Tokyo Sights and Insights

Tokyo Sights and Insights is the unique work of Ryosuke Kami, artist, essayist, and native Tokyoite. Weekends Mr. Kami bicycles about his favorite city in search of Tokyo sights to capture on his sketch pad; weeknights he draws on these same sketches to produce the insights that fill this book.Don't look for Ryosuke Kami's sights in other books about Tokyo. Among his subjects are a surviving “milk hall,” a replica of Mt. Hakone in the middle of Shinjuku, one shogun's ill-fated flagship, another shogun's lighthouse, and a tempura restaurant in the old Yoshiwara pleasure quarters that continues to serve patrons to this very day.Mr. Kami 's insights on matters historical, cultural, and quizzical are original too. From his book you will learn such things as the connection between bone-setting and judo, why people from Fukushima distrust those from Yamaguchi, why seaweed shops are located in Nihombashi, the unlikely fate of the last Tokugawa shogun, and the unlucky voyage of the Lucky Dragon V. It is common knowledge that Tokyo is one of the largest cities in the world; less well known is that it is also one of the world's most interesting. Unfortunately most visitors and many residents never begin to appreciate Tokyo. Ryosuke Kami, though, has spent years exploring and reflecting on his native city. The result is Tokyo Sights and Insights, a book certain to delight and educate first -time visitors and long-term residents alike.