Books in Omnia

Global Networks / International Office

Omnia International Office has some books about Japan. Ms. Sirje Hassinen, co-ordinator of the HANAKO project can lend them to you.

Illustrated Conversation Book JAPAN
This phrasebook for English speaking people has cartoon colour illustrations by illustrators Kiriko Kubo and Nachie Enomoto. Each chapter begins with a cartoon scenario related to the topic and continues into mini chapters.
The book contains various topics, with each word in English, Katakana, Hiragana, Kanji and the phonetic pronunciation. Contents include:

• Getting Started
• Getting Out
• Getting A Bite
• Getting Things
• Getting Some Fun
• Getting Understood
• Getting Proficient

Tokio-Passi
A cultural and travel guidebook on Japan, in Finnish language, including introduction to Japan and its people, culture, food, night life, religion and other aspects, and detailed instructions for visitors to Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya, Izu Islands, and other areas.

Vuosi Japanissa
This guidebook in Finnish language is for those who are dreaming about living in Japan or planning to spend there a longer period. Getting an apartment, travelling around and table manners are among the topics of this book. Besides tips and instructions it includes stories told by people who have worked or studied in Japan.

Omnia Library

Omnia Library can provide you with the following books on Japan:

Japanese Gardens: Right Angle and Natural Form
This book provides a detailed, engrossing history of Japanese gardens with separate chapters for each historical era. It is beautifully illustrated with colour photos as well as historical black and white.
The phases of its history document the constant redefinition of man’s position within and towards nature. Its changing forms respond both to socio-economic developments and to religious and philosophical trends, and thereby reflect the spiritual climate in which its architecture was conceived. At the same time as detailing the characteristics distinguishing and differentiating each of the five major epochs in the history of the Japanese garden, the author identifies the common motif which underlies them all: the recurrent attempt to unite beauty as natural accident and beauty as human-perfected type, to achieve an aesthetic symbiosis between the seeming randomness of natural form and the strict geometry of the right angle.

Healthy Japanese Cooking
This book contains simple, yet elegant Japanese recipes. Apart from the use of a small bit of honey in one or two recipes, it is also vegan. You will not find any meat or dairy in this collection. What you will find are many wonderfully photographed, tempting dishes. The instructions are straightforward and the introduction explains where to find the more exotic ingredients and what are suitable substitutes if those cannot be found. It also gives suggested cutting techniques for best food presentation.

The Book of Sushi
This book is a fine introduction to sushi and sushi making. Not only are the basic techniques of sushi making described, but the authors also include a wealth of information about sushi in general. Topics covered include the history of sushi, the process of obtaining fish for sushi, the etiquette of sushi eating, and much more.

Tofu & soybean cooking : the Japanese healthy way
Every recipe includes a colour picture of finished dish, always beautifully presented. Many recipes also include helpful pictures of the dish’s preparation. Some of the recipes are classic Japanese dishes, while others are completely original.