Sado: Japan's Island in Exile [Paperback]

Angus Waycott (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1996

Given the choice, no one ever went to Sado, although the island off the west coast of Japan has considerable natural beauty. Instead, for a thousand years, Sada was a place of isolation and exile for the deposed, disgraced, or just plain distrusted--ex-emperors, aristocrats, poets, priests, and convicted criminals alike. But one year, one May, a British writer set out to circumambulate the island. The trek took him eight days, during which time he explored the truth about Sado's notorious gold mine, tracked down a vanishing badger cult, and visited the headquarters of the famed taiko Demon Drummers. This armchair-travel book describes what Angus Waycott saw and did on Sado and paints a vivid picture of one of Japan's most intriguing backwaters, now emerging from a long exile of its own.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The author has done his homework... The book benefits from his sharp eye and the charm of his writing." -Philadelphia Inquirer -- Review

About the Author

Angus Waycott first went to Sado in 1974. He is an author and broadcaster who lived in Japan for eight years.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Stone Bridge Press (September 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1880656213
• ISBN-13: 978-1880656211
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,199,507 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Sado : Japan's Island in Exile, June 25, 2009

By 

Humber 47 (Japan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sado: Japan's Island in Exile (Paperback)

If you have wanted to know what the real Japan is like then this is the book for you, Angus Waycott from the UK hiked around the entire Island and on his travels he met many of the locals, heard about the local legends of Sado like the famed badger cult visited the world famous taiko drumming group KODO. Several years ago I spent 5 days cycling around half the Island and it was this book that encouraged me to explore the Island myself. After reading the book I realized that there was a lot more to Sado than most people know and in this book you will also learn of Sado's unique history where gold was discovered and many outspoken Japanese were sent to live out their live in exile over a century ago. Also if you are looking at giving someone a present who has an interest in Japan , this book is perfect as it describes a lesser known destination in rural Japan and gives a fantastic insight into life on the island.

A great read.