5 Personal Picks Releasing Today (Wednesday, 4/23)
*Release dates are based on Honya Club/Hanmoto.com
■ The Heart and the Mind by Vincent M. Figueredo - Kagaku-Dojin
Points of Interest
Is the "heart" really just a pump?
People once believed that the heart was the seat of intelligence, emotion, and the soul. However, with the development of modern medicine, the heart came to be viewed as a mere blood pump subordinate to the brain. Even so, the heart continues to hold strong influence as a symbol of love and health.
In this book, the author, a cardiologist, traces the evolution of human perception of the heart from ancient times to the present, uncovering its role in art, culture, religion, philosophy, and science. Furthermore, he provides a detailed explanation of the relationship between the heart and brain as revealed by the latest science, as well as advancements in cardiac medicine.
Reading this book might change the way you view your own heart.
Part 1: The Ancient Heart
Chapter 1: The Heart is Life
Chapter 2: Mind and Soul
Chapter 3: The Heart and God
Chapter 5: Understanding the Heart in Antiquity
Part 2: The Heart Buried in Darkness and Re-emerging into the Light
Chapter 7: The Dark Ages
Chapter 8: The Golden Age of Islam
Chapter 9: The Viking's Cold "Hjarta" (Heart)
Chapter 10: The Sacrificial Heart of the Americas
Chapter 11: The Renaissance (Rebirth) of the Heart
Part 3: The "Heart" in Art
Chapter 13: The Heart in Fine Art
Chapter 14: The Heart in Literature
Chapter 15: The Heart in Music
Chapter 16: Rituals Involving the Heart
Part 4: Introduction to Cardiology
Chapter 17: The Body's Pump
Chapter 18: Anatomy of the Heart
Chapter 22: What is an Electrocardiogram?
Chapter 24: What is Heart Failure?
Chapter 26: Sex, Race, and Ethnicity in Heart Disease
Part 5: The Heart in the Modern Era
Chapter 30: The 20th Century and Heart Disease
Chapter 32: The 21st Century and Heart Surgery
Chapter 33: The Heart Today
Chapter 36: The Heart of the Future
■ The Death of Behavioral Economics by Toshiji Kawagoe - Hayakawa Publishing
Points of Interest
Can behavioral economics be called a science? Closing in on the truth behind the swirling suspicions!
Behavioral economics opened new horizons by incorporating psychological insights into economics. While it has been in the spotlight for being "useful in business," its results are now under scrutiny. Critics argue that major claims like loss aversion lack evidence and that nudges intended to encourage behavioral change are ineffective. With the "lack of reproducibility" in psychological experiments becoming a major issue, has behavioral economics reached its "death" as a field of study? The president of the Japanese Association of Behavioral Economics conducts a thorough investigation, drawing on historical context and the latest research, to uncover the truth and redefine the academic significance of the field.
■ A History of Tachiyomi (Browsing Books in Stores) by Masaki Kobayashi - Hayakawa Publishing
Points of Interest
What did our ancestors look like when they read books?
Western intellectuals once said in unison, "There is no browsing in stores overseas." When and where did the uniquely Japanese custom of "tachiyomi" (standing and reading) originate, and how did it shape the reading culture of the common people? This book unearths previously overlooked materials to depict that history. From the dismantling of the "caste system of books" following the Meiji Restoration to the emergence of the new medium of "magazines" and changes in bookstore layouts... what emerged from this extensive research into the mysterious history of modern publishing was the birth of us, the "readers," who choose and enjoy the books we read! An ambitious work by the author of the bestseller "The Art of Research," utilizing all his skills.
[Highlights of this book]
・Bookstores in the Edo period used "zauri" (closed-stack sales)
・The history of Japanese literacy rates and the "caste system of books"
・Shoplifters punished by water torture! Scenes from Jimbocho in 1918
・When did the manga-style meme of the "duster" first appear?
■ Staying in Cultural Properties by Hen-ai Hanako - X-Knowledge
Points of Interest
● Beautiful inns and delicious trips to make your weekend a little more special ●
Among famous architectural works,
did you know there are cultural properties where you can stay and dine?
From venerable hot spring inns and classic hotels that remain in the history of Japanese architecture,
to former shops with a Showa-era retro feel and former boarding houses that supported students in the Meiji era,
their individuality is truly rich
and satisfies the curiosity of those who visit.
This book introduces such lodging facilities, including those designated as Important Cultural Properties by the government.
Every facility is unforgettable once visited,
and the charm lies in the fact that you can make new discoveries every time you visit.
Also a must-see are the cultural property town-walking maps
and the "Keywords for Deciphering Cultural Property Inns" that make architecture much more interesting when you know them!
Enjoy a higher grade of travel with a one-of-a-kind lodging experience.
■ The Potential of Children Growing Up in Multiple Languages edited by Shizuyo Yoshitomi - Gendai Jinbunsha
Points of Interest
Before and after the war, many Japanese people traveled to South America, specifically Bolivia, to carve out new settlements. Through visits and research into these Bolivian settlements, this book focuses on how the heritage languages and cultures of Japanese immigrants have expanded to influence the societies of their new homes. By doing so, it considers what Japan, which is now accepting many immigrants itself, should learn.
Chapter 1: The History of Bolivian Settlements—'Okinawa Settlement' and 'San Juan Settlement'
Chapter 2: Japanese Language Education in Colonia Okinawa—Attempts at Curriculum Development
Chapter 3: The Evolution of Heritage Language Education at the San Juan School
Chapter 4: Global Migration of Colonia Residents and Japanese Language Resources Accumulated in Nikkei Society
Chapter 5: Activities of Nikkei People in Latin America
Chapter 6: Reflections Based on Comparisons with Educational Settings in Japan