Review 24: Tokyo On Foot

Here’s another book I received from Tuttle Books!
And, as always, they have agreed to give (gave) one free copy to a random visitor to my blog!

The book I’m reviewing today is titled “Tokyo On Foot” by Florent Chavouet.

“Tokyo On Foot” by Florent Chavouet

I will put the details of the free drawing for this book at the end of this post.

This is the first book by Mr. Chavouet in which he chronicled his adventures in Japan with his gorgeous hand-drawn pictures and in writing.
He has another book about his second trip to Japan titled “Manabeshima Island Japan“. (Click here to read my review that book, and enter the drawing for a chance to win a free copy!)

Mr. Chavouet is a French artist who stayed in Tokyo for six months while his girlfriend had an internship at a company here.  During the days, while his girlfriend was at work, Mr. Chavouet bicycled around the city and stopped at random places that he found interesting to sit and carefully draw what he saw.

Everything in Japan was new to him, so it was fun for me to read the book and see the city I live through the eyes of a visitor!

A small 八百屋 (fruit & vegetable shop) in Tokyo, as drawn by Mr. Chavouet.

This book can be enjoyed by anyone who is interested in Japan, especially Tokyo. As well as those who like quality drawings of people in their daily lives.

“Tokyo On Foot” can be purchased through Amazon here.

But, as I said above, Tuttle Books has agreed to give (given) one random visitor to my blog a free copy of this book.

***** Updated January 10th, 2016 *****

This special promo ended on 2016 January 10th. One random winner was selected and contacted directly by Tuttle Publishers (via email) with the details about the free book.

Thank you to all who entered, but only the winner was contacted.
*****

Review 23: Manabeshima Island Japan

I have received more books from Tuttle Books!
And, as always, they have agreed to give (gave) one free copy of each book to a random visitor to my blog!

The book I’m reviewing today is titled “Manabeshima Island Japan” by Florent Chavouet.

“Manabeshima Island Japan” by Florent Chavouet

I will put the details of the free drawing for this book at the end of this post.

Mr. Chavouet is an excellent artist!
This is the second time he spent time in Japan and chronicled his adventures in a book of his hand-drawn pictures and writing.
The first time, he stayed in Tokyo and documented his stay there in a similar book titled “Tokyo On Foot” (Click here to read my review of that book, and enter for a chance to win a free copy!).

This time, rather than a big city like Tokyo, Mr. Chavouet decided to spend two months on the small, sparsely populated, but beautiful island of Manabeshima.

Whether or not you’ve ever been to the island of Manabeshima, or even to Japan at all, anyone can enjoy this book!
The artwork is amazing and the book carefully and respectfully tells about the things and people Mr. Chavouet saw and interacted with on that island.

On the left shows the island’s small unique school, and on the right is Mr. Chavouet’s realistic drawing of it.

I enjoyed this book even though there were a few minor mistakes with the Japanese language in it. But those mistakes are minor and actually add to the appeal of the book because they show that the author isn’t real familiar with Japan and the language, so I could see it through his eyes as a “newcomer”.
On the subject of the Japanese language, though Mr. Chavouet couldn’t read Japanese, he was able to draw everything he saw perfectly…even the writing on signs!

“Manabeshima Island Japan” can be purchased through Amazon here.

But, as I said above, Tuttle Books has agreed to give (given) one random visitor to my blog a free copy of this book.

***** Updated January 10th, 2016 *****

This special promo ended on 2016 January 10th. One random winner was selected and contacted directly by Tuttle Publishers (via email) with the details about the free book.

Thank you to all who entered, but only the winner was contacted.
*****

Review & Giveaway 21: Tokyo – Capital of Cool

One more review of a book I’ve received from Tuttle Books!
As always, they have agreed to give (gave) one free copy of this book to a random visitor to my blog!

The book I’m reviewing today is titled “Tokyo: Capital of Cool” by Rob Goss.

Tokyo: Capital of Cool

I will put the details of the free drawing for this book at the end of this post.

This is a handcover book full of wonderful, large color photographs of Tokyo’s landscape, architecture, people, festivals, restaurants, and much more!

It includes maps of the areas shown and explains about them in detail.

There is also a chapter about Tokyo’s neighboring areas.

