Edo Kabuki in Transition: From the Worlds of the Samurai to the Vengeful Female Ghost
By Shimazaki Satoko Satoko’s seminal work focuses on the developments and changes in kabuki since the 1825 premiere of Tsuruya Nanboku IV’s play Tokaido Yotsuya Kaidan. She uses that play as a starting point and, contrary [...] Review by Trevor Skingle
The Art of Shiguchi. Japanese Joinery on Display
By Takishita Yoshihiro This book, in addition to illustrations of some of the shiguchi Takishita-san has kept in his store room, contains essays by experts and connoisseurs including ‘The Power of the Shiguchi’ by Peter Grilli [...] Review by Sir Hugh Cortazzi
Ghosts of the Tsunami
By Richard Lloyd Parry On Friday, 11 March, 2011, a massive earthquake occurred off north-east Japan, about 70 kilometres east of the city of Sendai. The book focuses on what happened that afternoon at Okawa Primary School [...] Review by Sir David Warren
Kwaidan
By Rouge 28 Theatre A music box plays in an empty room; the only furniture a dresser with television, a mirror and a box of children’s toys on the floor. Suddenly the music is interrupted by a child’s voice calling ‘Mama’. It becomes [...] Review by Heidi Potter
69
By Murakami Ryu Told through an extended period of analepsis, 69 introduces us to Kensuke -now in his early thirties- reflecting on his formative years in a rural town, Sasebo, consisting primarily of misunderstanding [...] Review by Beau Waycott
Rakugo
Performed by Katsura Sunshine Rakugo (meaning “fallen words”) is one of the Japanese performance traditions we are fortunate enough to experience today, as a result of an unbroken chain of teaching that stretches back at least to the 18th [...] Review by Alex Rees
Two Pilgrims Meet: In search of Reconciliation between China and Japan
By Minoru Kasai and Basil Scott A fascinating book, recommended to anyone, but especially to those interested in reflecting on the complex facets of reconciliation between countries with a history of enmity in the past. The two authors [...] Review by Revd Ikuko Williams
Last Stop Tokyo
By James Buckler James Buckler’s debut novel follows Alex Malloy who escapes to Japan to get away from the disgrace that he feels as a result of a deeply traumatic family incident involving his outwardly respectable brother over [...] Review by Trevor Skingle
ANJIN-The Life & Times of Samurai William Adams, 1564-1620
By Hiromi T. Rogers In late August 1619 William Adams, now aged 55, returns to Hirado after a successful trading voyage to Indochina. This book is for the general public in Britain and Japan, as well as for experts. It is highly [...] Review by Nicolas Maclean
Close-knit
Directed by Ogigami Naoko The movie has been well-received at a series of international festivals this year. Using a pioneering story-line, it has also done something contemporary filmmakers overlook: it flatters its audience. Review by Roger Macy