Japan in 100 Words

As its title suggests, this book captures the essence of Japanese life and culture in 100 key words with insightful texts and charming images.
From well-known icons like Zen, kawaii and anime to lesser-known aspects of the culture like irori and katana, Japan in 100 Words covers it all.

In this delightful book readers will learn about:

• Fugu - The carefully prepared delicacy of poisonous blowfish
• J-pop - The wildy popular musical genre
• Karoshi - Literally translated as "death from overwork"
• Omiai - The Japanese version of arranged marriages

Beautiful watercolour illustrations bring the culture to life making this the perfect addition to every Japanophile's library and a fun and useful guide for first time visitors.

About the Authors

Gavin Blair has spent nearly two decades as a writer and journalist in Japan. He covers the Japanese entertainment industry for The Christian Science Monitor and The Hollywood Reporter, and reports on Japan for France 24 TV, CBC/Radio-Canada, Al Jazeera, BBC Radio and several other media outlets. He authored Giappone - La vita in zen (Zen in Japanese Culture) (NuiNui)-a visual journey through Zen's influence on all aspects of Japanese life.

Ornella Civardi has translated and edited the works of celebrated Japanese writers and poets, such as Yukio Mishima, Yasunari Kawabata, Junzaburo Nishiwaki and Yoko Ogawa. She has a degree in Oriental Languages and Literature from the Ca' Foscari University of Venice, with her thesis focused on Japanese literature. In 2005 she won a prestigious award, the Alcantara Prize, for her translation of Kawabata's Racconti in un palmo di mano (Palm-of-the-Hand Stories).

About the Illustrator

Ayano Otani is a Japanese artist and author. She has exhibited her works in pencil, watercolor and paper creations throughout Asia and Europe and has also collaborated with several European fashion designers. With NuiNui she published I Bakedanuki e i fantasmi giapponesi ( The Bakedanuki and the Japanese Ghosts ), a fairy tale inspired by Japanese folklore.