Yoko Kawaguchi

Japanese Zen Gardens
by Yoko Kawaguchi
Photographs by Alex Ramsey

AMAZING, After reviewing this 208 page elegantly illustrated book I completely get what Zen means. I was enthralled all the way through, not just because of the gorgeous photography, but also the explanation of how the gardens are set up really blew me away. I loved the way the author took her time to teach us the history and symbolism of each one. I would recommend this blessed head turner to anyone looking for some calm and peace in their lives. This sweet find has easily made it to my nightstand to help keep the midnight meanies away. Thank you both, what a gentle energy to share with the world.

Love & Light,

Riki Frahmann… (más)

Butterfly's Sisters is an exploration of how Japanese women--and in particular geishas--have been represented in the West. Kawaguchi argues that the image of the geisha as the ultimate in female subservience, passive, trained to please men, and at once beautiful and alien--has affected how Westerners see Asian women in general. The bulk of the book is taken up with a discussion of influential nineteenth century Western works, from paintings and sculpture to photography, movies and books and operas such as Madam Butterfly and Madame Chrysanthème; less time is devoted to how World War Two and the American Occupation affected Western ideas of Japanese women, and more recent incidents of appropriation (Madonna, Memoirs of a Geisha) are confined to the epilogue. I did wish that Kawaguchi had explored some of those later periods a little more, but there's more than enough food for thought in the rest of the book. While it's not a light read, Butterfly's Sisters is well-written and engaging even for someone like me with very little background in the subject. Recommended for those interested in Japanese culture, or in understanding more about cultural appropriation.… (más)