Traditional Japanese design imbues objects with a sense of history and artistry that easily reaches across cultural boundaries. In Things Japanese: Everyday Objects of Extraordinary Beauty and Significance, author Nicholas Bornoff and photographer Michael Freeman examine over 60 traditional objects that are uniquely Japanese, deftly illustrating their beauty and significance.Beautifully crafted samurai swordsElegant wooden tansu chestsEla...

Inspiring photography, insider tips, cultural interpretation, and expert advice are hallmarks of these bestselling travel guides, ensuring a more authentic, enriching experience of the destination. In Japan, spring bursts onto the scene with the splendor of blooming cherry trees (sakura), the symbol of life. This is the most popular season for visitors, who enjoy the tranquility of the Zen gardens, however, the narrow archipelago of Japan offers considerable cultural and geographical varie...

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...

Learn the elements of the timeless beauty that is Japanese design in this concise reference volume.Japanese design is known throughout the world for its beauty, its simplicity, and its blending of traditional and contemporary effects. This succinct guide describes the influence and importance of 65 key elements that make up Japanese design, detailing their origins—and their impact on fields ranging from architecture and interior design to consumer products and high...

Step back into old Japan with this fascinating travelogue of the famous Kiso Road, an ancient route used by samurai and warlordsThe Kisoji, which runs through the Kiso Valley in the Japanese Alps, has been in use since at least 701 C.E. In the seventeenth century, it was the route that the daimyo (warlords) used for their biennial trips—along with their samurai and porters—to the new capital of Edo (now Tokyo). The natural beauty of the route is r...

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...

**Winner of the 2006 American Horticultural Society Book Award**The Art of the Japanese Garden is the only historical overview of Japanese gardens that covers Japanese gardening culture in one beautiful book.Japanese gardens are rooted in two traditions: an indigenous prehistoric tradition in which patches of graveled forest or pebbled beach were dedicated to nature spirits, and a tradition from China and Korea that included elements such as ponds,...

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 ...

This casual Japan travel guide contains a wealth of information for the business traveler or touristFor several years author, Walt Sheldon has been helping visitors and foreign residents to understand and appreciate things Japanese through the medium of his popular weekly radio program "Enjoy Japan" over the U.S. Forces' Far East Network. Now, in his latest book, Mr. Sheldon presents his own "personal and highly unofficial guide" to Japan, its people, places, and o...

"This portrait of Japanese country life reminds us that at its core, a happy and healthy life is based on the bonds of food, family, tradition, community, and the richness of nature" —John Einarsen, Founding Editor and Art Director of Kyoto JournalWhat would it be like to move to Japan, leaving everyone you know behind, to become part of a traditional Japanese household? At Home in Japan tells an extraordinary true story of a foreign woman who goe...