having. The incredible images are supposedly cut from paper and layered into a collage, yet some could pass for silk screen prints with their intricate detail.

"The Narrow Road to Oku" is about as close to perfection as one can get. First you have Matsuo Basho, Japan's greatest poet, chronicling his hundred and fifty day journey into Oku to visit the grave of his mother, who had died the previous year. Translating this masterpiece is Donald Keene, possibly the greatest modern interpreter and translator of the Japanese mind. If this wasn't enough, Miyata Masayuki has taken Basho's poetry and created stunning works of Kiri-e, torn paper art, that provides a visual to match the written imagery.

"The Narrow Road to Oku" was the last of Basho's five travelogues, and he finally attained the essential balance between observation and inspiration, between prose and poetry. Along the narrow road he and his traveling companion, student Kawai Sora, experienced the highs and lows of ancient Japan. The Tokugawa Shrine at Nikko, the famed Bridge of Heaven at Matsushima and the ancient Ise Shrine were all stops on this fantastic voyage. As well as these wonders, he encountered poor prostitutes and fishermen, giving them equal time to his poetic genius.

Miyata Masayuki, as he has with other books in this series such as "The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter" and "Love Songs from the Man'Yoshu," has created delightful and whimsical artwork that enhances rather than distracts from Basho's musings. There is a hint of Ukiyo-e in his style, but not enough to consider it redundant. The art is fresh and lively. sometimes powerful and bittersweet.

The original Japanese text is preserved alongside Keene's translation, which I think is essential of a work of this type. "The Narrow Road to Oku" is 100% authentic, and 100% beautiful. Definitely a treasure in my library.

If anyone adores the simple beauty and truth of haiku, this is the text to own. Not only are the Japanese characters printed alongside the inquisitive English translations, but the accompanying collages are breathtaking interpretations of the works. The entire book is a work of art.

This book is a must have for any fan of Kiri-E, or Masayuki Miyata. His illustrations are beautiful...it is easy to see why he has become one of Japans modern masters of this traditional artform. Great Stuff!

This is an excellent book for the novice and high-end collector alike. If you own, study or are interested in the Japanese Sword, then you must add this volume to your library. This is about the lives and work of 20 top swordsmiths of Japan, their craft, methods,insights and open discussions about shinsakuto, the modern day Japanese Sword, forged only in the rigid standards of the old school smiths.

This book interviews twenty blade smiths and also has interviews with polishers, too!

The reader will be enriched by the thoughts and experiences of these craftsmen and gain a greater appreciation for their craft.

This is a great reference book for anyone studying or even remotely interested in modern Nihon-to and classical Nihon-to.

This book is going to be one of those books that will become legendary in the nihonto world. A very facinating look into todays up and coming smiths, their work, and where they see the future of the sword is going. An absolute must for the library, and an excellent resource for nihonto collectors!

An excellant companion book to any study of mondern Nihon-to and classical Nihon-to. Detailed descriptions of swords, and great biographical material on the smiths. The son of Yoshihara Yohindo, who wrote "The Craft of the Japanese Sword", is among those interviewed. He has become a respected & licensed smith since his father's book was published in 1985.

I own this book. One of the 1st bought when i started my studies of Nihon-to.

If you are crazy about green tea, especially matcha, you will be pleased with this.

I learned a lot about green tea from this book. It is a pleasant read and good reference.

This book will answer a lot of questions regarding green tea and its properties. The recipes included in the book are extremely easy and appetizing. We use this book as reference in our Tea Boutique all the time; it's a great addition to your tea library.

Enthusiastically recommended for gourmet kitchen cookbook collections, New Tastes In Green Tea: A Novel Flavor For Familiar Drinks, Dishes, And Desserts by renowned Japanese food stylist Mutsuko Tokunaga (who is also the Vice President of the World Green Tea Association) covers all the basics in the course of introducing the reader to the most popular types of traditional tea, the fine art of brewing tea, as well as tea lore and the history of tea. Tokunage then goes on provide this full range cookbook with a culinary wealth of new recipes for drinks, savory and sweet dishes, and complete tea menus. From Green Tea Gnocchi; Green Tea Croquettes; and Matcha Seafood with Mushroom Gratin; to Salmon and Sencha Pie; Matcha Chiffon Cake; and Matcha Tiramisu, New Tastes In Green Tea is a unique compilation that will be deeply and enduringly appreciated by gourmets with an appreciation for culinary elegance, as well as family kitchen cooks with an interest in providing the beneficial properties of green tea to their loved ones.

