What a delightful piece to read of a gray autumn afternoon, a cup of coffee to hand, and a dictionary within reach.
風流 brought me delightedly to 没風流漢, he who lacks in cultured refinement, a boor, of which examples abound nowadays.
I also encountered a profound revulsion when I returned to the United States after just a decade in Japan. It was culture shock twice over, I suppose. Growing up near to New York, the transition to Tokyo in 1988 offered fewer strains, culturally. I was already fluent in Japanese, yes, but my sense of person, honed on Manhattan subways, melded (superficially yet sufficiently) with that of a Tokyoite: others are none of my business. Moving to Seattle in 1998, therefore, with its brazen familiarity for strangers, had me scrambling to pay long-distance phone bills, because I only had Hiro, still in Tokyo, to share my confusion with (whereupon he usually laughed: だって、きみもアメリカ人だろう？).
One last note, as an equally devoted writer, translator, and logophile. Yes, our words do ferry us to safer harbors, but I believe you and I are also ferrying our readers to *their* safe harbors, too. Thank you, as always, for inspiration.
Brian, thank you so much for this absolutely beautiful comment. Connections like I found with you are another great benefit of writing! Meeting like-minded people you love!
An excellent essay (as always!). Though it's expensive to read you, Leanne, since I'm always buying books that I read about in your essays.
Wuwei and furyu remind me (if I'm remembering correctly) of those Zen artists who would contemplate a blank silk scroll for years, and then, when ready, produce an ink painting in a few hours.
Thank you so much for reading it! The original essay also talked about Miranda July’s book and I was comparing the two novels but the editor thought I did too much and so cut the Miranda July content. Have you read either book? Am almost finished with all of the shortlisted books and looking forward to hearing who wins the book prize. I guess the bookies think that James is going to win!
What a delightful piece for me to have encountered on a Sunday morning.
Thank you for this, and for the care that went into the writing of it.
I really appreciate it!! Thank you so much for reading and spending time with it!!!!!
What a delightful piece to read of a gray autumn afternoon, a cup of coffee to hand, and a dictionary within reach.
風流 brought me delightedly to 没風流漢, he who lacks in cultured refinement, a boor, of which examples abound nowadays.
I also encountered a profound revulsion when I returned to the United States after just a decade in Japan. It was culture shock twice over, I suppose. Growing up near to New York, the transition to Tokyo in 1988 offered fewer strains, culturally. I was already fluent in Japanese, yes, but my sense of person, honed on Manhattan subways, melded (superficially yet sufficiently) with that of a Tokyoite: others are none of my business. Moving to Seattle in 1998, therefore, with its brazen familiarity for strangers, had me scrambling to pay long-distance phone bills, because I only had Hiro, still in Tokyo, to share my confusion with (whereupon he usually laughed: だって、きみもアメリカ人だろう？).
One last note, as an equally devoted writer, translator, and logophile. Yes, our words do ferry us to safer harbors, but I believe you and I are also ferrying our readers to *their* safe harbors, too. Thank you, as always, for inspiration.
Brian, thank you so much for this absolutely beautiful comment. Connections like I found with you are another great benefit of writing! Meeting like-minded people you love!
Thanks for this beautiful essay, Leanne. It gave me some new insights on things I've been pondering.
So happy to hear from you, Mary!!
An excellent essay (as always!). Though it's expensive to read you, Leanne, since I'm always buying books that I read about in your essays.
Wuwei and furyu remind me (if I'm remembering correctly) of those Zen artists who would contemplate a blank silk scroll for years, and then, when ready, produce an ink painting in a few hours.
It’s expensive to read you too!
What a brilliant, insightful post. Thank you.
Thank you so much for reading it! The original essay also talked about Miranda July’s book and I was comparing the two novels but the editor thought I did too much and so cut the Miranda July content. Have you read either book? Am almost finished with all of the shortlisted books and looking forward to hearing who wins the book prize. I guess the bookies think that James is going to win!