Japan
(Romanization according to the
international Hepburn norms)
1
Fukumoto, Ichiro
Seishun haiku o yomu (Adolescence in haikus)
Tokyo : Iwanami Shoten, 2003. – XIV, 180 p.
(Iwanami junia shinsho ; 447)
ISBN 4-00-500447-4
Poetry – Haiku – Youth
A haiku is a poem consisting of three verses with 5-7-5 syllables
respectively, which captures the emotional experience of a single moment.
Using 60 poems about topics that are suitable for teenagers, such as
friendship, love, school life, etc. the author describes the essence and
appeal of haikus. Half of the poems were written by pupils, the other half by
teachers and well-known contemporary authors. With his sensitive
interpretation of the selected works, explaining the seasonal word and the
basic rule for each poem, the author introduces haiku poetry to readers and
encourages them to write their own. This book is also of interest to readers
outside Japan, all the more so as haikus are becoming increasingly popular
worldwide. (12+) <>
Special
Mention
2
Hasegawa, Setsuko (text)
Kanaida, Etsuko (illus.)
Ningyo no tabidachi (The dolls’ farewell)
Tokyo : Fukuinkan Shoten, 2003, – 206 p.
ISBN 4-8340-0619-0
Home country – Childhood memory – Imagination – This world / Next
world
As a child, the author of this book lived in a little town in the Sanin region
close to the Japanese Sea. There she learned about many old traditions and
regional customs; she witnessed humanity and sad fates. Setsuko Hasegawa
weaves mystic and religious elements into her memories and combines them with
an impressive description of the surroundings. Thus she creates five unique
short stories of high literary quality. The title story, for example, tells of
a few broken old dolls, which are placed under a tree on the temple ground by
their former owners to soothe their souls. Before the eyes of the protagonist,
the dolls disappear into the tree hollow, in which lies the sea Nirwana. In
all the stories, wondrous events befall the little heroine, but also some
painful ones. The exquisite and aesthetic illustrations highlight the mixture
of realistic and fantastic elements in the stories and help readers from other
cultural backgrounds to acquire a better understanding of the foreign subject.
(13+) <>
3
Hasegawa, Shuichi
[et
al.] (ed.)
Shashin de miru haiku saijiki – Juniaban (Glossary for haiku-poetry with
photographs for adolescents)
Tokyo : Komine Shoten, 2003. – 71, 79, 79, 71, 87, 87, 87 p.
ISBN 4-338-18800-6
(Vol. 1 and 2: Haru [Spring]; Vol. 3 and 4: Natsu [Summer], Vol. 5: Aki
[Autumn]; Vol. 6: Fuyu [Winter]; Vol. 7: Shinnen [New Year], and complete
index)
Poetry – Haiku – Nature – Season – Symbolism
According to traditional rules, a haiku has to include one word that refers to
a season. This lavish seven-volume work gathers about 3,200 of the so-called
»seasonal words«, which are introduced in 4,800 haikus by well-known
haiku-poets. Detailed information is given about the words’ symbolism and
background, which – thanks to the large number of photographs – is easy to
understand and lends an encyclopaedic quality to the books. In the appendix,
readers will discover some facts about the invention and development of this
Japanese form of poetry, about poets, rules, topics, and modes of expression,
methods of writing haikus, and their creative reception abroad. This is an
informative and inspiring work not only for pupils and teachers, but also for
students and haiku-lovers worldwide. (12+) <>
4
Hino, Kazunari (text)
Saito, Takao (illus.)
Kaeru no Heike monogatari (The frogs and the cat : a story inspired by »Heike
monogatari«)
Tokyo : Fukuinkan Shoten, 2002. – [40] p.
(Nihon kessaku ehon shirizu)
ISBN 4-8340-1854-7
War epic – Frog – Tomcat – Power struggle
In a 7-5-syllable metre, an old toad recites the epic of the rise and fall of
the Heike-clan to the frog children. A few chapters from this war tale from
the 13th century, retold in a
parodying manner, are turned into an imaginative picture book. The frogs, the
Genji-clan, use a trick to defeat the tomcat, the Heike-clan. The battle is
depicted in an elaborate style reminiscent of that in historical paintings:
The medieval armour of the frog army consists of petals, thorns, nut shells,
and stems of grass and their leaders are riding on grasshoppers. This original
book is designed in the manner of emaki (old picture scrolls) and painted in a
decorative painting style characteristic for Japan. (5+)¤
5
Matsutani, Miyoko (text)
Segawa, Yasuo (illus.)
