In the Far East, the dragon represents strength. This is the ruler of the waters, on whom the awakening of nature and human life depend. People had to endure a lot because of his tough temper; the entire centuries-old history of China is colored by this martial arts. Vsevolod Ovchinnikov’s story “Man and the Dragon” tells about this 5000-year-old duel, about how people finally gained the strength to overcome the water element. The second part of the book - “The Birth of a Pearl” - is dedicated to how the Japanese revealed the secret of the birth of a miracle of nature , turning an oyster into a pet. The story “Plum Blossoms” explains the contrast in the culinary traditions of the Chinese and Japanese, reflecting differences in the national mentality of these neighboring peoples, in their approach to life, and in relation to nature. Finally, “Hot Ashes” is a political detective story about the secret rivalry for the possession of atomic weapons. For a wide range of readers.