Japan Books

The title is a bit misleading, since this book is mainly a history of the B-29 during WWII, including its development, mechanical workings, early flights, and of course, its bombing missions over Japan.

The book is a terrific photo essay, and has really great photos of the innards of the B-29, as well as shots of the B-29 bases in China and then at Guam, pictures from the bombing missions, pictures of the Japanese fighter pilot opposition, etc. Almost every aspect of the history of the B-29 is covered, including a photo of the crash site where Boeing test pilot Edmund Allen was killed. I had read elsewheres already that the prototype B-29 had plowed into a meat packing plant - the photo in this book shows pigs that were let loose by the crash standing on the roof of the partially collapsed building!

There are just so many photos like that one that are intensely unique and eye-catching; the book just sweeps you back into time, back when the B-29 was first struggling to get going, and then progressing to where it became the most devastating deliverer of death and destruction of WWII.

Part of the acclaimed Time/Life World War Two series and one of the more hard to find titles in the series, this book provides an amazing detailed history of the later stages of the Pacific War. Some of the finest photos of any WWII series, this book truly should be part of any comprehensive personal WWII reference library.

This is by far the best book i've read on sake - it covers (in detail) the history and tradition of the drink from it's earliest roots to the pressures of recent years. It includes guidance on tasting sake (and what an official tasting is like), the science of that taste, in depth details of the brewing process, and a short discussion of some common brands of Sake. It won't provide ratings of sake, but it is a must for anyone truly interested in this drink.

Terrific insights into sake tasting, history, and culture, including fascinating tutorials on how gaijen should conduct themselves eating and drinking in Japan. It's a humble pulpy little book, but it's great.

The book of wind is the greaest book yet.I mean I love the
whole entire samuri girl book serious.Me and my friends love
it so much we're going to make a little short movie of the first
book.

This book was awsome, just like the rest of the series. Its just so good that its addicting. There is alway something going on it never boring. I can't believe that Hiro would keep such a secret, Heaven needs to learn that everyone has there dark secrets from the past that they just want to forget.

Takamura Kotaro was one of the few Japanese writers to continue publishing during the height of World War 2. He managed to do this by writing propaganda poems of the government. After the war, he found himself regretting his support for something that seemed so against his principles. This collection of poems and prose traces back his blind devotion to key moments in his childhood. Educated in France, his free form poetry smacks of French influence giving it a much lighter tone. Almost as moving as his collection of poetry about his wife, Chieko, it offers an eye opening look into one poet's remorse about his past actions.

I came across this talented poet/sculptor when I read the powerfully longing poem "To Someone [Not To Play]" p. 98 and knew that I had to have a book of his writing. I don't normally buy books and this is money well spent. I typically will borrow from the library but I had to make an exception with Takamura Kotaro! I only wish I owned a book of his and his wife's sculptures/artwork compilations!

I think e.e. cummings would have enjoyed "To Someone" a lot. I definitely find that his work is emotive, in the most creative sense imaginable. He was a Japanese sculptor, who was inspired by Auguste Rodin and worked in Paris. This book includes an incredible, insightful biography and commentary on his poems.

Chieko, his wife, suffered from schizophrenia and then later died in a sanitorium, much to his guilt. I noticed the similarities to his mother, when I read one poem [p.57 "Thinking of Mother"]. He idealized both of them, in their insecurities, martyrdom, and pure conscientiousness. His poems seemed to ask, "is a female's power wielded in ...leaving it, in leaving him?" Quite passive-aggressive.

The timeless poems, "Mountain Woods", "The Snow Has Piled White", and "Fountain of Mankind" reminded me of Robert Frost in their beautiful imagery of Mother Nature, of life as an endless experience of the seasons, both internally and externally.

"Lemon Elegy" was SO intense, you could TASTE the poem itself! The words conveyed an emotional power that could only be described as similar to the black and white, silent cinematography in "Snow Falling On Cedars". This is also one of his most famous poems and completely deserving! I will print this out and frame it, display it with a Rodin sculpture reproduction in my house, in tribute of this truly exquisite poet. Takamura Kotaro is my favorite poet of all time, after reading this wonderfully translated book that Hiroaki Sato made rich with nuance and kept authentic to the poet's character, meanings and moods. You will not regret buying this book. You will only regret not having enough copies to go around, when you want to send it out to everyone whom you share a special, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual bond with in your life.

I believe that Kotaro's experiences of guilt, grief, and frustration, even anger would be very useful for anyone whose had to cope with a chronic/debilitating illness in a family member. His wife died of TB 3 years after he had her hospitalized. Only those who have lived with schizophrenia in their families or have seen it up close in friends/loved ones can truly understand his decision and his intense guilt.

