By 1905 they had disappeared from the country. In this spirited and absorbing narrative, Brett Walker takes a deep look at the scientific, cultural, and environmental dimensions of wolf extinction in Japan and tracks changing attitudes toward nature through Japan's long history.Grain farmers once worshiped wolves at shrines and left food offerings near their dens, beseeching the elusive canine to protect their crops from the sharp hooves and voracious appetites of wild boars and deer. Talismans and charms adorned with images of wolves protected against fire, disease, and other calamities and brought fertility to agrarian communities and to couples hoping to have children. The Ainu people believed that they were born from the union of a wolflike creature and a goddess.In the eighteenth century, wolves were seen as rabid man-killers in many parts of Japan. Highly ritualized wolf hunts were instigated to cleanse the landscape of what many considered as demons. By the nineteenth century, however, the destruction of wolves had become decidedly unceremonious, as seen on the island of Hokkaido. Through poisoning, hired hunters, and a bounty system, one of the archipelago's largest carnivores was systematically erased.The story of wolf extinction exposes the underside of Japan's modernization. Certain wolf scientists still camp out in Japan to listen for any trace of the elusive canines. The quiet they experience reminds us of the profound silence that awaits all humanity when, as the Japanese priest Kenko taught almost seven centuries ago, we "look on fellow sentient creatures without feeling compassion."

    Since its premiere in September 1992, Batman: The Animated Series has been acclaimed by enthusiastic viewers and longtime fans of the Batman character as the defining image of the Dark Knight onscreen. Now readers are offered an inside look into the creation of the series. Granted unprecedented access to the archives of the Warner Bros. Animation Studio, Chip Kidd has combined breathtaking photographs by Award-winning photographer Geoff Spear and fashioned an imaginative layout of never-before-published preproduction and finished artwork that echoes the boldness of producer-designer Bruce Timm's powerful TV show.Paul Dini's text offers entertaining and informative commentary on the series history, development, and continuing production. It includes glimpses into the making of the Batman animated features Mask of the Phantasm and SubZero, and a sneak peek into the future projects.Featuring a detailed episode guide, comments from the series creators and voice actors, and an introduction by Bruce Timm, Batman Animated is a must-have for Batman fans young and old.

    Though it ran from 2004 to 2007, the dramatic hit show has achieved a cult-like status and has even inspired a new feature film. Couched in the popular show’s intricate plotting, witty dialog, and highly intelligent scripts, this book explores issues relating to trust, friendship, revenge, knowledge, skepticism, race, class, gender, and feminism. The authors reveal the complex moral make-up of Veronica, the smartly sarcastic high school teen and amateur investigator, as she solves mysteries and deals with life-changing events. Veronica Mars and Philosophy offers fans and newcomers alike insights into the philosophical issues related to crime solving and to some of the larger mysteries of life, illustrated by our street-wise, smart, and fascinating hero.

    

    It covered jazz, of course, but it also included Davis’s ruminations on race, politics and culture. Fascinated, Hef sent the writer—future Pulitzer-Prize-winning author Alex Haley, an unknown at the time—back to glean even more opinion and insight from Davis. The resulting exchange, published in the September 1962 issue, became the first official Playboy Interview and kicked off a remarkable run of public inquisition that continues today—and that has featured just about every cultural titan of the last half century.To celebrate the Interview’s 50th anniversary, the editors of Playboy have culled 50 of its most (in)famous Interviews and will publish them over the course of 50 weekdays (from September 4, 2012 to November 12, 2012) via Amazon’s Kindle Direct platform. Here is that first Interview with Miles Davis.

    Join Aimee Major Steinberger on the ultimate fangirl vacation in Japan!This rapid-fire adventure is full of everything fans dream of seeing: cosplay on the infamous Harajuku Street, fantasy restaurants, maid cafes, Tokyo’s largest doll store, beautiful shrines, bookstores full of manga, outrageous all-female Takarazuka musicals, cherry festivals, hot springs, special ceremonies, and so much more!

    Topics include: making the right decisions; how to enhance work; and managing a meaningful business. It aims to identify key principles for business success.

    

    But very soon they begin to wonder about the meaning behind the traditions, gear, and relationships in the dojo. In this collection of lively, detailed essays, Dave Lowry, one of the most well-known and respected swordsmen in the United States, illuminates the history and meaning behind the rituals, training costumes, objects, and relationships that have such profound significance in Japanese martial arts, including    • the dojo space itself    • the teacher-student relationship    • the act of bowing    • what to expect—and what will be expected of you—when you visit a dojo    • the training weapons    • the hakama (ceremonial skirt) and dogi (practice uniform)    • the Shinto shrineAuthoritative, insightful, and packed with fascinating stories from his own experience, In the Dojo provides a wealth of information that beginning students will pore over and advanced students will treasure.

    Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition features record-breaking computer- and video-game accomplishments from around the world, including high scores, biggest tournaments, largest cash prizes, and the most successful games.

    Drawing from influences as diverse as Art Nouveau and Art Deco traditions, American comics, Japanese ukiyo-e, and traditional fantasy illustration, Amano's prints capture a breathtaking world -- sometimes whimsical, sometimes luxurious, and sometimes terrifying.Amano: The Complete Prints showcases hundreds of these captivating works, comprising an impressive, comprehensive look at one of the art world's visionary talents. Art scholar and critic Unno Hiroshi contributes an insightful message on Amano, the genesis of this style, and his place in the panoply of art history. Also included is a brief timeline noting the high points of the artist's career.

    After years of fear and isolation, Heidi knew she had to go to the police. For a long time, Chloe resented Heidi for forcing her to disclose what had happened when she wasn’t ready, while their brother, Tom, couldn’t understand how he had so misjudged his father, and at first he didn’t believe their tale. The truth threatened to destroy them all. This is the very honest story of three siblings, and how a man they trusted threatened to tear their family apart.

    Death takes no prisoners, yet ironically, it liberates the captive Saints from persecution. Flying banners of freedom, a new American society emerges based on the original Constitution of the United States. A different, fiercely righteous people descend from the north and join with the Saints as they re-establish a republic. The lost tribes bring with them miracles, gifts, and deadly defenses to protect their tent cities from rogue land pirates that infest the nation. For the Rogers family, the tribes return is especially joyful as Braun and Carea finally come home! In Jerusalem, Elder Conrad Rogers and the two apostles he serves face hostile Jews. The apostles have caused many Jews to question the ancient holy traditions as they send sore plagues upon the nation. Secretly, a Judas is sent among the apostles and their missionary associate, Elder Rogers. It s his job to bring them to destruction. It s only a matter of time before someone dies.... Among the righteous in every corner of the world, there are whisperings among the faithful. They see the signs and know it is the midnight hour. He is coming!

    and trying, and trying some more? How far do you go to achieve your dream of having children?So Close is the heart wrenching, exhilarating, devastatingly funny story of Tertia Albertyn's battle with infertility. Tertia wanted a baby so badly she went through nine IVFs. Most people give up after the third.I don't think I am being brave at all. I am just too terrified NOT to try again.In her worst nightmare she could never have imagined that making a baby would take her four years, each treatment bringing her and her husband Marko closer and closer to creating their family.During Tertia's journey everything that can go wrong does go wrong. Until, finally, everything goes just right.Tertia is as hilarious as she is irrepressible, as approachable as she is knowledgeable. If you are struggling with infertility, have triumphed over infertility or have felt empathy with someone who is going through this experience, you will find a friend in Tertia.

    Volume 1 addresses the development, through the eighteenth century, of Shinto, Buddhism, and Confucianism.