Japan Books

This book is an indispensible aide to anyone planning a trip on his own. This book contains over 50 individual entries describing the gardens of Kyoto and environs, grouped by geographic location within the city. Overview maps for the different districts show the approximate location of the individual gardens, so that the traveller can put together itineraries for daytrips in the Kyoto area.

Each entry gives details of opening hours, historic background and special features of the garden described. The name of the garden and its location are additonally specified in Japanese characters, making this book the ideal travel guide for those embarking on a trip to Kyoto.

There is a limited number of photos, so that those wanting to plan a trip using the guide might consider referencing other books with numerous color photos to pick the specific gardens they are interested in.

Don't leave home without this book! Anyone who is planning a trip to Japan (resident foreigners included) and has even the slighest interest learning about the Gardens of Kyoto should buy a copy of this superb book, which is small enough to carry in your shoulder bag. The book contains gives the balance of detail,giving good a historical background and landscape points overview. This is a buy you will not regret. Well done to the authors.

Once again, just as the second had better art than the first, the third has better art than the second! Iwase-sensei is getting more comfortable with the characters.

Story? Nope. Great ending, of course (brought tears to my eyes) but the story is still sort of condensed. Compare it to the novel and the anime and this storyline is the worst out of the three. Just disregard the few mistakes in translation, and you've got a pretty good manga!

This was the first GundamSEED manga I read, but I had seen a few anime episodes before. It was understandable to me, even without reading the first two. Now, that I have read the first and seconds volumes I must say that this is my faveourite. It is very interesting and has nice battle scenes, though I thought the battle in the first and second were a bit better. Nevertheless the plot is interesting and the ending is full of suspense. I can't wait until volume 4 comes out, it will leave you itching to find out what happens. I would recommended this to those who have read or watched GundamSEED before or have a bit of background knowledge. It's still an allright place to start off though! I find that if you have seen the anime first, it is a bit different. The anime is more light-hearted in my opinon. I rate this book really 4.5 stars out of 5 but, a) there is no such option and b) the drawings and ending are so great, I think they earned it!

When I read for the first time this book, I wasn't expeting too much, but it really surprised me. GURPS Japan brings to you a complete description of the social classes and the code of honor of the Samurai, the "bushi" of the legends and history in the feudal Japan. Is very cool meet a lot of friends and try to interpretate the honor of being a samurai, or to understand the essence of this marvelous game. The complete description of the weapons and the costumes is very interesting too.

This is one of the most interesting rpg supplements I have ever read. There are so many interesting historical details in this book which can enhance any rpg campaign set in Japan. It is far superior to Oriental Adventures in the Dungeons and Dragons system. Even if you are not a role player, this supplement can provide interesting information for anybody interested in historical Japan. I definitely recommend it highly.

I picked up a copy of this book when I first started working in clay back in the early eighties. While my style has evolved very far away from this initial influence this book has followed me from coast to coast and remains a constant touchstone. A definite must have and absolute keeper.

Really a documented dialogue between master potters Bernard Leach and Shoji Hamada, Hamada Potter is a wealth of insight into a way of life devoted to form. Following an incredible catalog of images from Hamada's substantial body of work (nearly half of the 232 pages), the reader is treated to a back and forth reminiscence between Leach and Hamada on such subjects as their meeting, the potteries at St. Ives and Mashiko, seeing, handles, chairs, glazes... It is truly a breathtaking opportunity to be able to eavesdrop on this remarkable conversation. For anyone who appreciates art and its ability to chronicle the depth of human experience, Hamada Potter is a document that enriches as deeply as the artist it celebrates.

It seems a crime that this excellent book (Hara) is out of print. The great merit of Durkheim's work is that it makes superb sense of what is often shrouded in exotic obscurities - the psycho-
somatic basis underpinning a multiplicity of disciplnes - Taoist/Zen practice,the Martial arts(Wu shu/Budo) etc.- making the central principle clear, within the bounds of practical discussion - yet never encroaching upon that which defies description. Although it invites materialistic misunderstand- ings to say so, this book offers a 'hands on' approach to quite 'rooted' processes, often glossed over in accounts of 'eastern wisdom' laying almost exclusive stress on 'mind development.' Necessarily, Eastern teachings do stress mind development and from a certain perspective,they eschew body-centered thinking/fixations. But as anyone reasonably proficient in Za-zen (or equivalent disciplines) will find, there is a distinct corre- spondence between mind-states, breathing, and bodily states, making it apparent that the 'brain' is not the primary or real vital centre of man. Za-zen brings the discovery that a balanced awareness finds itself focused - bodily, in the 'hara' - and Durkheim's book attests to the distinct benefits this discovery yields, not in purely bodily terms, but in relation to the life giving force (ki) of the universe. The 'hara (or 'tanden') is a natural reservoir of this energy and therefore, the psychosomatic side of meditation (or martial arts training) is of vital importance.

