Japan Family

Ren Ishida is nearly finished with graduate school when he receives news of his sister Keiko's sudden death. She was viciously stabbed one rainy night on her way home, and there are no leads. Ren heads to Akakawa to conclude his sister's affairs, still failing to understand why she chose to abandon the family and Tokyo for this desolate town years ago. Haunted in his dreams by a young girl who is desperately trying to tell him something, Ren struggles to find solace in the void his sister has left behind.

Japan is arguably the preeminent food nation on earth, a Mecca for the world's greatest chefs, with more Michelin stars than any other country. The Japanese go to extraordinary lengths and expense to eat food that is marked both by its exquisite preparation and exotic content. Their creativity, dedication, and courage in the face of dishes such as cod sperm and octopus ice cream is only now beginning to be fully appreciated in the sushi and ramen-saturated West.

J. Thomas Hetrick’s self-deprecating and mostly autobiographical collection in chronological and short story format. The book represents his heartfelt thank you to the many individuals he’s met throughout his life. It documents his childhood experiences, family and friends, high school days, military service overseas, employment, and many other writings and milestones. Written for his daughters as a legacy document, Gratitude also includes an homage to his parents and paternal grandparents.

Tomi was born in Hawaii. His grandfather and parents were born in Japan and came to America to escape poverty. World War II seems far away from Tomi and his friends, who are too busy playing ball on their eighth-grade team, the Rats. But then Pearl Harbor is attacked by the Japanese, and the United States declares war on Japan. Japanese men are rounded up, and Tomi’s father and grandfather are arrested. It’s a terrifying time to be Japanese in America. But one thing doesn’t change: the loyalty of Tomi’s buddies, the Rats.

A witch violinist, Romance bubbling in the cauldron, the return of a ghost and fairy… Throw in an overprotective daddy and freaky mobsters getting in the way. FREE on Kindle Unlimited! I’m Sophie Rowling. Violinist, witch, and wholehearted believer in Magic and Happily Ever After. A terminal case of musician’s block and lost magic used to be my biggest problems. Dante Walker. Tall, cocky, and mysterious Mr. Wrong… who turns out to be the magical cure for my musician’s block. After rescuing me from murderous kidnappers, he ends up spending the night with me, in the same bed, and…...

Japan, 1939. On the Street of a Thousand Blossoms in Tokyo, two orphaned brothers are growing up with loving grandparents who inspire them to dream of a future firmly rooted in tradition. The older boy, Hiroshi, shows early signs of promise in sumo wrestling, while Kenji is fascinated by the art of creating exquisite masks for actors in the Noh theater. But as the ripples of war spread all the way to their quiet neighborhood, the brothers must put their dreams on hold - and then forge their own paths in a new Japan.

An unforgettable true story of resilience, family, and chasing your dreams against all odds. In this poignant and inspiring memoir, Tani Hanes recounts the remarkable life of her grandmother, Mitsuko Ishikawa, who grew up in early 20th century Japan dreaming of independence and education. Mitsuko's steadfast determination carries her through an arranged marriage, raising children during wartime, and carving out an accomplished career as a midwife, nurse and ikebana master - despite a society that expected her to be only a dutiful wife and mother. Through lyrical prose and vivid detail, ...

After their father's death, Harry, Frank, and Pierce Fukuhara - all born and raised in the Pacific Northwest - moved to Hiroshima, their mother's ancestral home. Eager to go back to his own land - America - Harry returned in the late 1930s. Then came Pearl Harbor. Despite being sent to an internment camp, Harry dutifully volunteered to serve his country. Back in Hiroshima, his brothers, Frank and Pierce, became soldiers in the Japanese Imperial Army.

Adventures of a lifetime… Great courage is needed in the face of danger and during the heat of battle. Not all of these characters willingly chose to go down heroic paths, but stepped up when needed. All will fight for what they believe in until the end, no matter the cost. This anthology focuses on East Asian warriors. Featuring stories by Charles Kyffhausen, Danielle Davis, Barend Nieuwstraten III, David W. Landrum, and Glenn Bresciani.

