Japanese Folktales is one of the most complete collections of stories translated to English & introduces the reader to the vast world of Japanese ghouls, goblins, ogres, sea kings, magical birds, dragons, & of course, Momotaro, the Peach Boy. Japanese folklore is richly imaginative & the 22 classic stories collected here are some of the most popular ever told. Each story transports the reader to a different realm of magical kingdoms, mysterious seas, & mythical lands including: The story of goldfish dancers & carp musicians who entertain a brave warrior The tale of a lonely girl whose life is changed by a shining disc left by her mother The explanation of how the jellyfish lost its bones & the adventures of a boy born from a peach that washes up on a riverbank that every Japanese child knows by heart. These well-loved folk tales are sure to delight readers young & old while introducing them to Japan`s vivid fantasy tradition. ...

Filled with gorgeous photographs, this book explains the theory, history, & intricacies of Japanese gardening. The creation of a Japanese garden combines respect for nature with adherence to simple principles of aesthetics & structure. In Japanese Garden Design, landscape architect Marc Peter Keane presents the history & development of the classical metaphors that underlie all Japanese gardens. Keane describes the influences of Confucian, Shinto & Buddhist principles that have linked poetry & philosophy to the tangible metaphor of the garden in Japanese culture. Creative inspiration is found in the prehistoric origin of Japanese concepts of nature; the gardens of Heian aristocrats; the world-renowned Zen garden, or rock garden; the tea garden; courtyard garden; & stroll garden. Detailed explanations of basic design concepts identify & interpret the symbolism of various garden forms & demonstrate these principles in use today in Japanese landscape architecture. Topics include: Design Principles Design Techniques Design Elements Godspirit in Nature Poetry in Paradise The Art of Emptiness Spiritual Passage Private Niches A Collector`s Park ...

With stunning new design & layout & the most up-to-date travel information, the market's most indispensable phrasebook has ...

This pack
- containing a Collins Gem Phrasebook & a CD
- provides the opportunity to hear & practise the language. The phrases

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Once confined to a literary elite in Japan, haiku are now written all over the world by poets who find their combination of brevity, technical discipline & expressive content irresistible. This collection brings together hundreds of poems by Japanese writers from the fifteenth century to the twentieth, with modern examples from Europe & America. In addition, there is a selection of poems influenced by haiku, & a section devoted to haiku-like passages from traditional English poets. The book is dominated by four great masters
- Basho, Buson, Issa & Shiki
- who between them compress the gamut of human experience into the limits of seventeen syllables.

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This example-packed overview of contemporary Japanese illustration showcases the works of 100 of Japan`s most successful & exciting artists & designers. The images embrace a huge range of styles, from traditional to futuristic, from classic ukiyo-e prints to the worlds of manga & anime. Some look towards urban street culture or build their own surreal dreamscapes, while others revisit a playful world of childhood innocence or explore darker realms of violence & terror. The book also

Includes:: ten interviews in which the illustrators discuss their work & what inspires them. The range of amazing images & subjects in this book is hugely memorable, an exciting journey to the utterly idiosyncratic but wonderful world of the Japanese sensibility.

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Richly illustrated & exhaustively researched, Japanese Inns & Hot Springs is the definitive guide to Japanese spas & hot springs known as Ryokans. It presents the finest Ryokans in Japan, from historic properties like Hiiragiya in Kyoto & Kikkaso in Hakone to luxury retreats like Zaborin in Hokkaido & Tenku-no-Mori in Kyushu. In this Japan travel guide you will find: The 40 best Japanese ryokan & onsens for English-speaking visitors (including 13 in the Tokyo area & 11 in & around Kyoto & Nara) A description of the special features of each ryokan & what is included in your stay Tips on how to choose the right ryokan for you Practical advice on how to book a stay & a detailed etiquette guide. Above all else this Ryokan guide reveals the enduring traditions of Japanese hospitality, a rich heritage reaching back a thousand years to the time when Japan`s hot spring bathing culture took root. The beautiful properties in this book also illustrate the unique design sensibility for which Japan is so justly renowned. Indispensable tips on booking a Japanese Ryokan that is right for you & reaching each property by train, bus & taxi are provided along with a detailed etiquette guide to staying at a Ryokan & bathing in an Onsen, as well as descriptions of the special features of each of the inns featured. ...

Introducing the brand new Insight Phrasebooks for 2015 helping you get your head around the language. Compact & lightweight, these pocket-sized phrasebooks are packed with the words & phrases users need to feel at home, when away. These indispensable little books feature easy-to-use, colour-coded sections, snippets of local information & language tips, plus key words travellers need to get around & about. There is a free audio app as an optional accompaniment, full of key phrases from the book & features native speakers for perfect pronunciation. Just download for free before you go using the individual download code inside the book. ...

The Lingo™ range features beautifully designed, quality playing cards with the world’s most popular foreign languages. Inside Lingo™ you’ll find a stack of essential translations for your next overseas adventure. Lingo™ has your trip covered, from basic greetings & introductions to eating out, moving around or finding a place to stay. Practical translations accompanied by intuitive, easy to learn pronunciations. ...

Japan is a place of special fascination for the acclaimed international comics creator Igort, who has visited & lived there more than 20 times, & worked in the country`s manga industry for more than a decade. In this masterful new book--part graphic memoir, part cultural meditation--Igort vividly recounts his personal experiences in Japan, creating comics amid the activities of everyday life, & finding inspiration everywhere: in nature, history, custom, art, & encounters with creators including animation visionary Hayao Miyazaki. With beautifully illustrated reflections on subjects from printmaking to Zen Buddhism, imperial history to the samurai code, Japanese film, literature, & manga, this is a richly rewarding book for anyone interested in Japan or comic arts practiced at the highest level. ...