An unavoidable difficulty with books that deal with Japanese swords in general is that the workmanship of a smith has to be reduced to its most important characteristics which can be seen on the majority of his works. It is here that this work comes into play, with the motive to provide more concretely described reference examples. Unique is that - depending on the blade - former participant's kantei bids are also addressed. This means that one's own approach and attempt at attributing a blade may also be comprehended. With the 189 introduced kotô blades from altogether 19 provinces (including the five gokaden) this volume constitutes an extensive reference work. The order starts in the classical way, namely with the gokaden Yamato, Yamashiro, Bizen, Sôshû and Mino.

This book analyzes the impact of the Fukushima disaster on civil society in Japan with particular attention to the anti-nuclear movement, focusing on its development, repertoire of action, mobilization strategies, modes of operation, and impact on the state’s energy policy. Combining social movement theory and civil society theory, the author draws on extensive fieldwork in Japan to explore the context of the sociopolitical situation in Japan up to the Fukushima accident and to offer a typological description and analysis of the anti-nuclear movement that emerged after the disaster. Through an analysis of the relationship between the power elite and the anti-nuclear movement organizations, this volume considers the influences exercised by the ruling elites on civil society and vice versa, thus assessing the effects of the anti-nuclear movement on the state policy and the society. A comprehensive account of the anti-nuclear movement in post-Fukushima Japan, embedded within a broader perspective of the movement’s historical development, contemporary political structures, and opportunities, Fukushima and Civil Society will appeal to scholars of sociology and politics with an interest in social movements. Chapter 4 of this book is freely available as a downloadable Open Access PDF at http://www.taylorfrancis.com under a Creative Commons [Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives (CC-BY-NC-ND)] 4.0 license.

Eine nicht zu vermeidende Problematik bei allgemeineren Büchern über japanische Schwerter ist ja, dass die Arbeitsweise eines Schmiedes auf die wichtigsten, sich auf seinen meisten Klingen wiederzufindeden Merkmale reduziert werden muss. Hier setzt nun dieses Werk an, dessen Hintergedanke es war, mehr konkret beschriebene Referenzbeispiele bereitzustellen, die noch dazu im Sinne eines kantei, also einer Schwertbegutachtung, abgehandelt werden. Einzigartig ist hier, dass - je nach Klinge mehr oder weniger umfangreich - auch auf frühere Gebote von kantei-Teilnehmer eingangen wird, sprich eigene Ansätze bei der Zuordnung einer Klinge können so ebenfalls nachvollzogen werden. Mit 189 vorgestellten koto-Klingen aus insgesamt 19 Provinzen (inklusive der fünf gokaden) bietet dieser Band ein umfangreiches Referenzwerk.

New Generation of Japanese Swordsmiths is a Kodansha International publication.

In the election to the House of Representatives in 2009, the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) almost tripled the number of its lower house members by winning 308 seats. It subsequently formed a coalition government with the Social Democratic Party and the People’s New Party. The new ruling party promised to completely overhaul policymaking mechanisms that had been shaped over the past decades. Yet, the Japanese people quickly felt disappointed with the DPJ’s ‘policymaking engineering’. Examining the evolution of the decision-making process in Japan under the DPJ administration between the years 2009-2012, this book offers a multidimensional explanation for the reasons for the DPJ’s failure in producing effective policymaking mechanisms. Implementing conceptual tools borrowed from historical institutionalism, the author explains why the Democrats displayed inflexibility in introducing selected elements of the Westminster system, incoherence in regard to many aspects of the decision-making reform, and unwillingness to take advantage of all of the institutional resources at their disposal. The book argues that the examination of the DPJ’s origins and interactions with other parties is crucial in understanding its misconceptions regarding the institutional model, policy vision, and institutional tools required for a durable change in policymaking patterns. Illustrating its argument with a range of case studies, this book explains why, ultimately, the DPJ’s concept of a politician-led government resulted in failure. It will also be helpful in understanding the prerequisites for the success of institutional reforms in general. As such it will be of interest to students and scholars of Japanese studies, Political science, Asian studies.

Inspired by performance art and by the power of subtraction to find absolute beauty, Seiju Toda created a series of 33 compositions called Heian, a term meaning peace and serenity. In a meticulous process that took several years, Toda both assembled the pieces using plain wood and living creatures - birds, fish, insects, reptiles - and directed the photography with careful consideration for the natural elements. The result is a work of art unto itself; designed by the artist, printed on beautiful paper, intriguing, amusing, tranquil and pure.

Connoisseur's Book Japanese Swords is a Kodansha International publication.