This book is perfect for anyone living in Tokyo, planning a visit, or just interested in Japan in general (and especially Tokyo, in particular)!

“Tokyo: Capital of Cool” can be purchased through Amazon here.

But, as I said above, Tuttle Books has agreed to give (gave) one random visitor to my blog a free copy of this book.

***** Updated August 31st, 2015 *****

This special promo ended on 2015 August 31st. One random winner was selected and contacted directly by Tuttle Publishers (via email) with the details about the free book.

Thank you to all who entered, but only the winner was contacted.
*****

Review & Giveaway 16: Japanese Kanji Made Easy

Yet another book from Tuttle Books!
Once again, they have agreed to give (given) one free copy of this book to a random visitor to my blog!

(Click here to read all of my reviews and giveaways.)

This book is titled “Japanese Kanji Made Easy: Learn 1,000 Kanji and Kana the Fun and Easy Way (with audio CD)” by Michael L. Kluemper.

“Japanese Kanji Made Easy: Learn 1,000 Kanji and Kana the Fun and Easy Way”

I will put the details of the free drawing for this book at the end of this post.

The written Japanese language has three scripts hiragana and katakana (collectively known as “kana“) and thousands of kanji.
This book introduces useful 1000 kanji and kana in an easy-to-remember method with illustrated pictographs.
Each kanji has the English meaning written, as well as the pronunciation in romaji (English alphabet).
It even has a CD so you can listen to the correct pronunciation of each word!

I already know all of the kanji (and of course, kana) in this book, but I can tell that it would make learning them easier than the straight memorization way that I did!

If you’re interested in learning Japanese, this book would be immensely helpful to you!

“Japanese Kanji Made Easy: Learn 1,000 Kanji and Kana the Fun and Easy Way” can be purchased through Amazon here.

But, as I said above, Tuttle Books has agreed to give (given) one random visitor to my blog a free copy of this book.

To enter the drawing for the free book, submit this form by 2015 May 10th:

***** Updated May 10th, 2015 *****

This special promo ended on 2015 May 10th. One random winner was selected and contacted directly by Tuttle Publishers (via email) with the details about the free book.

Thank you to all who entered, but only the winner was contacted.
*****

Review & Giveaway 15: Japan Journeys

Here is another book that Tuttle Books have kindly given to me to review and, again, they have agreed to give (given) one free copy of this book to a random visitor to my blog!

(Click here to read all of my reviews and giveaways.)

This book is titled “Japan Journeys: Famous Woodblock Prints of Cultural Sights in Japan” by Andreas Marks.

“Japan Journeys: Famous Woodblock Prints of Cultural Sights in Japan”

I will put the details of the free drawing for this book at the end of this post.

“Japan Journeys: Famous Woodblock Prints of Cultural Sights in Japan” is a hardcover book full of large, beautiful pictures of all kinds of ukiyoe (Japanese woodblock prints).

Mr. Marks is a historian of Japanese and Korean art and he gives explanations of the prints that show famous sights around Tokyo, Kyoto and other parts of Japan.

I have been to many of the places shown in these prints and it’s fun to see them depicted in artwork that is sometimes centuries old.

This book would be treasured by anyone interested in Japan, Japanese ukiyoe art, or artwork in general!

“Japan Journeys: Famous Woodblock Prints of Cultural Sights in Japan” can be purchased through Amazon here.

But, as I said above, Tuttle Books has agreed to give (given) one random visitor to my blog a free copy of this book.

To enter the drawing for the free book, submit this form by 2015 May 10th:

***** Updated May 10th, 2015 *****

This special promo ended on 2015 May 10th. One random winner was selected and contacted directly by Tuttle Publishers (via email) with the details about the free book.

Thank you to all who entered, but only the winner was contacted.
*****

Review & giveaway 14: Ultimate Origami

Tuttle Publishers has given me an excellent sets of origami set for beginners to review.

(You can read all of the reviews on my blog by going to my ““Reviews & Giveaways” page).

The publishers have kindly agreed to give (given) a set of free to two random visitors to my blog (one set each)!

This set, called “Ultimate Origami for Beginners Kit: The Perfect Kit for Beginners“ by origami masters Michael G. LaFosse and Richard L. Alexander, includes an instruction book, a step-by-step instruction DVD, and 62 origami papers.

