Author: Yei Theodora Ozaki
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : English fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 428

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Author: Robert F. MacKinnon
Publisher: Karger Publishers
ISBN: 9781894154291
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 262

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Undoubtedly the most unusual piece of bridge fiction ever published, Samurai Bridge takes the reader to a remote village in early 19th century Japan. At first, the characters may seem familiar -- the heroic masterless samurai (a ronin), the evil town magistrate, the downtrodden peasants, the tea-house madam with a heart of gold, and so forth. But soon we realize that these people are different -- they are all fanatical bridge players, and the climactic battle between the forces of good and evil will take place not in the dojo, but at the card table. A host of fascinating people inhabit this book -- a seductive ghost with her own agenda for the ronin, a Buddhist monk who finds it hard to relinquish earthly pleasures, a bathhouse-girl whose humble appearance masks something much more deadly, an out-of-work actor who has unwillingly become involved in a complex masquerade, a notary whose father was bridge professional to the Emperor until he fell out of favor, and many more. There is plenty of swordplay and romance as the story moves along, interspersed with philosophical asides on the Zen of bridge and a fascinating account of bridge as played at the Imperial court. Sex, violence, my

Author: Ian Buruma
Publisher: Penguin
ISBN: 1101981423
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 258

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A classic memoir of self-invention in a strange land: Ian Buruma's unflinching account of his amazing journey into the heart of Tokyo's underground culture as a young man in the 1970's When Ian Buruma arrived in Tokyo in 1975, Japan was little more than an idea in his mind, a fantasy of a distant land. A sensitive misfit in the world of his upper middleclass youth, what he longed for wasn’t so much the exotic as the raw, unfiltered humanity he had experienced in Japanese theater performances and films, witnessed in Amsterdam and Paris. One particular theater troupe, directed by a poet of runaways, outsiders, and eccentrics, was especially alluring, more than a little frightening, and completely unforgettable. If Tokyo was anything like his plays, Buruma knew that he had to join the circus as soon as possible. Tokyo was an astonishment. Buruma found a feverish and surreal metropolis where nothing was understated—neon lights, crimson lanterns, Japanese pop, advertising jingles, and cabarets. He encountered a city in the midst of an economic boom where everything seemed new, aside from the isolated temple or shrine that had survived the firestorms and earthquakes that had levelled the city during the past century. History remained in fragments: the shapes of wounded World War II veterans in white kimonos, murky old bars that Mishima had cruised in, and the narrow alleys where street girls had once flitted. Buruma’s Tokyo, though, was a city engaged in a radical transformation. And through his adventures in the world of avant garde theater, his encounters with carnival acts, fashion photographers, and moments on-set with Akira Kurosawa, Buruma underwent a radical transformation of his own. For an outsider, unattached to the cultural burdens placed on the Japanese, this was a place to be truly free. A Tokyo Romance is a portrait of a young artist and the fantastical city that shaped him. With his signature acuity, Ian Buruma brilliantly captures the historical tensions between east and west, the cultural excitement of 1970s Tokyo, and the dilemma of the gaijin in Japanese society, free, yet always on the outside. The result is a timeless story about the desire to transgress boundaries: cultural, artistic, and sexual.

Author: Yei Theodora Ozaki
Publisher: Prabhat Prakashan
ISBN:
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 217

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Book Description
Embark on a captivating journey through the rich tapestry of Japanese folklore and tradition with "Romances of Old Japan" by Yei Theodora Ozaki, a timeless collection of tales that transport readers to a world of samurai, spirits, and enchantment. Join Ozaki as she brings to life the beauty and wonder of Japan's cultural heritage through these mesmerizing and evocative narratives. In "Romances of Old Japan," Yei Theodora Ozaki invites readers to explore the captivating realm of Japanese mythology and legend, where honor, duty, and love intertwine to create timeless stories of courage, sacrifice, and redemption. Through her vivid prose and enchanting storytelling, Ozaki paints a vivid portrait of a bygone era, inviting readers to immerse themselves in the rich traditions and folklore of ancient Japan. Themes of honor, loyalty, and the supernatural permeate "Romances of Old Japan," offering readers a window into the heart and soul of Japanese culture. Whether she's recounting tales of brave warriors, noble samurai, or mischievous spirits, Ozaki's stories are steeped in tradition and infused with the timeless wisdom of Japanese folklore. Through her evocative descriptions and vivid imagery, Ozaki transports readers to a world of breathtaking beauty and timeless wonder, where every page is filled with the sights, sounds, and sensations of ancient Japan. Whether she's describing the serene tranquility of a moonlit garden or the fierce intensity of a samurai duel, Ozaki's prose is as enchanting as it is immersive, drawing readers deeper into the heart of each tale. The overall tone of "Romances of Old Japan" is one of reverence and respect for the rich cultural heritage of Japan, as Ozaki celebrates the timeless traditions and enduring values that have shaped the nation's history and identity. Her stories are a tribute to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of love to conquer all obstacles, inspiring readers to embrace the beauty and wonder of Japan's cultural legacy. Since its publication, "Romances of Old Japan" has been celebrated as a classic work of literature, praised for its exquisite prose, captivating storytelling, and profound insight into the heart and soul of Japan. Ozaki's collection of tales continues to enchant readers of all ages, offering a glimpse into a world of magic, mystery, and timeless romance. As you delve into the pages of "Romances of Old Japan," you'll find yourself transported to a world of samurai, spirits, and enchanted landscapes, where the boundaries between reality and myth blur and the impossible becomes possible. Ozaki's timeless tales are sure to captivate your imagination and leave you longing for more. In conclusion, "Romances of Old Japan" is more than just a collection of stories—it's a celebration of Japan's rich cultural heritage and a tribute to the enduring power of storytelling. Whether you're a lover of folklore, mythology, or simply appreciate a good tale, Yei Theodora Ozaki's enchanting narratives are sure to leave a lasting impression. Don't miss your chance to experience the magic of "Romances of Old Japan" by Yei Theodora Ozaki. Let this timeless collection whisk you away on a journey of adventure, romance, and enchantment that will leave you spellbound from beginning to end. Secure your copy now and immerse yourself in the beauty and wonder of Japan's cultural legacy.

