@22 Hello, I hope you don't mind my contacting you to ask a favor of you. I am fascinated by Japan and would like to read about Its history. Of course there must be million of books, or better encyclopaedias, about this subject; what I look for is a concise, trustworthy, enjoyable source. Would you be so kind as to provide me with your suggestions? Thank you very much!
@wim_v12e @22 Thank you very much for your introductions, dear friend! A sheer pleasure meeting you, @22! Like so many other people, I'm fascinated by Japan, its society, its people. I want to learn, but I've begun my journey only recently. I'm an ignorant eagerly in search of enlightenment! Thus I look forward to learning from the both of you :)
@Eidon @wim_v12e Too kind, thank you. Sorry for taking so long to reply, I’ve been traveling (another distant island). Alas I’m a dilettante, a butterfly non-scholar, and can’t claim to know anything.
A book that shaped me was Alex Kerr’s “Lost Japan”. Yes I know I’m terrible for suggesting an American author without knowing much about your background or interests, but Kerr has been steeped in Japan since his youth, the book was originally in Japanese, and is both beautiful and informative.
@22 @wim_v12e You're so very kind and am grateful for this suggestion. Somehow, I feel already that this is the perfect book for me. I will read it with great pleasure!
Again, my thanks -- am truly delighted to meet you here!