Book Break

Urawaza

By Lisa Katayama

Monday, October 20, 2008.
6:30PM to 8:30PM

(The speech and Q & A will be in English)

Japan has a way of thinking that is just . . . different. Nowhere is this more
apparent than in Tokyo-born journalist Lisa Katayama's collection of urawaza (a
Japanese word for secret lifestyle tricks and techniques). Want to turbocharge your sled? Spray the bottom with nonstick cooking spray. Can't find someone to water your plants while you're away? Place the plant on a water-soaked diaper, so it slowly absorbs water over time. The subject of popular TV shows and numerous books in Japan, these unusually clever solutions to everyday problems have never been published in English until now. A collection of quirky and
sometimes useful life hacks you can use to clean the house, stay healthy, and
impress your friends, Urawaza. Secret Everyday Tips and Tricks from Japan
collects more than 100 once-secret tricks, offering step-by-step directions and
explanations.

Lisa Katayama, who now lives in San Francisco, writes about technology, human
rights, and Japanese culture for magazines like Wired, Make, and Popular Science, and is an editor at Planet magazine. Her blog, TokyoMango, is an archive of strange news, fun products, and cultural tidbits from Japan. She also writes a column called MangoBot, a biweekly collection of silly musings about the future on Gawker's io9. She will be happy to recount her grandmother's, mother's and her own discovery of urawaza, as well as give hints on how anybody can discover their own fun tricks to resolve everyday problems.

A dinner will be served at a cost of 1,850 yen (including tax). Sign up now at the reception desk (3211-3161) or online at http://www.fccj.or.jp. To help us plan proper seating and food preparation, please reserve in advance, preferably by noon of the day of the event.Those without reservations will be turned away once available seats are filled.

Reservations cancelled less than 24 hours in advance will be charged in full.

Library Committee,
THE FOREIGN CORRESPONDENTS' CLUB OF JAPAN