Samurai Baby
 

Kirkus Discoveries Review of "Way of the Baby: A Book of Five Grins"
 
The first English translation of Kuramoto’s treatise on the manipulative ways of the baby. Written by “a legendary samurai baby from seventeenth century Japan” as a self-help guide for tots, the way of the baby has Zen’s clarity and obliquity. Kuramoto, with the aid of Suzuki’s minimalist sketches, examines all aspects of a baby’s communication skills. Parents should pay close attention to this wise baby’s advice. Like Noam Chomsky’s concept of hard-wired grammar, babies have an intuitive grasp of communication using gestures, looks and vocalizations. First: “The Way of the baby is through mastering the parent.” Stick to your resolve, says Kuramoto; don’t give your hand away to the parent, for many interesting revelations emerge when the parent’s guard is lowered: “Know the secret of the grin and the power of the gaze. Anticipate the plans of the parent without looking and before they occur.” Use facial expressions to grab attention: Narrow your eyes and let out a soft grunt or a measured yelp if a parent seems distracted or disinterested. Laughter, too, is always a key to the heart.
  An elegant and useful guide to parenting, from a unique perspective.
   
  - Kirkus Discoveries
 
 

 
 
Home | Kanji Names | Zen Art | Store | Way of the Baby | Resources | About