70 Japanese Gestures: No Language Communication (Mass Market Paperback)

~ Hamiru-aqui (Author), Aileen Chang (Translator)
Key Phrases: Slang Gestures, General Gestures, Children's Gestures

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Who needs to speak Japanese? There's a lot you can say with traditional hand gestures and body motions that are universal as well as uniquely Japanese. This whimsical look at "the language of no language" will teach you to hurl insults, flirt, agree, excuse yourself, cross the street, and even make promises-wordlessly! (And who is that stoic guy wearing a suit in all the photos?) Finally, a way to tell someone at a loud party, "Your underwear is showing," in four easy hand motions. This is a book for the serious student, the class clown, and the crazy guy at Akihabara Station hoping to communicate with Godzilla.

Hamiru-aqui is a Japanese artist based in Tokyo.

About the Author

Hamiru-aqui is a Japanese artist based in Tokyo. She received the 2001 London International Advertising Award. Aileen Chang is a 3rd-generation Chinese born and raised in Tokyo.

Aileen Chang is a 3rd-generation Chinese born and raised in Tokyo.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Stone Bridge Press (October 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1933330015
• ISBN-13: 978-1933330013
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #244,582 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing wealth of knowledge about Japanese culture, December 13, 2005

By	Lisa Shea "LisaShea.com" - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)

If you're a fan of the Japanese culture, then you know that communication is often full of non-verbal communication - hand gestures, body movements. Here's the way to decipher what those mean!

Written by Hamiru-aqui and translated by Aileen Chang, this brilliant book contains photos of a Japanese person doing the gesture, the name of the gesture and its full history. This is invaluable whether you read manga, watch anime, or enjoy any sort of Japanese cinema.

For example, what does it mean when a Japanese person puts a pair of fists in front of their nose, making their nose look longer? Does it mean they're telling a lie, like in Pinnochio? Hardly! It's actually representing a tengu, or Japanese demon. Tengu were known as being very conceited, so this hand gesture means you think the person you're referring to is an overly-proud person.

The book is full of not only standard hand symbols but also swears and 'dangerous hand movements', ranked by intensity. There are some hand movements you definitely do NOT want to do to a Japanese person - but you might not even realize it!

It's like the middle finger in American / British culture. That middle finger movement has a long history and immediately means something to us. To other cultures, it might not mean anything at all. Just as when we see a middle finger stuck at us we get an instant reaction, so do the Japanese get instant reactions to certain hand gestures and body movements.

This book is the key to deciphering what those movements mean, so that your enjoyment of the Japanese culture is even more complete!

Highly recommended, and very entertaining!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hilarious...and helpful, July 12, 2007

By	A. Lindhorst "angi's world" (Canada) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book was funny and insightful. It makes visitors to Japan aware that much can be said through a gesture and great offense or insult as well. It's always a good idea to research any country that you are going to visit and this book brings the reader one step closer to avoiding potentially sticky situations.

4.0 out of 5 stars Hysterical!, March 22, 2008

By	E. Mohat (Mentor, OH United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is hilarious and at the same time informative! Who knew learning could be so entertaining? It has a lot of fun insights into different aspects of Japanese culture. I only wish the book was longer and went more in-depth.