In an issue of Mangajin there was an interview with Wayne P. Lammers who translated this book. Wayne was one of the main translators for Mangajin. Anyway the interview was very good, and what he said about this book was intriguing enough for me to go out and get a copy. I was not disappointed.

The stories are ordinary enough, without any major action or typical plot line to speak of. However, there is an underlying tension to many of them that will keep many a reader on their toes. These creepy shadows under the surface reminded me a bit of Audition. I’m certainly not saying that if you enjoy this book you will like Audition (or vice versa). There is merely something similar between the two that I can’t quite put my finger on.

The ordinariness of it all (especially after the first couple stories–A Dance and Evenings at the Pool) may bore some readers. If so, I think those readers are missing the brilliance of Shono’s attention to detail, some of the underlying symbolism, and the Japanese mind. I suppose it probably helps, in appreciating this work, to have lived with the Japanese for an extended period of time.

The stories sound autobiographical. Given their content, I would guess that it would be rather awkward to have such stories published while you are still alive, especially in a country like Japan. Your neighbors could just read your books to find out intimate details of your life and marriage. It’s sort of like having your personal, unedited journals, that you wouldn’t even show a spouse (perhaps especially wouldn’t show a spouse), published for the general public’s eyes to see. 

Shono seems like he has many regrets or things he feels guilty about. He doesn’t usually say this, but they come through in the writing, especially the symbolic aspects. At the same time, he seems to do the things he implies he doesn’t do enough (spend time with his kids, pay attention to his wife, think about why he does things rather than just go along with the crowd with a salaryman mindset) much more than the average Japanese male.

We all can learn a lot from Junzo Shono. He teaches us about life, about examining life and what is really important, in a way that is completely non-preachy. His method is subtle, but the messages are clear. Thanks be to Wayne Lammers for bringing Shono’s writings to the English speaking world.

Posted on February 6th, 2009 under Japan. Tags: book review, books. Comments Off on Still Life and Other Stories by Junzo Shono

After a year of use and tremendous assistance provided by my V80 I am going to part with it after purchasing a V300. I certainly don’t need both! If you’d like to take this electronic dictionary (電子辞書) off my hands the price is $129 which includes free shipping in the U.S. and a used protective case (which normally costs over $20 new on ebay). The $129 price is very good considering that this dictionary goes for prices well above $250 on ebay and other discount places. The retail price is almost $600. (52,000 yen)

The dictionary functions perfectly, and I haven’t had any problems with it. As the pictures show, there are signs of wear, mostly on the outer shell. This is a great dictionary if you are learning English, Japanese, or Chinese and already speak one of the three. Here are some more specs:

English/Japanese/Chinese Dictionaries

• Japanese-Chinese Dictionary – 83,000
• Chinese-Japanese Dictionary – 85,000
• Chinese Conversation Dictionary – 5,000 examples
• Oxford English-Chinese and Chinese-English Dictionary – 52,000
• Oxford Today English Dictionary – 80,000
• Oxford Today English Thesaurus – 365,000
• Genius Japanese-English – 82,000
• Genius English-Japanese – 95,000
• Super Darijirin Japanese Language Dictionary – 252,000
• Kanji Gen Kanji Dictionary – 13,112 Individual Kanji, 48,000 Kanji combinations
• Concise Katakana Dictionary – 55,200
• Japanese Synonym Dictionary – 79,000
• Japanese Kanji Jukugo Four Kanji Dictionary – 1,422
• Japanese Proverb Dictionary – 4,293

Features

• Chinese Words appear in the Roman Alphabet in the Chinese-English and English-Chinese Dictionaries for those who can not read Chinese characters
• Pronunciation of Chinese Words – Chinese Words and examples senteces can be heard by the touch of a button. Pronunciation is by a native Chinese speaker. The voice is not synthesized.
• Voice Record – Record your own voice for comparison to the native Chinese speakers recording
• Stylus Input System – Enter Japanese, Chinese or English words via the wordtanks stylus pen. Romaji, Chinese characters, Japanese Kanji, English and Hiragana can be entered via the stylus pen. In addition the keyboard can also be used to input words.
• Stylus Navigation System – Allows the use of the included stylus to navigate the dictionaries and features of the V80 Wordtank.
• Kanji Animation Feature – stroke order of each Kanji in animated on-screen (an excellent tool to learn writing of Kanji characters)
• Chinese Pin-In Input – Input Chinese words in the Pin-in form
• Book Marker Function – User is able to save their space within a dictionary for later use
• Japanese/Chinese Character Search – Japanese Kanji and Chinese characters can be searched via writing the character on the screen. (You don’t want an electronic dictionary that doesn’t have this feature!) Kanji can also be searched from its On/Kun reading, radical stroke count, total stroke count, reading of the kanji components or a combination of all the search methods used together.
• Multi-Jump Function – Allows the user to go from one dictionary to another while searching for a word or a Kanji character. Useful for looking up the hiragana meaning to unknown kanji.
• Quick Search – Displays possible choices as characters and words are being entered
• Bundle Dictionary Search – Allows several dictionaries to be searched simultaneously
• Example Search – Search example sentences in English Japanese and Chinese
• Plural Dictionary Search – Words can be searched in the plural form
• Wildcard Search – Makes it possible to find words that you only remember partially
• History Function – Words that were previously searched can be recalled.
• Word Memo – Words or Kanji you wish to memorize can be saved in specific files (Great for studying new words or Kanji!)
• English Menu Message – (Change the user menu message to Japanese English or Chinese. English Menu is more extensive and detailed then previous wordtanks)
• Additional features – Romaji or Kana input, auto power off, magnifying of text and English spell check, Letter Size Change from 12/16/24 pixels in size

Uses 2 AAA batteries for 100 hours of battery life.

Size: 148 mm x 104 mm X 18 mm

No flash and poor lighting on the above photo. The screen is actually much easier to read than the above picture indicates. You can also change the darkness/contrast of the font easily with a knob on the side.

This is an example of the small font size. By touching the screen icon on the lower right with the stylus you can quickly enlarge the font size.

For more information (in Japanese), see the Canon Wordtank website.

Posted on February 5th, 2009 under Japan. Tags: japanese language, Japanese Language Study Methods. Comments: 6

In the Arashiyama area of Kyoto we rented bikes and road mostly north into the Sagano area. The last line of homes before running into the mountains (just east of Adashino-Nenbutsu-ji (化野念仏寺)) consisted of some fine ones with a thatch roof. Farming was still going on in the surrounding neighborhood. That some properties also included cherry trees in full bloom put a smile on my face.

Posted on February 4th, 2009 under Japan. Tags: arashiyama, buildings, cherry blossoms, japan pictures, kyoto, sagano, sakura, thatch roof. Comments: 1

I’m a fan of baseball, Japan, and quality photography. If you share similar interests then you should check out the above book. You can view it all online here (where you can also purchase it). I don’t know Greg Thompson. Nor do I get anything from your purchase so don’t worry about any alterior motives on my part. I am merely sharing this with you because I found it to be very cool.

Posted on February 3rd, 2009 under Japan. Tags: baseball, japan pictures. Comments: 3

My prior Mangajin package deals sold out quickly. I have yet another. This one includes 7 issues for $37 delivered in the U.S.A. The issues are No. 17, 35, 39, 40, 41, 45, and 46. Four of those are pictured above.

As always, email me if interested. I still have a few issues of Nihongo Journal available too (some with tapes). Shipping is free on all Nihongo Journal issues (and tapes) if purchased with the 7 issue Mangajin deal.

Posted on February 2nd, 2009 under Japan. Tags: mangajin. Comments Off on More Mangajin issues available