The beguiling story of the Minaguchi-ya, an ancient inn on the Tokaido Road, founded on the eve of the establishment of the Tokugawa shogunate. Travellers and guests flow into and past the inn — warriors on the march, lovers fleeing to a new life, pilgrims on their merry expeditions, great men going to and from the capital. The story of the Minaguchi-ya is a social history of Japan through 400 years, a ringside seat to some of the most stirring events of a stirring period.'Statler h...

The beguiling story of the Minaguchi-ya, an ancient inn on the Tokaido Road, founded on the eve of the establishment of the Tokugawa shogunate. Travelers and guests flow into and past the inn―warriors on the march, lovers fleeing to a new life, pilgrims on their merry expeditions, great men going to and from the capital. The story of the Minaguchi-ya is a social history of Japan through 400 years, a ringside seat to some of the most stirring events of a stirring period.

Featuring over 100 unique prints, Modern Japanese Prints is a testament to the continuity of Japanese art and creativity.By far the most vitally creative group of artists working in Japan today, modern print-makers are truly international in appeal. Although they owe much of their heritage to the famous ukiyoe techniques of the past, they depart from their forebears in at least two important respects. In the first place, whereas in the ancient ukiyoe tradi...

An enchanting and fascinating insight into Japanese landscape, culture, history and future.Originally written in Japanese, this passionate, vividly personal book draws on the author's experiences in Japan over thirty years. Alex Kerr brings to life the ritualized world of Kabuki, retraces his initiation into Tokyo's boardrooms during the heady Bubble Years, and tells the story of the hidden valley that became his home.But the book is not just a love letter. Haunted througho...

MEDITATION—FOR KIDS! The “father of mindfulness” presents a hands-on, creative method of meditation perfect for children experiencing stress and difficult emotions (TIME).Features cute illustrations, plus useful tips on how to start a ‘pebble meditation’ practice at home or in the classroom.Developed by Thich Nhat Hanh as part of the Plum Village community’s practice with children, pebble meditation is a playful, fun activity that ...

Living in a garage, so poor she could barely feed her dog, and rapidly hitting bottom, author Barb Rogers was desperate to just try anything. She combated and overcame her situation by prayer, choosing to be happy, and improving the flow of chi in her life. And the results were nothing short of dramatic. In these three books, part of the Just Try This series, Rogers shares the simple methods that helped her triumph over incredible adversity. These books are down-to-earth and easy to use. R...

Step into your inner world and connect with your essence as you create unique mandalas with various mediums and techniques. Discover how this ancient ritual can heal and transform your life. Find out why this introspective tool is used in a variety of contexts. The Mandala Way contains an illustrated, step-by-step method of making expressive and personalized art works. Suitable for everyone, this art form has excellent educational benefits.Learn a visual languageDevelop atten...

Explore the ancient teachings of the mandala through the process of Zentangle. Mandalas connect the spirit, offering symbols found in nature while helping to discover the inner self and acquire a sense of wonder. Create beautiful drawings that reflect your vision, and discover the infinite possibilities that spring from peace and creativity.

A beginner?s guide to attaining wealth and prosperity through the practical uses of feng shui.Feng shui, the Chinese aesthetic practice of arranging your environment to maximize the flow of energy, has entered the mainstream of American culture, with more and more Americans realizing every day that feng shui is no New Age fad, but a proven and practical way to improve your life.This compact yet thorough guide to using feng shui to create prosperity and abun...

"TSUBA-Japanese Sword Guards" 2012 book by Gary Murtha, containing information on over 65 tsuba making schools and groups, an artist index with information and kao and kakihan of nearly 2,000 artists and illustrations of over 60 b/w tsuba. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- My first book about Japanese tsuba was published in 1981 and was titled The Tsuba. I followed up with Japanese Sword Guard Artists in 1982 and The Samurai Sword-American Per...

If you have ever wondered 'What is a Zen garden?' then this 50 page new publication for 2013 will tell you. Zen gardens are beautiful Japanese gardens steeped in history, religious meaning and a visual simplicity. There are many styles and many ingredients, Stones, Rocks, Moss, Sand, Gravel, Plants and Shrubs,Lanterns and Ornaments. Japanese Zen gardens is a book that introduces the reader to the subject and presents the options available for anyone wishing to build their own garden space ...

In Kansai Cool anthropologist, writer and filmmaker Christal Whelan offers profound insights in the only collection of essays to focus on Kansai, Japan's ancient heartland.Kansai—the region in Western Japan that boasts the ancient capitals of Kyoto and Nara, the bustling commercial city of Osaka and the cosmopolitan port city of Kobe—has a character all its own, right down to its dialect, mannerisms, and cuisine. It is home to some of Japan's oldest histor...