Rediscovering Misuzu Kaneko with David Jacobson
October 27th, 2016 by jules
Most people tell us they’re glad we handled the story the way we did.
Even one of the folks who opposed the inclusion of her death wrote me recently to say she had changed her mind. She was glad we decided to talk about Misuzu’s tragic end, because it helps us appreciate
her character and her poetry that much more.”
Today over at Kirkus, I’ve got a Q&A with author David Jacobson about Are You an Echo? The Lost Poetry of Misuzu Kaneko, illustrated by Toshikado Hajiri and translated by Jacobson, Sally Ito, and Michiko Tsuboi (Chin Music Press, September 2016). Next week here at 7-Imp, I’ll follow up with some spreads from the book.
The Q&A is here.
Until tomorrow . . .
This book intrigues me so much — as does the resurgence of Misuzu Kaneko’s poetry in Japan. Even if culturally I don’t necessarily believe it cheers my ancestors to not be forgotten, I don’t doubt the impact it has on me to see someone be remembered like this, despite an ignominious end. And to make it a story that children can appreciate – is beautiful.
Yes. It’s rather remarkable.