2 comments about Insight Guide Tokyo (Insight City Guides).

1. This book is great for planning a trip to Tokyo. It shows all the attractions that are of interest and is a great companion for finding places to dine, stay, and shop. This guide has it all with high-quality photogrpahs and maps on every page. This is a must of a beginner traveller to Tokyo or anywhere in Japan.



2. This guide has beautiful color pictures and lots of information. Over 100 pages is just information about Japan. The guide part of the book is split into districts and talks about the different sights to see. The pictures and this organization is nice for planning a trip to Japan, or reading up on the history of Japan, however it's not as practical as a companion book to carry with you.
   
   First of all, it's heavy. You wouldn't want to carry a 1.5-pound book around. It doesn't have as many maps as some of the other guides do and the organization can be a little confusing if you want to look up info on just one place. The major problem with this guide is its complete lack of Japanese characters. It doesn't write hotel names, restaurant names, or anything in Japanese characters for you. If you want a book to carry around on your travels I would recommend Lonely Planet Tokyo instead.

No comments about Bonsai: Miniature Potted Plants : Tourist Library N0. 13.

No comments about Japan Through the Looking Glass.

5 comments about Persimmon Wind Martial Artist's Journey.

1. Several years ago, in "Autumn Lightning," Dave Lowry wrote of his experiences growing up as a young American whom had been informally "adopted" into the family of a Japanese martial arts teacher. It was a fascinating, semi-biographical account that delved into the true nature of the Japanese martial arts experience. Now, a number of years later, he has returned with a sequel-"Persimmon Wind-A Martial Artist's Journey in Japan." In "Persimmon Wind," Mr. Lowry details his first visit to Japan, to reunite with his old teacher of Japanese Shinkage Ryu swordsmanship. Despite his authorship of several fine books, including "Sword and Brush", this is easily Dave Lowry's finest work.

   Lovers of fine biographies, martial arts enthusiasts, folks interested in Japanese culture--all will enjoy "Persimmon Wind." The biographical aspect of this work is entertaining. Dave Lowry's understanding of classical martial arts and ways is superb as well. He makes a point of explaining these arts in such a way that both experienced practitioners and the general public will be able to get something out of the text. And "Persimmon Wind" will evoke fond memories from anyone that have ever been to Kyoto, and it will fascinate those that have always dreamed of visiting the Japanese island nation.

   The only weak point in the book is the publisher's failure to provide adequate proofreading. A surprising number of typos are found for a book issued by a mainstream publisher like Charles E. Tuttle.

   This quibble aside, "Persimmon Wind" is a unique book-one that can be enjoyed by an unusually wide cross-section of readers. In short, it is much more than a typical "martial arts book."




2. This is the third book I've read, and it is the one that I enjoyed the least. Yet, I still give it 4 stars!

   This is an account of the author's pilgrimage to Japan to visit his sensei in the art of swordsmanship and to visit various places important to his sensei and to their school of swordsmanship. Thus, the book is a kind of travelog of various obscure villages, gravesites and temples. Doesn't sound too promising, does it? Yet, the author infuses this account of his travels and experiences with sufficient insight and wisdom to entertain and inform. Also, it gives a finely textured account of the Japanese heartland that few westerners ever get to experience. Yes, at times the author is a bit long-winded and meandering.

   To fully appreciate this book, it would be helpful to read Autumn Lighting, the wonderful biographical account of his training in Japanese swordsmanship, begun in the American Midwest when he was an adolescent. There is much information in Autumn Lightning about the traditions, history, and founders of the author's style of martial art that makes reading Persimmon Wind a much richer experience.




