Happy New Year
2008

 
Hatsumode, a young girl purifing her hands before New Year prayers at Tomizuka-Hachiman Shrine in Totsuka.

Coming Attractions:
13 January 2008

Richard J. Samuels will give his second talk at Good Day Books.  His talk, titled “Securing Japan,” is a must for people interested in Japanese national security issues. To attend this talk, please buy a copy of Securing Japan from us. 

           BOOKCLUBS
On 13 January, BOOKCLUB members will discuss Securing Japan by Richard J. Samuels.
On 20 January, members of our Non-Native Speakers’ group will discuss To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.

Conan the Librarian says:

Strangest Questions Of The Month:  I bought a book here three weeks ago. What was it called?

How long does it take a new book sitting on the shelf to become used? 

Where is your post-apocalyptic section?

I sold my books to you a few years ago, how much do you owe me?

What do I have to say to be in Conan’s column?

Exercise in futilty:  Speed reading How To Be Idle.

Strangest Book Traded This Month: A guide to Mt. Paektu issued by the Democratic People’s Republic of (North) Korea.

Books we are not likely to see: Laughs with Wit and Findings in Human Body (Digestive Organs)(sic). Both were published in North Korea last year.

  The photograph below is the final resting place of Edward Seidensticker.  His name is engraved in katakana on a marble wall beside the headstone.  

Walking the Old Tokaido Road: Tokyo→Kyoto #4

Progress report:  Hodogaya to  Fujisawa.  Our intrepid duo have now walked 51 kms from their starting point at Nihonbashi. 

Pictured below, an inn, which was used by samurai, in Hodogaya.