Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #743816 in Books
• Published on: 2000-05
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 49 pages

From School Library Journal

Gr 3-5-Important celebrations such as Oshogatsu (New Year's Festival), Kodomo no Hi (Children's Day), and Hina Matsuri (Girls' Day) are included in this work as well as the Cherry Blossom Festival and Day of Remembrance, which are Japanese-American observances. Interspersed throughout are folktales, songs, games, crafts, and recipes. The book has a broad scope, which is misleading from the title, and the organization is confusing. For example, there is a brief discussion of modern Japan in the section about the Sapporo Snow Festival, and the section about the Dolls' Festival includes information about Japan's policy of closing doors to foreign trade. Japanese words and phrases are in boldface and defined within the text, but there is no glossary. There is also no pronunciation guide. The vibrant, highly detailed illustrations, many of them full page, complement the text, and the layout is attractive. However, since most of this material is available elsewhere, this is strictly an additional purchase.-DeAnn Tabuchi, San Anselmo Public Library, CA

Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Customer Reviews

Entertaining and informative for all age groups.
Floating Lanterns & Golden Shrines: Celebrating Japanese Festivals is brimming with detailed and charming illustrations by Toru Sugita of seven Japanese celebrations. Author Rena Krasno begins with a discussion of the origins of the Japanese people and the creation myth of Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess. The first festival is Setsubun (the day winter ends) and links ideas of Japan's indigenous religion, Shinto, with ideas and images borrowed from China. Traditional Japanese family holidays follow: Obon (remembering one's ancestors); Kodomon Hi (Children's Day); Hina Matsuri (Dolls Festival); Oshogatsu (New Years); Sapporo Snow Festival; and the Cherry Blossom Festival (honoring the heritage of more than 848,000 Japanese Americans in the United States. Key information about arts and daily life are interspersed throughout and include: ikebana, taiko, lacquerware, bonsai, origami, hiku, traditional Japanese sports and martial arts, and how Japanese names are formed. Included are recipes, games and other activities as well. The text provides historical background as part of retelling four folktales for a more intimate sense of Japanese culture. The Japanese language is explained as common, relevant phrases are introduced. Floating Lanterns & Golden Shrines is especially recommended for ages 8 to 13, but will be found entertaining and informative by all age groups.

Great Book on Japanese Culture and Festivals!
This is one of the best and most accurate books about Japanese culture and festivals that I have found. I checked with my Japanese students and they think it is pretty good and accurate. They could read the writing and felt the information was accurate. Highly recommended.