Author: Sumiko Kajiyama
Publisher: Museyon Inc.
ISBN: 1938450973
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 354

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Book Description
Written by local expert Sumiko Kajiyama, Cool Japan explores the heart of Japanese culture and must-see places from a uniquely Japanese perspective. First, visit Kyoto, where you will discover 1,000 years of history, from the ancient love story the Tale of Genji to the traditional tea ceremony. Then head to Tokyo to experience Japan's cutting-edge capital, where the 21st-century kawaii culture collides with landmarks like the Kabuki-za Theater and the Imperial Palace. For a different perspective, venture outside the city to the serene towns of Tohoku, the region largely affected by the 2011 tsunami disaster. Informative, entertaining, and useful, this book is an ideal introduction for any traveler looking for a deeper understanding of Japanese culture, past and present.

Author: Elizabeth Williams Champney
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Legends
Languages : en
Pages : 582

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Author: Iza Kavedžija
Publisher: University of Pennsylvania Press
ISBN: 0812251369
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 208

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Book Description
What makes for a meaningful life? In the Japanese context, the concept of ikigai provides a clue. Translated as "that which makes one's life worth living," ikigai has also come to mean that which gives a person happiness. In Japan, where the demographic cohort of elderly citizens is growing, and new modes of living and relationships are revising traditional multigenerational family structures, the elderly experience of ikigai is considered a public health concern. Without a relevant model for meaningful and joyful older age, the increasing older population of Japan must create new cultural forms that center the ikigai that comes from old age. In Making Meaningful Lives, Iza Kavedžija provides a rich anthropological account of the lives and concerns of older Japanese women and men. Grounded in years of ethnographic fieldwork at two community centers in Osaka, Kavedžija offers an intimate narrative analysis of the existential concerns of her active, independent subjects. Alone and in groups, the elderly residents of these communities make sense of their lives and shifting ikigai with humor, conversation, and storytelling. They are as much providers as recipients of care, challenging common images of the elderly as frail and dependent, while illustrating a more complex argument: maintaining independence nevertheless requires cultivating multiple dependences on others. Making Meaningful Lives argues that an anthropology of the elderly is uniquely suited to examine the competing values of dependence and independence, sociality and isolation, intimacy and freedom, that people must balance throughout all of life's stages.

Author: Mineko Iwasaki
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 9780743444293
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 336

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A Kyoto geisha describes her initiation into an okiya at the age of four, the intricate training that made up most of her education, her successful career, and the traditions surrounding the geisha culture.

Author: Anon E. Mouse
Publisher: Abela Publishing Ltd
ISBN: 8827552847
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 315

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Book Description
In this volume you will find a collection of 11 romances from old Japan rendered into English by Yei Theodora Ozaki. This volume is full of tales of honor, adventure, tragedy, and romance. Not only are these good stories, and well told to boot, this volume will, without a doubt, give anyone interested in Japanese culture and literature an insightful and pleasurable experience. To accompany the stories and bring them to life are 15 colour illustrations, plus 16 grey-scale illustrations exquisitely drawn by an unknown illustrator. Herein you will find the stories of: The Quest Of The Sword The Tragedy Of Kesa Gozen The Spirit Of The Lantern The Reincarnation Of Tama The Lady Of The Picture Urasato, Or The Crow Of Dawn Tsubosaka Loyal, Even Unto Death; Or The Sugawara Tragedy How Kinu Returned From The Grave A Cherry-Flower Idyll The Badger-Haunted Temple The volume also contains numerous footnotes which help give readers a greater understanding of the story and the Japanese culture. ========== KEYWORDS/TAGS: folklore, fairy tales, myths, legends, children’s stories, Japan, Japanese, Nippon, romances. illustrated, bedtime stories, quest, sword, tragedy, kesa gozen, spirit, lantern, reincarnation, tama, lady, picture, urasato, crow of dawn, tsubosaka, loyal, unto death; sugawara tragedy, kinu, return, from the grave, cherry-flower idyll, badger-haunted, temple

Author: Amy Tan
Publisher: Harper Collins
ISBN: 006210733X
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 422

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Book Description
Amy Tan’s The Valley of Amazement is a sweeping, evocative epic of two women’s intertwined fates and their search for identity, that moves from the lavish parlors of Shanghai courtesans to the fog-shrouded mountains of a remote Chinese village. Spanning more than forty years and two continents, The Valley of Amazement resurrects pivotal episodes in history: from the collapse of China’s last imperial dynasty, to the rise of the Republic, the explosive growth of lucrative foreign trade and anti-foreign sentiment, to the inner workings of courtesan houses and the lives of the foreign “Shanghailanders” living in the International Settlement, both erased by World War II. A deeply evocative narrative about the profound connections between mothers and daughters, The Valley of Amazement returns readers to the compelling territory of Amy Tan’s The Joy Luck Club. With her characteristic insight and humor, she conjures a story of inherited trauma, desire and deception, and the power and stubbornness of love.