Bosama
no ki (The blind minstrel’s tree)
Tokyo : Froebel-kan, 2002. – 38 p.
(Nihon mukashibanashi ; 4)
ISBN 4-577-025-48-5
Blind person – Minstrel – Tree – Miracle – Mercy – Gratefulness –
Folk tale
This new edition of an earlier series is a treasure trove for lovers of
Japanese folk tales and picture books. The stories are written in a melodious
language and in a narrative style peculiar to folk tales. The illustrations,
reminiscent of old brush drawings with a folkloristic touch, were painted by
the internationally acclaimed and award-winning artist Yasuo Segawa. Volume
four displays elements of illustrations from the Tanrokubon (block books),
popular in the 17th century. It
tells the story of the gratefulness of a drowned blind minstrel whose corpse
was discovered and buried by a ferryman: A wondrous tree grows from the grave
and gives pleasure to the village people. (6+)
6
Mogami, Ippei (text)
Cho,
Shinta (illus.)
Otosan no ki (The father’s tree)
Tokyo : Kyoiku Gageki, 2003. – [36] p.
ISBN 4-7746-0581-6
Father – Death – Grief – Friend – Compassion
This book tells the story of the everyday life of two friends. The father of
the first-person narrator’s friend had once found a wounded owl that his son
kept as a pet. »Over there, far away on a mountain top, stands an old tree in
which some owls have their nests,« the father once said. When he dies, the
friend releases his owl. Now, he wants to see his father’s tree himself and,
therefore, the two boys climb up overgrown paths. The sensitive narrator
shares his friend’s sense of loss and grief for the father. The empathetic
text, also suitable for reading aloud, doesn’t really need any
illustrations; nevertheless, the pictures – although they restrict
themselves to few colours and sometimes only hint at the portrayed objects –
lead the readers directly into the boys’ emotional world. (7+)
7
Murakami, Yasunari (text/illus.)
Yama no ofuro (Welcome to my winterland : the hot springs in the
mountains)
Tokyo : Tokuma Shoten, 2003. – [32] p.
ISBN 4-19-861768-6
Child – Forest animals – Thermal springs – Winter
Two children go cross-country skiing and come across a little mouse whom they
save from freezing to death. Once recovered, the mouse leads them to a secret
place with hot springs where the animals of the forest enjoy the warm water.
This delightful view in the midst of the snow-covered mountains makes the two
children step into the springs and join the animals for a bath. Nature-loving
artist Yasunari Murakami frequently chooses »nature« as the topic for his
illustrations. This time, he makes his readers experience a »steaming«
natural paradise in his witty pictures. He presents a snowy landscape, painted
in white alternating with warm colours, that radiates with a refreshing and
cheerful atmosphere. (3+)
8
Nagita, Keiko (text)
Air = Ea
Tokyo : Kin no Hoshisha, 2003. – 236 p.
ISBN 4-323-07030-6
Teenage girl – Parents – Love – Self esteem – Departure – First love
– Self awareness
At first glance, it seems as if 14-year-old Ea (Air), daughter of successful
parents and pupil at an elitist private school, lacks nothing while in fact
she desperately lacks self-esteem and longs to be loved by her parents.
Running away from home, the girl ends up in a flat where teenagers with family
conflicts can stay for a while. It is a temporary state that might end with
self-destructive criminality or lead back into the desired family life. When
Ea falls in love for the first time, she realises that loving others can fill
the emptiness in one’s own life. Despite the gloomy topic, the transparent
and light-hearted language of the text creates a graceful atmosphere. This
book underlines the importance of a happy family life. (14+)
9
Nakagawa, Naomi (text)
Murakami, Yutaka (illus.)
Minasoko no hitsugi (Coffins at the bottom of the lake)
Tokyo : Kumon Shuppan, 2002. – 335 p.
