The "Kodansha Encyclopedia of Japan" is a treasure beyond compare even though it was published more than 30 years ago. Nine volumes in length (the final volume is an index), it is arranged alphabetically and drew on the contributions of hundreds of experts to present well-crafted essays on nearly any subject relevant to the history and culture of a most fascinating country. Given its age, this encyclopedia is not a good source for tracking recent developments in high-end technology, population trends, cultural phenomena like anime and cartoon publications, or politics and economics. On the other hand, it remains an excellent source on Japanese history (up to the early 1980s); art, architecture, and archaeology; philosophy; folk customs; geography; flora and fauna; classical literature; Japanese poetry; tourist sites; cuisine; clothing; transportation; traditional sports to include archery, judo, and sumo; gardening principles; and religion. I used it extensively in preparing my book "Symbols of Japan: Thematic Motifs in Art and Design" and found its contents impeccable.