{"product_id":"journey-through-japan-9780804836395","title":"Journey Through Japan","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis stunning travel pictorial highlights the fascinating culture  art  architecture  and people of Japan.  The nation of Japan is a diverse mixture of seething metropolises and peaceful temple complexes  of the most advanced in high technology and primitive folk festivals  of kimonos and business suits. Despite or even because of these contradictions  outsiders find the island nation unusually fascinating.  Although Japan is the most Westernized of Asian nations  it still retains its own identity. material and spirituality  gaudiness and simplicity  noise and silence intermingle  forming an exquisite dreamlike creation. Symbols and rituals count as important foundations of the modern state. The past lives on in tea ceremonies and ikebana  in sumptuous temple celebrations and joyful festivals.  More than 180 pictures illustrate the many facets of a nation existing somewhere between the past and the future. Four special sections report on the aesthetics of eating  the pleasures of hot baths  the little-known snow country to the north and the peculiarly Japanese fusion of art and craft.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45273401819189,"sku":"ByrdShop_0804836396","price":98.48,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/9780804836395.jpg?v=1780488706","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/journey-through-japan-9780804836395","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}