The insight this book offers is wonderful for ANYONE caught up in grief, or has experienced loss, as it is highly cathartic.

This is a superb selection of the best short stories written by expatriate writers living in Japan. It is also the first such selection and promises some rare treats to readers unfamiliar with both the writers and the topic. There is a broad range of both topics and literary styles, by both well-known and previously unanthologized authors.

Anyone who writes for a living knows the first and foremost rule: write what you know about. The authors in this collection of short stories certainly know what it's like to be outsiders looking into a foreign culture. Anyone who has lived in a foreign country can identify with these rare glimpses into battered hearts which results from the initial over-idealisation of an adopted culture. The writing is superb and colourful and each story feels like a poignant confession. One thing which is missing; however, is the lure of the culture and the aspects which keep us all living in foreign countries. Hats off to the editor.She did a remarkable job of bringing all these stories together. If you enjoy good writing of any kind, you'll cherish this book.

We moved to Japan 6 years ago with only a vague understanding of Japanese political-economy. We ran across Christopher Wood's book at a local bookstore. It was fascinating and has proved to be an astoundingly accurate depiction foretelling the events of today. I picked the book up again today and concluded that, short of having a crystal ball, this guy had to have been the lone voice of common sense and sound reason on the planet at the time he wrote this book. People must have regarded him as an oddity at the time. One wonders where he is now and what he is doing.

Let's face it, many of the "Japan experts" have totally missed the boat. Mr. Wood's book, published in 1992, was "right on the money" and predicted Japan's current economic plight (although underestimating abit the time it would take to get there). This book provides readers with valuable insights into how the Japanese political economy functions (and doesn't function). By focusing on fundamentals, particularly the banking system, Mr. Wood provides the reader with a framework for analyzing the daily tidbits of information coming out in the press.

All the ancient and modern sayings of our great budo masters in a nutshell.

Written in three parts;-

Part 1) The Principles of Budo lists all the strategies and precepts of the greatest of Budo masters. No explanation or commentary given and I feel none needed.

Part 2) The Philosophy of Budo - some thoughts on interest and ancient practices and stories.

Part 3) Tales of the Masters of Budo - some short and enlightening stories of the budo greats.

A great introduction to Budo, its secrets revealed and a short history of how it all came about. The subject seems to be gaining much popularity these days and when you read some of the old budo classics that this book refers to, you'll soon discover how the old masters already knew what we seem to be striving to relearn in our modern age. Learn the wisdom and mistakes of the past and stop trying to reinvent the wheel. The stories, rules and precepts are just as important today as they were when some of them where written down nearly a thousand years ago.

I must first say that i am not by any means an avid reader. Normally it would take me a month to get through a hundred pages. This book was the exception. I was completely absorbed by the contents of this book. Things that have been said to me over my 12 years of Aikido experience were finally made clear. I felt I had truly learned something after finishing this book and I plan on using that knowledge to teach my students more about what it is we are trying to accomplish in the dojo and in life.

Thanks John for such a wonderful book. Truly enlightening.

I feel foolish praising such a small book to high heaven. But,I must say that this book is a fascinating read. I bought it duringmy first business trip to Japan and couldn't put it down.

The book's author, an American, has lived in Japan for 50 years. It's clear that he knows the language and the culture. Moreover, he also has kept in touch with the States, and still has the ability to communicate with an American audience. As I said, the book is small. It's only half the physical dimensions of an ordinary book. It is about 170 pages in length. There are 64 chapters, so each chapter is only 2-3 pages long. Each chapter is like a short essay on some minute but nonetheless important detail about Japanese business culture, or advice on how to successfully interface with it. Some of the chapter titles are : The Role of the Greeting Ritual, The Name Card System, How to Recognize "No," The Importance of Going to Japan, Making the First Contact, Seeing Behind the Facade, The Importance of Following up, How to Use Interpreters, Dealing at the Negotiating Table, More Mistakes Foreigners Make, and Mastering the Art of Business at Night. Each of these short chapters is very well written.

The author has obviously advised many foreign companies on how to approach the Japanese and how to get past all the suspicion and barriers that prevent the Japanese from establishing a formal relationship with a foreign firm. His descriptions of how the Japanese protocol functions, how the Japanese company functions, the importance of etiquette, the all-important socializing between potential business partners, the Japanese sense of caution, their fixation on outward appearance, their "group think" mentality, their concern that everything be right and that everyone be comfortable with any new venture before it can begin, and even his description of how Buddhism affects the Japanese business mentality, singularly and in toto indicate that the author really knows what he is talking about.

