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.

Demystifying Pearl Harbor – A New Perspective from Japan

Books

Demystifying Pearl Harbor – A New Perspective from Japan

Takeo Iguchi, translated by David Noble, 343 pages including index and bibliography, I-House Press, Tokyo, 2010, ISBN 978-4-903452-19-7.

Sino-Japanese Relations: Facing the Past, Looking to the Future?

Books

Sino-Japanese Relations: Facing the Past, Looking to the Future?

By Caroline Rose, Routledge, 2005, 175 pages, ISBN 0-415-29722-2.

Kamome Diner (かもめ食堂/Ruokalla Lokki)

Films & Series

Kamome Diner (かもめ食堂/Ruokalla Lokki)

Directed by Naoko Ogigami, Released in 2006, 102 mins. Review by Susan Meehan.

Unearthed

Events

Unearthed

Unearthed exhibition This exhibition brings together prehistoric ceramic figurines from the Balkans and Japan for the first time. Over 100 figurines from Albania, Macedonia, Japan, Romania and the UK are on display, including ornate [...] Review buy Susan Meehan

The Hare with Amber Eyes, A Hidden Inheritance

Books

The Hare with Amber Eyes, A Hidden Inheritance

By Edmund de Waal, Chatto and Windus , 2010, 354 pages, ISBN 9780701184179. Review by Sir Hugh Cortazzi.

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