Sunday, February 20, 2005

Time.comix Reviews The Four Immigrants Manga



Time Magazine's online edition features a new review of The Four Immigrants Manga.

The review, found at the Time.comix column, has this about the book:
"Combining an account of actual lives in the context of world history, yet told with the charm and humor of a Sunday comic strip, Yoshitaka Kiyama's The Four Immigrants Manga should not be missed. A book to be enjoyed by readers of history and comix, this once-lost artifact works as both a delightful read and a reminder of where Americans come from and who we are now."

Read the rest of the review here.

Saturday, February 19, 2005

How Stone Bridge Press got its name

Contrary to rumor, which dogged us in the early days, Stone Bridge Press has no relation with, nor is funded by, the Bridgestone Tire Company as a Japanese propaganda arm. Nor is the real owner a Mr Ishibashi, who wishes to remain anonymous. Nor does it have anything to do with a Japanese proverb about how a cautious man taps ahead of himself even on a stone bridge.

In fact, we were going to be called Stone Lantern Press. Had biz cards and a logo and letterhead all designed up and ready to go. Then I found out about the existence of a Stone Lantern Press in the Boston area that did books on bonsai. A little too close subjectwise, so I had to scramble and come up with another name. I had liked Stone Lantern because it sounded solid, grounded, and classical, and it shed light ("wisdom") everywhere around it. Typical fodder for pious publishing promotion. Plus, I had worked on a lot of books on Japanese gardens, and the lantern was my favorite garden element. And, it could be completely non-Japanese in case the, um, niche didn't work out.

When I lost it I went to Stone Bridge for the same reasons I chose the stone lantern, but what I didn't like about it was that it called to mind the logo and motto of the Tuttle company, for whom I had worked in Japan and whom I now (to their amusement no doubt, me being the mosquito to their elephant) considered a rival. But nothing else came to mind.

The name has worked out just fine, except everyone insists on spelling it Stonebridge Press, when it is Stone Bridge Press, three words. Three words!

Somewhere I have the picture of the original Stone Bridge used when we printed up a little brochure announcing our existence. I'll post it after I dig it up.

Friday, February 18, 2005

Cruising the Anime City in Super Manga Blast


In Issue 48 of Super Manga Blast!:
"Anime City takes it into color, with a motif inspired by the tractor beam in Galaga! The name is what it delivers -- Cruising the Anime City: An Otaku Guide to Neo-Tokyo is a buy-your-ticket-now book that lets you in on the stores, the neighborhoods, and the scenes that make up 'Neo-Tokyo.'"

Welcome

We're trying a blog to supplement the Stone Bridge Press website. Here you'll find the latest reviews of our books, upcoming events, any current news that is related to a book, and whatever else we come up with later. You'll be able to leave comments about our posts and hopefully we'll be able to respond to them! Check back regularly!