Haruki’s 2010s, and Waiting for Nobel to Ring －春樹の2010年代、そしてノーベルが鳴るのを待つこと－

It will be the end of a decade – the 2010s – soon, and the Japan Times is publishing some articles summing up the decade.  So I wrote an article summarising Haruki Murakami’s work in the last ten years and asking why he hasn’t quite been able to win a Nobel Prize in Literature.

I suggested that the ”Harukists” who cry on tv whenever Murakami doesn’t win a Nobel Prize probably make him look a little desperate.  It might be better to copy Bob Dylan and look completely disinterested instead.

I also wondered whether too much whisky and jazz, and too many erotic scenes put off the judges.  A little salt, pepper, and even some MSGs can make the meal tastier.  But not too much...

You can find the article here:

ウィルのジャパンタイムズの記事 Nov 23, 2019

Thanks!

Vocabulary:

to sum something up – to give a shorter version of something, including the key points

to put someone off – to make someone less attracted or interested in something (eg., “The smell of natto puts me off eating it.”)

MSGs – mono-sodium-glutinate, a kind of food additive or flavouring

Questioning Death －死神に質問する－

I had to go to hospital recently for a check-up.  When I was there, I had to fill out a questionnaire.  The hospital wanted to know my height, weight, medical history, etc.  But they also wanted to know the answer to one odd question.  They asked, “If you have a serious illness, would you like to know?” 

I realised from this that some people would prefer not to know.  They would rather hide from knowledge of their own coming death. 

That reminded me of a wonderful book I read years ago – “Lord of Light,” by Roger Zelazny.  In one scene in the book, a Buddhist pilgrim meets Yama, the god of Death.  Instead of hiding, he has a very different approach.  I have edited the story to make it easier for English students to understand.


Extract from “Lord of Light,” by Roger Zelazny: 

Death came from beyond the hills of stone, walking.  He followed the trail, his red leather boots silent on the path.  Ahead, there was the sound of running water, where a small stream cut across his way.  He advanced upon the trail, the hilt of his sword gleaming in its sheath.  A man waited ahead, standing on the log that crossed the stream.  It was a small man that stood there, wearing the dark garments of a pilgrim. 

Death raised his hand and spoke to this man, saying, “Good afternoon, pilgrim.” 

The man did not reply, but moved to bar his way, positioning himself on the log that lay across the stream. 

“Pardon me, good pilgrim,” said Death.  “But I am about to cross here, and you are making my passage difficult.” 

“You are mistaken, Lord Death,” if you think you are about to pass here without talking with me,” said the man. 

“It is always a pleasure to be recognised,” Death acknowledged, “even by one who speaks unwisely.” 

“You are said to be wise in certain matters,” said the other.  “You are said to be a god, whose kingdom is Death, and whose knowledge extends beyond the reach of mortals.  I would like to question you therefore.” 

Death did not smile.  “What is it that you wish to know?  I grant you the right to ask a question, and I will answer.” 

Then, in the ancient words of an Indian poem, the man chanted, “There is doubt concerning a man when he is dead.  Some say he still exists, others say he does not.  This thing I should like to know, taught by you.” 

Death replied with the ancient words, “On this subject even the gods have their doubts.  It is not easy to understand, for the nature of the spirit is a subtle thing.  Ask me another question.  Release me from my promise to answer your question.” 

“Forgive me if it is foremost in my mind, o Death.  But another teacher such as yourself cannot be found.  And surely there is no other knowledge which I crave more at this moment.” 

“Keep your life, and go your way,” said Death.  “I release you from your request.  Choose sons and grandsons.  Choose elephants, horses, and herds of cattle, and gold.  Choose any other request from me – fair maidens, chariots, musical instruments.  I shall give them to you and they shall serve you.  But ask me not of death.” 

“O Death,” sang the other.  “These endure only till tomorrow.  Keep your maidens, horses, dances and songs for yourself.  No request will I make except for the one I have asked.  Tell me, o Death, of that which lies beyond life, of which men and the gods have their doubts.” 

Death stood very still.  “Very well,” he said, and his hand moved to his sword.


Vocabulary:

a pilgrim – a person who journeys to a special place for religious reasons

to advance – to move forwards

to bar someone’s way – to block someone’s path; to prevent someone from moving somewhere

to chant – to part-sing, part-speak the words of a poem or religious text

subtle – hard to notice or understand the effects of

foremost – closest to the front

to crave something – to very strongly desire something

to endure – to continue without disappearing, ceasing, etc.

Time-machine Dinner Party －タイムマシン晩餐会－

I have a time machine.  I’ll let you use it, if you like, to invite two figures from history to come round and have a dinner party. 

You have to choose carefully.  One of my friends invited Alexander the Great.  But my friend didn’t speak classical Macedonian.  So Alexander just sat at the dinner table drinking wine.  He drank four bottles of red wine and then felt offended by a look that Yukio Mishima was giving him.  Alexander pulled out a spear and tried to stab poor Yukio with it, and we had to end the party early.

I invited Cleopatra and John Lennon.  I thought that I could admire Cleopatra’s beauty, and get John Lennon to play a few songs. 

But the arsenic Cleopatra used in her make-up made me sneeze.  And John Lennon made rude jokes about me and tried to catch Cleopatra’s eye.  Soon they were kissing behind my sofa, and I had to end the party early again. 

Do you think you can choose more wisely?  Who will you invite?



Vocabulary:

to feel offended – to be resentful or annoyed, often because you feel insulted

to stab someone – to use a sharp object such as a knife to pierce someone’s body and cause a wound

arsenic – a kind of poisonous material which is sometimes used in construction, and which used to be used in make-up

to sneeze – to suddenly and violently expel air from one’s nose and mouth, often because of an allergy