It has been a thousand years or so since “Murasaki Shikibu” wrote the Tale of Genji. She wrote three centuries before Chaucer made English a respectable language for those with literary aspirations. Much of what she wrote borders on the incomprehensible today. And yet, the story of Genji consistently moves me in a way few modern authors can ( Read more... )

Apparently they've moved up-town: http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/20090121TDY02301.htm

Taro Aso is going to be Japan's newest Prime Minister, barring (as they say) a dead hooker or live goat. Taro's a hawk.

I sincerely regret thinking a month ago how boring the news had gotten.

It's been awhile since I did a Japanese politics post, but I'll keep it short. Fukuda resigned. This made me sad. I don't want Taro Aso to be selected as Fukuda's replacement. Given the other three candidates, I'm kinda rooting for Yuriko Koike, former "assassin" for Koizume during the 2005 lower house elections, minister of state for Okinawa ( ( Read more... )

「都をば霞とともに立ちしかど秋風ぞ吹く白河の関」

日本にオオカミがない