Splendors of Japan

HISTORY

Embracing Defeat: Japan in the Wake of World War II by John W. Dower (952.04 Dower)
Following his National Book Critics Award-winning War Without Mercy on the Pacific theater, Dower (history, Massachusetts Institute of Technology) examines the immediate aftermath of World War II. He draws on a wide range of Japanese sources to illuminate how the shattering defeat and six years of U.S. military occupation affected every level of society, in ways no one anticipated.

The Making of Modern Japan by Marius B. Jansen (952 Jan)
Magisterial in vision, sweeping in scope, this monumental work presents a seamless account of Japanese society during the modern era, from 1600 to the present. A distillation of more than 50 years' engagement with Japan and its history, this is the crowning work of our leading interpreter of the modern Japanese experience.

Japan, a Modern History by James L. McClain (952.03 McClai)
McClain takes a multifaceted, nuanced look at Japan's last four centuries. A professor of history at Brown University, McClain begins with the investiture of Tokugawa Ieyasu as shogun in 1603, then leads the reader from daimyo castles of the 17th and 18th centuries to the filthy barracks of mine workers in the 19th century, to the refined, "cultured houses" of the emerging urban middle class in the 20th century.

The Book of the Samurai: The Warrior Class of Japan by Stephen R. Turnbull (952 Tur)
The history of Samurai and that of Japan are inseparably intertwined, and both unfold here with the help of some 300 line drawings, photographs and maps.

Samurai: The Story of Japan's Great Warriors by Stephen R. Turnbull (952 Turnb)
With four see-through vellum sections that build up the layers of armor worn by the samurai, and text by a world-recognized expert on the subject, this is a unique look at the mysterious ancient Japanese warrior class. Every image and page offers some fascinating insight, from an overview of early Japan and the emperor system to the specifics of weaponry.

ARTS AND CULTURE

The Art of Flowering Bonsai by Peter D. Adams (635.9 Adams)
Helping a flowering bonsai to flourish takes something of an artist's touch. Everything from potting to cutting to feeding, to the glory of a flowering bonsai is here.

Bonsai for Beginners by Craig Coussins (635.9 Couss)
If beautiful bonsai have caught your eye, but you've felt too intimidated to start cultivating your own, then welcome to this wonderful pastime. Start enjoying this fascinating hobby with a complete guide to every aspect of the art, from selecting suitable plants for your climate, through healthcare, styling, potting and troubleshooting, to long-term development.

Ortho's All About Creating Japanese Gardens by Alvin Horton (712 Horton)
These days, people crave gardens that fill the soul and comfort the body. Japanese gardening answers those yearnings. This book demonstrates how to use centuries-old garden design techniques to create a feeling of sanctuary.

Easy Origami: A Colorful Introduction to Practical Paper Folding by Kazuo Kobayashi (736 Kob)
For the uninitiated and the intimidated, here is an introduction to one of the world's oldest paper crafts. Sixty appealing projects range from a flight of classic cranes to contemporary napkin folds, from tiny delicate containers to a picnic-size box. Full-page color photos showcase the projects and clear diagrams explain every fold.

Flower Arrangement With a Japanese Touch by Atsuko Ono (745.92 Ono)
Employing a foundation found in traditional ikebana and in modern arrangement, Flower Arrangement With a Japanese Touch focuses on how to enjoy flowers in everyday life. With her unique ability to present the beauty of flowers without pretense, Atsuko Ono presents designs so easy that anyone can enjoy ikebana, without getting caught up in its often rigid convention.

Ortho's All About Bonsai by Penelope O'Sullivan (635.9 Ortho)
Bring the serenity and beauty of bonsai into your home. Ortho's All About Bonsai shows how anyone, even novice gardeners, can create and grow these living works of art. Bonsai styles and methods, presented through lush photography and clear text, bring to life key design principles and techniques. Learn the secrets of pruning, shaping, watering and care requirements to ensure success with your miniature landscape in a pot.

The Japanese Kitchen: 250 Recipes in a Traditional Spirit by Hiroko Shimbo-Beitchman (641.5952 Shimbo)
While Asian flavors have long been fashionable in the U.S., it is perhaps the hipness of sushi and familiarity of the Tepanyaki style that have been a catalyst for the recent popularity of Japanese cuisine. The author, a veteran cooking-school instructor and food writer, offers a well-rounded introduction to the rich heritage of Japanese cooking (complete with historical, cultural and personal observations from her own childhood).

Origami for the First Time by Soonboke Smith (736 Smi)
From making the basic folds and forms to crafting exquisite little flower pots, frames and pinwheels, this right-from-the-beginning question-and-answer guide explains everything you need to know about origami. Hundreds of close-up color photos follow each step in the process as pencil holders, miniature chairs and tables and beautiful traditional cranes emerge from the paper.

Japanese Art by Joan Stanley-Baker (709 Sta)
This book surveys authoritatively and provocatively the arts of Japan from the prehistoric period to the present, bringing together the results of the most recent research on the subject. A long-needed presentation of Japanese art that concisely offers inclusive coverage from the prehistoric times to the 20th century.

Japanese Homestyle Cooking by Tokiko Suzuki (641.5952 Suzuki)
Japanese Homestyle Cooking makes use of each season's most plentiful ingredients for preparing delicious meals. Including more than 135 recipes, this comprehensive cookbook brings the most popular meals in Japanese homes to your home.

Classic Origami by P.D. Tuyen (736 Tuy)
Make a wonderful array of animals, ranging from a dragonfly to a rhinoceros, out of paper, using the instructions in this exquisite, vibrantly colored introduction to the ancient art of origami. Step-by-step illustrations walk readers through each fold as they experience the challenge and pleasure of forming models from a single sheet of paper.