A precious little children's story about two kids who care for birds, especially an injured swan, while their dad is away for the winter fishing. The supernatural "Snow Country Prince" is very grateful to them for their compassionate deeds; perhaps he's responsible for bringing Papa - who also becomes injured - back home safe and sound. This little book teaches the rewards of compassion and caring for others in need.

Renowned illustrator Brian Wildsmith's familiar hues, his beautiful creatures drawn against vivid impressionistic landscapes, is wonderfully showcased in this lovely little book.

"The Snow Country Prince" relates the story of a young boy and his sister in a fishing village in the snow country who care for an injured swan through the harsh winter, while their very ill father is being treated at a distant hospital. Through caring for the swan, the children awaken their compassionate spirit as well as a strong hope for their father's recovery. As the swan regains its strength, the children record its progress in drawings for their mother to take to their father in the hospital as encouragement.

"The Snow Country Prince" relates the story of a young boy and his sister in a fishing village in the snow country who care for an injured swan through the harsh winter, while their very ill father is being treated at a distant hospital.

Through caring for the swan, the children awaken their compassionate spirit as well as a strong hope for their father's recovery. As the swan regains its strength, the children record its progress in drawings for their mother to take to their father in the hospital as encouragement.

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 a wonderful introduction to modern Japanese history. It is an anthology of important sources, beginning with the Shinto revival of the 18th century, through the Meiji Period, World War II, into the 1950s. This is an invaluable reference work for anyone concerned with Japan's development over the last two centuries.

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.

Anyone who is a student of koryu or is interested in the classical martial arts of Japan must read this book. The stories are interesting in their history, but even more fascinating is the human aspect to these stories. Diane Skoss has done an excellent job capturing both the essence of the art and the practitioners who keep these cultural treasures alive.

Diane Skoss has put together another find collection of short articles which give us a list and short history of the martial arts of Japan. Which focus on the schools which teach the sword and jo.

Excellent introduction to unusual arts are still practiced today. Many I was not aware of. So let this series help you build a foundation for those of you that study Japanese martial arts; or are like me just interested in the history of asian martial arts in general.

Well researched, well written and well edited. Skoss has done an outstanding job. Any student of traditional or classical bujutsu/budo will benefit from this excellent study of Koryu.

If you are interested in ancient samurai philosophy, you need to buy this book. I maintain a website on all things Japanese, and I received many inquiries about this book when it was out of print for so long. Now it has recently been re-released, I highly recommend you get a copy before it goes out of print again.

Yagyu Munenori was the "fencing" teacher to the Tokugawa shogunate in early 17th century Japan. Those "in the know" revere him as one of the wisest -- as well as most skilled -- swordsmen of his day. The Sword and the Mind could be considered a companion text to Takuan's The Unfettered Mind. It is dry in the way of Zen texts, so don't buy it looking for action. It is more the sort of text you meditate on -- figuratively or literally -- and hopefully come away with an expanded understanding of the samurai mentality of "a focused life, a willing death." If you're really into these sorts of things, you can even find ways to apply the philosophy to your own, modern life.

To be exact, this book is a translation of Yagyu Munenori's treatise on swordsmanship. It talks a lot about spiritual and mental aspects of swordsmanship, particularly from a Zen standpoint. But it must be remembered that this only one philosophy on swordsmanship. The book contains the complete text, plus translated excerpts from Takuan's (a Zen master) letter to Munenori about Zen and swordsmanship and Takuan's letter to Ono Tadaaki (another master swordsman). Serious students of Japanese swordsmanship will know about this book already but it is a good read for those interested in Zen and its incorporation in martial arts.

This book is so good that I had my last copy stolen! For those of you who know what I am talking about when I describe the only proper mindset of a martial artist when confronted is to think only of one thing...to cut, then you will know that you need this book. This book is for martial artists only.This, and another book regarding Bushido, Hagakure, are an indespensible pair in a Martial Artist's study.

This book is great if you want to learn Japanese Embroidery, and are already a decent stitcher. I would not recommend it to a complete novice - it is a difficult method of embroidery that can easily overwhelm the new stitcher. The pictures are clear and the text is easy to read.

One of the most beautifull books I have. Very clear and encouraging. Lovely to the eye and for the mood... =)

This is a beautiful book, providing excellent how-to instructions to try the techniques yourself.

However, it will be years before my attempts look as perfect and gorgeous as the illustrations in this book. Just beautiful.

When getting around Tokyo, this is *the* map book to use. It has detailed street maps of Tokyo, with special extra high detail pages for a number of popular areas. You can find your way to a specific address with these maps - down the block number or sometimes building number. The exits of subway stations are labeled. And the maps contain both Kanji and Roman type, so you can easily show it to Japanese people to help find your destination.

The typography of these maps is very clear and the layout of the book is very nicely organized. I haven't found anything better for getting around Tokyo.

The larger Tokyo Metropolitan Atlas by Shobunsha is also quite useful, covers more areas west and south of Tokyo proper , but is somewhat larger to carry, and doesn't have the detail in the "blow up" maps of popular areas in the city.