ISBN 4-7743-0648-7
Japan/1150-1202 – Priest – Artificial lake
While repairing the dam of the Sayama-ike, the oldest artificial lake in
Japan, workers come across some stone coffins of noblemen from the era of the
hill graves (4th to 7th
century). During some earlier repairs in the 12th century, commanded by the audacious priest ChÇgen,
these had been inserted into the dam as water channels. Using these facts as a
historical backdrop, the author describes the life of the orphan boy Komatsu,
who continuously struggles to survive. Komatsu meets with the ChÇgen
and other people and is fascinated by the symbolic meaning of fire. These
experiences motivate him to fight for the artificial lake in his home region.
Later in life, he decides to travel to China and learn the craft of porcelain.
Descriptions of a variety of historical events let this era come alive. (13+) G (43rd
Japanese Association of Writers for Children Prize; 2003)
10
Nishimaki, Kayako (text/illus.)
Aiueohayo (Good morning, Syllables!)
Tokyo : Kogumasha, 2003. – [24] p.
ISBN 4-7721-0167-5
Syllable – Piglet – Playing – Alphabet
Kayako Nishimaki, whose books perfectly meet the interests and emotions of
toddlers, offers a new type of ABC book created exclusively from embroideries
and applications. One sunny morning, the piglet triplets jump out of their
beds and start playing outside where they are soon joined by a mouse and a
mole. The funny scenes and the rhythmical text written in the Japanese
Hiragana-syllable-signs, vividly portray the cheerful world of children. The
second volume, Bokutachi ichiban sukina mono (That’s what we like
best), which uses the same method to teach numbers from one to ten, is also
well worth mentioning. Counting-out rhymes, for example, illustrate how the
triplets celebrate their fourth birthday. Both books create a warm and
comforting atmosphere. (3+)
11
Okada, Jun (text/illus.)
Ryu taiji no kishi ni naru hoho
(How to become a dragon-slaying knight)
Tokyo : Kaiseisha, 2003. - 109 p.
ISBN 4-03-646010-2
Actor – Dragon – Knight – Fight – Future – Wish
Yasuo accidentally left all his things at school. In the evening, when he goes
there together with his classmate Yuki
to fetch them, an actor in knight’s armour who claims to be a dragon slayer
is standing in their classroom. Suddenly, a real dragon appears and a fierce
fight ensues in which the children become involved. This unbelievable event
does not only strengthen the friendship between Yasuo and Yuki, it also deeply influences their
future lives: Yasuo becomes an author and Yãki an actress. This entertaining school story
with fantasy elements contains two messages, namely to have dreams for one’s
future and to strive to make them come true. (11+)
12
Sonoda, Hisako (text)
Maruki, Toshi (illus.)
Inochi no hana (The flowers of life)
Osaka : KaihÇ Shuppansha, 2003. – [36] p.
ISBN 4-7592-2230-8
Japan/1800 – Minority – Origin – Discrimination – Injustice –
Arbitrariness
In 1800, the inhabitants of a small village, which today is situated in the
urban area of Fukuoka, suffer an incredible injustice. A drunken Samurai who
pesters the people around him is beaten up by five citizens. In order to save
the face of the Samurai-class, the culprits have to be found and receive
capital punishment. Completely arbitrarily, the officials force the Burakumin,
a socially less privileged minority, to hand over five men, otherwise all
their houses will be burned down. On the basis of the temple’s death
register and the orally transmitted stories, the committed author and the
well-known illustrator have reconstructed this event very convincingly and
denounce injustice and discrimination in powerful pictures. (12+)
13
Suzuki, Yukie (text)
Suezaki, Shigeki (illus.)
Yuhigaoka no San (Sun, the dog from the hill of the evening sun)
Maisaka : Hikumano Shuppan, 2003. – 36 p.
