The Beauty of Japan Through the Art of Sushi

If you don't know an oshi-bako from a makisu, or kampyo from tekka-maki, the two-disc interactive cookbook/cultural reference guide The Beauty of Japan Through the Art of Sushi will teach you the basics of a shokunin (sushi chef). There are elegant but practical sections on everything from sushi-bar etiquette to ''sushi and health,'' but the focus is on preparation, with recipes hyperlinked to definitions, pictures, and video demos. Not only can those who like to roll their own see a shokunin create a spiral roll or fillet and slice a mackerel, they can also print a recipe to take along to the grocery store. And for the novice who doesn't yet have all the correct tools, an in-depth read can prove fruitful: If you can't find your makisu (bamboo mat), it is acceptable to roll sushi in bamboo blinds. B+