Review of 70 Japanese gestures by Stone Bridge Press

Okay, maybe Japanese is a bit hard to learn to speak and write. But there's a lot you can say in Japanese using just your hands, nose, arms, and other forms of suggestive "body" language.

This whimsical look at Japan's "language of no language" introduces 70 gestures that will help you hurl insults, flirt, agree, excuse yourself, cross the street, and even make promises-wordlessly!

Some are deadly, some practical, some wacky, but all are genuine and used today on the streets of Japan, at home, and in manga and anime. Finally, a way to tell someone at a loud party, "Hey! Your underwear is showing!" in four easy hand motions....

70 Japanese Gestures is an excellent instruction book for students of Japanese, language teachers, business negotiators, and cross-cultural observers. Fully indexed and illustrated.

Hamiru-aqui is a Japanese artist based in Tokyo. She has also written "French Communication Through Gestures" and other books. She was awarded the 2001 London International Advertising Award, and currently hosts the "Tokyo Newer" project team, bringing the new culture of Tokyo to the world.

☆ See all reviews by Stone Bridge Press.