Maynard (Japanese language and linguistics, Rutgers U.) presents a reference text for both students studying Japanese language and culture at institutions and students studying on their own. Featuring 77 entries, the book introduces, catalogues, and explains emotion words and expressive strategies frequently used in Japan. The concepts are illustrated through numerous examples of authentic contemporary language, taken from a variety of sources, including television dramas, variety shows, and talk shows; comics; interviews; novels, including romances and mysteries; magazine essays; newspaper articles; and internet bulletin boards. The text requires a firm grasp of the fundamentals of elementary Japanese, including basic vocabulary and grammar, and knowledge of hiragana, katagana, and kanji. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)