Épisodes

  • Guitarist Marty Friedman and Dreaming Japanese

    Guitarist Marty Friedman and Dreaming Japanese
    Sep 9 2025

    Amy Chavez opens the show by asking Friedman to give a tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, who passed away on July 25, 2025. Friedman then turns to the reason for writing his book, co-authored by music journalist John Weiderhorn. Friedman talks about the co-writing process and describes it as “putting his musical abilities into words.” His latest solo release, Drama, he calls his best and most romantic work to date — a largely orchestral album that stretches beyond his usual style.

    Beyond music, Friedman reflects on being a “foreign talento” on Japanese TV, participating in variety shows, commercials, and thoughts on the Japanese entertainment industry. He reveals his inner growth writing the anime theme song Kirei na Senritsu (Beautiful Melody) for Kotoko.

    Friedman also shares his favorite Japanese book, Ai no Eigyō Hōshin (The Principles of Love Management) by Japanese producer Tsunku, advising young Japanese men on how to cultivate confidence. His favorite J-Pop songs are AKB48’s “Heavy Rotation” which he recalls performing with them at the Budokan. He praises Kahala Tomomi’s “I’m Proud” as an example of the Japanese concept of heta-uma which he explains at length in the podcast discussion. He points to Ikimono Gakari as another recommendation for those interested in learning more about J-Pop.

    For the full Show Notes with hyperlinks to Friedman's songs and a book review of his memoir Dreaming Japanese, visit the Books on Asia website at www.booksonasia.net

    The Books on Asia Podcast is co-produced with Plum Rain Press.

    Amy Chavez is author of Amy's Guide to Best Behavior in Japan and The Widow, the Priest, and the Octopus Hunter: Discovering a Lost Way of Life on a Secluded Japanese Island. Check out the

    Books on Asia website for book reviews and podcast episodes. Subscribe to the BOA podcast from your favorite podcast service.
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    51 min
  • Ginny Takemori on Translating Cats

    Ginny Takemori on Translating Cats
    Sep 1 2025

    A few of Takemori's favorite books on Japan are:

    1. Hitomachi, a photo book by Araki Noboyoshi
    2. Walking The Kiso Road by William Scott Wilson (See our podcast episode with the author)
    3. The Catalpa Bow by Carmen Blacker

    Takemori's upcoming translations are Grave of the Fireflies by Akiyuki Nosaka (Penguin Modern Classics, Sept. 2025), Hollow Inside by Asako Otani (2026) and Family of the Wasteland by Atsushi Sato (May 2027).

    Read a book review of Mornings Without Mii (previous title Mornings With My Cat Mii) on the BOA website.

    Subscribe to the Books on Asia podcast.

    The Books on Asia Podcast is co-produced with Plum Rain Press.

    Amy Chavez is author of Amy's Guide to Best Behavior in Japan and The Widow, the Priest, and the Octopus Hunter: Discovering a Lost Way of Life on a Secluded Japanese Island. Check out the

    Books on Asia website for book reviews and podcast episodes. Subscribe to the BOA podcast from your favorite podcast service.
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    38 min
  • Lina Terrell on Translating Okinawa

    Lina Terrell on Translating Okinawa
    May 7 2025

    Lina Terrell is a translator of Japanese historical texts. Today we are going to talk about her recently released translation of The Legacy of the Ryukyu Kingdom: An Okinawan History (JPIC, 2025) by Takara Kurayoshi, a native of Okinawa. Before Okinawa, the unified and independent Ryukyu Kingdom existed for 400 years. What was this island nation like and what kind of world did it exist in? Author and Okinawa native Takara Kurayoshi plumbs the depths of Okinawa's distant and obscure past.


    Amy and Lina discuss the Ryukyu Kingdom before it became a part of Japan. They discuss noro priestesses, sea pirates, and trade with China.

    Lina's favorite books on Japan are:

    The Roads to Sata: A 2000-Mile Walk through Japan b Alan Booth

    The World of the Shining Prince: Court Life in Ancient Japan by Ivan Morris

    The Books on Asia Podcast is co-produced with Plum Rain Press.

