About

KOKORO ATLAS is a collection of short stories about how Japan works: the habits, crafts and quiet rules you notice there but nobody stops to explain.

Each story starts with something you have probably seen, a bow, a shrine gate, a train that leaves on the minute, and follows one small why all the way to the end. You do not need to know anything about Japan to start.

Along the way you will meet the original Japanese, a line from an old book or a phrase people still say, with our translation beside it. Often the words themselves are the best part.

Where to begin

The stories sit on a map of eight pillars, from Mind to Machine. Pick whichever one catches your eye and start there.