The city of magic and complex protocols, a haunted necklace, and ghosts and fairies… FREE on Kindle Unlimited! While stranded in Kyoto during a viral pandemic the Rowling family is making the best of things. Rick is working at the local division of USCAB while Mandy and Sophie spend their days binge-watching the jewelry shopping network, so when the case of a hexed necklace crosses Rick’s desk, Mandy is ready to tackle it. An emerald necklace on loan from a dance troop in Louisiana is playing hide and seek in its temporary home with the Kyoto Ballet Company. Worn by the deceased premier...

Spooks and magic, a mystic invitation, and an ancient monster on a killing spree… Free on Kindle Unlimited! It’s Halloween in Kyoto—the city of ghosts, fairies, gods and goddesses—where magick rules. Mandy and Rick Rowling are preparing to go back home to New York. But before they go, the god of thunder summons Mandy and Sara Abe, a local detective and sorceress, handing them “a small and easy” assignment to finish before the Rowlings leave this mystic city. A monster strikes during a fundraiser that Rick, Mandy, Sara, and her fiancé are attending. Once the mayhem begins, the ...

A hit-and-run. A frozen body. A missing ghost. Can this psychic defrost the truth? FREE on Kindle Unlimited! Talking to ghosts is a secret, but when a sorceress catches her in the act, Mandy Rowling’s world turns upside down. Sara Abe, a detective and a local sorceress discovers Mandy’s ability. Sara asks Mandy to teach her how to speak to ghosts. A group of tourists on the Midsummer Spooky Tour found a frozen body in a bamboo forest. But the body was not part of the tour. The big question: How did someone freeze to death in the middle of summer? The bigger question: Where is the ghost?...

Izumi Tanaka has lived an uneventful 17 years in her small town, keenly aware of all the ways in which her family is different from most of her classmates’. But then Izumi discovers a clue to her previously unknown father’s identity...and he’s none other than the Crown Prince of Japan. Soon she’s traveling overseas to meet the father she never knew and discover the country she's only dreamed of.

God's Mountain is set in a poor Samurai-era village in ancient Japan. Severe food shortages often forced older people to go to God's Mountain to die so their children would not starve. By sacrificing themselves in this way, the aged ones showed their sincere love for their families and believed that the mountain was the gateway to a fertile and beautiful world.

Bridget Jones meets James Bond! What happens when you stumble in the arms of a gorgeous man with DANGER! written all over? Especially, when you're stuck in your worst magical eclipse? FREE on Kindle Unlimited! I’m Sophie Rowling. I used to be a world-renowned violinist, until my world was turned upside down. Following a freak accident in Paris, I can’t remember how to play the violin anymore. To make matters worse, I’m supposed to perform for my childhood teacher’s retirement party, which is just weeks away. Usually I would turn to my BFFs, Jackie the ghost and Allegra the violin ...

Izumi Tanaka has lived an uneventful 17 years in her small town, keenly aware of all the ways in which her family is different from most of her classmates’. But then Izumi discovers a clue to her previously unknown father’s identity...and he’s none other than the Crown Prince of Japan. Soon she’s traveling overseas to meet the father she never knew and discover the country she's only dreamed of.

When the deliverymen set off in the morning, the children wait for the flicker of pedal and wheel. It's the demae—delivery men—setting off to deliver steaming trays of noodles to hungry customers all over the city. They are acrobats: whizzing past other bicycles, soaring around curves, avoiding the black smoke of motorcycles. When the children see them, they want to be them. And so they practice with bowls of wobbling water stacked on trays. The day passes, and, finally, exhausted, the demae return home, to their families, and, yes, to steaming bowls of noodles.

"Tales and Trails: Unraveling Asia's Urban Myths" is a delightful voyage through Asia's strangeness. This excellent book explores China, Korea, and Japan's cultures. It vibrantly blends folklore, history, and the human spirit. See the terrifying Gumiho, brave Chollima, mysterious Jade Rabbit, and Forbidden City whispers. Climb Kuchisake-Onna's terrifying peak in the dark Aokigahara Forest. From Beijing's hectic streets to China's calm farms, Japan's intriguing forests to Korea's wild beaches, these stories take listeners to many places.