Beginning in the floating world of Hong Kong, between West and East, this travel book moves into the South China Sea, to Macao, Taiwan, Thailand and Japan, where it follows a journey from Tokyo up through the northern provinces to Hokkaido. The author aims at more than just an account of geographical features, his prose reflecting an initiation into oriental ways of life. Kenneth White's literary prizes include the Prix Medicis Etranger, the French Academy's Grand Prix du Rayonnement and the Prix Alfred de Vigny. His previous travel books include The Blue Road and Travels in the Drafting Dawn.