Ian Buruma: Wages of Guilt
Since moving to Japan, I got more and more interested in history, especially the recent history of the 20th century. The book I just finished, Ian Buruma (Wiki, home page) Wages of Guilt –...
Tagged: Literature
柿くへば。。。ー 二つの解釈
日本語の先生は正岡子規の下記の有名な俳句を読ませてくれた：「柿くへば
鐘が鳴るなり
法隆寺」日本語のクラスの後、自転車での通勤しながら、解釈を考えた。そして、妻の意見と感覚を尋ねた。全然違う解釈その結果をここに述べる。
まず、句の言葉の説明
Shishiodoshi or Us and They – On the perceived exclusivity of Japanese
The other day I received from my Japanese teacher an interesting article by Yamazaki Masakazu 山崎正和 comparing garden styles, and in particular the attitude towards and presentation of water in Japanese and European gardens...
Hitomi Kanehara – Snakes and Earrings
Prized and highly recommended here and there, I finally came around to read Hitomi Kanehara‘s (金原 ひとみ) short novel Snakes and Earrings, which won the Akutagawa prize in 2003, and was made into a...
Frank Schätzing – Limit
After having devoured , I had to read another of his epic novels, Limit. Set around 2025, this thriller spans several continents as well as space stations and the moon. Helium 3 has become...
Anna Quindlen – A Short Guide to a Happy Life
I am normally not reading any kind of guides on being happy, or how to lead my life, or all that. But a blog post on one of my favorite sites, Brain Pickings, somehow...
Alan Lightman – The Accidental Universe
Recommended by one of my favorite blogs, Brain Pickings, as one of the best books of 2014, and written by physicist and novelist Alan Lightman (Wiki, MIT page), I immediately bought the book (eBook...
Chibana Shoichi – Burning the Rising Sun
At first I wanted to write my own review of this book, where the author describes his story of taking down and burning the Hinomaru during a Softball Competition Opening Ceremony in Okinawa. I...
Norma Field – In the Realm of a Dying Emperor
Part 1 – Chibana Shoichi – Burning the Hinomaru
Only very rarely one’s opinion and attitude towards politics can be changed by reading a book. While being interested in current politics in Japan, this book changed my view onto it by providing the...
Gaiman/Mattotti’s Hansel & Gretel
Old time favorite of all, one of the most famous tales has found a new interpretation, both in textual as well as graphical sense. The great “Hansel & Gretel” by Neil Gaiman (text) and...
Lord of the Rings – Deluxe Edition
After many many years, I finally upgraded my copy of the Lord of the Rings. My old one, a paperback edition was worn out, carried around the world a few times, studied several times....
Haruki Murakami – South of the Border, West of the Sun
Another great book of Haruki Murakami (村上春樹) that I devoured in shortest time – South of the Border, West of the Sun (国境の南、太陽の西). It turns around the development from childhood to adulthood of the...
Laurent Binet – HHhH
Laurent Binet’s HHhH – Himmlers Hirn heißt Heydrich – a great book about one of the many dark chapters of the Second World War, diluted by the author’s affectation and self-infatuations. The book tells...
Katsuhiko Takahashi – The Case of the Sharaku Murders
Recently, in the Japan Times I am getting to my door every day, I found a book review that stirred my interest: Katsuhiko Takahashi (高橋克彦) – The Case of the Sharaku Murders (写楽殺人事件), for...
ハリー・ポッターと秘密の部屋 (Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets)
やっと読みきれた。ハリー・ポッター・シリーズの第二巻の「秘密の部屋」。４月から結構仕事に沈んでるから、読書の時間がだんだん少なくなってしまった上に。。。
