Compared to many bland and copycat examples of new construction in my area, Jutaku: Japanese Houses (October 12, 2015-Phaidon Press) by Naomi Pollock is an eruption of imagination in 400 vignettes. Architects turn space constraints into opportunities to build winnowy homes and narrow buildings as I chose to illustrate today. Photo of each house is accompanied by Name, Architect, Year, Location (on top) and Number of People it can accommodate plus floor area and site...

After Sauteed Shishito Peppers with Miso and Ginger, here's a second recipe from Preserving the Japanese Way, Traditions of Salting, Fermenting, and Pickling for the Modern Kitchen (Andrews McMeel, August 2015) by Nancy Singleton Hachisu Dried Daikon Threads, Kiriboshi Daikon Makes: 3 ounces (85 grams) 1 large daikon (about 1¾ pounds/800 g) Scrub the daikon with a rough hemp-bristled vegetable brush (tawashi, page XVII). Dry. Lop off the top light green or spongy portion of...