The Japan Society
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The Japan Society Review

The Japan Society Review is an digital publication covering Japan-related books and films, as well as theatre and stage productions, tv series and exhibitions. Published since 2006, it is released now on a quarterly basis and is available online on our website and printed for members. Its purpose is to inform, entertain and encourage readers to explore the works for themselves.

The Japan Society Review is possible thanks to the work of volunteers who dedicated their time and expertise to help us to promote the learning and understanding of Japanese culture and society.

To become a reviewer, please fill the form here and let us know a little about you, your professional or academic background, your interest, passion or expertise regarding Japan and the type of works you would like to review.

If you have any questions, please contact reviews@japansociety.org.uk.

The Courtesan and the Samurai

Books

The Courtesan and the Samurai

By Lesley Downer. Bantam Press, 2010, 352 pages, ISBN-10: 0593057937, £12.99. Review by Elizabeth Ingrams.

When Honda Met Rover

Books

When Honda Met Rover

Edited by Mike Carver, Nicholas Seale. and Anne Youngson. CSY Publishing, 2008, 177 pages. ISBN-10: 0956034306. Review by Kiyoshi Ikemi.

My Song Story in My Life – The Youth of the Showa Era [わが人生の歌がたり 昭和の青春]

Books

My Song Story in My Life – The Youth of the Showa Era [わが人生の歌がたり 昭和の青春]

By Hiroyuki Itsuki [五木寛之], Kadokawa Shoten. 2008, 206 pages, ISBN: 978-4-04-883994-5. Reviewed by Mikihiro Maeda.

The Golden Age of JAPANESE OKIMONO, Dr A.M. Kanter’s Collection

Books

The Golden Age of JAPANESE OKIMONO, Dr A.M. Kanter’s Collection

By Laura Bordignon. Antique Collectors’ Club, pages 302. copiously illustrated with colour plates. ISBN 978-1-85149-609-9. Review by Sir Hugh Cortazzi.

The Gardens of Japan

Books

The Gardens of Japan

By Helena Attlee This is not a guide to Japanese gardens. Nor is it a history of Japanese gardens. It consists of photographs with brief descriptions of selected gardens. The photos are well and artistically taken, but [...] Review by Sir Hugh Cortazzi

The Mongol Invasions of Japan 1274 and 1281

Books

The Mongol Invasions of Japan 1274 and 1281

By Stephen Turnbull Illustrated by Richard Hook, Osprey, 2010. 96 pages, copious illustration, ISBN978 1 84603 4565. Review by Sir Hugh Cortazzi.

Soul Dance: Selected Poems

Books

Soul Dance: Selected Poems

By Takako Arai. Translated by Jeffrey Angles, with Sawako Nakayasu and You Nakai. Mi’Te Press, 2008, 64 pages. ISBN: 978-4-9904416-0-9. Review by Adam House.

Yasukuni, the War Dead and the Struggle for Japan’s Past

Books

Yasukuni, the War Dead and the Struggle for Japan’s Past

By John Breen (Ed). C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd, 2007, 202 pages, ISBN-10:850659079. Review by Sean Curtin.

Japan and its worlds: Marius Jansen and the Internationalization of Japanese Studies

Books

Japan and its worlds: Marius Jansen and the Internationalization of Japanese Studies

Japan and its worlds: Marius Jansen and the Internationalization of Japanese Studies. Edited by Martin Collcut, Kato Mikio and Ronald P. Toby. I House Press, Tokyo, 2007, 299 pages including index, ISBN 978-4-903452-08-1. Review by Ian Nish.

Conflict and Change: Foreign Ownership and the Japanese Firm

Books

Conflict and Change: Foreign Ownership and the Japanese Firm

By George Olcott. Cambridge University Press, 2009, 279 pages including index, ISBN 978-0-521-87870-8. Review by Sir Hugh Cortazzi.