Modern Japanese Cuisine examines the origins of Japanese food from the late nineteenth century to unabashedly adulterated American favorites like today's California roll.

In this collection of Japanese recipes, food writer and Japanophile Jane Lawson captures the restorative power of Japanese food. Finding herself unhappy, Jane retreats to peaceful Kyoto to seek balance and equilibrium in her life. Jane's personal story offers an insight into the artistry of Japanese cuisine and explores the concept of zenbu zen -- 'everything is Zen'.

How did one dine with a shogun? Or make solid gold soup, sculpt with a fish, or turn seaweed into a symbol of happiness? In this fresh look at Japanese culinary history, Eric Rath delves into the writings of medieval and early modern Japanese chefs to answer these and otehr provocative questions.