A small illustrated book with handwritten anecdotes and vignettes of life in Japan as observed by a young American. Good looking book, and a nice, light read. Read February 2008 ( )

This is a beautiful book featuring elegant drawings of washcloths, fruit, street scenes, food, anything that took the author's fancy, with brief narratives or explanations in an attractive cursive font. It's a low-key art book. When she says Japan, she means Kyoto, and manages to be funny, respectful, engaged without being at all fascinated by the night life like so many male travel-writers who visit Japan. ( )

Ended up mostly just skimming this book, it was a bit of a disappointment. The illustrations to go with it were lovely, and sometimes said more than the short descriptive passages of Japanese life. It's really just a collection of short snippets of life from Japan. There's no real detail about everyday living, just bits and pieces that anime fans may or may not already know. ( )

Not a book as much as your own copy of the watercolor journal of Ms Williamson, this is an amazing glimpse into snippets of a year of life in Japan. It is very personal, as if the author was telling you about the event sitting next to you, sharing some tea. The book is lovely to look at as well as a joy to read. ( )