3. First, let me start by saying that I am a big fan of Mr. Lowry's work and I have thoroughly enjoyed all his writings that I've read to date. I have been amused, inspired, and moved by each book. When I ordered this "sequel" to Autumn Lightning, I was expecting more of the same. It's not. It's distinctly different in style and in character, whether that be due to advances in writing technique, artistry, or simple maturation. I enjoyed the book immensely. What I most definately did NOT enjoy was the numerous typos, misspellings, and plain lack of work done by the publishing house to review the results of their process. There are paragraphs where there are 3-4 mistakes within 4 or 5 lines. This is unacceptable. I sincerely hope a second edition corrects these grevious errors, because they detract from Mr. Lowry's work. I think he especially would be ironically appreciative of the errors because they are like rocks placed incorrectly in a suieseki landscape. As a writer, Mr. Lowry rates a 5...but the lackadaisical efforts of the publishing house reduces that rating to a 3.



4. I enjoyed Lowry's account of his travels in Japan, which he uses to explain and illuminate many aspects of Japanese martial (and also not so martial) culture, ranging from flower arranging to iaijutsu and naginatajutsu, and others. I especially liked his account of training in a rural iai school in which the teachers, although possessing decades of experience (as well as comparable skill), still described themselves as "students" since they were a rural dojo and many hadn't been able to formally test for high rank, although they probably would have qualified. That didn't keep them from finding and correcting the slightest faults with his technique, and he found the workouts both exhaustive and exhausting at this humble and bucolic dojo. You can't read one of Lowry's books without learning a lot about Japanese history, philosophy, and martial arts, and this one is no different.



5. Having been a student, instructor, and researcher of the martial arts for nearly a quarter of a century now, I always read Lowry's books, but am not always inclined towards them, due to his somewhat elitist and condescending attitude (at times). This book concerns his visit to see his Shinkage ryu sensei in Japan some time after his instructor returned to Japan. Those expecting to get technical presentations from Lowry's books are apt to be disappointed, since (frankly) he rarely concerns himself with training sequences or scenarios, and prefers to tell long winded explanations of stories which are mostly only relevant to those who've had extended training in ko-ryu bujutsu and in particular the Shinkage ryu. I found this to be an interesting read, and will keep the book in my collection, but (like much of Lowry's work) it is one of those tomes which are more suitable for the researcher in arcane Japanese arts and crafts than for either serious martial arts students or even the casual reader. Many reviewers have been overly concerned with the typos and proofreading errors (of which there are a few), but I did not find that they detracted from my enjoyment of the book, so the frustrated English teachers among us should read the book and not quibble.

No comments about El libro de los cinco anillos.

2 comments about Japan for Starters: 52 Things You Need to Know About Japan.

1. 52 anecdotal stories about the everyday life in Japan. An entertaining read that mixes humor and real experiences with insightful ananlysis in non-technical terms. An excellent introduction to Japanese culture for the casual reader or world traveler.



2. An easy, quick, helpful and entertaining read. I've recommended this book to several business associates and friends who were travelling to Japan for the first time. This book's multiple short chapters format makes it ideal for quick reads during trip preparation -- or on the long plane ride over. Charles Danziger captures and eloquently explains much of what is uniquely Japanese.

1 comments about The Sky Burns Red.

1. Hi, folks, and welcome to the world of Kindle.
   
   I'm a consultant turned novelist. I'd like to say I'm a John Grisham of the business world, but my writing style is definitely more James Patterson.
   
   [...]. Throughout my travels, I marvel at the excitement in the world of business, and was yet, surprised at how little we see in terms of good business novels.
   
   So as an arrogant consultant, I decided to write one. Set in modern day Japan, The Sky Burns Red follows the deal maker king of Japan as he uncovers a conspiracy within the trans-Pacific Airline industry that could topple the government of Japan. With tensions escalating because of the conduct of US troops on Japanese soil and the growing nationalism in the Far East, this novel is a reminder that businesses are inevitably tied to the socio-political environment.
   
   Three junior high school girls out on a date with US Servicemen are brutally raped. A struggling US airline announces a major strategic alliance with the national carrier of Japan. Demonstrations spread throughout Japan to throw out the Yanks. Kentaro Kawakami weaves through the intricate web so that he could seal the deal of the century. And in his quest for economic supremacy, he faces the ghosts of his own past--a failed marriage and a destroyed family life. When he meets an angel in the sky, his life is turned around.
   