ISBN 4-89317-309-x
Dog – Family – Farm – Everyday life – Seasons
The favourite place of a farmer’s boy is a hill from where he watches the
evening sun glide down over the mountains. One day, he finds a small dog
there, and although he already has various pets at home, he is allowed to keep
it. The dog is an amiable addition to the family and its lively character
makes the sick grand-mother regain some energy. The boy is therefore
terribly sad when the little dog suddenly disappears. Yet, in spring, it is
back again bringing its puppies with it and the farm is once more filled with
joy. The author’s positive outlook on life is expressed in her depiction of
the tea farmers’ daily life. Even if the people and their behaviour are
portrayed in a somewhat sketchy way, they still illustrate the change of the
seasons and the daily scenes with sufficient detail. (8+)
<>
14
Taniuchi, KÇta (text/illus.)
Donna michi
(What’s the way like?)
Tokyo : Shikosha, 2003. – [28] p.
ISBN 4-7834-0281-7
Path – Road – Countryside – Season
Paths we think we know repeatedly show us new faces depending on the time of
day, the season, and the mood of the person who walks along it. And what might
the road look like behind the next bend or that hill over there? The picture
book artist KÇta Taniuchi, who today lives in France, invites
his readers to join him for a walk along paths he has once taken: through
green fields of wheat, through the rain in the city, along the beach in
summer, through the forest in autumn, and towards the trees covered with hoar
frost in winter. He expresses his impressions in quiet naïve poetic pictures
with few words, leaving plenty of room for the audience to listen to their own feelings and
imagination. (3+)
15
Tomiyasu, Yoko (text)
Kajiyama, Toshio (illus.)
Mogaribue (Mogaribue, the winter wind)
Tokyo : Akane Shobo, 2002. – [32] p.
(Akane shin ehon shir§zu ; 14)
ISBN 4-251-00934-7
Wind – Winter – Child – Fear
In haiku poetry, »Mogaribue« is one of the words that symbolise winter. It
describes the piercing sound made by a freezing wind blowing across fences,
through trees, etc. In the countryside, a small boy wanders off to fly his
kite. The sound of the grass and bamboo trees swaying in the strong wind
frightens him. When, suddenly, he hears voices and spots a giant tiger in the
sky looking like a winter ghost and soldiers who chase it, the boy can no
longer stand the menacing, spooky atmosphere and runs home. Accompanied by a
gripping and lyrical text, Toshio Kajiyama’s pictures, drawn in his own
characteristic style of dots and brush lines, imaginatively illustrate an
everyday natural phenomenon. (5+)
16
Uchida, Rintaro (text)
Furiya, Nana (illus.)
Arigato tomodachi (Thank you, my friend)
Tokyo : Kaiseisha, 2003. – 31 p.(»Oretachi, tomodachi!« ehon shir§zu
; 6)
ISBN 4-03-232120-5
Friendship – Sea – Fishing – Failure
The friendship between Fox and Wolf, who are very different in character, is
fairly exciting. In a humorous way, this series of picture books called Friends,
which was started in 1998, describes the difficulties of true friendship in
various aspects. Even when the friends are happy together, envy, boasting, or
quarrels creep in. But in the end tolerance, compassion, and common sense
prevail. Because of the high quality of this series, the (didactic) message is
not too obvious. Instead, priority is given to the originality apparent in the
vibrant pictures with their delightful details. In volume six of the series,
Wolf boasts that he will catch a giant tuna for his friend, but he fails
miserably; luckily enough, Fox is quite generous. (5+)
17
Yoshimura, Keiko (text)
Tajima, Yukihiko (illus.)
Nanashi no Gonbe-san
(The nameless people)
Tokyo : Doshinsha, 2003. – 40 p.
ISBN 4-494-01237-8
Disability – Family – Air raid – World War II
War casts a shadow over the life of physically handicapped Momoko. The air
raids occur more and more often, her grandfather, usually a very caring
person, becomes angrier and angrier, and due to her handicap, she is not
allowed to start school. Deeply disappointed, Momoko protests, yet only the
neighbouring boys try to comfort her. One day, bombs rain down on the city.
The wheelchair with Momoko in it suddenly rolls through the flames, the boys
run with her through the sea of fire. Thousands of people perish in the
flames. And what about Momoko and the boys? With few words and many expressive
pictures from the little girl’s perspective, this picture book manages to
convey a convincing portrait of the horrors of war to child readers. (7+) <>