I bought "The Night of the Fireflies" for my niece, who, like Miko, had never seen such a wonder. She was as entranced by the idea of little flying lights as she was by the wonderful story. The book exposed her to a different culture (At each page we pointed out differences between Miko's world and ours, i.e., on page 3 Miko has laterns lighting her bedroom with her bed on the floor and we see Japanese characters on her walls that we couldn't interpret; but, Miko also has familiar toys and a pet kittie!).

We concluded that America, too, needs a special night devoted to the fireflies so we can experience this magical gift from nature.

We love Karen Winnick's books and art (although she used a different illustrator for this story). Yokito Ito, the illustrator, did some beautiful drawings and we thought her work complemented the story very well.

Highly recommended book.

John and Nancy

I am a volunteer reading partner for struggling first and second graders. Children really respond to this author's work and they love the simple, straightforward storytelling and magical illustrations in Night of the Fireflies. I highly recommend it.

My granddaughter loved this wonderful story about a special night in Japan when chidlren chase fireflies. It is a story that speaks to children about the importance of preserving the beauty of nature all around us. I highly recommend this book.

I loved this book. I love the writer. Children who read it will be smarter. Too bad all children's books can't be like this one.

I was lucky enough to work half a block from the restaurant "Now and Zen" in San Francisco. It became my regular lunch destination. I loved all of the dishes including the deserts that I tried. In fact, the strawberry shortcake was the best I'd ever had. I have not yet received the cookbook but am so excited to know I will be able to make these delicious dishes in my own home and I know what they should taste like. Once the restaurant closed I knew I had to get the cookbook.

This is a great cookbook for anyone who is interested in exploring vegan cuisine. The recipes and techniques are truly inventive and can be adapted to recipes from other sources. I think this cookbook should be on the shelf of every person who takes the art of cooking seriously!

I'm a longtime vegan who loves good food. In my efforts to spare animals from suffering, I don't want to make myself a victim at the dinner table. This book helps enormously. The savory dishes can't be beaten, particularly for special holiday fare. I make the dairy-free "cheese" ball for New Year's parties every year. I highly recommend "Now and Zen" for elegant, taste-satisfying appetizers, main dishes, soups, etc. I consider the dessert section to be weak relative to the rest of the book. I may be vegan, but when I want a sugar fix, only the best will do. Whole wheat flour and rice syrup just don't cut it. Don't let these comments discourage you because the rest of the book is truly gourmet.

Miyoko Nishimoto studied french cuisine before turning vegan and has managed to maintain the satisfying flavors of "dirty" cooking with her creative and sometimes mysterious recipes. Some of the unorthodox flavor combinations seem downright whacky but the result is always a pleasant surprise. Many of the dishes in this magnificent cookbook are as pleasing to the eye as they are to the palate and make quite an impression at dinner parties. I have served her Savory Tempeh and Vegetable Stew to die-hard meat eaters who ended up practically licking the bowl. A must for vegans and vegetarians but this book could also be inspiring to anyone who appreciates innovative cuisine.

Origami Treasure Chest is a real treasure. It contains easy to follow instructions and diagrams with illustrations of the finished origami models. It contains a variety of models with some variations for some of the models. The models are simple to intermediate. I recommend this book to origamists who want some easy models to create.

This is a wonderful book. I first saw it at the library and knew that I wanted to purchase it. What caught my attention was that the origami pictures inside were actual colored photographs--not drawn pictures. It definitely helps alot more when you see the actual photographs. It makes folding origami much easier!

I am not exactly very good at folding origami and the things I tried came out wonderful. This origami book is different from others I've seen because it teaches you how to fold useful things besides the typical animals. You can learn how to fold special envelopes, boxes with handles, wreaths, and decorations.

I definitely recommend you to get this book. It is excellent!