Much as something like Zen advocates the 'non abiding mind' etc., masters like Dogen and Hakuin both knew the importance of developing the hara. A 'floating' or 'sinking' mind upsets practice, the unstable 'ki' causing bodily and mental illness, exhaustion, or drowsiness. Paradoxically, the best way to bring the mind to rest - predisposing it to return to its natural, 'non-abiding' state - is to first 'fix' it in the hara.
Even if this is thought of 'physically' - at the outset, it will eventually yield its higher, psycho-physical process, merging with the cosmic breath, leaving the mind to mirror events,with-
out sticking to them.

Durkheim writes as one who has found and knows the secrets of the 'hara.' The last thing he advocates, is switching from one bodily fixation - to another, e.g. from the cereberal, brain centered 'west' - to a 'navel gazing' east. On the contrary, Durkheim shows the hara to be a creative and healing centre, linking the 'whole person' with the very life energy of the universe, all other life-forms - and what lies beyond form. Clearly, advocates of the martial arts wouldn't be able to func- tion, if simply fixated on the navel in a pedestrian manner.

Durkheim draws on sources of the Far-eastern tradition to illustrate his point, but numerous anecdotes show that the 'western' consciousness has been aware of hara-power, albeit less consciously developed with us - than in the East. On a very basic level, we talk of someone having 'guts,' of 'gut' feelings etc. - and, needless to say, our sexual feelings are rooted in the hara. Shortsightedly no doubt,some forms of psychology regard the idea sinking to the level of the solar plexus - as a regression to infantilism, the womb - and 'death.' But as this region contains the generative and nurturative powers of life, that is a rather strange deduction. The East knows better. Durkheim doesn't mention it, but the Christian 'Heyschasts' knew of the hara - in their own way, consciously focusing their prayer in the region of solar plexus, the bodily equivalent of the 'omphalos' or cosmic earth-centre. Durkheim links all true creativity with the hara, noting how singers make use it, how old craftsmen seem to have their accumulated 'skills' stored there.

Durkheim skilfully draws on aspects of traditional Japanese culture to show how the energies involved flow from the hara, yet
remain focused there, a deep reservoir and centre of energy, unruffled by the flitting oscillations- of a purely brain centered awareness.The nice thing about this book is that it encourages the attentive reader to develop 'hara' - as a process coterminous with the life process and very cosmic flow, the 'Zendo' of everyday life - if you like. Durkheim respects a plurality of Asian disciplines - which is right and proper, but never loses sight of the fact that - ultimately, they all owe their inspir- ation to the cosmic life-process,that at a basic psychosomatic level, these are all somehow functioning through the hara. The author's fascinating notes and observations are ample testimony to this fact.It is the 'well of life' itself - that we find celebrated in Durkheim's book - at once practical yet intuitive, an invitation to remain in tune with the breath and spirit of life. As such, Durkheim's book will always be a classic, of benefit to a wide range of readers, regardless of background.

Quite simply one of the best books there is on genuine Spiritual development. I first read it in 1966, and each time I come back to it I see more deeply von Durckheim's great practical wisdom. Everyone should read this book!
Particularly indispensable for those interested in the Internal Martial Arts; "Hara" reveals the Spiritual aspects of Centering, which often get passed over in the fascination with physical accomplishment.
Peter Payne

Revisionist history upsets me very much. I especially dislike revisionist history dealing with the ending of the Second World War and the Cold War. Somehow, despite all common sense, reality, and historical evidence there are people who believe, write and teach that Harry S. Truman had alternative motives when he ended WWII by dropping atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

I am a big fan of Japanese history and culture. I love it. I have been to Japan two times. However, it can not be denied that Japan was not ready to surrender in August of 1945.

The Bottom line is this, Harry Truman bombed Hiroshima and Nagasaki to end the Second World War. He did it to end the war quickly. He did it to save American lives. He did it to save Japanese civilians.

Truman did not use the atomic bombs for nuclear diplomacy with the Russians. He did not use it because of racial biases. Fortunately this book, which is really a collection of documents sets the record straight.

