My First Trip to Japan: Poems, Photos & Stories

“A unique book on first impressions of Japan with glimpses of interesting places, vistas, temples, forests, rivers, and castles, along with the generous, open, friendly welcome of the people the author meets. Jacob Salzer’s experiences—both visually and spiritually—become your own as he shares his journey in Japan and its many celebrated cultures through haiku, tanka, and stories. Whether walking through the peaceful Manyo Botanical Garden of “300 kinds of plants…all mentioned in the Manyo-shu (Ten-Thousand Tanka: the oldest Japanese tanka anthology)” or gazing with amazement at the size of the Nagoya Castle that inspires this haiku: from the ashes / of Hommaru Palace / a camellia in full bloom, you will find the country seeping into you in deep, profound ways through Jacob’s poetry, photographs, and descriptions. For first timers on a sojourn to Japan, I highly recommend this book.” —Diana Saltoon, author of My Sister Meda: A Memoir of Old Singapore, Wife, Just Let Go: Zen, Alzheimer’s, and Love, with Robert Briggs, and Tea and Ceremony