Books on Japan?

[mazzybear]

I've always been fascinated by Japan and it's people, that fascination has only inreased since starting back with Karate, so I'm looking for books on anything Japanese. If anyone on here can recommend some books, I'd really appreciate the help. I've looked on the like of amazon but as you can imagine there are so many to choose from, I don't know where to start. Anything from general history to the Samurai or Shintoism and of course the Martial Arts. I recently read Patrick McCarthy's translation of The Bubishi, while confusing at times, it was a very interesting read, so anything along these lines would be great.

Mo.

[chiliphil1]

There is a good one that I read a while back, if you have a smart phone or a kindle it is a free book from amazon but it is called Bushido: The soul of Japan. This is a pretty good book, I enjoyed reading it and you sure can't beat the price!

[mazzybear]

There is a good one that I read a while back, if you have a smart phone or a kindle it is a free book from amazon but it is called Bushido: The soul of Japan. This is a pretty good book, I enjoyed reading it and you sure can't beat the price!

Thanks, I actually had a look at this one a couple of times, it looks a very interesting read. I prefer books in hard copy but when there are such books for free, it's hard to ignore the lure of buying a Kindle.

Mo.

[tallgeese]

There are several and it can be daunting. For my money, the most historical (for the time period it covers) scholerly, and well researched book on my shelf (and my favorite) is this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Heavenly-Warriors-Evolution-Military-Monographs/dp/067438704X

It's a great read with great history and the warrior mythology that it led to. Highly recommended.

Also, check out:

http://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Samurai-Martial-Feudal-Japan/dp/4805309601

This is a great view of historic arts and the systemic patterns that led to todays arts. Very complete.

The Nitobe text that chiliphil1 refers to is excellent as well when you're looking at the established bushido of the post- Tokugawa samurai.

http://www.amazon.com/Bushido-Soul-Japan-Inazo-Nitobe/dp/1568364407/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1421253578&sr=1-1&keywords=bushido

It's heavy on philosophy (by heavy I mean completely) but you get a good overview of the concept. This goes to the late era mindset of the samurai.

Your comment about the Bubishi is common and one I've had about several texts. Consider the difference in culture, time frame, and language and it's easy to see how this can happen. I always look for good, credible translations. When in doubt, go with Cleary for these things. His Book of Five Rings which includes The Book of Family Traditions on the Art of War by Yagyu Munenori is the best of the long list of translations and can make things way easier.

Good luck and let us know if you come up with some you like specific to this.

[mazzybear]

Thanks Tallgeese, I'll be sure to check those out.

The Heavenly Warrior looks to be a good read, lots of positive reviews.

Mo.