Water, Wood, and Wild Things: Learning Craft and Cultivation in a Japanese Mountain Town

And how ancient yet dynamic the craft traditions are.And a little glimpse at the people behind those crafts.Made me want to think about my own craft a lot more.

Being a long time Japanophile, I've actually been to Japan four different times. On a couple of trips I had the chance to get beyond the urban areas and tourist traps. I'm jealous because the author got to experience (on and off) for a couple of years what I was only able to see for a couple of days. Very well written, the author brings you with her for a slice of life in a tiny mountain village and a glimpse into the lives of people in rural Japan. I'm certainly going to reread this a number of times until I can go back again myself.

Hannah Kirshner’s descriptions of Japan are unlike any I’ve read before. Instead of anime, robot cafes and cool hunting (WilliM GIBSON "PATTERN RECOGNITION)in Shinjuku she describes her many experiences in rural Japan, far from the bright neon lights. There she met artisans and craftspeople still making beautiful objects in ways similar to the ways they were made centuries ago. While living in a small town her curiosity and talents, and obviously her social skills, allowed her to join up with local people and learn from them. She went from novice to having expertise (my word) in a range of areas, described well in the publisher’s blurb.I greatly enjoyed reading her accounts. She was sometimes poetic when writing about the beauty around her, sometimes almost textbook-like when describing the technical aspects of what she was doing. What made the book such a joy to read were the ways she described the people and the communities she interacted with. And as someone who greatly enjoys Japanese food, she interspersed recipes throughout the book.

I love this book, it has practical and aesthetic qualities. Good recipes, useful to know information, and a beautiful cultural journey through storytelling with vivid imagery

An incredibly interesting story providing insight into traditional Japanese crafts and culture. Each chapter covers a different craft and is thoroughly researched. The author's dedication to experiencing the crafts first hand and the time/effort required to create this book is truly impressive. I feel fortunate to have read an excerpt in Adventure Journal. Otherwise I would have missed out on the story!

My 40-plus year career as an itinerant geologist has taken me to many countries, and I still maintain a travel wishlist. Japan was never on my list until I read Ms. Kirshner’s book ... I was hooked by the end of her 9-page prologue! The word-pictures she paints when describing the scenery, people and creatures that populate her adventures (and a few mis-adventures) made Water, Wood & Wild Things a page-turner for me. A thoroughly enjoyable read.

A beautifully written, immersive journey through the culture and cuisine of a Japanese mountain town - I loved every minute of being an armchair traveler, reading of her pursuits into the centuries-old traditions of Yamanaka.

Fascinating and informative

I loved this book The author’s curiosity, respect and desire to learn shine out as do the changes underway in an increasingly urbanised country. It made me think about crafts and traditions that are dying out my own country. I started out interested in food traditions but learnt so much more from this book - all without any preaching or any overt teaching.