National Network for Equitable Library Service

"Destroy a nation, but its mountains and rivers remain."-Japanese proverb This is a collection of 200 Japanese proverbs with illustrations and explanations for each saying. Go beyond speaking Japanese-peek into the soul of Japan. Japanese Proverbs: Wit and Wisdom is a delightfully illustrated compilation of traditional Japanese proverbs and sayings. Some of the classic Japanese quotes and quotations, like "Fall down seven times, get up eight", capture the dogged perseverance of the Japanese heart. Others, such as "A red lacquer dish needs no decoration" illuminate both a universal truth and Japan's unique, aesthetic traditions. Japanese Proverbs: Wit and Wisdom has proverbs of great cultural significance as well as proverbs on matters of daily life and customs. Pleasing to expert and new-comer alike, the 200 traditional proverbs in this unique collection are presented in Japanese script (kana and kanji) and romanized (romaji) form, along with direct English translations. Similar proverbs are given from English, and the sumi-e style ink drawings are a delight in their own right. You'll speak Japanese with the verve and nuance of a native when you use these apt and witty expressions.