Vicki

Hello! I'll be going to Tokyo for the first time in April and I thought it would be fun to do some related reading between now and then. Does anyone have any recommendations? I'm interested in both fiction and non-fiction. Thanks!

Florence

Tokyo, by Roman Cybriwsky. John Wyley & Sons, ISBN 0-471-97187-1 <BR> <BR>Foot-loose in Tokyo, by Jean Pearce. Weatherhill, ISBN 0-8348-0123-x <BR> <BR>Day Walks Near Tokyo, by Gary D'A. Walters, ISBN 4-7700-1620-4 <BR> <BR>Xenophobe's guide to the Japanese, Oval Books, ISBN 1-902825-36-5 <BR> <BR>Japan-Think, Ameri-Thing, by Robert J. Collins, Penguin ISBN 0-14-0148610-4 <BR> <BR>Tokyo Rising, by Reischauer <BR> <BR>www.jinjapan.org <BR> <BR>Sorry, no fiction there but ... enjoy.

Penelope

All non-fiction: <BR>1) Michihiko Hachiya, M.D., Hiroshima Dairy, The Journal of a Japanese Physician, August 6 - September 30, 1945 U/N.C. Press, 1955). <BR>2) Cathy N. Davidson, 36 Views of Mount Fuji (Penguin, 1993). <BR>3) Edward Fowler, San'ya Blues, Laboring Life in Contemporary Tokyo (Cornell U. Press, 1996). <BR>4) James Mak (ed.), Japan, Why It Works, Why It Doesn't (U/Hawai'i Press, 1998). <BR>Each book has its merits; if I could choose only one, I would select Mak's because it explains many aspects of contemporary Japanese life that mystify Americans. P

Florence

Topping for Sarah, +<BR><BR>"Kyoto, A Contemplative Guide" by G. Mosher (Tuttle, ISBN 0-8048-1294-2). <BR><BR>It is a tour of most of the historical landmarks, commented from the perspective of the role they have played in the history of Kyoto and Japan. A great guide and a fine work of litterature. The only caveat is that the information "on how to get there" is a bit dated (1993).<BR>

Sarah

Message: I always like to read something in fiction that is nationally recognize in any country I am visiting. I want to see what the natives are identifying as great literature. <BR><BR>With this thinking, Yasunari Kawabata, a thousand cranes would be my pick. I believe this guy was awarded the Nobel prize for life time achievement in literature in 1996 or 97. I am sure there are regional awards that better reflect local interest but this is my measure at the moment. I loved Memoirs of Geisha but realize it is written by an American (Ivy League PHD in Japanese studies) still it will get you interested in Japanese culture. The later a very quick and light read.<BR><BR>I also would look into some books of Haiku. The Essential Haiku : Versions of Basho, Buson, and Issa is one I like simple and will introduce to art of Haiku. The reverence for art in Japan has always struck me reading about the structure and history of Haikus is a good place to begin to see evidence of this.<BR><BR><BR>

Kathie

Let me recommend The Tale of Murasaki, the life story of the woman who invented the novel.

Sarah

Thanks Kathie is there a translation of tale of Genji that you prefer over others. Any books prepare you for this read it will be my first dip into classical Japanese literature.

Kathie

I know there is a new translation of Tales of Genji out. I haven't read it, just the bio of Murasaki. It was lovely. It's also an easier read than Genji, so you might start with the bio first.