No comments about Must-See in Kyoto (Japan in Your Pocket Series, Vol 5).

No comments about Japanese Gardens: A Kodansha Postcard Book (Kodansha Postcard Books).

No comments about China: travels and investigations in the "Middle Kingdom.": A study of its civilization and possibilities. With a glance at Japan.

1 comments about Must-See in Nikko (Japan in Your Pocket Series, Vol 6).

1. This is a very well-written volume about Nikko. It's crammed with information on locations and rituals. It also teaches about shrines and temples. Related history is provided as well. There are illustrations and diagrams for almost everything. There is no wasted space on the pages.

   I've never seen a book this size have this much information packed into it. It's safe to assume there may be other books that might go into more detail on some of the subject matter, but this book should cover what most people need to know to enjoy a visit to the region.

2 comments about Japan: A Bilingual Map : A Complete Map of Japan.

1. The only thing wrong with this big (34"x42") detailed map of Japan is that it is over 10 years old. Train routes that we took in 1992 are shown with dotted lines for construction. If you want to find a city or town, there is a separate index book of place names in both English and kanji. The maps have many more names than the index, and you can even locate train stations (and those all-important kanji characters). Includes the largest and most detailed map of the country I've ever seen, plus individual maps for major cities and several regions. It may be old, but I'm using it extensively for my next trip this summer.



2. OK look. Kodansha maps are the best. The problem is that when you go to Japan, you find what you want on a map and then ask a Japanese person to help you. Since the Kodanshas have English and Kanji, they quickly understand what you are talking about. Also, the little guide that tells you the location of major cities and features by grid is awesome. I also recommend the Tokyo and other maps.

1 comments about Illustrated Festivals of Japan (Japan in Your Pocket Series, Vol 4).

1. The Japan in Your Pocket series, simply put, is a must-read for anyone considering travel in Japan. Its simple text and highly amusing comic illustrations are the clearest explaination of differences between Japanese and American culture that I've ever seen!

   In particular, this volume is excellent at illustrating some of the mysterious (and to Western eyes, slightly wacky) customs that make up many of the important festivals throughout the year in various Japanese cities. It explains the significance of the happenings in simple, concise language without over-simplfying or talking down to those unfamiliar with Japanese customs. It makes no assumptions about the level of knowledge a person may have about Japan, but instead takes things step-by-step, often giving the reasons behind a custom, not just telling you "Do this, don't do that." Avoid a thousand mis-steps and mistakes in Japan and read these books!

5 comments about The Big Book of Sumo: History, Practice, Ritual, Fight.

1. I have been interested in Sumo, but was lost in understanding of the sport. Mina Hall not only knows her stuff, she is able to relay it in terms that are understandable. Now I have a new love for the sport from this easy book. The content of Hall's book is enough to make me feel like I know the sport. No longer will I wonder why they do those things before,during, and after the match. While I have read other books on the subject this is by far the best. Get it and learn Sumo.



2. I purchased this book a year ago. It is very easy to understand and has some realy fabulous pictures.

   Mina Hall has done a great job in putting this together. I would recomend this to anyone who is interested in sumo.




3. As a begining Sumo wrestler, who trains with 2 time World Lightweight Sumo champ Svetoslav Binev, I really liked this book. I found "The Big Book of Sumo" to be an awesome little book on the history and tradition of Sumo.

   Unfortunately, it has nothing on the actual techniques used from the standpoint of a competing wrestler. Only descriptions of some names of common techniques from a fan's perspective.

   Never-the-less, it's a great little "Big Book of Sumo." Don't get this book if you are looking for more than a very general description of sumo technique. Do get this book if you want to understand the art, history and tradition of Sumo.




4. A fantastic and fun introduction to Sumo. I've already got my tickets for my second Basho next week and I'll have a lot better understanding of the sport because of this book.
   However, its a bit out of date for current wrestlers and recent records. But that's all available online from the Sumo organization web site.
   Also, its a good intro, but you'll have to look elsewhere for more detailed information and history.



5. A bit cutesy, but covers all the details, including details other books don't deal with.

3 comments about On Familiar Terms: To Japan and Back, a Lifetime Across Cultures (Kodansha Globe).

1. Donald Keene is not only one of the WestÕs great literary and cultural translators of Japan, he is an important figure in the history of modern Japanese literature. In this readable and inspiring autobiography, Keene succinctly recalls his experiences with Japan, its language and its culture, and the numerous academic and literary figures he has encountered.