I do origami as a hobby, using the results for presents for friends and family. This has been my favorite origami books since I first discovered it. The instructions are very good; I have usually been able to understand them during my first attempt at a design. If you're just beginning origami, with no previous experience, there is an explanation of the folding symbols on the back of the front cover. However, there are no detailed beginners explanations, so, unless you feel up to it, you may not want to get this book if you have never done origami before. If you do have a little experience, this is a very good book. Some of the designs are more simple than others, and even the simple designs look good. I am always annoyed at "easy origami" books that are easy, but have horrible looking designs. This is not the case with this book, and, in fact, I have created some beautiful origami mobiles using only designs found in this book. There may not be as much variety in this book as you might find in other origami books, but you can be reasonably certain that you'll be able to fold all the designs found in this book. I have yet to encounter an origami book that I have gotten as much use out of as this one.

This is a wonderful book. I first saw it at the library and knew that I wanted to purchase it. What caught my attention was that the origami pictures inside were actual colored photographs--not drawn pictures. It definitely helps alot more when you see the actual photographs. It makes folding origami much easier!

I am not exactly very good at folding origami and the things I tried came out wonderful. This origami book is different from others I've seen because it teaches you how to fold useful things besides the typical animals. You can learn how to fold special envelopes, boxes with handles, wreaths, and decorations.

I definitely recommend you to get this book. It is excellent!

Dr. Stone has provided an invaluable window into the current state of Japanese scholarship around the issues of orignal enlightenment teachings (hongaku shiso) and its role in the formation of Kamakuran Buddhism and Nichiren Buddhism in particular. I believe that she quite successfully brings out the complexities of this teaching and shows that it does not necessarily lead to antinomian conclusions and that it was not summarily rejected by the founders of Kamakuran Buddhism including Nichiren. The chapter on Nichiren in this book could also stand alone as an excellent guide to Nichiren's teachings and practice. She shows that there is much more to Nichiren Buddhism than vainly repeating the Sino-Japanese title of the Lotus Sutra in order to gain worldly benefits. She really brings out the depth and profundity of Nichiren Buddhism. This book, however, is not an apologetic for Nichiren Buddhism or even for original enlightenment teachings. Dr. Stone maintains a very objective and impartial stance throughout the book (which could be disturbing to those for whom this religion and these issues are literally a matter of life and death). She provides both the pros and the cons of the issues that she addresses. She is not so much providing a new theory about Nichiren Buddhism or original enlightenment so much as she is attempting to show that original enlightenment and its impact on Japanese Buddhism needs to be reevaluated and that the issues are far from black-and-white. I would highly recommend this book to serious scholars of Japanese Buddhism and to those who want to delve more deeply into the current state of scholarship in Japan surounding Nichiren Buddhism. This is not, however, a book for those who want simple answers to simple questions, or who want a primer on Nichiren Buddhism. For those hard core Nichiren Buddhists and scholars who want to find out the real truth about Nichiren Buddhism and the development of the Nichiren tradition, this book is worth every penny of its rather steep price tag.

Namu Myoho Renge Kyo, Ryuei Michael McCormick

Is Enlightenment something that we acquire? Or are we really Enlightened already and just have to realize that? Is Enlightenment something that will take us uncounted ages to achieve? Or can we achieve Enlightenment in this life and in this body? Such were some of the key issues of Medieval Japanese Buddhism. Some of the most popular conclusions, that we are Enlightened already, i.e. are Originally Enlightened, and that we can achieve Enlightenment in this life and in this body, remain both popular and controversial even today. Jacqueline Stone takes us into the little known world of the Tendai temples and hermitages on Mt. Hiei, the stately mountain above Kyoto, where much of the doctrine of Original Enlightenment thought was developed -- and whence it spread to the famous founders of Kamakura Buddhism, including Honen and Nichiren. Stone gives us a panorama of what was going on, what we known about it (not enough), and the long history of what happened and the debates that continue down to the present, debates that involve scholars, sectarian apologists, and the religious practice of many people, not just in Japan, but around the world. A fundamental book for one of the great, and still growing, religious traditions in the world.

