Japan from Anime to Zen

TABLE OF CONTENTS (tentative)


Introduction: A Land Apart: Japan's Defining Geography


Part One: Food and Drink




Introduction to Part One
Chapter 1: The Greenest Staple: Sea Kelp and its Many Uses
Chapter 2: Umami, Japan's "Fifth Flavor"
Chapter 3: Condiments and Ingredients in Japanese Cuisine
Chapter 4: Some Exotic Foods the Japanese Love
Chapter 5: Rice and its infinite products
Chapter 6: Noodles: Udon, Ramen, Soba, Yakisoba and Somen
Chapter 7: Japan's consensus "Greatest Invention": Instant Ramen
Chapter 8: What Makes Kobe Beef the World's Best
Chapter 9: Japanese Table Manners
Chapter 10: The Fine Art of Kaiseki Dining
Chapter 11: Beyond The Pub: Japan's Izakaya Culture
Chapter 12: All About Sake
Chapter 13: The Unique Qualities of Japanese Whiskey
Chapter 14: Beginners Guide to Japanese Tea
Chapter 15: Wagashi, Japan's Irresistible Sweets


Part Two: Modern Arts, Entertainment and Sports




Introduction to Part Two
Chapter 16: Karaoke!
Chapter 17: Kawaii and the Culture of Cute
Chapter 18: The Story of Manga
Chapter 19: The Art of Anime
Chapter 20: The Films of Hayao Miyazaki
Chapter 21: 8 Japanese Films to See Before You Visit Japan
Chapter 22: Internationally-known Modern Japanese Artists
Chapter 23: How Art Transformed Naoshima Island
Chapter 24: Crucial Post-War Japanese Architects
Chapter 25: A Compact History of the Capsule Hotel
Chapter 26: Bujitsu: Six Contemporary Martial Arts
Chapter 27: How Baseball Came to Japan (and Became Japanese)
Chapter 28: Sumo Wrestlers: The Life of a True Warrior
Chapter 29: The Novel: Japan's 20th Century Literary Titans


Part Three: Traditional Arts and Culture




Introduction to Part Three
Chapter 30: Hanami, Japan's the Most Iconic Scenery
Chapter 31: Elements of Japanese Garden Design
Chapter 32: The Art of Ikebana
Chapter 33: The Art of Bonsai: Creating Little Green Worlds
Chapter 34: From Food to Flooring: The Many Uses of Bamboo
Chapter 35: Kyoto and the Template of Japanese Architecture
Chapter 36: Japan's Delightful Ryokan
Chapter 37: The Pleasures of the Traditional Onsen
Chapter 38: The Sento, Japan's Everyday Onsen
Chapter 39: Haiku and the Japanese Love of Brevity
Chapter 40: The Strange Story of Japan's Alphabet(s)
Chapter 41: Japanese Woodblock Printing
Chapter 42: Folded Form: Origami and Kirigami
Chapter 43: Three Forms of Classic Japanese Theater
Chapter 44: The Kimono, Japan's Traditional Garment
Chapter 45: Elements of a Traditional Japanese Wedding
Chapter 46: The Japanese Tea Ceremony


Part Four: History and Archetypes




Introduction to Part Four
Chapter 47: Amaterasu and the Gods of Ancient Japan
Chapter 48: Carp, Cranes and other Symbolic (but Real) Animals
Chapter 49: Gifts, Giri and Japan's Obsession with Packaging
Chapter 50: The Heian Period: Japan's Classical Era
Chapter 51: The Shogunate
Chapter 52: Commodore Perry and the Opening of Japan
Chapter 53: Ways the Meiji Restoration Shaped Modern Japan
Chapter 54: The Samurai Class: More Than Warriors
Chapter 55: The Mysterious Ninja
Chapter 56: The Role of Buddhist Monks in Modern Japan
Chapter 57: Things to Remember When Visiting a Shrine or Temple
Chapter 58: Who the Geisha Really Were - and Are
Chapter 59: The Great Japanese Empire
Chapter 60: The Imperial Family Today
Chapter 61: Japan's Demographic Time Bomb


Part Five: The Foundations of Japanese Culture




Introduction to Part Five
Chapter 62: The Ubiquitous Power of Kata
Chapter 63: Bowing, the Fundamental Courtesy
Chapter 64: The Individual and the Group
Chapter 65: Japan's "High Context" Society
Chapter 66: Honne vs. Tatemae: The Two Faces of Japan
Chapter 67: Uchi-Soto: In-Groups and Out-Groups
Chapter 68: What is Ki?
Chapter 69: The Two Pillars: Buddhism and Shinto
Chapter 70: Zen Buddhism v. Pure Land Buddhism
Chapter 71: The Subtle, Confounding Zen Koan
Chapter 72: The Five Elements in Japanese Culture
Chapter 73: What Does Wabi-Sabi Mean?
Chapter 74: Ikigai: A Reason for Living