The Bells of Old Tokyo: Meditations on Time and a City

The Bells of Old Tokyo: Meditations on Time and a City by Anna Sherman is an elegant and absorbing tour of Tokyo and its residents. From 1632 until 1854, Japan’s rulers restricted contact with foreign countries, fostering a remarkable and unique culture that endures to this day. This exploration becomes a meditation not just on time, but on history, memory, and impermanence.

Through her journeys around the city and her friendship with the owner of a small, exquisite cafe, who elevates the making and drinking of coffee to an art form, “The Bells of Old Tokyo” follows haunting voices through the labyrinth of Japanese life.