Category Archives for other • 残り
The Teahouse Fire
The Teahouse Fire by Ellis Avery published by Vintage Originals This is a very interesting debut novel by Ellis Avery. What struck me most about it is the author had obviously learnt Japanese and learnt it in some depth. Usually … Continue reading
Social Histories of Japan 2 – Autobiography of a Geisha
Autobiography of a Geisha by Sayo Masuda pub: Vintage Second in my short series about social histories of Japan. Usually when you think of geisha you have an image of elegance in Kyoto. And geisha are adamant about how their … Continue reading
Social Histories of Japan 1 – Confessions of a Yakuza
Confessions of a Yakuza by Dr Junichi Saga pub: Kodansha International Press History books are so often about generals and leaders and battles and wars. The majority of histories of Japan seem to be about either World War 2 (variously … Continue reading
Adventures in Heisig • week 2
…in which I stray from the path Heisig isn’t really working for me straight from the book. So I’ve decided on my own Shiawase system. It takes longer. So it’s not the speed system that Heisig mk1 might be. What … Continue reading
Adventures in Heisig • day 3
…in which I persevere. But I wonder if it’s truly worth it. I find the kanji character can be memorised fairly quickly, and I can produce them when prompted by keyword. But what I’ve learnt is of no immediate use. … Continue reading
Adventures in Heisig • day 2
…in which I begin to have doubts. Already. I’m coming up against the 2 huge faults the detractors of Heisig come out with. The “stories” are long-winded nonsense. The “meanings” given to components are often very forced and sometimes just … Continue reading