Harry Truman was a great president. He was honest and he was not afraid to make tough decisions. The bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki was one of those tough but neccessary decisions that Truman fortunately had the moral courage to make.

Historians and fans of history should look at this book and the documents discussed. Revisionists will unfortunately ignore the evidence and spread bad information. But in reality, this book helps set the record straight.

This was required reading for a graduate course in American history. In this engaging biography, Robert H. Ferrell, who has authored and edited eight previous books on Truman, does an admirable job of presenting the life and presidency of Harry S. Truman. Although one can detect Ferrell's admiration for Truman, one senses from the extensive notes, bibliography, and research conducted at the Truman Library as well as his willingness to criticize Truman for his mistakes, that Ferrell has written a very balanced biography of Truman. Ferrell's book is a good introductory biography of Truman's whole life; the first eight chapters are devoted to his life prior to his ascendancy to the presidency in 1945 after the death of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. One gets the sense that Truman was the last president of an earlier and simpler time in America. He was the last president who was not a college graduate nor was he well--off financially. Ferrell's biography captures the essence of what type of a man Truman was and what history and his fellow citizens perceived him as.
"A plain-speaking, straight-talking, ordinary fellow (people thought) who did what he saw as his duty without turning his obligation into opportunity for personal gain" (179). Ferrell also exposed Truman's flaws such as being overprotective and too loyal to friends that had done wrong. Often he took it as a personal affront when anyone differed with him.
Ferrell presents a few experiences from Truman's early years that formed his character. From farming, Truman gained a work ethic that served him well throughout his life. His experience as an artillery captain and battery commander during WWI was instrumental in proving to himself and others that he was a very capable and caring leader of men. This experience was instrumental in putting him on the path of a political life. His experience as a failed haberdasher and bank speculator in the 1920's caused Truman to be a fiscal conservative the rest of his life and a good steward of the government's money. In addition, he learned about and came to understand and respect ethnic minorities, such as Catholics and Jews, from his Army and haberdashery experiences. Thus, Ferrell astutely proved that understanding Truman's early life experiences are instrumental if one wants to properly analyze Truman's decision-making process in the domestic and foreign policy arena.
"The Buck Stops Here" placard on Truman's desk has become legendary in presidential history. One of his secretaries of state, Dean Acheson, admired Truman for capably understanding the complexities of a situation and his willingness to make a hard decision without vacillating. Truman was adept at gathering all of the facts in a timely manner, listening to people's opinions and turning the options over in his mind, and then when he arrived at what he thought was the correct decision, he made it and stuck to his guns. Truman wound up making many important decisions that have affected America to this day such as, using nuclear weapons against Japan to end WWII, integrating the military in 1948, recognizing the state of Israel, creating the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and involving American military forces in the Korean war.
One of the first, most momentous, and most often debated decisions that Truman had to make as President was whether to use two atomic bombs against Japan to hasten the end of WWII. Ferrell and other historians have made a very convincing argument to support Truman's decision-making process to use nuclear weapons to end the war. The Japanese military, who effectively controlled their government, were fanatics in their prosecution of the war. The Japanese people had suffered through numerous fire bombings of their cities in the months leading up to the end of the war, in which hundreds of thousands of their citizens were killed. In addition, the military had lost many battles and virtually all of its island holdings in the Pacific, and yet the government was strengthening its homeland forces and preparing for invasion instead of seriously considering surrender. Ferrell, relying on information gathered by Edward J. Drea, who wrote about the American military intelligence estimate gathered in July of 1945 mainly through the deciphering of Japanese radio traffic, showed that up to 600,000 Japanese were being prepared to fight in the event of an American invasion. Even this estimate turned out to be too low, since after the war American intelligence learned that the Japanese actually had some 900,000 prepared to fight against the invasion. American military estimates of the cost of life in the event of an invasion of the Japanese home islands were at best sketchy, and many historians who have written against the use of atomic weapons have used the unreliability of the estimates as one of their examples why Truman was wrong to use the nuclear option. However, Thomas B. Allen and Norman Polmar in their book, Codename Downfall, which detailed the plan to invade Japan, wrote that Truman was presented with an estimate that showed that there could be 238,000 American casualties and possibly the same number of Japanese casualties. This information coupled with the very real evidence of how tenaciously the Japanese people had fought was no myth, and convinced Truman that dropping the bombs on Japan to end the war was the right decision. One only had to look at the horrific casualty figures for American battles on Iwo Jima and Okinawa to name a few in order to understand just how fiercely the Japanese were capable of fighting. Ferrell aptly showed that Truman's decision has come under criticism throughout the years partly because of how he had stridently defended it and was so dismissive of the critics of his decision. "The president's critics, one suspects, were ready to accuse him because they did not admire other things he did or approved. They were critical because of his well-known decisiveness, which sometimes seemed offhanded" (214).

