
Japanese Proverbs
Wit and Wisdom: 200 Classic Japanese Sayings and Expressions in English and Japanese text
David Galef(Author)
Tuttle Publishing
Published on 10. October 2012
Book
Paperback/Softback
224 pages
978-4-8053-1200-1 (ISBN)
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Description
"Destroy a nation, but its mountains and rivers remain."-Japanese proverb
This is a collection of 200 Japanese proverbs with illustrations and explanations for each saying.
Japanese Proverbs: Wit and Wisdom is a delightfully illustrated compilation of traditional Japanese sayings and maxims. Some of the classic Japanese quotes and quotations, like "Fall down seven times, get up eight," capture the dogged perseverance of the Japanese heart. Others, such as "A red lacquer dish needs no decoration" illuminate both a universal truth and Japan's unique, aesthetic traditions. Japanese Proverbs: Wit and Wisdom has proverbs of great cultural significance as well as proverbs on matters of daily life and customs.
Pleasing to expert and new-comer alike, the 200 traditional proverbs in this unique collection are presented in Japanese calligraphy form, along with direct English translations. Similar proverbs are given from English, and the sumi-e style ink drawings are a delight in their own right.
Amateurs and Japanese language enthusiasts alike will speak Japanese with the verve and nuance of a native when they use these apt and witty expressions.
This is a collection of 200 Japanese proverbs with illustrations and explanations for each saying.
Japanese Proverbs: Wit and Wisdom is a delightfully illustrated compilation of traditional Japanese sayings and maxims. Some of the classic Japanese quotes and quotations, like "Fall down seven times, get up eight," capture the dogged perseverance of the Japanese heart. Others, such as "A red lacquer dish needs no decoration" illuminate both a universal truth and Japan's unique, aesthetic traditions. Japanese Proverbs: Wit and Wisdom has proverbs of great cultural significance as well as proverbs on matters of daily life and customs.
Pleasing to expert and new-comer alike, the 200 traditional proverbs in this unique collection are presented in Japanese calligraphy form, along with direct English translations. Similar proverbs are given from English, and the sumi-e style ink drawings are a delight in their own right.
Amateurs and Japanese language enthusiasts alike will speak Japanese with the verve and nuance of a native when they use these apt and witty expressions.
Reviews / Votes
"...A likeable book...tells us much about Japan." -from the foreword by Edward G. SeidenstickerMore details
Edition
First Edition, Bilingual edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Boston
United States
Edition type
Bilingual edition
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Illustrations
Bilingual Japanese and English text; b&w illus throughout
Dimensions
Height: 228 mm
Width: 153 mm
Thickness: 20 mm
Weight
298 gr
ISBN-13
978-4-8053-1200-1 (9784805312001)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
New editions

Book
03/2025
Tuttle Publishing
€14.50
Available (delivery time upon request)
Additional editions

David Galef
Japanese Proverbs
Wit and Wisdom: 200 Classic Japanese Sayings and Expressions in English and Japanese text
E-Book
10/2012
Tuttle Publishing
€16.49
Available for download
Persons
David Galef is an American scholar, novelist, critic, poet, translator and essayist. He is a professor of English at Montclair State University and author of many books of fiction and poetry, including Turning Japanese (1998), Flaws (2007), and My Date with Neanderthal Woman (2011).
Jun Hashimoto is a New York-based artist and illustrator. His art and illustrations have graced everything from Scotch labels to book covers.
Jun Hashimoto is a New York-based artist and illustrator. His art and illustrations have graced everything from Scotch labels to book covers.