{"product_id":"hidden-japan-an-astonishing-world-of-thatched-villages-ancient-shrines-and-primeval-forests-paperback","title":"Hidden Japan: An Astonishing World of Thatched Villages, Ancient Shrines and Primeval Forests - Paperback","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cp style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/reportcopyrightinfringement.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eReport copyright infringement\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eAlex Kerr\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"A sharp-tongued spokesman for Japan's environment and traditions\" --\u003ci\u003eThe New York Times\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eIn Alex Kerr's critically acclaimed \u003ci\u003eLost Japan\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eDogs and Demons\u003c\/i\u003e, he documented the decline of the traditional landscapes of Japan, his adopted home of many years. Here, in \u003ci\u003eHidden Japan\u003c\/i\u003e he makes a journey of rediscovery to find the wonders that still remain. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eOriginally published in Japanese as a call to preserve disappearing facets of Japan's rich and ancient culture, \u003ci\u003eHidden Japan\u003c\/i\u003e records Kerr's travels to various remote and lesser-known places where pockets of traditional culture can still be found. Some are faraway--like Aogashima Island, 200 miles south of Tokyo--while others are easy to reach, such as Mii-dera temple just east of Kyoto. The ten engaging essays in this book describe surprising remnants of Japan's fragile physical and cultural environment, including: \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAvant-garde Butoh dancing in the remote village of Tashiro in Akita Prefecture\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHow shochu liquor is distilled from tropical ferns on the Pacific island of Aogashima\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAn austere but delicious kaiseki meal in rural Tottori Prefecture composed of local herbs and meats\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAnecdotes relating to Kerr's childhood growing up in Japan and his passion for restoring old houses\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe damage caused by governmental infrastructure and reforestation policies, as well as by tourism\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePlus many other topics! \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cbr\u003eKerr's sharp eye for detail and exquisite descriptions of Japanese, arts, architecture and foods will inspire readers who already appreciate his unique look at the \"reality\" of Japan beyond the romance. His personal involvement and obvious love for his subjects encourage us all to think more carefully about our own traditions and environment, and to challenge ourselves to search for better solutions to preserve what is of value all around us.\u003ch3\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAlex Kerr\u003c\/b\u003e is an environmentalist, travel writer and restorer of old Japanese houses. Born in Bethesda, Maryland, he came to Japan with his family as a child and has been based in Kameoka, near Kyoto, since 1977. He studied Japanese at Yale University, Chinese as a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University, and has also travelled extensively and written about Southeast Asia. Starting with \"Chiiori,\" a 300-year old thatched roofed house in Iya Valley, Shikoku, which he bought while still in college in 1973, he has gone on to restore over forty old houses around Japan. He writes and speaks widely in Japanese as well as in English on rural revival and town planning, sustainable tourism, Japanese art and landscape. For his work he has been appointed a \"Visit Japan Ambassador\" and received the \"Agency for Cultural Affairs Commissioner's Commendation.\" Kerr's books include \u003ci\u003eLost Japan\u003c\/i\u003e (1993), \u003ci\u003eDogs and Demons\u003c\/i\u003e (2001), \u003ci\u003eLiving in Japan\u003c\/i\u003e (2006), \u003ci\u003eTheory of Japanese Landscape\u003c\/i\u003e (2014), \u003ci\u003e Another Kyoto\u003c\/i\u003e (2016), \u003ci\u003e Finding the Heart Sutra\u003c\/i\u003e (2020), \u003ci\u003eJapan Pilgrimage\u003c\/i\u003e (2020), and \u003ci\u003eAnother Bangkok\u003c\/i\u003e (2021). Kerr's passions are also documented in his TED talks, including \u003ci\u003eThe Secrets of Things\u003c\/i\u003e, 2021, \u003ci\u003eRural Revival Using What's on Hand\u003c\/i\u003e, 2019, and \u003ci\u003eNew Life for Old Towns through Sustainable Tourism\u003c\/i\u003e, 2013.\u003c\/p\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 256\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.9 x 7.9 x 5.1 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e September 05, 2023\u003c\/div\u003e\n            ","brand":"BooksCloud","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47457135263997,"sku":"9784805317518","price":22.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0817\/3414\/0157\/files\/wyIIW3bqZb9784805317518.webp?v=1777234389","url":"https:\/\/booktolia.com\/products\/hidden-japan-an-astonishing-world-of-thatched-villages-ancient-shrines-and-primeval-forests-paperback","provider":"booktolia","version":"1.0","type":"link"}