Japanese film authority Sharp (Behind the Pink Curtain: The Complete History of Japanese Sex Cinema) opens this landmark reference with an extensive chronology, noting the political and economic events that facilitated the development and expansion of Japan’s film culture. The bulk of the book defines Japanese cinema’s principal studios, directors, actors, film techniques, historical periods, genres, and major films. Multiparagraph entries are alphabetized by the English-translated Japanese words, followed by both Hepburn Romanization and traditional kanji characters. A nearly 100-page, by-theme bibliography is a treasure trove of research leads. To date, the most comprehensive English guide; its depth and breadth make it vital for film-studies collections.

Library Journal

Though dominated by major studios with their own style and audience, by 2008 with 418 domestic films Japan was one of the world’s largest film-producing countries. That makes this new reference source by Sharp, one of the world’s leading experts on Japanese cinema, especially valuable. A chronology and introduction are followed by extensive entries on directors, actors, major studios, cinematic genres, significant historical periods, and outstanding films.

Library Journal (Reference)

Japanese cinema has an illustrious history. This historical dictionary of Japanese cinema strives to give the reader a grasp of that history. This valuable reference work opens with a chronology beginning with 1450 B.C.E. and ending with 2010. This chronology is followed by an introduction that discusses the evolution of Japanese cinema, the state of the industry, and the various genres heavily represented in Japan's cinema (e.g., melodramas, romances, samurai movies, horror films, and monster films). The heavily cross-referenced historical dictionary deals with people, cities, movements, genres, groups, movies, and critical topics. Film names are given in English followed by their Japanese title translations, information about authorship, and date of premier. The body of the film entries deals with historical background of the work. Entries for individuals include name, vital dates, occupation, and a historical perspective essay. There is an extensive bibliography organized around several main themes: film history film theory and criticism, animation, festivals, war and film, women filmmakers, and ethnicity and racial identity. Scholars as well as casual readers can certainly learn a great deal about one of the foundations of eastern culture.

American Reference Books Annual

This large single volume will particularly assist by providing information on lesser known directors, actors, and other film personnel; studios; and typical Japanese genres....This is an extremely interesting, readable and worthy work of the type that one feels is a labor of love from a writer and curator specializing in Japanese cinema, and who is thoroughly knowledgeable on his subject.

Reference Reviews