Use the catalog search box to locate books, media and other library resources available from the WCU, ABC Express (ASU & UNCA), and libraries around the world.
Want to browse the stacks? Japanese language and literature materials are located in these call number ranges:
Recommended and suggested databases for locating articles related to Japanese literature, language and culture can be found from the WCU Library website:
Helpful websites with additional resources:
They offer online lectures and also a Free Digital Library
They also host online lectures and a variety of cultural programs.
Genki I & II are used in the Japanese program at WCU. This self-study site is officially run by the textbook publisher and is free to use.
They feature Japanese films and documentaries. The lineup generally changes every two months, and the movies are free to watch.
On each tab you will find a few texts related to Japan to give you an idea of what the library has available. If these items don't fit your needs try a search in the library catalog for your topic.
The Cambridge History of Japan
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Japan's ancient age was a period of radical and political change during which a Chinese-style empire emerged. This volume of The Cambridge History of Japan spans the beginnings of human existence to the end of the eighth century, focusing on the thousand years between 300 BC and 784, the end of the fabulous Nara period. The volume explores this period in four stages: (1) The Yayoi period (to about AD 250) when small kingdoms and kingdom federations accumulated enough power to dispatch diplomatic missions to Korea and China; (2) the Yamato period (to 587) when priestly rulers, having gained economic and military power, conquered most of Japan; (3) the Century of Reform (to 710) when Japanese leaders, pressed by China's expanding T'ang empire, set out to build a strong Chinese-style empire of their own; (4) the Nara period (to 784) when spectacular literary, artistic, architectural, and religious advances were made.
Contemporary Japan
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The second edition of this comprehensive study of recent Japanese history now includes the author's expert assessment of the effects of the earthquake and tsunami, including the political and environmental consequences of the Fukushima reactor meltdown. Fully updated to include a detailed assessment of the aftermath of the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami Shows how the nuclear crisis at Fukushima was an accident waiting to happen Includes detailed discussion of Japan's energy policy, now in flux after the mishandling of the Fukushima crisis Analyzes Japan's 'Lost Decades', why jobs and families are less stable, environmental policies, immigration, the aging society, the US alliance, the imperial family, and the 'yakuza' criminal gangs Authoritative coverage of Japanese history over the last two decades, one of the country's most tumultuous periods
Encyclopedia of Contemporary Japanese Culture
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Covers literature, film, architecture, food, health, politics, economics, religion and technology. Entries in alphabetical order range from shorter definitions, histories or biographies to longer essays treating major issues and ideas in depth. Includes cross references and suggestions for further reading.
Japan Unmasked
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The growing globalization of world business, culture and communication—and Japan's increasingly important role as a leader in that world—makes understanding Japanese culture critical for business people, diplomats, students, educators and anyone else with an interest in Japan. Westerners have recognized—and analyzed—the many unique aspects of Japanese culture since they first set foot in Japan in the 16th century. The special talents (and weaknesses) that characterize the Japanese way of life are by now well-documented. But few Westerners really understand the beliefs and values that underlie how the Japanese think and act, how and why these attributes have been preserved in Japanese culture from ancient times through the modern day, or the critical role they play in today's Japanese society. In Japan Unmasked veteran Japanologist and author Boye Lafayette De Mente explores the social, cultural, and psychological characteristics responsible for the unique nature of modern-day Japanese culture— the real "face" behind the "mask"—and demonstrates how they have brought the Japanese to their central role on the world stage.
Culture Shock! Tokyo
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Food Culture in Japan
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Americans are familiarizing themselves with Japanese food, thanks especially sushi's wild popularity and ready availability. This timely book satisfies the new interest and taste for Japanese food, providing a host of knowledge on the foodstuffs, cooking styles, utensils, aesthetics, meals, etiquette, nutrition, and much more.
The Untold History of Ramen
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A rich, salty, and steaming bowl of noodle soup, ramen has become an international symbol of the cultural prowess of Japanese cuisine. In this highly original account of geopolitics and industrialization in Japan, George Solt traces the meteoric rise of ramen from humble fuel for the working poor to international icon of Japanese culture. Ramen's popularity can be attributed to political and economic change on a global scale. Using declassified U.S. government documents and an array of Japanese sources, Solt reveals how the creation of a black market for American wheat imports during the U.S. occupation of Japan (1945-1952), the reindustrialization of Japan's labor force during the Cold War, and the elevation of working-class foods in redefining national identity during the past two decades of economic stagnation (1990s-2000s), all contributed to the establishment of ramen as a national dish. This book is essential reading for scholars, students of Japanese history and food studies, and anyone interested in gaining greater perspective on how international policy can influence everyday foods around the world.
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