Customer Reviews

Introducing Kyoto

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The clearest expression of the Japanese genius is always found in the small...the simple expression of an essential character and insight. In that sense, this book itself exemplifies its subject; the city of Kyoto, Japan's cultural heart. A map on the inside cover with locations of treasured sites begins our orientation. A foreward by Donald Keene evokes his experience of the grace and pleasures of Kyoto and locates us in the poetic character of the city. The visual and tangible is the key to any understanding of Japan and for most of us it is the only route around the barrier of language. It is surprising, but perfectly appropriate, to find our next stage is not text but a series of photographs that rank among the best this writer has seen on the subject (if only as a collection of superb photographs this book would be a bargain). These photographs lead to text that gives us, clearly and succinctly, a brief history of the city.which, in turn, is followed by another series of photographs with examples of daily life and craft continuing the past into the present. A list of principal festivals, line drawings of selected costumes and artifacts, a chronology of Japanese history(on the inside back cover) interspersed through the book all follow the principle of focusing on the essential.. As an introduction to Kyoto this little book is exemplary; as a capsuled insight into Japanese culture it is indispensible.