The fascinating tale of a group of late Victorian, mostly American travelers, scientists and adventurers dedicated to the idea of Japan. The group, noted for wealth and influence, included Lafcadio Hearn, Isabella Stewart Gardner, Herman Melville, Henry Adams, Mabel Loomis Todd and President Roosevelt. This is the same group that touted Kakuzo Okakura's The Art of Tea to Boston society.  (JPN138, $14.95)