I first ran into this book in 1990, when I made my first trip to Japan on business. Since then, I have had 3 editions, and, as I now live in Tokyo, my dog-earred copy travels in my briefcase or backpack everywhere I go.

MOST of Tokyo has signs using Roman characters (romaji), but, there are still some train stations, or street signs that are in kanji characters only.

Lost? You can use this map to "match" the characters, even if you cannot read the kanji! Every station, street, river, ward, neighborhood is printed both in romaji and kanji. There are train maps and subway maps, with banks, hotels, and other places well marked.

I invest in each new edition right away, and I give this book as a gift to each of my friends who come visit me in Tokyo, as well as each new ex-patriot who arrives in my office!

This Tokyo (and Yokohama) atlas is a highly focussed explorer's guide to what is surely the most difficult-to-navigate metropolis on earth.

Tokyo's system of three hyphenated numbers signifying the location of an address will strike the westerner as highly irrational, and is often an alientating concept for even the regular visitor.

The Tokyo City Atlas, a comprehensively bilingual city guide, features a foolproof system of detail and large-scale maps with every city block clearly marked. Japanese address-finding could not be made easier -- this is the one book I wish I had taken with me on my first visits to Tokyo, and it is the one that will travel with me on every future visit to this most exciting of cities.

First of all this Book is funny and keeps you reading. Tokyo Confidetial focused on Japan and many kinds of characteristic of Japanese. I would say if someone read this maybe the reder would think Japanese are crazy, but i think this book really show true? parts of Japanese. It's nice book to find what Japanese are up to and also it is good for serching the reason wy Japanese are crazy. Overall, i really enjoyed it not because i learned funnt secrets about Japanese but this book keeps you reading, makes your time faster. Oh yes i don't know how many ties i laugh haha.
So if you read my review, just trsyte me and click the button "Buy" and i know you would laugh and enjoy it.

As one of the gee-whiz, rocket eyebrow types who has lived in Japan nearly 20 years, I really appreciated Schreiber and his cohorts explaining what is going on with Japanese high school girls and their thigh-high uniform skirts, compensated dating, etc. There's lots more in this book than that, certainly, as the various seedier and "oh my!" parts of (mainly) Tokyo are parsed from the vernacular tabloids by these witty and perhaps *too* informed writers. They translate not only the words, but the titillating currents that buffet the "impenetrable" Japanese people and help give this society some of its excitement and spice. Thanks, Mark et.al, for opening up the bamboo curtain a whole lot wider!

Forget kimonos, samurai and ninja. Find out what"s really happening on the streets of the Land of the Rising Sun. A fantastic book that digs deep into a land with an underbelly as big as its sumo wrestlers. A must read for anybody interested in a no-holds-barred look at the REAL Japan.

Tokyo is big and rich and important and complex. While it's not unfriendly, it doesn't go out of its way to present itself conveniently and easily to outsiders.

That's why you need to know insiders. This book is the product of an army of insiders. Cool, hip, switched-on, diverse, interesting, funny and well-conneted insiders. Led by the erudite and witty Rick Kennedy. (The credits say Rick worked for Sony for 20 years. How did he keep his sense of humour?)

The book is great for visitors, but I think much more useful for residents who have the time to search out the restaurants, theatres, galleries and shops. (I had my first familiarisation visit from the cop at the local koban--and thanks to TQ I knew what to do!)

I look forward to the next edition. But guys...I tried to visit the TQ website and kept turning up a 404. What gives?

I recently went to a Tokyo with this and a Rough Guide to Japan. While the Rough Guide was good for giving general travel info and information on the major sights and museums etc, the Tokyo Q guide was what gave me access to a Tokyo which otherwise would have been a hidden to me as a tourist. The book has great sections on restaurants and neigborhoods which you can tell are written by people who live there and have a good sense of the city. However, its strongest point is its list of bars and clubs. I cannot fathom how you would find these places without this book. As a tourist who has no desire to hang at the Hard Rock with other tourists the book gave me access to a number of really cool little bars and clubs which made me love Tokyo.

The best thing to do would be to buy this in conjunction with a regular guide book like Lonely Planet or the Rough Guide because while it is a great guide,it is pretty idiosyncratic and does not give you all the mundane details on sights and practical travel tips.

Props to Tokyo Q. Hope they have a new edition by the time I visit Tokyo again.

The ONLY Tokyo Guide Book worth buying. I live here and couldn`t put it down. It only lists what is really worth seeing and is written by those who live here - apparently over 30 contributors with a total of 265 years of living in Tokyo between them. Buy it.

Buruma's style has always been one of immediacy, providing the reader with a sense of the author's own intimate knowledge and devotion to the subject matter. "Wages of Guilt" is no exception: Buruma provides a thought-provoking and thorough examination of the deeply felt guilt over WWII crimes felt in Germany and the unique perspective of the Japanese toward their activities during the Pacific War (1939-1945). Buruma is particularly adept at discussing the latter, as his previous book, "Behind the Mask," displayed a remarkable insight into Japanese cultural mores. Here the author provides interviews and intriguing observations in his quest to discover how two diverse cultures could be guilty of such horrific crimes -- and how they have learned to deal with their past. Recommended for students of military history, philosophy, or for just trying to understand the human condition. David R. Bannon, Ph.D.; author "Race Against Evil."

