Kodansha

Ever wanted to draw manga but didn't know where to start? Ever felt there's something not quite right with your drawing but not sure what? Draw Your Own Manga: All the Basics is the book for you! The textbook of choice at Tokyo Animation College, the leading school for manga artists in Japan, it covers all the basic information you need to get started on drawing manga with clear and easy-to-understand instructions.

This third volume in the Draw Your Own Manga series is aimed at experienced manga artists who wish to improve their skills and technique. The book offers not only tips, practical instruction and inspiration but explains all the essential features of the main genres and the standard techniques used in common situations and action scenes.

"Edomae" means "in front of Edo," the old name of Japan's capital city. In 19th-century Edo, workers in search of quick, nutritious meals favored sushi made from freshly caught fish and vinegar-seasoned rice. Over the years, Edomae sushi became increasingly well-respected. Today, there are few written records about true Edomae sushi, but its technique and soul have been passed down from chef to chef. Now, Kikuo Shimizu, a master chef and owner of Kikuyoshi, a tiny but revered Tokyo restaurant, reveals how authentic Edomae sushi is made.

Budo is the spiritual way of the martial arts that all practitioners must follow if they are to be true martial artists. In this book, Masaaki Hatsumi explores the very essence of Budo, and demonstrates an array of important techniques relating to this essence, explaining how the concept of Budo transcends any one combat technique and is at the core of all the many martial arts developed in Japan.

Meet Rika the Rabbit, Pao the Elephant, Miki the Monkey, and a whole host of easy-to-make, super-cute Japanese characters. All you need is a needle, thread, and some brightly colored felt to bring these new friends to life!

What is mesmerizing about Mt. Fuji is its ever-changing appearance, transformed from day to night and season to season yet always breathtaking. This book features forty images of the mountain taken by two professional photographers who have devoted many years to capturing its beauty on film. In addition to the photographs, there are images of Mt. Fuji in art and crafts, which emphasizes the importance of the mountain to many aspects of Japanese culture. Included are a history of Mt. Fuji, popular climbing routes to the top, spots offering the best views, and maps for locating accommodations.

Fun & Fancy Sushi, Expanded Edition explains such basics as rice preparation and shaping, then goes on to cover the various types and shapes of onigiri (rice balls), as well as the myriad ingredients and garnishes that can be added, including fish, shellfish, chicken, vegetables and even fruit. Sidebars include: A Simple Way to Make a Rice Ball and Various Simple Tools, Folk Customs of Onigiri, The Nutritional Value of Rice, and Packing of Onigiri for on-the-go eating.

A fledgling samurai humbly requests to be taught the ways of the samurai by Yamamoto-sensei, the famed author of Hagakure, a book of samurai deeds that has been acclaimed throughout the land. Yamamoto takes on the education of the eager young samurai, and so begins a series of tales reminiscent of The Arabian Nights, with deeds both admirable and atrocious, but each one a lesson in the convoluted Way of the Samurai...

Even at the intermediate level, students of the Japanese language are often continually scratching their heads over the usage of verbs. It is no wonder that they should feel the need for a solid reference book, one they can continually turn to throughout their studying careers. The introduction takes the first step toward comprehension by pointing out the features of Japanese verbs that stand in contrast to their English counterparts.

This book, translated into English for the first time, draws on the essence of the founder's philosophy and spirituality, which was based on the Shinto religion. It presents such tenets as: the importance of harmony in the martial arts, the ultimate promotion of peace by dispelling any aggression through such harmony, and the divinity of the true self and the universe.

This book features detailed recipes for 60 quintessential izakaya dishes - delicious standards and specialties ranging from those often found on the traditional Japanese "comfort food" menu to highly innovative creations that reflect the living energy of pub culture. You will also find a wide range of information: izakaya history, profiles of Japanese ingredients and spices, a guide to the many varieties of sake, cocktails and other alcoholic drinks that are served, how-to advice on menu ordering, and much more.

Since its release twenty-five years ago, Shizuo Tsuji's encyclopedic and authoritative work has been the acknowledged "bible" of Japanese cooking. Unrivaled in its comprehensive explanation of ingredients, tools, and techniques, the book guides readers through recipes with clear prose, while technical points are made understandable with deftly executed line drawings.