“Ultimate Origami for Beginners Kit: The Perfect Kit for Beginners”

This set is perfect for anyone interested in Japanese art in general…but especially in learning Japanese origami (art of paper folding).

I’m not very good at origami…but I was able to fold many things by following the steps on the DVD and in the book!

You can buy “Ultimate Origami for Beginners Kit: The Perfect Kit for Beginners” through Amazon here.

But, as I said above, Tuttle Publishers is going to give (given) one free set of each of these origami papers to two random visitors to my blog (one set for each winner)!

To enter the drawing for the free book, submit this form by 2015 April 5th:

***** Updated April 5th, 2015 *****

This special promo ended on 2015 April 5th. Two random winners were selected and contacted directly by Tuttle Publishers (via email) with the details about the free sets.

Thank you to all who entered, but only the winners were contacted.
*****

Review & giveaway 12: Cool Japan Guide

Yet another review of a book and giveaway from Tuttle Books!!

(There is still time to enter in the drawing for a free copy of “Japanese Design: Art, Aesthetics & Culture“,
and “Comic Japan“.)

The next book that I’m am reviewing is a newly published book titled “Cool Japan Guide: Fun in the Land of Manga, Lucky Cats and Ramen” by Abby Denson.

“Cool Japan Guide: Fun in the Land of Manga, Lucky Cats and Ramen”

I will put the details of the free drawing for this book at the end of this post.

Ms. Denson is an American award-winning cartoonist who loves Japan and has visited often with her husband.

In this book, she describes with words and illustrations how to have an enjoyable trip to Japan.

If you are planning to visit Japan, have visited already or are currently here, this book will be very interesting and useful to you. In fact, even if you have no plans to actually visit Japan, you could still enjoy learning about Japan through the pages of this book.

“Cool Japan Guide: Fun in the Land of Manga, Lucky Cats and Ramen” is illustrated by the author on every page in comic-book style. It’s easy to understand, even if you have no knowledge of Japanese culture. Each chapter is prefaced with the definitions of numerous Japanese words and expressions to help your understanding further.

The last pages of the book also have useful website and smartphone app URLs.

“Cool Japan Guide: Fun in the Land of Manga, Lucky Cats and Ramen” can be purchased through Amazon here.

But, as I said above, Tuttle Books has agreed to give (given) one random visitor to my blog a free copy of this book.

To enter the drawing for the free book, submit this form by 2015 March 22nd:

***** Updated March 22nd, 2015 *****

This special promo ended on 2015 March 22nd. One random winner was selected and contacted directly by Tuttle Publishers (via email) with the details about the free book.

Thank you to all who entered, but only the winner was contacted.
*****

Review & giveaway 11: Comic Japan

Here is another review of a book and giveaway from Tuttle Books!

(There is still time to enter in the drawing for a free copy of “Japanese Design: Art, Aesthetics & Culture“.)

The next book that I’m am reviewing is titled “Comic Japan: Best of Zero Gravity Cartoons from The Japan Times-The Lighter Side of Tokyo Life” by Roger Dahl.

Roger Dahl’s Comic Japan: Best of Zero Gravity Cartoons from The Japan Times-The Lighter Side of Tokyo Life

I will put the details of the free drawing for this book at the end of this post.

Mr. Dahl is an American cartoonist who taught English and draws a comic strip for the English-language newspaper “The Japan Times” titled “Zero Gravity“.

This book is a collection of some of his best strips from the Zero Gravity comic.

If you are, have been or are interested in becoming an expat (especially one in Japan), this book will interest you.
Actually, you will like this book if you’re interested in life in Japan at all…even if you never even visited here.

“Comic Japan: Best of Zero Gravity Cartoons from The Japan Times-The Lighter Side of Tokyo Life” is about the life of an American couple who are in Tokyo to teach English and how they interact with Japanese neighbors, co-workers and customs.

“Comic Japan: Best of Zero Gravity Cartoons from The Japan Times-The Lighter Side of Tokyo Life” can be purchased through Amazon here.

But, as I said above, Tuttle Books has agreed to give (given) one random visitor to my blog a free copy of this book.

