Customer Reviews

Minka: My Farmhouse in Japan

5 star:		(3)
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Describing the loving restoration of an 18th century Japanese farmhouse by a well-known AP correspondent, this book also gives intriguing glimpses into Japanese culture of today and yesterday. John Roderick is careful to point out that he could not have accomplished the restoration without the Japanese family who "adopted" him. I found the book hard to put down, so skillfully is it constructed.

I loved this book! Rarely have I read a book that combines the richness of Japanese architecture, history and culture with the personal experiences of an American correspondent who simultaneously adopted a Japanese son and eventually gained a 18th century Japanese farmhouse in the process. It is a lively and fascinating account of John Roderick's life over a 50 year period of living in this country that remains an enigma to most foreigners. This is a refreshing look at a bit of Japanese archecture and family life accompanied by a witty, candid, and entertaining writing style. I strongly recommend it!

Interesting account of buying, disassembling and
reassembling 250 year Japanese farmhouse.

I knew this was going to be a fun book when on
page 30 the author is discussing the
village where the house he is buying is located.
The then owner says
"My honorable ancestor found safety here in 1188..."
The author buys the house for 5,000 yen (about US $16).

I was slightly puzzled at the exact nature of
the relationship of the author to the Japanese man
"Yochan".

Also a few color photos would have been good.