Books by Steve Alpert

An American student in 1970s Kyoto rambles among the city's beauties and traditions, learning as he goes.Don Ascher is a young American living in Kyoto in the 1970s.He is a studentof Japanese. He also teaches English, works at ashabu-shaburestaurant, andhangs outin the company of gangsters,hostesses, housewives, tea teachers,and fellow foreigners. Set amidst the timeless beauty of the ancient capitaland its garishmodern entertainments, this collection of fanciful episodesfromDons life is a window into Japanese culture and a chronicle of romanceand human connections.

An American's unique behind-the-scenes look at Japanese business and how the animated films of Hayao Miyazaki were introduced to the world.