   The Sky Burns Red was translated into Japanese and released there by major publisher Gentosha. In the US, you can only get it through Kindle.
   
   [...]

2 comments about Cycling Japan: A Personal Guide to Exploring Japan by Bicycle.

1. Well written and entertaining narratives covering dozens of bike trips throughout Japan; several hours to several days. Well organized by region with detailed maps of routes with 2-3 pages of information regarding terrain, points of interest, accomodations. Invaluable and extensive introduction covering language, map usage, gear to take, food/meal suggestions, lodging and camping, and cycling psychology. I personally used this unique, one of a kind book to prepare for a 3 week/1,000 mile solo trip of both Shikoku and Kyushu Islands (Japan's 3rd and 4 largest) and thouroughly enjoyed myself and found rural Japan to be a fascinating and enchanting place to travel. The dozens of Japanese people I encountered were extremely helpful and courteous and Japan lived up to its reputation of being one of the safest countries in which to travel. And, surprisingly, rural Japan was no more costly that touring in the U.S.; I enjoyed a budget trip. I highly recommend both the book and cycling in Japan. --Tom Crossland (June 1997)



2. Bryan and other contributors did a great job in capturing the sights, energy and flavor of riding in Japan. I have had the book for several years, and for one living in Japan it has proved in-dispensable. More than just routes and places to stop, it covers such topics as taking your bike on the train, lodging and food secrets, repair shops and cycling organizations. And lastly, you can learn a little Japanese cycling language!

No comments about This Country Japan.

2 comments about The Honorable Visitors.

1. Richie's glimpse of a handful of famous foreigners and their trips to Japan from the late Tokugawa right up to the post-war period. It is well written, extremely informative and easy to read. Richie not only describes the reactions of various foreigners to Japan but also expertly weaves in various themes that serve to bind the individual tales into a comprehensive whole. Unfortunately, the book contains no footnotes and is thus frustrating for the more serious reader.



2. In "The Honorable Visitors," Donald Richie has combed through the writings of illustrious visitors to Japan, collecting their overall impressions and quoting their original writings as much as possible. Richie makes a difference between visitors, such as General Grant, and residents, such as Lafcadio Hearn. This book is interested only in the traveler's tales.

   The list of visitors is honorable indeed, ranging from early Meiji-era folks such as Victorian travel writer Isabella Bird, former US President Ulysses S. Grant, true romance novelist Pierre Loti, humorist Henry Adams, to literary figures of various ages such as Rudyard Kipling, Aldous Huxley, Jean Cocteau, William Faulkner and Truman Capote. Some oddballs such as Charlie Chaplin also contribute. All came to Japan with expectations. All saw Japan through their own particular perspectives.

   Perspective is what is really being offered in "The Honorable Travelers." People react strongly to Japan, and many seem to find wildly opposite discoveries and adventures. The Victorian travelers brought their snobbery and sense of important superiority. Later travelers came seeking the Japanese "other," only to find disappointingly that Japan was just a real place with real human beings.

   As a somewhat long-term resident in Japan, I found the book both sad and enlightening. Sad, in seeing the colonial abuse of people such as Pierre Loti, who bought a girl for $20, married her and then left her behind solely so that he could write a scandalous, racy novel of loose-moraled Japan and her exotic women. Enlightening, in that I can see some perspectives in myself, from when I first came to Japan, or in the faces or friends and family who visit.

   People still come like Loti, seeking an exotic love affair with a Japanese woman, giving little thought to her as a person. People still come like Kipling, allowing the country to be what it is, without bias or worship. Given of what I know of Japan today, I tend to wish it's past and present had more Kiplings and fewer Lotis.

   While quite tiny in size, good for a weekend read, "The Honorable Visitors" is an important book for those willing to look at Japan from many angles, and from many insights.