Step into the captivating world of Japanese history with "The Rising Sun: A Brief History of Japan." In this meticulously crafted narrative, journey through centuries of rich cultural heritage, tumultuous warfare, and remarkable societal evolution that shaped the Land of the Rising Sun into the vibrant nation it is today.From the legendary origins of Japan's imperial line to the modern era of technological innovation, this book offers a comprehensive...

The dramatic arc of Saigo Takamori's life, from his humble origins as a lowly samurai, to national leadership, to his death as a rebel leader, has captivated generations of Japanese readers and now Americans as well - his life is the inspiration for a major Hollywood film, The Last Samurai, starring Tom Cruise and Ken Watanabe. In this vibrant new biography, Mark Ravina, professor of history and Director of East Asian Studies at Emory University,...

Through these chapters, readers can gain a comprehensive understanding of the profound and enduring role of nature in Japanese culture and tradition.

"Harmony in Combat" provides a comprehensive exploration of the origins and traditions of Japanese martial arts. From their historical roots to the philosophies that guide practitioners, the book navigates the cultural, ethical, and technical dimensions of these disciplines. Through vivid storytelling and insightful analysis, readers gain a deep appreciation for the rich legacy and enduring principles that define Japanese martial arts as both a physical...

In Asian Juggernaut, the revelatory and important International Bestseller by Brahma Chellaney, a renowned authority on Asia's political and economic development offers an incisive and insightful analysis of the region's pivotal role on the world stage. Examining the rise of China, India, and Japan as preeminent powers and their key position in the global future, Asian Juggernaut is a book that must be read by anyone interested in the shape of tomorrow's...

The great pilgrimage center of southeastern Sri Lanka, Kataragama, has become in recent years the spiritual home of a new class of Hindu-Buddhist religious devotees. These ecstatic priests and priestesses invariably display long locks of matted hair, and they express their devotion to the gods through fire walking, tongue-piercing, hanging on hooks, and trance-induced prophesying. The increasing popularity of these ecstatics poses a challenge not...

D'un point de vue occidental européen, beaucoup de choses liées à l'État du Japon, y compris son histoire, sa culture et ses habitants, semblent non seulement étranges, mais aussi, dans une certaine mesure, inaccessibles et incompréhensibles. Ceux qui ne s'y intéressent pas explicitement n'ont souvent aucun lien avec le Japon. Cela vaut bien sûr aussi pour la mythologie japonaise. Contrairement à la mythologie gréco-romaine ou nordique-germanique,...

Explore Japanese society in the lively series that collects the best new writing, photography, art, and reportage from around the world. Visitors from the West look with amazement, and sometimes concern, at Japan's social structures and unique, complex culture industry; the gigantic scale of its tech corporations and the resilience of its traditions; the extraordinary diversity of the subcultures that flourish in its "post-human" megacities. The...

Lonely Planet's Pocket Tokyo is your guide to the city's best experiences and local life-neighbourhood by neighbourhood. Explore Japan's temples and shrines, sample delicious Japanese cuisine and immerse yourself in the city's pop culture obsession; all with your trusted travel companion. Uncover the best of Tokyo and make the most of your trip! Inside Lonely Planet's Pocket Tokyo: Full-colour maps and travel photography throughout Highlights and...

New from Bradt is the first-ever, standalone English-language guide to Hokkaido, Japan's second-largest island and northernmost prefecture. Home to under 5% of the country's population, this is a land of vast, wild expanses which demands exploration at any time of year – and feels a world away from Tokyo. Penned by an outdoors-loving travel writer resident in Japan, Bradt's Hokkaido delves far deeper into this frontier land than country-wide...