So how to compare Japanese vs. Western literature in general? These have been my observations:
Although I wouldn't disagree entirely with your conclusions, Robert, I think these points are worth mentioning:
1. You do not know Japanese and so your impression of what is inside Japanese books is therefore largely unreliable. Even your English is unreliable.
2. As well as books, Japanese go has enjoyed a vast array of magazine articles going back over a century. Much of the best material is to be found there. For some aspects there are also many good items in shogi books/articles.
3. Your habit of mentioning western research (usually yours) in the same breath as Japanese material, as if they were equal, is part of what people mean when they say they object not to your ideas but to your presentation. Put simply, you are no Jack Kennedy.
So the overall conclusion for books of all degrees of quality can be: both Western and Japanese literature have a couple of useful books.
I would like to assume this is your attempt at a joke. It's either that or, to use one of your favourite words, stupid - in this case in terms of both content and presentation.
There are topics covered in neither Western nor Japanese books. (Example: General treatment of move decisions in human reading
Counter-example 1: "Thinking techniques of professional go players" (Seeing the overall position and the ability to evaluate) by Yoda Norimoto. Over 200 pages of solid text (three diagrams). Yes, he's only a "stupid Japanese 9-dan" but he's been a Meijin and has had international success. And he can write well.
PS My aim here is not to attack anyone but rather to defend Japanese literature - it just so happens that that is mainly attacked by just one person. To answer the thread's question: I believe Japanese go literature is many, many more times "brilliant" (poor choice of word, but also useful/valuable/proven) than western go literature, as is likewise Chinese or Korean literature, and the proof is partly in the numbers and strength of Oriental players, their books not just teaching them but motivating, inspiring and entertaining them. The most brilliant and important book of all, of course, is the Xuanxuan Qijing (Gateway to All Marvels), which is much more than a problem book. Any book that keeps its cachet for 700 years and is repeatedly copied without ever being improved must have something.