    Amy Chavez is author of Amy's Guide to Best Behavior in Japan and The Widow, the Priest, and the Octopus Hunter: Discovering a Lost Way of Life on a Secluded Japanese Island. Check out the

    Books on Asia website for book reviews and podcast episodes. Subscribe to the BOA podcast from your favorite podcast service.
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    18 min
  • Igor Prusa "Scandal in Japan"

    Igor Prusa "Scandal in Japan"
    Mar 31 2025
    Igor Prusa, Ph.D. is a Czech scholar in Japanese and media studies, currently affiliated with Ambis University Prague and Metropolitan University Prague. He received PhDs in media studies at Prague’s Charles University and at the University of Tokyo. His research interests include media scandals in Japan and anti-heroism in popular fiction. Today we're going to talk about his new book, Scandal in Japan: Transgression, Performance and Ritual (Routledge, 2024). He recently started teaching a course at the University of Vienna on the subject.Prusa explains his definition of a scandal, emphasizing its public revelation and media framing. He highlights the Unification Church scandal involving former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, noting its unique trigger by a tragedy and the role of foreign media in revealing information. Prusa also discusses narrative aspects and media event characteristics of Japanese scandals, concluding that while controversies often serve as rituals, they rarely lead to fundamental societal improvements.They then mull over two major Japanese scandals. The first is the Olympus scandal of 2011, exposed by CEO Michael Woodford, which involved hiding company losses for over 20 years through creative accounting and mergers. The scandal was initially covered by outside media, with the Financial Times playing a crucial role. The Nissan scandal, involving CEO Carlos Ghosn, revealed millions in personal financial gains and a conflict between Japanese and French governance. Ghosn's extravagant lifestyle and a planned merger with Renault further fueled public outrage. This conversation also highlights the role of media in scandal coverage and the cultural nuances of whistleblowing in Japan.Lastly, Prusa tells what his 3 favorite books on Japan are:1. Shimbun Kisha (新聞記者) by Isoko Mochizuki (望月衣塑子). Written in Japanese, this book provides insights into the role of journalists in Japan and how they have helped expose various scandals, including the Moritomo Gakuen and Shiori Ito rape cases. The book inspired a 2019 Japanese film by the same name.2. Media and Politics in Japan edited by Susan Pharr and Ellis Krauss, with a chapter on political scandals by Maggie Farley. This is a classic introduction to understanding the relationship between media and politics in Japan.3. Idols and Celebrity in Japanese Media Culture edited by Patrick Galbraith and Jason Karlin. Offers valuable insights into the role of idols and celebrities in Japanese media and culture, and how scandals can emerge in this context.Be sure to check out Igor Prusa's book Scandal in Japan: Transgression, Performance and Ritual.Visit him on social media at the following links:Academic website: https://mup.academia.edu/IgorPrusaLinkedIn (follow here for the latest Japanese scandals and Prusa's analysis)Facebook The Books on Asia Podcast is co-produced with Plum Rain Press. Amy Chavez is author of Amy's Guide to Best Behavior in Japan and The Widow, the Priest, and the Octopus Hunter: Discovering a Lost Way of Life on a Secluded Japanese Island. Check out theBooks on Asia website for book reviews and podcast episodes. Subscribe to the BOA podcast from your favorite podcast service.
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    35 min
  • Baye McNeil talks about Racism in Japan

    Baye McNeil talks about Racism in Japan
    Feb 19 2025
    In this episode of the Books on Asia podcast, Amy Chavez talks with Baye McNeil talk about being a black minority in Japan, Japanese views of black people, the "African Samurai," the arrival of Commodore Perry in 1854 (who brought a minstrel show with him who performed "blackface"), and some of the media's portrayals of black people in both the US and Japan. He cites the original Calpis beverage label with a blackface character and mentions tropes in Japanese television. He suggests Japanese change the way they tell stories and use biracial people to represent black people rather than their own representations of black people. He also reflects on teaching English in Japan, the power of propaganda, and the idea of "American exceptionalism."As a writer, columnist, and activist, Baye McNeil writes about diversity and inclusiveness. McNeil is a columnist for The Japan Times (English) where he writes the monthly column called "Black Eye" about the African American experience living in Japan and also writes for Toyokeizai Online (Japanese) where he shares reflections on life and race, as well as profiling people of color who are reshaping Japan's cultural landscape. He is author of two previous books: Hi! My Name is Loco and I am a Racist and Loco in Yokohama, both of which offer accounts of life as a visible minority in Japan. His latest book is Words By Baye, Art By Miki: Crafting a Life Together with Affection, Creativity, and Resilience.Baye's favorite books on Japan are Shogun, Gaijin, and James Clavell's entire series.Be sure to check out Baye’s bookWords By Baye, Art By Miki: Crafting a Life Together with Affection, Creativity, and Resilience available on Amazon.Visit him on social media at the following links:Website: www.bayemcneil.comAmazonGoodreadsFacebookLinkedInInstagram The Books on Asia Podcast is co-produced with Plum Rain Press. Amy Chavez is author of Amy's Guide to Best Behavior in Japan and The Widow, the Priest, and the Octopus Hunter: Discovering a Lost Way of Life on a Secluded Japanese Island. Check out theBooks on Asia website for book reviews and podcast episodes. Subscribe to the BOA podcast from your favorite podcast service.
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    25 min
  • Michael Pronko's New Books: Shitamachi Scam and Tokyo Tempos