Thus, Ferrell does a very convincing job of making one believe just how important and interesting it is to study Truman, especially since he was so very different from the presidents who had come before and after him.

Recommended reading for anyone interested in American history, foreign policy, Cold War history.

. Equipped with Japanese language skills and academic experience in Japan, Dr. Stephan conducted exhaustive research into military and civilian sources in order to develop the full story of Japan's designs upon Hawaii in the early stages of WWII. His book reveals a serious intent to actually invade and occupy the islands, primarily to deny the U.S. Navy its natural springboard for challenging Japanese advances in the Pacific. The kicker in that regard was the Doolittle Raid in April 1942, which convinced the Japanese Army that Hawaii was a threat that had to be neutralized.
. A secondary goal was to liberate the "Asian" poplace of Hawaii (which to Imperial Japan was everyone there except Caucasians) and bring them into their Greater East Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere. Some Japanese even advocated annexing Hawaii outright, as a natural extension of their own island nation.
. One surprise to this reviewer was learning the extent to which many of Hawaii's ethnic Japanese citizens directly participated in the mother country's war, at least before Pearl Harbor. Many served in the Imperial armed forces (i.e., in China) and others returned to Japan before Pearl Harbor to support the war through academic or jounalistic pursuits. There is no suggestion, though, that Japanese-Americans in Hawaii (after Pearl Harbor) engaged in any such activities.
. The book also reveals that a Japanese attempt to take and hold Hawaii was most likely doomed to failure; a potential calamity on a grand scale. By late 1942 (the proposed time frame for the invasion) U.S. forces on Oahu alone were far superior, at least in numbers, to the proposed Japanese invasion force. Ghastly attrition of invasion troops would have been unavoidable, even if the campaign was ultimately successful. And once in control of Hawaii, Japan clearly didn't have the logistic capacity to sustain themselves there--there's no way their merchant marine could have replaced the necessary constant flow of supplies coming from the U.S. Both conquerers and conquered would have faced cruel deprivation in a few short months.
. Clearly, Hawaii would have been Japan's "Bridge Too Far." Everyone--Japanese, Hawaiians, and other Americans--were far better off because the Battle of Midway put an abrupt end to the whole idea.
. In summary, this is a fascinating topic that will hold the interest of any serious student of WWII in the Pacific. Dr. Stephan's treatment of it is highly detailed, thoroughly researched, and presented in a manner that holds the reader's interest from cover to cover.

This is true scholarship in service of a great question. A distinguished historian at University of Hawaii, Stephan analyzes the place of Hawaii in Japanese military strategy in WW II. Obviously, this raises the question of the fate of Japanese-Americans during World War II. The issue has received illumination in recent books by Greg Robinson and Eric Muller. Stephan offers a politically incorrect interpretation that indicates that the Japanese military thought they could rely on using American Japanese for their purposes following a successful invasion of Hawaii. The prospect cannot be denied. With internal national security issues more vital than ever, Stephan's book should be on the minds of all serious students and citizens today.

People have been drinking tea for hundreds of years. Sylvia Schneider not only provides numerous tea recipes from China, Japan, India, Tibet, Arabia, the Americas, and Europe, she also includes the history and traditions of tea, as well as tea recipes for a wide range of ailments.

The popularity of tea combined with the popularity of herbs as medicine makes this title not only an interesting and informative book, but a practical one as well. The reader will enjoy learning about the history of these teas and the ingredients from which they are made. Preparing and drinking these teas, which can improve health and well-being, will also be an enjoyable experience.

This book is a jewel. A good friend gave it to me as a "hope you feel better gift" the last time I was down with a bad cold. You don't have to be sick, however, to learn about the ancient history and healing power of teas and infusions.

Sylvia Schneider is a freelance writer and medical and scientific editor who works as a medical journalist. In this book she explores the history, traditions, ingredients and recipes for tea from China, Japan, India, Tibet, Latin America, Aboriginal America, and Europe. There is also information about the use of exotic herbs and spices.

This beautiful volume is illustrated with more than 50 color photographs and includes many recipes to improve the overall state of health and well-being. Makes an excellent gift. I know firsthand!
JANA

"Health, Happiness, & Longevity" is a practical guide that includes a complete style of living, including diet, exercise and development of the mind's powers: "Some people just keep jogging and running and don't worry about what they eat. That won't work either." The book discusses principles of Eastern philosophy on meditation, diet, exercise, relaxation and yoga, as well as Western ideas about similar topics and scientific research-- the training he received at Yale University in USA.