This book was pretty weighty - real live scholarly work, rather than simple sectarian gloss. I particularly enjoyed the way Professor Stone placed the religious leaders of the time into their proper historical context and showed the way the traditions cross-pollenated with each other. The part on Nichiren was most informative, and gave an objective perspective on the events which occurred after Nichiren's death. Cool pictures of lots of mandalas, too.

Original Enlightenment and the Transformation of Medieval Japanese Buddhism by Jacqueline Ilyse Stone (Studies in East Asian Buddhism, No. 12: University of Hawaii Press) Being recognized as a major study in Buddhist studies and recognized as one of the best religious studies books of 2000, Original Enlightenment and the Transformation of Medieval Japanese Buddhism represents some important historical and conceptual clarifications of perennial themes in Mahayana Buddhism.
From flyleaf: Original enlightenment thought (hongaku shiso) dominated Buddhist intellectual circles throughout Japan's medieval period. Enlightenment, this discourse claims, is neither a goal to be achieved nor a potential to be realized but the true status of all things. Every animate and inanimate object manifests the primordially enlightened Buddha just as it is. Seen in its true aspect, every activity of daily life?eating, sleeping, even one's deluded thinking?is the Buddha's conduct. Emerging from within the powerful Tendai school, ideas of original enlightenment were appropriated by a number of Buddhist traditions and influenced nascent theories about the kami (local deities) as well as medieval aesthetics and the literary and performing arts.
Scholars and commentators have long recognized the historical importance of original enlightenment thought but differ heatedly over how it is to be understood. Some tout it as the pinnacle of the Buddhist philosophy of absolute nondualism. Others claim to find in it the paradigmatic expression of a timeless Japanese spirituality. According to other readings, it represents a dangerous antinomianism that undermined observance of moral precepts, precipitated a decline in Buddhist scholarship, and denied the need for religious discipline. Still others denounce it as an authoritarian ideology that, by sacralizing the given order, has in effect legitimized hierarchy and discriminative social practices. Often the acceptance or rejection of original enlightenment thought is seen as the fault line along which traditional Buddhist institutions are to be differentiated from the new Buddhist movements (Zen, Pure Land, and Nichiren) that arose during Japan's medieval period.
Jacqueline Stone's groundbreaking study moves beyond the treatment of the original enlightenment doctrine as abstract philosophy to explore its historical dimension. Drawing on a wealth of medieval primary sources and modern Japanese scholarship, it places this discourse in its ritual, institutional, and social contexts, illuminating its importance to the maintenance of traditions of lineage and the secret transmission of knowledge that characterized medieval Japanese elite culture. It sheds new light on interpretive strategies employed in premodern Japanese Buddhist texts, an area that hitherto has received little attention. Through these and other lines of investigation, Stone problematizes entrenched notions of "corruption" in the medieval Buddhist establishment. Using the examples of Tendai and Nichiren Buddhism and their interactions throughout the medieval period, she calls into question both overly facile distinctions between "old" and "new" Buddhism and the long?standing scholarly assumptions that have perpetuated them. This study marks a significant contribution to ongoing debates over definitions of Buddhism in the Kamakura era (1185-1333) , long regarded as a formative period in Japanese religion and culture. Stone argues that "original enlightenment thought" represents a substantial rethinking of Buddhist enlightenment that cuts across the distinction between "old" and "new" institutions and was particularly characteristic of the medieval period.

Ray is the roadie for the rock band Laika Satellite. On the last performance of their latest tour, Ray once again fills in for the lead guitarist (who just... fails to show up, now and then). Ray gets a little too creative with one guitar solo, earning the wrath of the lead singer and leading to a full-out brawl on stage, as the bouncers and audience look on in dismay.

This appears to be business as usual, though, at least no one seem any more upset than is typical afterwards, backstage. The lead singer hits on girls, who ignore him, while the missing guitarist reappears just in time to pick up chicks, and the bizarre tambourine player drifts around making enigmatic yet probably friendly comments. Ray picks up the pieces, packs the van, and finally gets a chance to go home.

Tired of sitting in vehicles, he walks homeward with the band's bassist and sometime-girlfriend of the lead singer. Ray obviously has a crush on her, but she's oblivious. He leaves her at her apartment, then heads home alone.