    Michael Pronko's New Books: Shitamachi Scam and Tokyo Tempos
    Jan 27 2025
    Podcast host Amy Chavez talks with Michael Pronko, a Tokyo-based writer of murder, memoir, and music. He is professor of American Literature at Meiji Gakuen University. During his over 20 years in the country, he has written for Newsweek Japan, The Japan Times, and Artscape Japan, and has been featured on NHK TV and Nippon television. He also runs the website Jazz in Japan, which covers the vibrant jazz scene in Tokyo and Yokohama. Today, we're going to talk about Pronko's fiction, as well as his nonfiction books, including his most recently released Tokyo Tempos.Pronko's "Detective Hiroshi" series includes:The Last TrainThe Moving BladeTokyo TrafficTokyo ZangyoAzabu GetawayShitamachi Scam (which we talk about on the podcast today)Pronko's "Tokyo Moments" series includes:Beauty and ChaosTokyo's Mystery DeepensMotions and MomentsTokyo Tempos (which we talk about on the podcast today)Pronko's favorite books on Japan are:Empire of Signs by Roland BarthesThe Anatomy of Dependence by Takeo DoiYou Gotta Have Wa and Tokyo Junkie by Robert WhitingThe Zen books by D.T. Suzuki, and anything by Donald RichieYou can find Michael Pronko online at his website (http://www.michaelpronko.com) and at the following links on social media:AmazonInstagramGoodreadsFacebookLinkedInTwitter (X) @pronkomichael The Books on Asia Podcast is co-produced with Plum Rain Press. Amy Chavez is author of Amy's Guide to Best Behavior in Japan and The Widow, the Priest, and the Octopus Hunter: Discovering a Lost Way of Life on a Secluded Japanese Island. Check out theBooks on Asia website for book reviews and podcast episodes. Subscribe to the BOA podcast from your favorite podcast service.
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    24 min
  • Paul Martin on Japanese Swords

