Cherry Blossoms, Sushi and Takarazuka: Seven Years in Japan

Rutherford, Jill

Little Wren Press

FANTASTIC INSIGHT INTO JAPAN A GEM FASCINATING Amazon Reviews A VERY IMPRESSIVE PIECE OF WORK. ROBERT HALE LTD. PUBLISHERS, LONDON This funny, interesting and informative book takes the reader into a different world. The author, with no money, job or friends in Japan started her own business and succeeded in one of the world's most ancient cultures, where real life is hidden under a veil of good manners and everything takes on a different meaning. It is a memoir which revolves around the Japanese people themselves as their lives mingle with the author's. It also takes the reader into the world of the all female Takarazuka Review Company, a cultural gem of Japan with 450 performers playing both male and females roles on stage. It's an intriguing world of entertainment in a fascinating, contradictory and unique country where nothing is as it seems and dreams really do come true.

Biographies & Memoirs

Arts & Literature

Two women samurai - two different centuries.Modern Englishwoman, Bebe Bell, is time-slipped into the mind of male samurai, Kai Matsuda, who is fighting in the civil war which changed Japan and the world. She lives parallel lives. One in today's Japan with Kenji, the man she loves, unaware of the secret which is destroying him. The other with Kai, who is trying to change his country as it tears itself apart.Yoshi is an aristocratic woman who is forced to disguise herself as a male samurai in order to survive. This brings her influence and respect, something she has not experienced as a woman of the 1860's. She is empowered by it and her ambitions grow ever larger.Yoshi and Kai meet, but are fighting on opposing sides and cannot admit their love for the other - and neither know that Bebe is in Kai's mind.When these four lives intermingle . . .'One of the seven must-read Japan related books... Jill Rutherford has established herself as a writer with great insight into Japanese culture and the power to deliver unique plots and marvellous characters' Savvy Tokyo Magazine

Secret Samurai Trilogy: Book One, Tangled Lives

Romance

Time Travel

Two women samurai – two different centuries. Book Two of the Secret Samurai Trilogy. Bebe Bell is a modern Englishwoman time-slipped into the mind of male samurai, Kai Matsuda, who is fighting for the future of his country in the civil war of the 1860's. Bebe has to cope with the growing pressure of a double life in different centuries and the restrictions imposed on women in old Japan. Prejudice affects her and her life with Kai.Kenji fights his own demons as his past threatens his future.Yoshi, a woman forced to live and fight as a male samurai, is trapped in Kyoto. Alone and vulnerable, she has to deal with the Shinsengumi, the most vicious samurai force in Japanese history. The civil war escalates and the country becomes more unstable.Lives become more entangled and Bebe's presence in Kai's mind causes conflict and anger. Secrets start to unfold.‘One of the seven must-read Japan related books ... Jill Rutherford has established herself as a writer with great insight into Japanese culture and the power to deliver unique plots and marvellous characters’ SAVVY TOKYO MAGAZINE

Secret Samurai Trilogy: Book Two, Snakes of Desire (Book Two of Trilogy)

Exciting adventure where genders mix and time flows back and forth between traditional and modern Japan. Listed as one of the must-read Japan-related novels by SAVVY TOKYO MAGAZINE 'An original plot, interesting and likeable characters, a sweet romance, a time-travel switch and a dose of Japanese history makes this book totally unique. The author's complete understanding of Japanese culture is really obvious right down to the fine details.' Renae Lucas-Hall, SAVVY TOKYO MAGAZINE 'Original, powerful, exciting and intriguing.' Margaret Kaine, Award Winning Author Two women from different cultures and centuries - and both samurai The third book in the Secret Samurai Trilogy. Bebe Bell is a modern Englishwoman time-slipped into the mind of male samurai, Kai Matsuda, who is fighting for the future of his country in the civil war of the 1860's. Events escalate and steer them into unexpected and dangerous directions as Bebe struggles with her duel life and a deeper understanding of it and Kenji faces his own dangers both physical and emotional. Yoshi is an aristocratic woman forced to disguise herself as a male samurai in order to survive. After a chance meeting she finds danger and increased, undreamed of, opportunities. A new world beckons which needs ambition, courage and trust. The future of the new world shifts on sand. 'Jill Rutherford has established herself as a writer with great insight into Japanese culture and the power to deliver unique plots and marvellous characters' SAVVY TOKYO MAGAZINE

Secret Samurai Trilogy: Book Three, Shifting Sands (Book Three of Trilogy)

Review "I absolutely love this. It's original with a strong theme and lots of social history . . ." Margaret Kaine, award winning author. 'It's not going to happen to us, is it? We'll be different.' But how long can love last against the social unrest of the South Wales mining valleys? It is the early 20th century, when gruelling poverty and the cruelty of mine owners takes its toll on families and the love within them. And for a horrified Kate, there is the burden of a shameful secret. Can she find the deep inner strength she needs or lose everything? Then she discovers the rocking stone.

The Rocking Stone

Historical

An extraordinary and delightful true story. Tama was a homeless cat who lived in Japan. Her loving nature, goodwill and loyalty saved a railway company and made her famous. People came from all over the country to meet her in her role as stationmaster. She was so successful she was made President of the company and when she died of old age was created a Goddess.5 star Amazon Review: "Tells the story in simple language aimed at children, but can be enjoyed by anyone of any age."

Tama the Extraordinary Cat: The true story of the cat who saved a railway company and became a goddess. A story for children and people who love cats.

Children's Books

Animals

Oatlands: Through Closed Doors

Literature & Fiction

Genre Fiction

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Books by Little Wren Press

See the best price to sell, buy or rent books by the Little Wren Press publisher. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Cherry Blossoms, Sushi and Takarazuka: Seven Years in Japan

Cherry Blossoms, Sushi and Takarazuka: Seven Years in Japan

Secret Samurai Trilogy: Book One, Tangled Lives

Secret Samurai Trilogy: Book Two, Snakes of Desire (Book Two of Trilogy)

Secret Samurai Trilogy: Book Three, Shifting Sands (Book Three of Trilogy)

The Rocking Stone

Tama the Extraordinary Cat: The true story of the cat who saved a railway company and became a goddess. A story for children and people who love cats.

Oatlands: Through Closed Doors