The Japan Society Review

By Haruki Murakami These two novellas, available for the first time in English outside of Japan, were Haruki Murakami’s first works. They form the first two parts of the informally named Trilogy of The Rat. Review by Chris Corker

By Dorothy Britton Dorothy’s memoir, apart from being a frank record of her peripatetic life bridging the three cultures of Britain, America and Japan, has much to tell the reader about her contributions to cultural interchange [...] Review by Sir Hugh Cortazzi

Edited by James D. Babb The book does exactly what its title and tastefully illustrated cover would suggest, providing an immense examination of the history, trends and possible future of innumerable aspects to the study of Japan. Review by Richard Coxford

Compiled and edited by Sir Hugh Cortazzi In reading these detailed and sometimes learned essays, it is interesting to reflect on how, while some themes are timeless, so much in the geo-political context has changed. Pilcher was reporting at a time when [...] Review by Sir David Warren

By Shusaku Endo Endo insightfully depicts the characters in different situations amidst the persecution of the Christians in Urakami, a suburb of Nagasaki, during the turbulent years of the latter half of the nineteenth century. Review by Suki Maw

By Yoko Ogawa The tales that comprise Revenge have a broader significance to one another, generating a sense of co-dependence that gives birth to a narrative greater than the sum of its parts. Review by Chris Corker

By Norio Tsuchiya Norio Tsuchiya explains the history of netsuke and describes the different materials used to make them including ivory and various kinds of wood. She also gives some account of artists and carvers involved [...] Review by Sir Hugh Cortazzi

By Thomas L. Wilborn Twenty years ago Thomas Wilborn completed one of his final papers on the strategic triangle between China, Japan and the USA. Reading it today provides an intriguing insight into recent developments in Japan. Review by Michael Sullivan

By Robert Jay Lifton In this informative and chilling book, Psychiatrist Robert Jay Lifton takes a look at the structure and appeal of Aum, as well as the influences that brought it into existence. Through interviews with former members [...] Review by Chris Corker

By Hiromi Kawakami Strange Weather in Tokyo is an understated, poetic, gentle, profound, thoughtful, poignant, beautiful story centring on the friendship between Tsukiko Omachi and Harutsuna Matsumoto. They both frequent [...] Review by Susan Meehan