    Paul Martin on Japanese Swords
    Dec 16 2024
    Paul Martin is a Japanese sword expert who has worked at the British Museum and traveled extensively in Japan to study swords and armor. Martin's new book Japanese Swords and Armor covers 30 famous samurai warriors and their swords, armor, and other artifacts associated with them, from antique sets to modern treasures, each with its own historical and cultural significance. The book was originally published in both Italian and French, and will now be available in English from by Tuttle Publishing in Oct. 2024.He discusses the history and significance of Emperor Go-Toba, who was exiled to the Oki Islands but continued making swords there. The swords he made were marked with a chrysanthemum, which became the basis for the current Imperial seal.In this podcast episode, Paul Martin highlights some of the most notable pieces in his book, including a wooden sword made by Miyamoto Musashi and sword fittings attributed to him. Martin provided recommendations on the best places in Japan to see historical Japanese swords.Empeor Go-Toba was known for his poetry, much of it written while in exile on Oki Island. One particular poem involves the poet banishing the frogs from a nearby pond:"Frogs, croaking in the pond,Go away, banish your noise;In this world of sorrow,There is no need for your song." (translation generated from ChatGPT)This poem highlights Go-Toba's despair and the heavy burden of his exile. The imagery of banishing the frogs from the pond serves as a metaphor for his own banishment and desire for peace amidst his suffering.Paul also talks about the beginning lines of the Tale of the Heike, an epic that recounts the history of the late Heian period, including the life and exile of Go-Toba“The sound of the Gion Shoja temple bells echoes the impermanence of all things; the color of the sala flowers reveals the truth that to flourish is to fall. The proud do not endure, like a passing dream on a night in spring; the mighty fall at last, to be no more than dust before the wind.” Helen Craig McCulloughLastly, Paul's favorite books are:1. They Came to Japan by Michael Cooper, a collection of Jesuit records from the 17th century.2. The Tale of the Heike, (version translated by Helen Craig McCullough) a classic Japanese epic poem that reflects the concept of impermanence.“The sound of the Gion Shoja temple bells echoes the impermanence of all things; the color of the sala flowers reveals the truth that to flourish is to fall. The proud do not endure, like a passing dream on a night in spring; the mighty fall at last, to be no more than dust before the wind.” Helen Craig McCullough3. The documentary "The Emperor's Naked Army Marches On" by Kazuo Hara, which explores the ambiguities of Japanese culture and the horrors of war.Be sure to pick up his book: Japanese Swords and Armor: Masterpieces from Thirty of Japan's Most Famous Samurai Warriors (Tuttle, Oct. 2024)You can follow Paul Martin by clicking on the following links:Website: The Japanese Sword (thejapanesesword.com)YouTube: Paul Martin: The Japanese SwordFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/The.Japanese.SwordInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejapanesesword/Twitter: @thejapaneseswrd (https://x.com/thejapaneseswrd)LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thejapanesesword/ The Books on Asia Podcast is co-produced with Plum Rain Press. Amy Chavez is author of Amy's Guide to Best Behavior in Japan and The Widow, the Priest, and the Octopus Hunter: Discovering a Lost Way of Life on a Secluded Japanese Island. Check out theBooks on Asia website for book reviews and podcast episodes. Subscribe to the BOA podcast from your favorite podcast service.
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    24 min
  • Burritt Sabin on Yokohama and Kamakura

    Burritt Sabin on Yokohama and Kamakura
    Oct 30 2024

    Burritt Sabin was born in New York City and came to Japan as a naval officer in 1975. His professional career in Japan started as a journalist, and he quickly moved into writing and historical research. The first book we’re going to discuss today is about Yokohama, one of the first Japanese ports to open to foreign trade in the 1850s. A Historical Guide to Yokohama: Sketches of the Twice-Risen Phoenix is a window into a time when Japan was rapidly opening up to the world. (The book is in English, despite what the Amazon listing says.)

    The other book we’ll talk about is Kamakura: A Contemplative Guide,which highlights the first samurai capital in the 12th century. Shogun Minamoto no Yoritomo chose this city for the seat of his military government, ushering in the Kamakura Period in 1185.

    Subjects covered in the podcast:

    1. Townsend Harris and the opening of Japan (Yokohama)
    2. The meeting of Sun Yat-sen and Miyazaki Toten in Yokohama
    3. The Hotel New Grand in Yokohama

    4. The Great Buddha of Kamakura
    5. Natsume Soseki's and Suzuki Daisetz's sojourn at Kigen-in, Kamakura
    6. The Kamakura bunshi

    Sabin also discusses his three favorite books on Japan:

    1. The Death of Old Yokohama in the Earthquake of 1923 by Otis Manchester Poole
    A gripping account in real time of a man navigating the post-quake hellscape in an attempt to reach his family.

    2. Aru Shisei no To: Koshikata wa kanashiku mono kiroku (A Waif of the Streets: Record of a Sad Passage) by Hasegawa Shin
    Hasegawa Shin (1884~1963) recounts growing up in poverty in late-19th century Yokohama, teaching himself to read and write and later becoming a leading popular playwright.

    3. Sugao Kamakura (The True Face of Kamakura) ed. by Osaragi Jiro
    An insightful collection of essays on Kamakura by writers who have made the city home.

    Be sure to check out Burritt Sabin's books A Historical Guide to Yokohama: Sketches of the Twice-Risen Phoenix (2002) and Kamakura: A Contemplative Guide (2021), available on Amazon or at your favorite bookstore.

    The Books on Asia Podcast is co-produced with Plum Rain Press.

    Amy Chavez is author of Amy's Guide to Best Behavior in Japan and The Widow, the Priest, and the Octopus Hunter: Discovering a Lost Way of Life on a Secluded Japanese Island. Check out the

    Books on Asia website for book reviews and podcast episodes. Subscribe to the BOA podcast from your favorite podcast service.
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    25 min