   Keene, like many early Japan scholars in the United States, was initially trained by the military for intelligence work during World War II in the Pacific. Most of the book deals with his life between the war years, when he first struggled with the Japanese language, through the 1960s, when he was at the height of his associations with such famous Japanese writers as Yasunari Kawabata, Kobo Abe and Yukio Mishima. Keene was a great fan of Mishima, who is probably the most legendary Japanese writer in the West. Keene knew him well professionally, and openly discusses his efforts to lobby for a Nobel Prize for Mishima. He also talks about the dejection that overtook Mishima for never winning. Keene relates his own sense of loss at the suicides of both Kawabata and, especially, Mishima, and even finds fault with himself for not recognizing sooner the trajectory of MishimaÕs demise.

   Keene's autobiography is highly recommended to anyone interested in the literature or scholarship of Japan, as well as to anyone interested in the life of an unusual and inspiring individual.




2. As someone living in Japan I enjoyed reading this book. Donald Keene is one of the great scholars on Japanese literature and equally at home in it's many facetted culture. The work Dr. Keene has delivered with this autobiography has the feel of many years of being submerged in a fascinating as well as a, for a Westerner, incredibly complex literary culture written in a wonderfully easy to understand style. Not only for those interested in Japanese literature and culture, but also for those who just want to have a good read. While traveling or before going to sleep. Nothing deep, but personal and a joy to read!



3. Donald Keene's personal story on his life-long devotion to the study of Japanese never fails to attract those interested in Japanese and Japan.

   I find his accidental first encounter with a strange language, Japanese, quite amusing. A mistake to put a record on a player has eventually led young Keene to dare to learn Japanese and finally to write one of the most comprehensive history of Japanese literature several years ago. My vivid memory is that on a new-year TV program Keene and a notable Japanese poet talked about Japanese literature. The Japanese poet was never equal to Keene on topics in Japanese literature. It might be true that Keene's profound knowledge and appreciation of Japanese literature has no rival even in Japan, maybe except Dr. Jinichi Konishi, Professor Emeritus of Tsukuba University.

   In this work, Keene puts an exciting and enchanting account of mishaps, adventures, good luck with Japanese which fascinated and nurtured the author as a distinguished Japan scholar.

   I especially love to read his struggle and clever strategy of how he finally reached Tokyo and then, without staying there for even a night he took a night train for Kyoto from which his literary quest originated.

   I believe we can enjoy reading detailed episodes that reveal his solid dedication and patience in learning Japanese and Japan. The author's well-thought-out expressions often help us discover the best way to describe in plain English some peculiar aspects of Japanese culture.

No comments about Traveler's Companion Japan, 2nd (Traveler's Companion Series).

5 comments about Frommer's(r) Shanghai, 2nd Edition.

1. I haven't even left for Shanghai yet and I know this book is a disappointment in comparing it with my friend's Lonely Planet and doing some quick online research. It said there weren't any youth hostels (there are several) and the book is lacking a metro map and even a decent street map! The "exploring Shanghai" section is embarrassing small, I don't know if I would be able to keep myself occupied during my visit if this were to be my only guide.



2. This book gives you an easy overview over attractions and the maps are quite fullfilling. Really a good guide book.
   It could just be me, but I think there is to much info on hotels and restaurants. I'm normally the person to think "there is a lot of people in that restaurant we just passed - Lets go eat there". Regarding hotels I tend to book from home at the internet and just need the star rating, the website and "tips on how to get the best rate".
   But if you flip through the hotel and restaurant pages, everything looks to be squeezed in and if you need it - then you REALLY need it - I guess that I would be really angry, if I ended up stranded in Shanghai without a good hotel listing ;-)
   So the only negative I have is the quality of the paper. I think you will wear the book down if you go a lot to Shanghai.
   Ole, Denmark



3. Some of the previous reviews are about the 2nd edition which was weak. The 3rd edition appears to be a significant rewrite, and is much better. All the salient info is there, from an author who obviously has not only "been there" but understands the nuances of Chinese culture. Can't wait for the 4th edition!



4. The maps make it very hard to figure out where you are, and all the pages look alike. You'd be much better served with the Time Out or Lonely Planet guides.



5. This book has a few more useful pieces of information that Lonely Planet may not have but I found the LP format to be better laid out. This book does better than LP in the respect of including the Chinese characters on the city maps and also for destinations, hotels, addresses, etc.