To enter the drawing for the free book, submit this form by 2015 March 22nd:

***** Updated March 22nd, 2015 *****

This special promo ended on 2015 March 22nd. One random winner was selected and contacted directly by Tuttle Publishers (via email) with the details about the free book.

Thank you to all who entered, but only the winner was contacted.
*****

Review & giveaway 9: Tokyo Travel Pack

Once again, Tuttle Books has given me a book to review on my blog.

This time I will be reviewing “Tokyo Travel Pack: Your Guide to Tokyo’s Best Sights for Every Budget (Travel Guide & Map)” by Rob Goss.

And, as before, Tuttle Books will be giving (gave) one free copy of this book to a random visitor to my blog!
(The details of the giveaway will be at the end of this review.)

This book is perfect for anyone who is planning for visit Tokyo, whether it’s their first visit here or they’ve been here a number of times. Also for anyone simply interested in Japan, particularly Tokyo.

The author, Rob Goss, has lived in Tokyo since 1999. He has written a number of books and magazine articles about Tokyo.

This guidebook offers many useful tips, including common phrases in Japanese, that would be very helpful to visitors in Tokyo.

It has a list of thirteen “Don’t Miss” sights in Tokyo with photos and an explanation of each. It also tells the opening hours, admission costs and directions to get to each one.

The next chapter of “Tokyo Travel Pack: Your Guide to Tokyo’s Best Sights for Every Budget (Travel Guide & Map)” gives a more detailed explanation of some popular areas in and around Tokyo.

And then, it also includes the book author’s recommendations for hotels, restaurants, nightspots, shopping, family-oriented attractions, museums, gardens, festivals and more!

There are maps of parts of this huge city throughout the book. But also includes a pull-out map of the heart of metropolitan Tokyo.

One small error I noticed is the list of Japan’s National Holidays. The dates of the holidays are no longer current since Japan adapted the “Happy Monday” system and now some holidays always fall on a Monday (for example, today (October 13th), coincidentally, is a holiday in Japan. Today (the day I’m writing this review) is 「体育の日」 (“Sports Day” (or “Fitness day”)). The book lists this holiday as October 10th. Until the year 2000, that was the date of this holiday…but it’s now the ‘second Monday of October‘.
This isn’t a big deal. Only four Japanese holidays have been affected by the “Happy Monday” system. And the rest of the information in the book is correct and current.

I recommend this book to anyone visiting, living in or interested in Tokyo.

“Tokyo Travel Pack: Your Guide to Tokyo’s Best Sights for Every Budget (Travel Guide & Map)” can be purchased through Amazon at this link.

But, as I said above, Tuttle Publishers is going to give (gave) one free copy of this book to a random visitor to my blog!

***** Updated October 27th, 2014 *****

This special promo ended on 2014 October 25th. One random winner was selected and contacted directly by Tuttle Publishers (via email) with the details about the free book.

Thank you to all who entered, but only the winner was contacted.
*****

 

Review & giveaway 8: Geisha prints Origami Sets

Tuttle Publishers has given two more sets of origami papers to review.

(You can read all of the reviews on my blog by going to my ““Reviews & Giveaways” page).

This time it’s two sets of origami papers with Geisha prints.

The publishers have kindly agreed to give (given) a set of each free to two random visitors to my blog (one set each)!

These sets, called “Origami Paper: Geisha Prints“, each have eight beautiful ukiyoe designs of geisha.
One set has origami that are 6¾ inches (square) and the other has 8 ¼ inches paper.

Both of these sets of origami are perfect for anyone interested in Japanese ukiyoe art or art in general, folding origami, or Japanese culture.

The artwork on each piece is gorgeous!

Both sets come with illustrated step-by-step instructions for folding a variety of origami animals, toys, kimono, etc.

You can buy “Origami Paper: Geisha Prints”(6¾ inches) here and (8 ¼ inches) here.

But, as I said above, Tuttle Publishers is going to give (has given) one free set of each of these origami papers to two random visitors to my blog (one set for each winner)!

***** Updated October 27th, 2014 *****

This special promo ended on 2014 October 25th. The random winners were selected and contacted directly by Tuttle Publishers (via email) with the details about the free origami sets.

Thank you to all who entered, but only the winners were contacted.
*****