First published in 2006

For over fifty years, the Japanese-born Western-trained author of this remarkable volume devoted himself to explaining Japanese traditions and customs to foreigners through his newspaper columns, talks and four short books.

The comprehensive work presented here, drawn from all these sources, deals with all aspects of Japanese life and material culture — apparel and utensils; cures and medicines; houses and buildings; fetes and festivals; fish, birds and animals; folk tales; food, sake and tobacco; living habits; marriage, funerals and memorials; natural phenomena; plants and flowers; popular beliefs and traditions; recreation and entertainment; religious rites and social customs.

With over seven hundred and thirty separate entries, this unique volume is the definitive work on all Japanese things.