The Japan Society Review

By Onda Riku Time and again, Onda Riku forces us to confront the ugly truths behind the questions: Who are we really? What drives us to act the way we do? And can we ever know the inner thoughts of another? Review by Laurence Green

By Marc Peter Keane From his vantage point as a garden designer and writer based in Kyoto, Marc Peter Keane examines the world around him and delivers astonishing insights through an array of narratives. Review by Katie Croft

By Liane Grunberg Wakabayashi This compelling and insightful memoir reads like a classic love story full of trials and tribulations. Liane Grunberg Wakabayashi’s spiritual journey in Japan from secular to orthodox Judaism is a reflection on transformation, relationships, family values, finding happiness, and being true to oneself. Review by Renae Lucas-Hall

The last issue of The Japan Society Review in 2021 presents six reviews of books which focus on different aspects of Japan, from its history to anthropology and textile design.

By Murakami Haruki Murakami T: The T-Shirts I Love is an ode to that most humble item of clothing, as the author takes us through a selection of some of the favourites from his own personal wardrobe Review by Laurence Green

By Joy Hendry This book is a heart-warming, funny, informative and highly personal love letter to Kurotsuchi, the small village in Fukuoka Prefecture, Kyushu that anthropologist Joy Hendry first visited in 1975 to undertake a year of fieldwork whilst during her time as a PhD student at Oxford University. Review by Alice French

By Sudo Reiko This luxurious large format book, bound in NUNO fabric, is encyclopaedic in both content and weight and is a fitting celebration of the work of one of Japan’s most innovative and respected textile design studios. Review by David Tonge

By Haneda Masashi Professor Haneda’s book is a very important addition to de-westernise World History as a subject, which so far is still too heavily western-centric despite all its good intentions. Review by Francesco Cioffo

By Jayne Joso This collection of short stories, some of them illustrated by Japanese Manga artist NAMIKO, revolves around the main characters’ loneliness taking many shapes and forms. Review by Eleonora Faina

By Annegret Schopp-O'Dwyer Celebrating cherry trees in London this book achieves its aim of making you see 'joy at your fingertips' with wonderful photos and light-hearted socio-historical text. Review by Carole Tongue