Welcome to Litsy!

I had an amazing weekend in Kyoto. So many things to see. I saw 7 out of the 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kyoto. I‘ll definitely visit again.

I‘m glad that by whatever miracle Kyoto was not bombed during WWII. All this history and beauty is so incredible.

For those interest in the old capital of Japan, I‘ve tagged one & will tag some others in the comments.

#BeautifulWords Day 31: Iphigene‘s review: “If you‘re looking for the usual elements of rising action, climax and #denouement, you‘ll most likely not find it in Kawabata‘s work. His story unfolds like one‘s life does, it doesn‘t speed up into a fabricated trajectory.” Full review here: https://wp.me/pDlzr-KF

Is it possible to be bowled over by a restrained, poetic novel that employs a trope older than Shakespeare? Yes! To say this short novel set in mid-20th c Kyoto is understated would be an understatement. Much is unsaid. And yet the plot, together with the tension between tradition & the force of progress, give propulsion to the exquisite characterization, descriptions of nature, & ethereal ideas about art. #translation by J Martin Holman.

“But I‘ve grown tired of them… such an awful lot of flowers. My eye just isn‘t accustomed to them. I wouldn‘t like an obi or kimono cloth in a tulip pattern, but if a great painter were to attempt it, perhaps even tulips could become a work of art with an eternal life,” Takichiro said, looking aside.

(Internet photo)

Chieko sat at the mirror, undoing her long hair, which was always neatly arranged.
“Mother,” Chieko called to the next room. Restless thoughts clouded her voice.

(Image: woodblock print, Hirano Hakuho, 1932)

[bedtime preparations, sleeping alone]:
“Chieko stood in front of the mirror stand, looking at her own face. She considered putting on some makeup, but decided against it. She simply took a bottle of perfume and sprinkled the tiniest bit on the bedding. Then she adjusted her under sash. Of course, sleep did not come easily.”
[💄😴🤔😜also, 👘for😴]

“Stuffed tofu, just like stuffed eel, contained burdock. Peony tofu resembled a fried mixture of tofu and vegetables, but there were also gingko nuts wrapped inside.
This shop was over 200 years old, having survived the Dondon Fire.”

(Chieko, the main character in this novel that‘s set in Japan shortly after WWII, visits a tofu shop that‘s still in business today. I found an image of Yubahan on the Internet.)

The small shrine had not changed. It was described even in The Tale of Genji. The imperial princesses who were to serve at Ise Shrine would spend three years there in purification from the unclean world before going on to Ise.

[ #Genji Is haunting my reading.]
(Internet photo of Nonomiya shrine)

New definition of content: reading together in boyfriend's book room and listening to Haruki Murakami's vinyl collection.

I love this book so much!! There are examinations of a myriad number of things in Kyoto during post-WWII era, but most of them have to do with societal relationship. It's beautiful and eloquent in execution and positively charming with its tale!! This book is the perfect example of why I LOVE Japanese literature!! Also, did I mention how beautiful the cover is??
🌸 🌸 🌸

#theoldcapital #japan #kyoto #historicalfiction #classic