The JICC library recently received a selection of novels and books on various aspects of Japanese art and culture, and to follow is a synopsis of the new additions to the library.

 

 

• The following books were donated by Kodansha Europe:
  

Origins: The Creative Spark behind Japan's Best Product Designs by Shu Hagiwara

 

Japan has a long history of combining the newest technology with clever, striking and intricate design, the result of the traditional aesthetic of monozukuri - or ¡Èthe art of making things¡É - which has earned the respect of designers and consumers worldwide. Origins is a stunning guide to the best in product design from Japan over the last fifty years, and illustrates the inspiration behind these products. Incorporating both modern and traditional ideas, these designs are intriguing, inspirational and a fascinating part of contemporary Japan.

 

Izakaya: The Japanese Pub Cookbook by Philip Harper

 

Izakaya guides readers through the many different types of izakaya and the recipes that make them such relaxing and irresistible destinations. Eight different Tokyo pubs are introduced, ranging from those that serve traditional ¡Æcomfort food¡Ç to those offering highly innovative creations. The book also includes information on etiquette and offers detailed profiles of Japanese ingredients and spices, a guide to the wide varieties of sake and other drinks served, and ¡Æhow-to¡Ç advice on menu ordering.

 

Draw Your Own Manga: Honing Your Style by Haruno Nagatomo

 

This is the third book in the bestselling Draw Your Own Manga series. It provides advanced-level instruction, outlining the essential features of all the main genres of manga and explaining the standard techniques used in common situations and action scenes. Haruno Nagatomo is a manga artist and illustrator who, since 1996, has been creating simple and entertaining books designed to help budding manga artists gain the essential skills and techniques of this popular art form.

 

The Contemporary Tea House: Japan's Top Architects Redefine a Tradition by Gozo Shioda, with Yasuhisa Shioda

 

The tea house - one of Japan¡Çs great contributions to world architecture - is brought to life in this richly illustrated, informative book by Japan¡Çs most famous architects. In essence a simple space for the tea ceremony that traditionally requires a hearth, straw mats and low entrance, modern Japanese architects find the challenge of redefining this highly formalized and constrained idiom almost impossible to resist. Features 20 contemporary houses by Tadao Ando, Arata Isozaki, Terunobu Fujimori, Hiroshi Hara and Kengo Kuma.

 

Tokyo Style File by Jahnvi Dameron Nanden

 

There¡Çs no other way to put it: Tokyo is shopping mad. And Tokyo Style File is the guide any shopper needs - a key to the city¡Çs hottest shopping outlets. From the biggest international brands to trendy fashion boutiques that cater to the Harajuku teenager, Tokyo Style File makes the city¡Çs shops easily accessible to everyone from the long-term resident to the most fleeting tourist.

Japanese Cooking by Shizuo Tsuji

 

Long acclaimed as the most authoritative volume on Japanese cooking ever written in English, this is a concise and clearly written guide to the simple yet profound art of Japanese cookery. It contains over 220 traditional Japanese recipes, and discussions of ingredients and utensils. Beautifully illustrated with colour photographs and over 500 drawings, this 25th Anniversary edition continues the Tsuji legacy of bringing the Japanese kitchen within reach of Western cooks.

Create Your Own Japanese Garden: A Practical Guide by Motomi Oguchi

 

Renowned landscape designer Motomi Oguchi offers a practical approach to Japanese garden design, drawing on over 30 years experience. The book includes clear, concise demonstrations of the techniques and over 500 step-by-step photographs and illustrations.

Tokyo: Exploring the City of the Shogun by Sumiko Enbutsu

 

This charming book serves as a spectacular photographic journey and a unique travel guide to the old districts of Tokyo; including the haunts of the shogun's samurai, the neighbourhoods of Yanaka and the sumo quarters, as well as introducing traditional craftspeople and restaurants.

The Essence of Shinto: Japan's Spiritual Heart by Motohisa Yamakage

 

Motohisa Yamakage, a revered Shinto priest, explains the core beliefs and values of Shinto and explores the very profound aspects of the original Shinto of ancient times. The relationship between spirit and soul is also analysed, providing insight into how spirituality affects one¡Çs daily existence.

Yakuza Moon: Memoirs of a Gangster's Daughter by Shoko Tendo

 

Written with warmth and candour, this is the riveting and powerful story of one woman's struggle to overcome discrimination and hardship, and a fascinating insight into the closed world of Japan's yakuza society.

Crossfire by Miyuki Miyabe

 

This award-winning psychological and paranormal thriller by Miyuki Miyabe is part police procedural and part provocative study of the implications of vigilantism in a modern Tokyo, where seemingly ordinary people have powerful psychokinetic abilities.

The Devil¡Çs Whisper by Miyuki Miyabe

 

The fourth mystery by the Naoki prize-winning author Miyuki Miyabe, is set in exotic downtown Tokyo, and portrays vibrant descriptions of contemporary Japan and its criminal scams.

The Tokyo Look Book by Philomena Keet

 

Tokyo is one of the most fashion-conscious places in the world, and this book takes the reader on a dazzling journey through the streets, clubs and boutiques of this trendsetting city, introducing the people who both make and wear the latest fashions.

A Flower Lover¡Çs Guide to Tokyo by Sumiko Enbutsu

 

A Flower Lover¡Çs Guide to Tokyo is an easy-to-use walking guide, offering forty ways to see Tokyo¡Çs blooms in their full glory and in the best seasons. All are accompanied by detailed maps, some in quiet hideaways unknown even to Tokyoites.

 

 

Hiroshige: One Hundred Famous Views Of Edo by Melanie Trede / Lorenz Bichler

 

Hiroshige (1797-1858) was one of the last great artists in the ukiyo-e tradition. Literally meaning "pictures of the floating world", ukiyo-e refers to the famous Japanese woodblock print genre that originated in the 17th century and is practically synonymous with the Western world¡Çs visual characterization of Japan. Though Hiroshige captured a variety of subjects, his greatest talent was in creating landscapes of his native Edo (modern-day Tokyo) and his final masterpiece was a series known as "One Hundred Famous Views of Edo" (1856-1858). This resplendent complete reprint pairs each of the 120 large-scale illustrations with a description, allowing readers to plunge themselves into Hiroshige¡Çs beautifully vibrant landscapes.

 

 

 

The Japanese Way - Garden Designs by Maureen Busby

 

The Japanese Way is a selection of designs by Maureen Busby, an acclaimed designer of Japanese style gardens, which were created for her clients, covering a broad range of locations and styles. Breaking from the traditional format of publications on Japanese gardens, the book demonstrates by example how the elusive principles of the Japanese tradition can be employed in a western setting. An important reference book for all those wishing to improve their knowledge, understanding and appreciation of Japanese style gardens, at present The Japanese Way can be purchased solely from The Japanese Garden Society. For further details, please see www.jgs.org.uk.