I've lived a year or more in four different countries, and written about the culture of three of them. It's hard to write about a culture in a way that does not sound like criticism or like proselytizing. Yet, Boye De Mente manages to do so. The reader becomes far more sophisticated in a couple of hours than (s)he was before picking up the book. I was so impressed that after reading this book, I ordered another by the same author. I'll definitely read this book again before my next business trip to Japan.

I feel foolish praising such a small book to high heaven. But, I must say that this book is a fascinating read. I bought it during my first business trip to Japan and couldn't put it down.

The book's author, an American, has lived in Japan for 50 years. It's clear that he knows the language and the culture. Moreover, he also has kept in touch with the States, and still has the ability to communicate with an American audience. As I said, the book is small. It's only half the physical dimensions of an ordinary book. It is about 170 pages in length. There are 64 chapters, so each chapter is only 2-3 pages long. Each chapter is like a short essay on some minute but nonetheless important detail about Japanese business culture, or advice on how to successfully interface with it. Some of the chapter titles are : The Role of the Greeting Ritual, The Name Card System, How to Recognize "No," The Importance of Going to Japan, Making the First Contact, Seeing Behind the Facade, The Importance of Following up, How to Use Interpreters, Dealing at the Negotiating Table, More Mistakes Foreigners Make, and Mastering the Art of Business at Night. Each of these short chapters is very well written.

The author has obviously advised many foreign companies on how to approach the Japanese and how to get past all the suspicion and barriers that prevent the Japanese from establishing a formal relationship with a foreign firm. His descriptions of how the Japanese protocol functions, how the Japanese company functions, the importance of etiquette, the all-important socializing between potential business partners, the Japanese sense of caution, their fixation on outward appearance, their "group think" mentality, their concern that everything be right and that everyone be comfortable with any new venture before it can begin, and even his description of how Buddhism affects the Japanese business mentality, singularly and in toto indicate that the author really knows what he is talking about.

I've lived a year or more in four different countries, and written about the culture of three of them. It's hard to write about a culture in a way that does not sound like criticism or like proselytizing. Yet, Boye De Mente manages to do so. The reader becomes far more sophisticated in a couple of hours than (s)he was before picking up the book. I was so impressed that after reading this book, I ordered another by the same author. I'll definitely read this book again before my next business trip to Japan.

This is a unique and interesting business travel guide and gives a lot of value for its pocket size. As a former military attache to Japan, I was impressed by tips it offered in areas that even seasoned Japanophiles struggle with such as the fine art of giving presents and expert dining etiquette that goes way beyond the standard business cards and bows. The reader gets a rare peek into the minds and hearts of the Japanese people. It's also a sociological and cultural study in value-shifts that are occurring in today's Japan and business changes in foreign investment policies and deregulation. A lot of emphasis has been placed on behavior and language in interpersonal relations, even to the extent of how many seconds to wait before responding to a question! Clear and easy-to-use charts are an excellent feature. The book also begins with a humorous quiz on Japanese famous figures, history and food, and shows how we really do need this new book and the information it provides. Examples of advice are: "When you get in trouble, apologize profusely" and what to do if you're staying near an active volcano. This guide is easy to read and helps us understand the Japanese character and way of thinking. It's also very enjoyable. We loved it! Thank you Brian and Sue!

Because of my work as an interculturalist, I enjoy reading various books on cultural preparation for Americans, et al, going overseas. This book is by far the best quality to prepare a business traveller or even a tourist for life in Japan. It is concise, yet informative, and supplies plenty of pertinent anecdotes which assist the reader in understanding values which we, as Americans, typically find too foreign to comprehend.

It is very interesting to read a this kind of book for us Japanese. However, as far as I know, we don't have a religious prejudice to homosexuality at all, therefore it sounds a little bit strange that in Meiji-era the goverment of Japan made a "Sodomy Law" imitating the western countries (though directly from the Manchurian China/Qing)---- of course it was soon repealed.
I prefer to read a book on male/male love of pre-Tokugawa period, since in those days, especially in Muromachi/Azuchi-Momoyama-period, male homoeroticism was most flourished and prosperous.
And I also want to read about the history of male-love in Korea, Tibet and Southeastern Asia.

Pflugfelder's book, the product of 20 years of research, provides a necessary foundation for students of Japanese history and sexology. What is much more, he resists reinforcing the kinds of master narratives that this kind of history usually inforces. "Homosexual," for instance, becomes not an identity but a term situated in time and space with certain uses by and for certain people. His Foucauldian approach focuses mostly on shifts and resists any notion of progress. I think this book is important to students of History as a model for their own scholarship, not just as a substantial contribution to the more specific field of Japanese Studies.