Photos from first hike up Mount Kubote

ANNO'S JOURNEY

The watercolor illustration you see at the top of the National Highway page was made by the Japanese illustrator Mistumasa Anno. Throughout his artistic career he accomplished a truly awe-inspiring number of children's picture books, the most famous of which is perhaps Anno's Journey. Most often, the books detail a traveler's journey through a foreign land.

Anno was born and spent his childhood in the small, geographically isolated village of Tsuwano in Yamaguchi Prefecture. By very good luck I stumbled upon a photograph of Tsuwano showing roughly the same perspective we see in Anno's watercolor. In Tsuwano there is a museum dedicated to the life and work of Anno. Additionally, Tsuwano was the home of the notable Japanese novelist Mori Ogai. I hope to make a trip to Tsuwano sometime this year.

YONDA

I noticed earlier today the library materials I checked out from school last month were to be returned tomorrow. I had already long-decided they were too difficult for me so I thought today I would return them in exchange for something just a little bit easier.

Kawaguchi-san is the school librarian. I found out today her daughter lives a few hours west of Buzen in Nagasaki City. She and I spoke in formal Japanese these last two meetings, and I have a feeling our relationship will continue this way. I'm very happy speaking formally with certain people. Formal language has the power to elevate ordinary experiences from the mundane to what feels like ceremonial rites. I decided after today the two of us speak formally because we have a certain mutual appreciation for one another. Without the reader what is the librarian? A good librarian is the best asset for the reader, much better than a database or search engine. Kawaguchi-san is very good at what she does.

I checked out two books today. One is a collection of songs and poetry by Kitahara Hakushu, the other is a book of poetic explorations in wordplay by Tanikawa Shuntaro. Thank you Kawaguchi-san!

Hakushū Kitahara (25 January 1885–2 November 1942)

1906 Joins Shinshisha (New Poetry Association) at invitation of Yosano Tekkan. Publishes poems in Myōjō (Bright Star). 1909 Becomes one of the founding members of the literary magazine, Subaru (The Pleiades), where first collection of verses Jashumon (Heretics) is published. 1912 Omoide (Memories) evokes memories of the world from a child’s perspective. 1907 publishes 5 Pairs of Shoes together with Yosano Tekkan, Mokutaro Kinoshita, Hirano Banri and Yoshii Isamu. 1918 Joins Akai Tori (Red Bird) literary magazine at request of founder Suzuki Miekichi. 1919 Tonbo no medama (Dragonfly’s Eyes), Collection of lyrics for children. 1921 Maza gusu (Mother Goose) collection of his translations & Usagi no denpo (Rabbit Telegrams), collection of his nursery rhymes. 1922 Kodomo no kuni (Children’s Land), journal invites readers to submit children’s songs, Kitahara screens and comments. 1929 Midori no shokkaku (The Feel of Green), a collection of essays on children’s songs. 1929 Continues to experiment with style, and is inspired by classical Japanese literature (Kojiki), as seen in his Kaihyo no kumo (Sea and Clouds), inspired by a trip from Oita to Osaka by airplane sponsored by the Asahi Shimbun as a publicity stunt. 1935 Kitahara founds Tama, a tanka magazine, and becomes known as the spearhead of the fourth stage of the symbolist movement. 1940 Becomes a member of the japan Art Academy. 1942 Dies due to complications related to diabetes Today Every November in his hometown of Yanagawa a festival is held in his honor.

Welcome!

The heading for this writing refers to the national highway Route 10 in Kyushu, Japan which stretches along the coast from Northern Fukuoka Prefecture to Southern Kagoshima Prefecture.

Two days ago my colleague Asano and I took this route to attend the Dutch kinetic sculptor Theo Jansen’s Exhibit at the Oita City Art Museum. In the autumn my girlfriend Zoe Brown will be visiting for 2 months and during that time I anticipate coming to know Route 10 quite well.

The illustration here is from a collection of works by the novelist and poet Miyazawa Kenji. I first found this image years ago and can no longer remember the artist's name. It's about time for me to look at her works again, and when I do I'll write a feature for her.