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Kate T. Williamson
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A Year in Japan Paperback – March 1, 2006

by Kate T. Williamson (Author)
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 102 ratings
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The author spent a year living in Kyoto and focuses on the lesser-known aspects of the country and culture

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Previous page
  1. Print length
    190 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Princeton Architectural Press
  4. Publication date
    March 1, 2006
  5. Grade level
    8 and up
  6. Reading age
    13 years and up
  7. Dimensions
    6 x 0.75 x 8 inches
  8. ISBN-10
    1568985401
  9. ISBN-13
    978-1568985404
  10. See all details
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The Amazon Book Review
The Amazon Book Review
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This delicately crafted artist's journal offers colorful impressions of a young woman's extended visit in Kyoto, Japan. Williamson's watercolors are playful, bright and spare, and each section illustrates a theme or topic that has inspired the artist/author over her travels to a country devoted to attention to detail. For example, Williamson explores numerous rituals of dining, such as offering a guest green tea accompanied by a piece of wagashi, or bean paste confection, and illustrates over two pages the elegant lunch she ordered at a temple serving shojin ryori, the vegetarian cuisine of Zen Buddhist monks. The sacred rope that unites the "male" and "female" rocks of the Shinto site Meoto-Iwa warrants both an intimate view (the rope) and a full, breathtaking seascape of the wedded rocks. Williamson renders eye-catching holidays from August's O'bon, featuring a trio of three white-socked and sandaled feet under pink kimonos, to April's stately sakura (cherry blossom) season. Some of the people Williamson depicts are sumo wrestlers wearing headphones and riding the subway, and two geishas side by side in full regalia—one apprentice, the other professional. For travelers to Japan, and those who treasure their visit, this is a splendid record. 350 color illus. (Mar.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

As soon as you open her book... everything from cherry blossoms to breathtaking seascapes, you'll fall in love (with Japan) as well. -- Radiant, Winter 2007

Best Postcollege Memoir: An insightful journal with text and illustrations of the wonders and oddities she saw. -- Glamour Magazine, April 2006

watercolors and text that explores everything from washi paper to karaoke etiquette (hint: singing Elton John, okay; Mariah Carey, not). -- Travel + Leisure, April 2006

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Princeton Architectural Press; 2006th edition (March 1, 2006)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 190 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1568985401
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1568985404
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 13 years and up
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 8 and up
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.01 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.75 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 102 ratings

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Kate T. Williamson

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Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
102 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Ambslynn
5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful, elegant book
Reviewed in the United States on April 12, 2023
Verified Purchase
My children and I are enamored with this book, and it is a uniquely lovely way to learn about another culture !
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pamela
5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful book
Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2023
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Loved the illustrations and the hand writing
I ordered a second one for my granddaughter since we’re going to Japan in July!
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars What a charming, beautiful, fun little book! Beautifully printed and a pleasure to hold in your hands, read, and enjoy.
Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2015
Verified Purchase
Found this book in a thrift shop, bought it because it looked pretty, and thoroughly enjoyed reading it. The artwork is so charming, and the Japanese culture covers areas we haven't seen anywhere else. We intended to send it on to our Japan-obsessed Navy daughter, but we loved it so much we had to buy her another copy so we could keep ours. Please do buy this. Kate T. Williamson is entertaining and I'll be looking forward to reading her books in the future.
2 people found this helpful
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Stef B
5.0 out of 5 stars Love this book.
Reviewed in the United States on February 12, 2014
Verified Purchase
I loved this book as itgave me a very personal insight to a "westerner" (for a lack of better words) living in Japan, a country so very different from ours. The images are beautiful and the text is well written and gives off loving impression of a great time. I keep browsing through it. This is great book.
3 people found this helpful
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Pipsqueak
3.0 out of 5 stars A Stylish Travel Journal
Reviewed in the United States on April 18, 2009
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Like Williamson's other book "At a Crossroads," this book is also stylishly illustrated and personal. The author definitely has an eye for details and has made astute observations about a foreign culture. It's an enjoyable, pictorial journal of one's post-college travel. A pleasant read.
5 people found this helpful
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Lisa Jayne
5.0 out of 5 stars A beatiful jewel box of a book
Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2007
Verified Purchase
I purchased this based on reviews and the fact that I'm fascinated by Japanese culture. It's a jewel of a book - the illustrations are beautiful and I was really suprised as the quality of the text. It's as if a good friend came back from her travels and shared wonderful stories of her time spent in Japan. It's also a lovely book if you like using art journals as inspiration for your creative pursuits, plus it would make a great gift.
3 people found this helpful
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Oceangirl
1.0 out of 5 stars Misleading Title
Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2024
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This book was intended to be a gift for a friend living in Japan, but it is NOT a year’s experience in Japan. It is most likely a year’s worth of her drawings, illustrations of author’s book. It’s lovely if you are looking for a book that has two pages only of illustrations of socks only! I returned it in perfect condition when I decided on another gift for recipient and received only 99 cent credit back despite timely return.
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Michael Valdivielso
5.0 out of 5 stars Fruit, Zen, and Socks.
Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2008
Verified Purchase
A book full of fun and humor by Kate T. Willamson is just the thing I needed to relax this past week. With colorful images and interesting observations she brings a small piece of Japan for the readers to enjoy. Socks, blossoms, food and people are all subjects of interest to the author as she traveled about Japan for a year. Just have to wonder about her footwear fetish.
3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Sue Cornwall
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 7, 2019
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One of the best books I’ve ever owned and read. I read it in one day, although I have read it again 3 times so far. So much information about Everyday Japanese culture and the illustrations were absolutely brilliant.
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Nicholas Duguay
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful work of art
Reviewed in Canada on May 6, 2014
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A tremendous work of art that evokes great beauty and comfort. I find this book captures the very essence of Japan - a simple and elegant beauty.
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Lorna S.
4.0 out of 5 stars Wish I could spend A Year In Japan.
Reviewed in Canada on January 22, 2014
Verified Purchase
Excellent condition, and arrived in good time.
This book looks like a travel journal, with lovely drawings and handwriting. I appreciate a good eye for the many small details that make a place unique and make travel unforgettable.
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アマゾン花子
4.0 out of 5 stars とてもカラフルでかわいいイラスト
Reviewed in Japan on September 18, 2006
Verified Purchase
約200ページの中で、約75カットのきれいなイラスト。

それについての筆者の手書きの英文説明。

京都で見た、自分の住むアラスカでは見られない物についての驚き、

日本の文化、生活についての説明。

英文は比較的簡単です。

日本紹介の本には、エッ？と思ってしまうような間違いがよくありますが、

彼女のこの本の情報は正確です。

イラストは、布巾、柿、携帯、和菓子、

抹茶、苔寺、精進料理、もみじ、お弁当、

月見、団子､月の兎、宝塚、和紙、クリスマスケーキ、

鏡餅、ホットカーペット、梅、舞妓と芸者、

みたらし団子、お豆腐やさん、納豆、力士、桜、ランドセル、

千羽鶴、団扇、かき氷、などなどです。

私の大好きな日本の花火の絵だけがちょっと？だったので、

星4つにしました。彼女が書いたきれいな花火の絵が見たかったです。
6 people found this helpful
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AlBotross
1.0 out of 5 stars what a disappointment! I bought this book online so I didnt ...
Reviewed in Canada on September 9, 2015
Verified Purchase
When I bought this book, I was expecting something similiar to: A year in the merde, a brit who spent a year in Paris. what a disappointment!

I bought this book online so I didnt get a chance to look at it before buying it. The book is full of drawings or paintings, you are able to find more info about Japan on some blogs online that this book.
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