Bibliography
-or-
Where Does Oniko Get All His Crazy Ideas?

Reference Pages Index -- Oniko Goes To Japan Main Page

General Reference

• Dreamland Japan: Writings on Modern Manga, by Frederick L. Schodt, 1996 Stone Bridge Press.
  If you're new to the subject of Japanese comic books, you'd best get a copy of Schodt's first book on them, Manga! Manga!. This second volume from him goes into greater detail about the current history of both mainstream and independent comics in Japan, as well as lots of in-depth information about a large number of innovative creators and their influence on the industry.
• The Japanese Mind, by Robert C. Christopher, 1983 Fawcett Columbine.
  While this book is full of interesting details, its presentation is definitely slanted; it comes out of the 1980's school of Japanese studies that's only concerned with why Japan was experiencing a huge economic boom at the time, and we weren't. As such, it quickly paints a picture of the country being culturally centered only around big international businesses, with all other aspects of life being unimportant. Extremely biased; keep that in mind if you read this sucker.
• Japanese Religion: A Survey by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, edited by Horii Ichirou, Ikado Fujio, Wakimoto Tsuneya, & Yanagawa Keiichi, 1972/1981 Kodansha America.
  A review of the histories and influences of the major religious movements in Japan as of 1972. Covers Shintou, Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, and older folk religions and new religious movements.
• Manga! Manga! -- The World of Japanese Comics, by Frederick L. Schodt, with foreword by Osamu Tezuka, 1983/1986 Kodansha International Ltd.
  If you want to start learning about Japanese comic books, then get this book! Schjodt does a wonderful job of introducing the history of manga in Japan, talks about the major creators in the field up to about 1980, and examines the types of story and art in them in context to the larger ideas of the Japanese culture. Despite my description, it ain't stuffy at all... it's a fun read, and includes four short manga stories from influential creators.
• Myths and Legends of Japan, by F. Hadland Davis, 1920? Ballantyne & Company, Ltd., London, England.
  Full of wonderful old stories from Japan... in English, by the way.
• Shinto: The Kami Way, by Sokyo Ono, 1962/1997 Charles E. Tuttle Publishing Co., Inc.
  Tough reading, but very informative... you may want to learn a little about Buddhism in Japan before reading this, though.
• Traditional Japanese Culture & Modern Japan, by Yoichi Sugiura & John K. Gillespie, 1993 Natsume Sha [Natsume Company].
  A useful little book in both Japanese and English that explains a little about a lot. It has entries on a large number of items, events, beliefs, and customs in Japan, none longer than a couple of pages. very easy reading, and very informative!

• Mummies That Made Themselves, video, The Learning Channel 2002, 45 minutes.
  Everything you might ever need to know about the Japanese Buddhist priests who practiced the odd ritual of self-mummification.
• The Traveler's Guide to Japanese Pilgrimages, by Ed Readicker-Henderson, 1995 Weatherhill, Inc.
  Based mostly around detailed information regarding three well-known pilgrimage routes in Japan, it's also a great general reference guide about the history and customs of religious pilgrimages in Japan.
• "Journey to a Lost Japan", Travels, video , 50 minutes, 1991 Thirteen/WNET
  This is an episode of the PBS Travels series that follows Lesley Downer as she walks the ancient pilgrimage route between three sacred mountains in Yamagata prefecture, Japan.

• "The Saigoku Kannon Route", The Traveler's Guide to Japanese Pilgrimages, by Ed Readicker-Henderson, 1995 Weatherhill, Inc., pg. 63-114, 231-237.
• "The 'Thirty-three Places' Sacred to Kwannon", Myths & Legends of Japan, by F. Hadland Davis, circa 1900-1930 Ballantyne & Company Ltd., pg. 201-204.

Back to the Index & Reference Page - Back to Main! - Back to Top!

---

All illustrations in these pages are copyright (c)2002/2015 Garth Haslam, and shouldn't be used without his permission. To contact him Click Here!