Ian Buruma takes a look at the various ways in which the people of Germany and Japan have dealt with the legacy of the atrocities committed by their countries during World War II. His book was especially timely in the case of Germany because he began writing it shortly after the unification of the Federal Republic and the GDR, when discussion of Germany's past was widespread both at home and abroad. Buruma is also well qualified to comment on Japan because he lived there for many years and speaks the language.

To summarise, the "The Wages of Guilt" finds that the German people, at least in the western part, have been more ready to come to terms with their war legacy than the Japanese. There are Nazi sympathizers and Holacaust deniers aplenty in Germany, but they seem to be confined to the fringes. In Japan, however, rightist elements remain powerful and the official line is to portray the war as an economically driven power struggle in which any excesses committed by the armed forces occurred in the heat of battle, thus denying any similarity to the behaviour of the Nazis. Moreover, Hiroshima and Nagasaki are viewed as atrocities on par with any act committed by the Axis powers; racism and a perverted scientific curiosity are among the motives attributed to America in its decisions to drop the bombs. Buruma explores the efforts to re-examine the war through the prism of German and Japanese reactions to Auschwitz, Hiroshima, Nanking, the war crimes trials, etc. and the result is a troubling and thought provoking meditation on the power of history and the psychology of escape. Check this one out, it's worth a look.

This book is quite eye opening. It compares the memory and guilt of WWII in modern Germany and Japan. It looks at how the Germans of today and the Japanese of today look at their countries role in WWII and responsibilty for many atrocities. Readers will be shocked to see how many people in Japan show no remorse or understanding for their role in WWII. While, Germans tend to carry an intense amount of guilt for the war. This makes for some thought provoking reading. And unfortunately, as much as I love Japan and Japanese culture...my visits to Hiroshima confirm the thesis of this book

World War I, the event that changed everything in European and American history, left Japan little touched -- or so it had long been thought. Frederick Dickinson's book stands many accepted truths on their heads. But it is not a book of wooly revisionist speculation. All of his arguments and interpretations are carefully drawn and meticulously documented. All are thought-provoking and plausible, and most seem to me entirely convincing.

As realist theory would predict, there were few prominent leaders who failed to support Japanese expansion in the favorable circumstances offered by the European conflict. But there was a very crucial divide between those who looked to British-model expansionism of a primarily economic sort and those seeking military-led territorial expansion on the model of Wilhelmine Germany. The struggle for power among (and within) these camps is one major theme of the book. The other is the response of Japanese elites to the wholesale change in the structure of international relations brought by the War, and its domestic correlates. As it shifted from a European power struggle to a world crusade against totalitarianism and the use of force to change the international order, World War I attacked the very foundations of the Meiji state.

I hope that those who (like me) have only slight knowledge of Japanese history will not be put off this book. It is inevitably somewhat dense, but Dickinson avoids academic obscurity, introduces his characters carefully, and pauses frequently for reflection and summary. His concluding chapter ties all his strands together and places the story in a larger context. His contention that it is a vital key to understanding everything in modern Japanese history rings true to me. The book does not require great effort to read, and what effort there is will be well repaid.

There is a wonderful bonus in the book's rich trove of Japanese political cartoons from the period. These speak in a mordant voice that was, tragically, to fall silent as democracy was smothered in the 1930s. They add a great deal to the book.

No doubt many will look at the subtitle, "Japan in the Great War," and conclude that this is too specialized a topic to engage them. In doing so, however, they will miss an important book whose interest extends far beyond the specifics of its subject.

In a field where hardly anyone seems to bring the threads together, this is perhaps the building block to better and more thorough understanding of japanese history during the war. A sound well researched piece which never forgets to be reaable to the average postgraduate and with plenty of resources noted in bibiography for further study.

Politics and international relations of japan pre-1945 require a thoroughgoing understanding of the period before 1931. thisbook offers a great portion of this for the serious scholar beginning or reviewing that quest.

This is a wonderful book that offers many insights into the development of Japanese politics in the first half of this century. Dickenson carefully and convincingly shoots down much of the conventional wisdom about who were supposed to be the cautious elder statesmen in the early 20th century. This debate has important implications for properly understanding Japans expansionist policies in the 1930s. Many people who have been hailed as supposed cautionary leaders are shown to be (soemtimes extraordinary) expansionist. As Dickenson shows, these foreign policies can all clearly be traced back to domestic politics and a clash over the direction the state between the genro and the Kato Takaaki, where the latter aimed for parliamentary overnment. The book is alo very well written with many fascinating quotes and clever and funny illustrations from the Tokyo and Osaka Puck. Political scientists who have read Jack Snyder's "Myths of Empire," should find this a particularly fascinating and elucidating book.