Issue 106 (September 2024, Volume 19, Number 3)

The September issue of The Japan Society Review brings together a captivating selection of reviews that delve into diverse aspects of Japan's cultural, historical, and literary tapestry. Our volunteer reviewers provide their insights on six unique works, each enriching our understanding of Japan’s past and present through personal stories, historical analyses, and explorations of cultural expression.

We begin with In the Service of the Shogun: The Real Story of William Adams by Frederick Cryns, which revisits the life of the famed English navigator who became a trusted samurai in Tokugawa Ieyasu’s Japan. Cryns sheds new light on Adams’ transformative journey, exploring the complex interactions between early modern Japan and the Western world.

In The Shortest History of Japan, author Lesley Downer presents an accessible yet comprehensive overview of Japanese history. Downer’s brisk and engaging narrative takes readers from Japan’s ancient origins through its rapid modernization, offering a concise but rich perspective on the country’s evolution.

Next, Shibusawa Tatsuhiko’s Takaoka’s Travels transports us to a series of personal explorations that blend memoir, travelogue, and reflections on modern life in Japan. Shibusawa’s writing is as much about Japan’s landscapes and towns as it is a meditation on the shifts in Japanese identity and place.

We then turn to Mild Vertigo by Kanai Mieko, a novella that masterfully captures the subtle yet poignant aspects of domestic life. Kanai’s nuanced prose delves into the daily rhythms and existential reflections of her protagonist, resonating with readers as it examines themes of marriage, motherhood, and the passage of time.

In I Would Meet You Anywhere: A Memoir, Susan Kiyo Ito offers an intimate exploration of family, identity, and belonging. Through her personal journey as a Japanese American, Ito reflects on the complexities of cultural heritage and the universal search for connection.

Finally, Eleanor Burkett’s Washi Memories is a tribute to the traditional Japanese art of paper-making. Burkett combines historical research with her own hands-on experiences, immersing readers in the tactile world of washi and celebrating its role in Japan’s artisanal heritage.