Books Oct 17, 2020
Hans Brinckmann: Bearing witness to Japan’s postwar transformation
The Dutch writer’s follow-up to his 2005 memoir offers insight into Japan’s economic, political and cultural changes between 1950 to the present.
Stephen Mansfield
Photojournalist and author Stephen Mansfield's work has appeared in over 70 publications worldwide, on subjects ranging from conflict in the Middle East to cultural analysis, interviews and book reviews. A longtime Japan Times contributor, his latest book is "Japan's Master Gardens: Lessons in Space & Environment."
For Stephen Mansfield's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Books / Reviews Aug 8, 2020
‘Diary of a Mad Old Man’: This quick read reveals the realities of lust
Junichiro Tanizaki’s final novel is a tragicomic tale about a man coming to terms with his ailing body and uncontrollable libido.
Books / Reviews Aug 1, 2020
‘A Late Chrysanthemum’: A short story collection full of pathos and maturity
This anthology of short stories may tend toward the morally dubious, but it’s a solid introduction to literary masters of the 20th century.
Books / Reviews Jul 4, 2020
Healing from the horrors of war in ‘The Garden of Evening Mists’
Tan Twan Eng’s evocative novel about loss, art and memory was shortlisted for a Man Booker Prize in 2012.
Books / Reviews Jun 20, 2020
‘The Story of a Single Woman’: A frank, unsentimental gaze at past loves
Chiyo Uno’s semi-autobiographical novel captures the spirit of a woman unrestrained by social norms.
Books / Reviews Jun 14, 2020
‘Pictures from the Water Trade: An Englishman in Japan’ review: Unveiling Tokyo with a memoir in disguise
Published in 1985, John David Morley’s “Pictures from the Water Trade” foreshadowed contemporary methods and approaches to travel writing about Japan.
Books May 24, 2020
‘Peaceful Circumstances’: Negotiating relationships in a time of war
Roger Pulvers’ “Peaceful Circumstances” is a coming-of-age novel about a young woman at a time when the world is rapidly unraveling.
Books May 16, 2020
The suspended traveler’s reading list
Travel writing can change your life, or at least nudge it in a different direction. In these troubled times, it can also console and inspire.
Books / Reviews | ESSENTIAL READING FOR JAPANOPHILES May 2, 2020
'The Book of Tea' review: Tea ceremony and all its complex subtleties
A.L. Sadler examines in minute detail the origins of tea drinking and the rich and complex components of its ritualization.
Travel Apr 25, 2020
Where we want to go in Japan once this is all over
COVID-19 has put a pause on travel, but that doesn’t mean we can’t plan. The Japan Times’ Escape page regulars write about where they want to go in Japan once we see the back of COVID-19.