At last. A book of useful Japanese, offering the language you need to handle a wide variety of situations. Through hundreds of example sentences and dialogues, you'll learn what to say and do when: Setting up a business appointment Opening a bank account Making a wedding speech Reserving a place to stay Renewing a visa and much more Included is an additional chapter on writing cards and letters, featuring examples of New Year cards, thank-you notes, and normal letters. No other book covers colloquial Japanese as thoroughly as Japanese for All Occasions. Whether you're a student, traveler, or businessperson, you'll find that this book offers any easy and enjoyable way to improve your Japanese.

A concise guide for business people or tourists, Japanese Etiquette Today contains vital information for navigating tricky Japanese social interactions. Japan today "looks" more and more Western, principles governing social and business relations become harder to see. Most foreigners know that Japanese etiquette differs from that of other countries, but few people know the extent of the differences. It is this diversity that first attracted the authors of Japanese Etiquette Today, a book written to make working and living in Japan enjoyable and rewarding experiences. The authors look at a variety of formal and informal occasions governed by subtle rules--visiting a Japanese office and home, giving and returning gifts, attending weddings and funerals, and much more. The result is an informal overview of Japanese society and a manual of practical advice on getting a long in that society. Complete with essential vocabulary and phrases, this handy guidebook explains what to do and perhaps more important what not to do, what to say, what to wear, indeed, whatever you need to observe the complex rules of modern Japanese etiquette.

Traditional Japanese design imbues objects with a sense of history and artistry that easily reaches across cultural boundaries. In Things Japanese: Everyday Objects of Extraordinary Beauty and Significance, author Nicholas Bornoff and photographer Michael Freeman examine over 60 traditional objects that are uniquely Japanese, deftly illustrating their beauty and significance. Beautifully crafted samurai swords Elegant wooden tansu chests Elaborate tea ceremony implements Exquisitely carved netsuke toggles Fabulous silk-and-gold embroidered kimonos Each item is described in loving detail alongside lovely full-color photographs that highlight the great artistry and craftsmanship in everyday items used by real people in traditional Japan. Things Japanese is the perfect book for Japanese antique collectors or anyone interested in Japanese art and the culture and history of Japan.

Washi papercrafting is similar to Japanese origami, but uses higher-quality paper for more permanent-lasting projects. Lear how to fold washi with this fun guide. In Japan, paper and paper crafts are held in popular esteem. The originators of origami, the art of paper-folding, and kirigami, the art of paper-cutting, the Japanese also make their own paper, called washi. A colorful printed paper, washi is used to decorate everything from boxes to dolls. Noted for its strength, durability and flexibility, washi paper is available in a rich array of colors, textures, weights and patterns. Japanese Washi Paper Crafts is a selection of seventeen washi origami designs for decorating commonly available objects, such as milk cartons, boxes and eggs, which can be used in home decor, as gifts, or for special occasions. Every project is shown with clear, step-by-step diagrams. Color photographs show completed projects, as well as imaginative ways for displaying the finished crafts.

The art of slicing fruits and vegetables is demonstrated through this delightful collection of 50 different garnishes. Recipes are adapted from Japanese to Western kitchens.

The latest edition of this popular Japanese course for beginners has been completely rewritten to make learning the language easier and more enjoyable than ever before.

This book is a user-friendly language guide for basic spoken Japanese. To effectively learn Japanese and communicate in another culture you need more than the bare bones of the language. You need to understand the given norms of that society, how people interact, how things work, what the system is, how to navigate and manipulate those systems--in short, how to use the language in context. More than a Japanese phrase book, Conversational Japanese provides basic material for practical day-to-day communication. Through hundreds of example sentences and dialogs, as well as thorough explanations of the customs involved, learners will know what to say and do when: Meeting new people. Reserving a hotel room. Buying a train ticket. Offering a gift. Writing emails, business letters, cards and thank-you notes. This book aims to prepare you for situations you are likely to find yourself in if you go to Japan to visit or to work. Every chapter starts with a short introduction giving background knowledge for that topic; then there are dialogues based on rea-life situations which give you the words and phrases you need to manage a wide range of daily tasks from getting on with the neighbors, to buying a phone, shopping on the internet, sightseeing, visiting clients or giving a speech. The Japanese language is kept simple and clear and strikes a balance between Japanese textbook language and colloquial Japanese language. Real life Japanese conversations are untidy and elliptical. Unlike most language books, Conversational Japanese does not restrict the use of kanji (Chinese characters), and the sentences are written in the usual Japanese combination of kana (hiragana and katakana) and kanji. Since learning kanji is a difficult task, Conversational Japanese includes romanji (Romanized Japanese) for each word or phrase. As you progress, using kanji and kana will become easier to remember, and you should be able to pick up new kanji over time. Soon your abilities to speak Japanese, comprehend Japanese, read Japanese and write Japanese will be improved.

These origami decorations may look complex and expensive, but they are actually easy to create and will never wilt or shed, making them highly economical! Each wreath is assembled from a number of paper sheets that are folded and then cleverly slotted together. No glue or tape required! The ring itself is held together by the tension of the individual paper pieces using the techniques of modular origami. Full-color, step-by-step instructions help you fold and assemble these beautiful pieces. Different designs are provided for each month of the year--34 in all--and you can endlessly vary the colors and materials, which are readily available in any craft store. Here are just a few of the seasonal and festive themes found in this book: Valentine Hearts Spring Cherry Blossoms Tulips and Roses Shooting Stars Goldfish and Bunnies Fall Harvest Christmas And many more! This is a simple and creative way to add touches of beauty to your home or to create low-cost decorations for weddings, parties, holidays, and other special occasions. These versatile designs can be used in many creative ways: Wall and door hangings Table centerpieces Tree ornaments and toppers Doorknob hangers Picture frames