An oddly assortment, not united by any particular theme. Both the cultural observations and the ghost stories are interesting, but the assemblage was An oddly assortment, not united by any particular theme. Both the cultural observations and the ghost stories are interesting, but the assemblage was jarring. ...more
An exhaustive history of the production and market history of tea in Japan, and the role in which tea has played in the evolution of the Japanese econAn exhaustive history of the production and market history of tea in Japan, and the role in which tea has played in the evolution of the Japanese economy. It certainly isn't the most accessible book, but I would recommend it to anyone passionate about either Japanese history or tea. ...more
An endearing and entertaining commentary on loneliness, social anxiety, and societal roles in Japan in the 21st Century. I started the book with sometAn endearing and entertaining commentary on loneliness, social anxiety, and societal roles in Japan in the 21st Century. I started the book with something of a judgmental attitude towards Morimoto and his clients, but his musings on the late-stage Capitalist workplace certainly resonated with someone experiencing significant moral injury as a result of the way in which workplaces are rapidly evolving to treat their employees in a demeaning and exhausting manner. I wish I had the creativity and initiative of someone like Morimoto San. ...more
Well-structured, but the author leans so heavily into his own biases and clearly deeply-held stereotypes that it rather spoils the information he's imWell-structured, but the author leans so heavily into his own biases and clearly deeply-held stereotypes that it rather spoils the information he's imparting. ...more
I adored The Last Train, but this sequel sadly didn't live up to the promise of that police procedural. Elements of Japanese culture are frequenly andI adored The Last Train, but this sequel sadly didn't live up to the promise of that police procedural. Elements of Japanese culture are frequenly and unnecessarily introduced just to hit you over the head with the knowledge that the book is set in Japan. And the freight train of stupid mistakes the main characters insist on repeating was frustrating in the extreme, only to reach a predicable conclusion....more
A truly sublime collection of portraits by Natori Shunsen. Beautifully rendered full-page plates augmented with plot summaries of the plays those platA truly sublime collection of portraits by Natori Shunsen. Beautifully rendered full-page plates augmented with plot summaries of the plays those plates depict, and the biographies of the actors....more
I often make the point in my own life that there are good people and nice people, and they're often not the same people. Jake Adelstein fits perfectlyI often make the point in my own life that there are good people and nice people, and they're often not the same people. Jake Adelstein fits perfectly into my hypothesis: his self-described behaviour throughout his tenure as a journalist with the Yomiuri Shimbun frequently had me thinking, "God, what a DICK!" However, his work had great meaning, and made this world a better place, at no small risk to himself. Reading about how he fell into that work was fascinating. If you're interested in true crime and the deficits of legal systems, I'm sure you'll appreciate this investigation primarily into yakuza and sex trafficking in Japan....more
An excellent introduction into the subtleties of kabuki. My appreciation of kabuki is deeper thanks to the author's clear and insightful explanations.An excellent introduction into the subtleties of kabuki. My appreciation of kabuki is deeper thanks to the author's clear and insightful explanations. I can't wait to go see it again and look for some of the elements discussed. ...more
An excellent insight into the sensibilities of butoh, so dramatically unlike any form of dance I'm familiar with, in that it's less concerned with tecAn excellent insight into the sensibilities of butoh, so dramatically unlike any form of dance I'm familiar with, in that it's less concerned with technique as a vehicle for expression and more concerned with imagery and raw emotion as influences on movement. Certainly Ohno's overarching lesson of the need for disinhibition in order to dance well is something I can hope to learn to channel. ...more
A collection of absolutely heartbreaking homages to victims of war. Nosaka's decision to root these stories in borderline fantasy realms makes these sA collection of absolutely heartbreaking homages to victims of war. Nosaka's decision to root these stories in borderline fantasy realms makes these stories bearable. The pain of his own losses as a child (both parents died in the firebombing of Kobe, and his sister shortly afterward of malnutrition) provide overt inspiration for each one of these short stories....more
A consistently strong collection of short stories responding to the 2011 Tohoku tsunami and nuclear disaster. Those reactions take a variety of forms:A consistently strong collection of short stories responding to the 2011 Tohoku tsunami and nuclear disaster. Those reactions take a variety of forms: reimagination, dreams, poetry. All of these forms offer a fresh reflection on both the past and the future. ...more
A pleasant light read. I enjoyed the stories taken directly from the author's life, or that of her family most. A pleasant light read. I enjoyed the stories taken directly from the author's life, or that of her family most. ...more
Setouchi's painterly descriptions of the places in which she lived and loved are so vivid that they render her musings on the events connected with thSetouchi's painterly descriptions of the places in which she lived and loved are so vivid that they render her musings on the events connected with that place (both past and present) quite seamless. The breadth of Setouchi's experiences, and the amazing array of historical figures who make appearances in her life, provides a fascinating time capsule of contemporary Japan. ...more
An excellent introduction to the life and work of Otagaki Rengetsu. Her works, ranging from her own pottery to hanging scrolls created in collaboratioAn excellent introduction to the life and work of Otagaki Rengetsu. Her works, ranging from her own pottery to hanging scrolls created in collaboration with friends, are beautifully photographed, and show her idiosyncratic calligraphy to excellent effect. There are multiple differing translations of some of her poems, which was a particularly thoughtful manner of helping readers who might not speak Japanese access her wit and insights. ...more
An incredibly powerful memoir, Dr. Hachiya's candid and clear-sighted nature is an inspiration. The detail in which the medical mystery is investigateAn incredibly powerful memoir, Dr. Hachiya's candid and clear-sighted nature is an inspiration. The detail in which the medical mystery is investigated was particularly fascinating to me as a nurse. The conduct of the staff of the Hiroshima Communications Hospital during such a crisis is a credit to our profession....more
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