"In the transcendent stories of Miyazawa, Earth teems with magic and wonder." —Publishers Weekly "A marvelous writer who deserves to be much better known in English." —Kirkus This charming manga collection presents three modern fables by one of Japan's most gifted authors, the poet and short story writer Kenji Miyazawa. Miyazawa is beloved in Japan, and increasingly abroad, for his masterful storytelling, poetic imagery, and powerful evocation of both the shadow and light of human nature. His world of sentient stars and enchanted forests, presented here in manga form, will appeal to imaginative readers of all ages. The Restaurant of Many Orders follows a pair of confident, self-centered young men on a hunting expedition. After entering a mysterious restaurant, the men are given peculiar orders such as to rub cream on their bodies — until they finally realize they themselves are about to become dinner for lurking beasts! The Wildcat and the Acorns is the story of a young boy invited to attend a trial where a wildcat presides over golden acorns disputing which acorn is the best one The Twin Stars brings to life the heavenly constellations, whose musical performances keep the stars twinkling at night. In the daytime, however, the harmony falls apart as the constellations squabble among themselves
This charming manga collection presents three modern fables by one of Japan's most gifted authors, the poet and short story writer Kenji Miyazawa. The Restaurant of Many Orders follows a pair of confident, self-centered young men on a hunting expedition. After entering a mysterious restaurant, the men are given peculiar orders such as to rub cream on their bodies - until they finally realize they themselves are about to become dinner for lurking beasts! The Wildcat and the Acorns is the story of a young boy invited to attend a trial where a wildcat presides over golden acorns disputing which acorn is the best one. The Twin Stars brings to life the heavenly constellations, whose musical performances keep the stars twinkling at night. In the daytime, however, the harmony falls apart as the constellations squabble among themselves.
This is perhaps the most famous of Kenji's short stories and one of his personal favorites, as it was the title story of his one and only self-published collection of short stories. Two hunters go on a hunting trip in the country and end up completely lost. Luckily they come across what appears to be an extremely popular restaurant...but everything is not as it seems.Kenji Miyazawa is one of Japan's best known and well-loved writers and poets. He was born in what is now Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture, Japan, in 1896. Although the eldest son of a wealthy pawnbroker and landowner, Kenji was a deeply spiritual person who led a frugal life, and when he wasn't writing, volunteered a great deal of his time teaching farmers how to improve their crop yields, or organizing concerts for classical music in his local village. He was a prolific writer who completed hundreds of works, but only a small collection of those were published while he was still alive, his reputation as one of Japan's greatest storytellers only coming after his death in 1933, aged 37.
Miyazawa Kenji is perhaps the most widely researched Japanese writer presently, not only by Japanese scholars but also by foreign scholars of Japanese literature worldwide. The relevance and meaning of Kenji's works to the contemporary world have increased manifold over the years and the researchers throughout the world unanimously agree to the truth that his works stand for the betterment and benefit of the mankind as a whole. This universality of his works appeals to the psyche of every human being on this earth, irrespective his/her age, race, gender, language or nationality. Ten of his representative short stories in English translation are introduced in this volume for my young fellow countrymen. Each of these ten stories enwrapped in Indian/Buddhist ideology bears a different colour and style, depicting through animals and birds the intricate human society, agonized by discrimination, infighting, deceit, fraud, muscle power, betrayal, arrogance, life and rebirth, cause and effect and lack of mutual love and concern. In CHILDREN OF THE GINGKO TREE, the true picture of this transient world is depicted through the separation of beloved ones. Nothing is permanent in this world. In THE WILD GOOSE CHILD, the concept of Karma, Cause and Effect, Rebirth and ultimate attainment of Nirvana through penitence are described. In THE EARTH GOD AND THE FOX, a triangular relationship of three characters, namely, the Earth God, the Fox and the beautiful Birch Tree unfolds the selfish, impatient and cruel mentality of man, who has no place in his mind for love, sympathy or fellow feeling towards others. In WILDCAT AND THE ACORNS, the fight among the acorns for superiority is depicted so realistically and vividly that it reflects the true daily life of human beings. In THE LION KING Kenji is narrating how effectively the ruler of the wild kingdom, the lion, maintain the law and order in his domain. This is a classic example of wise and prudent actions by the animals, something which is lacked by the human beings. In THREE FROGS AND A RUBBER SHOE, jealous and wickedness of human mind are depicted through the vicious actions of Bun and Ben frogs. However, one cannot escape from the retribution of his actions. In THE SHELL FIRE, Kenji is depicting the importance of selfless affection and love towards fellow beings. The Shell Fire in our hearts will glow brilliantly only if we have a kind, merciful and loving heart towards others. In THE NIGHTHAWK STAR, the author is depicting the successful life of a meek and weak nighthawk who attained his goal through sheer determination and strong will power, overcoming the social discrimination and willful threat from the mighty hawk. In THE RESTAURANT OF MANY ORDERS, how the greed and wickedness of a man make him selfish and blind towards the suffering of others and lead him to the brink of destruction is narrated. In CHESTNUT TREE AND MONKEY CHAIRS, the fantasy of a young boy, where the boy himself has become the subject for classical deception by the tiny monkies , is narrated.
This guide offers practical tips on what to order and how to enjoy it.longside sample menus, this volume also explores the history of Japaneseestaurant etiquette, the emphasis on visual presentation, and regionalariations.
Kenji Miyazawa is one of modern Japan’s most beloved writers, a great poet and a strange and marvelous spinner of tales, whose sly, humorous, enchanting, and enigmatic stories bear a certain resemblance to those of his contemporary Robert Walser. John Bester’s selection and expert translation of Miyazawa’s short fiction reflects its full range from the joyful, innocent “Wildcat and the Acorns,” to the cautionary tale “The Restaurant of Many Orders,” to “The Earthgod and the Fox,” which starts out whimsically before taking a tragic turn. Miyazawa also had a deep connection to Japanese folklore and an intense love of the natural world. In “The Wild Pear,” what seem to be two slight nature sketches succeed in encapsulating some of the cruelty and compensations of life itself.
This Japanese interior design and architecture book is filled with fresh ideas for restaurateurs and foodies alike. The Japanese approach of introducing classical aesthetics to innovative and exciting dinning spaces expresses the fundamentals of Japanese architecture and design. With evocative texts accompanying stunning photographs, Contemporary Japanese Restaurant Design features 28 of the most cutting-edge dining spaces by the country's leading restaurant designers.
Ebook updated for 2020! Kyoto Machiya Restaurant Guide. Over 100 all new must-visit restaurants + revisions throughout. (Print edition is unchanged.) Machiya, or townhouses, are traditional wooden dwellings in Kyoto that evoke the elegance and culture of Japan's old capital with their architectural details, beautiful gardens, and intimate rooms. Many have been converted into restaurants to create unforgettable dining experiences. Enjoying healthy food in a historic, traditional Kyoto environment is a rare pleasure. Here are some 130 restaurant listings (food, decor, hours, addresses, prices, maps, and index) and a photographic guide to machiya architecture, culture, and aesthetics. Judith Clancy has lived in Japan since 1970 and is the author of Exploring Kyoto. Ben Simmons is a Japan-based photographer.
