The true meaning of Ikebana—the traditional Japanese art of flower arrangement—is to take a few beautiful flowers and plants and tastefully present them in very simple containers to enhance home decor. The 53 elegant arrangements featured in Japanese Ikebana for Every Season are perfect for special occasions—Mother's Day, Valentine's Day, birthday, anniversary—or any event that calls for a flower bouquet.The key to good Ikebana arrangements is to understand a few very simp...

Keiko's unique approach to ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging, combines traditional techniques with modern tastes. Her influences—which range from sculpture to today's Western floral design—come together to create one-of-a-kind arrangements that are authentic and eye-catching, simple and graceful, and possible for anyone to achieve.This book presents step-by-step instructions for creating 20 stunning ikebana arrangements in a range of sizes and styles. Each of the flower...

Bonsai—the Japanese art of training plants to form elegant sculptures—is an age-old craft that appeals to gardeners and non-gardeners alike. Bountiful Bonsai presents a radical, new approach that applies bonsai techniques to everyday container gardening, instantly turning houseplants and herbs into beautiful and unusual bonsai sculptures!Bonsai expert Richard Bender not only expects his plants to look good but also expects to yield pleasant fragrances, fresh herbs and frui...

Revered as one of the great literary classics of Japan, The Tales of Ise is an anonymous tenthcentury collection of Japanese poems and prose.First published in 1608 as Isemonogatori, the work is a product of court life in which the romantic assignations, intrigues, and social standards of aristocratic society in ancient Japan are vividly revealed. Each of the 125 episodes in the book consists of a story plus poetry in the uta form (five...

Ikebana is a Japanese floral art. Although it is a creative expression, ikebana has to conform to certain rules. Over the centuries, many different types of ikebana have been created.

Thai cuisine is unique, having drawn inspiration from such sources as China and India, Persia and Portugal. This book presents a cross section of Thai recipes from all regions of the country as prepared in private homes, street stalls and even palace kitchens. Produced and photographed entirely in Thailand, this book offers an in-depth look at the unique cultural origins and influences behind Thai cuisine and provides recipes for universal favorites such as Tom Yang Goong and pad Thai, a...

Cook delicious and authentic Japanese meals in the comfort of your own home with this easy-to-use homestyle Japanese cookbook!At twenty-eight years of age, Sarah Marx Feldner quit her job, sold her house, and moved to Japan to pursue her passion for Japanese food and cooking. A Cook's Journey to Japan is the result of her adventures traveling throughout Japan, sampling home-cooked meals and collecting recipes from Japanese friends and avid cooks she met al...

In the global world of the twenty-first century, martial arts are practised for self-defense and sporting purposes only. However, for thousands of years, they were a central feature of military practice in China and essential for the smooth functioning of society. This book, which opens with an intriguing account of the very first female martial artist, charts the history of combat and fighting techniques in China from the Bronze Age to the present. This broad panorama affords fascinating ...

The Japanese Art of Flower ArrangingIkebana, or Japanese flower arranging, is more than just putting flowers in a container. Ikebana is a disciplined art form in which the arrangement is a living thing, where nature and humanity are brought together. Written by renowned Ikebana expert Shozo Sato, Ikebana: The Art of Arranging Flowers is a classic Ikebana text updated for modern readers.Ikebana history and stylesIkebana:...

Bestselling author and food writer Debra Samuels uses her unique skills and deep love of Japan to make the cuisine of her adopted country attainable in My Japanese Table.Bringing a wealth of experience and a great passion for Japanese cooking to the table, Debra introduces the aesthetics and quality food that are the hallmarks of Japanese cuisine. She learned through her years in Japan that true Japanese homestyle dishes are easy to prepare once you master...

Influenced by the surrounding islands, China, and other parts of Asia, the cuisine of Singapore has long bewitched prominent taste makers such as James Oseland, the editor-in-chief of Saveur magazine. Yet, few cookbooks have truly delved into the unique flavors of Indonesian food and cooking. At last, The Food of Singapore presents a glorious cross section of traditional recipes such as Chili Crab, Hokkien Fried Noodles, and Murtabek, as well as innovative recipes...

One of America's top 100 designers, Charles Faudree has worldwide appeal with his interpretation of Country French. Charles Faudree's Country French Living features his newest room designs. From the entryway to the dressing room to walls, dining rooms, and outdoor spaces, Charles teaches principles of design that make a house a Country French home: The importance of the bedroom and how to make it a soothing sanctuary, deserving as much attention to beauty and detail as the rest of the home...