Dr. Dhillon in this very well researched book devotes a great deal of space to diet and exercise. The diets are explained in various recipes. The exercise is detailed and demonstrated with excellent photographs. But he points out that health is not just diet and exercise, "Health is as much mental as physical." To be healthy and happy you must first alleviate stress. This in turn will bring longevity, a part of the title of " Health, Happiness and Longevity."

This Book fulfils the need of today, and belongs to all the individual house-holds and libraries (now Available on Amazon).

"Health, Happiness, & Longevity" presents a totally fresh approach to "total-wellbeing" where Dr. Dhillon uses his knowledge of science from the West, and yoga, breathing and spirituality from the East. His unique qualifications include advanced degree in life sciences and molecular biology from Yale University in the West, and his earlier education and experience with yoga, breathing and spirituality from the East. He uses his knowledge to the fullest and truly presents a synthesis of Eastern and Western health-management approaches, a subtitle of the book..

His skillful use of scientific knowledge makes this very different from reading a medical guide to keep us healthy and energetic. He gives scientific reasons to use yoga, meditation, breathing and spirituality not only a natural approach to handle weight and stress but to empower yourself emotionally. A rare blend that combines science and ancient wisdom.

Easterner or Westerner, the reader will have a fresh perspective about handling the weight, nutrition, exercise and total wellbeing. It is easy to read book that changes your outlook towards health. It's a book about health care and not disease care in contrast to multi-billion dollar government program called health care which in reality is a disease care program.

The author has taken the facts from various sources and created a blend of science and natural ways to stay healthy and energetic. But you don't find miracles and supernatural powers which will be against his scientific training. Health, Happiness,& Longevity: Eastern and Western Approach is a practical guide that combines various eating habits, yogic and breathing approaches known for centuries to faith healers and health experts, and are now recognized by modern medical practitioners.

The book consists of nine chapters each representing an independent topic:
Chapter 1, A Healthy Attitude Towards a Happy Life;
Chapter 2, Full Living;
Chapter 3, Nutrition and Nutrients;
Chapter 4, Weight Control and Calories;
Chapter 5, The Natural Diet;
Chapter 6, Slow Down Aging to Lead a Long and Healthy Life;
Chapter 7, Complete Breathing for Vigor and Vitality;
Chapter 8, Walking and Yogic Exercises for Health;
Chapter 9, Concluding Remarks.
The chapters precede by preface and introduction, and are followed by "Natural-Vegetarian Diet Recipes" and other Appendices A to G, Bibliography, and Information 'About the Author'.

The book provides various studies and statistics on "high cost of health" and suggests that health care is a necessity to handle disease care.

"Health, Happiness, & Longevity: Eastern and Western Approach" is written in times of much needed Eastern-Western approach to global issues, where the modern-day reader can learn from the best of both worlds. This book fulfills that purpose well. He takes ancient techniques of the East, and relates them to everyday living in 21st century of science and technology. Dr. Dhillon not only points out the weight and health-issues as a modern day problem, but provides logical solutions. So it's a good source of information for handling weight and other health issues by yourself without going to expensive seminars, wellness centers, medical offices, spas, schools, or retirement centers.

Dr. Dhillon has laid the foundation stone for scientific evaluation of ancient Eastern wisdom. This book can help discover the universal nature of mind-body potential for the benefit of emerging global society of the twenty-first century.

Every individual with interest in weight control, nutrition, exercise, Yoga, breathing, meditation must have this valuable book in its collection.

Book is still Available from the amazon and other places and is a collectible item for a health-conscious reader.

Mr. Nelson gives insight to the non-veteran of the emotional contrasts of war. The hard work of training. The joy of accomplishment. The sorrow of seeing friends washout. The boredom of waiting. The sacredness of making lifelong friends. The eternal hole their deaths leave in us. And the ultimate futility and destruction of war itself as a human activity in which many are engaged by the few who make decisions over the lives of others.
The book is well written in beautiful simplicity and allows the reader to look into the heart of one warrior who represents many others.The Greatest Generation

Hell for Honshu by Larry Nelson is a good read. I read it aloud to my husband (who is legally blind) and he also was on B-29s flying over Japan. He understood every word of it and had many of the same reactions. Not a pretty story, but every detail was right on!