The excerpt is fun and full of energy, with lots of vivid details, especially the on-stage riot. The antics of the band are hilarious, absurd, realistic, and pathetic all at once. The writing is a bit... wild, but I don't know that polished literary prose would suit this piece. It felt spontaneous and was plenty clear.

The synopsis seems almost to be about a different book than the excerpt I read, but if the style continues to be the same, I can only imagine it will be highly entertaining.

Nice title--eye-catching and has a nice ring to it.

Because there is so much description, the excerpt so far seems almost awkward told in the first person. When the narrator's character talks, he does not talk like the narrating voice, which is very descriptive and literary, so that can be a little distracting.

Look forward to seeing the Japan part of the story. So far it promises to be a good Saturday night movie, once turned into a screenplay!

I love the clear, sharp writing. The opening felt like a rollercoaster as it took me from the glorious musical moment that sustains forever, to the accelerated action of the frenzied onstage brawl. The characters are interesting. The descriptions are evocative. I would like to read this novel.

It is a great beginning and makes me want to keep reading...what happens, where do they go, what benefits does he gain from being with this group, lots of questions keep popping up - always a good sign for personal happiness with a book. Something tells me I'll love it.

Born in 1940, I lived a serene childhood during the War. Our hardships were rationing and blackouts. My like-age cousin in Southwestern Germany dodged bombs and tanks, lost her father somewhere on the Eastern Front and our great uncle when their town was overrun. Like her, I knew we were at war. Our city streets had plenty of amputee veterans and men in uniform. I saw the Atlantic horizon lined with warships. I played war with my brother and "flew" my toy planes crying, "bombs over Tokyo." How protected we American children were!

It may be a cliche to say it but we should never forget. This book brings back the faces of a few of the men who took the war to the enemy and kept it from our land. It is a tribute to the combat photographers that many of these pictures exist and though black and white stills do not communicate the sound, fury, and chaos of the battlefield, many of the photos capture the action in a way that makes it seem to unfold before our eyes.

The battlefield photos personalize the War. You see the tension and fatigue in men's eyes. Where Marines or Japs lie dead you are confronted with the ultimate impact on the luckless. Where men's faces are clear you are struck by the combination of youthfulness and age that seem intermingled. Among the living you wonder what became of them.

For sheer impact, I recommend the photo at the top left of page 154. Taken on a Tarawa beachead, five Marines are visible in the cover of a disabled Amtrak. One is dead, two are ready for action, and two are condition unknown. Of the five, the first three are the true subjects of the photo. Their faces are clear. The dead man looks young and at peace. The other two are alert and tense facing inland toward the enemy. You can imagine them lunging forward at first opportunity out of the cover of the Amtrak to meet whatever fate awaits them.

The book is more than a collection of captioned photos. Instead, the photos illuminate the textual description of Marine Corps activities prior to and during the War in the Pacific. Chapters are devoted to each of the major island campaigns, to training, amphibious force history and development, experiences early in the war etc. The writing is clear and to the point providing a good overview and summary. Readers wishing to focus on just one book covering Marine Corps participation in WWII will be well served by this book.

This is an excellent book showing the US Marines during WW2 in the Pacific. Both the pictures and text are some of the best I have seen. This book will truly be appreciated by anyone who wants to understand what it was like to be a Marine fighting in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II.

This book covers the full scope of the island-hopping Marines, with vivid pictures portraying what they went through in World War II. However, if you want to follow one Marine who hit Tulagi, Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Saipan, Guam, and Iwo Jima, I recommend reading "Pacific War Marine."

Pacific Warriors is one of those rare books that absolutely captures the essence of an era. Eric Hammel's photo selection and text sets the stage and allows the images themselves to tell the story of a generation of Marines who fought the battles in the Central Pacific during World War II. These photos remind everyone that the cost of victory over Japan did not come cheap. The combat cameramen captured the close-range fighting brilliantly, and some of the best war photography ever taken can be seen within the pages of this book. If you have even a passing interest in this topic, you need to own this work. Get it on your bookshelf right away, you will not be disappointed.