Japanese Inn
by Oliver Statler
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Description
The beguiling story of the Minaguchi-ya, an ancient inn on the Tokaido Road, founded on the eve of the establishment of the Tokugawa shogunate. Travellers and guests flow into and past the inn - warriors on the march, lovers fleeing to a new life, pilgrims on their merry expeditions, great men going to and from the capital. The story of the Minaguchi-ya is a social history of Japan through 400 years, a ringside seat to some of the most stirring events of a stirring period.'Statler has show more created a strangely beautiful book that succeeds in conveying intact not only a great deal of its history but the mood of that land. The result is sheer delight. Japanese Inn is the work of a master craftsman; it is so well conceived that the narrative moves from past to present in the same paragraph without the slightest confusion to the reader; it is so well written that only in retrospect is one aware of its remarkable flawless style. Through the author's particular magic, the stories unfold as one narrative, as beautifully and memorably as the unrolling of a long Japanese scroll.'-CURT GENTRY'The reader learns much of Japan's past - and, as is inevitable in a study of that country, of present-day Japanese as well. Mr Statler's prose succeeds in evoking the pageantry of the past in the brilliant color of the kabuki stage. Nothing seems to have been overlooked by the author. Mr Statler's book is Japanese history made easy, and grand entertainment.'- NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW'Much of it is told in fictional form. Some of the episodes have come out of family annals and memories, some from the records of the temple; some are imagined; but all could have happened... Mr Statler has told the story vividly and with sympathy. It moves. It has the authentic feel of Japan.'-INTERNATIONAL HERALD TRIBUNE show lessTags
Recommendations
Member Reviews
One of the best but most overlooked books I've ever read. The story of the Minaguchi-ya Inn, strategically located along the historic Tokaido Road, is skillfully woven into the history of pre-modern Japan, and each successive generation of innkeepers has a part to play in the battles, conspiracies, intrigue, art, politics, pilgrimages and highway robbery that unfold at its doorstep. Beautifully written, with reproductions of famous Japanese prints, this story is a walk into another world.
This was a fascinating book on the history of Japan. It tells the history by recording the events and people that passed by an Inn on the main road between the Emperor and the Shogun. Well written and humorous, a great way to read history. It's also filled with reproductions of historic Japanese prints.
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Author Information
5+ Works 632 Members
Some Editions
Awards and Honors
Distinctions
Series
Belongs to Publisher Series
Pyramid Books (N-695)
Work Relationships
Common Knowledge
- Original publication date
- 1961
- Important places
- Japan; Minaguchi-ya, Ichikawa, Chiba, Japan
- Dedication
- To
James A. Michener - First words
- Once again I am driving southwest on the great Tokaido Road that runs between Tokyo, the present capital, and Kyoto, the ancient capital.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)The Minaguchi-ya was in business again.
Classifications
Statistics
- Members
- 381
- Popularity
- 81,615
- Reviews
- 2
- Rating
- (4.12)
- Languages
- English, German
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 10
- ASINs
- 27
