"The ten acclaimed stories in this collection are pervaded by an air of Japanese ghostliness. In beautifully crafted and deceptively light prose, Nakajima portrays men and women beset by cultural amnesia and unaware of how haunted they are - by fragmented memories of war and occupation, by fading traditions, by buildings lost to firestorms and bulldozers, by the spirits of their recent past."--Publisher's page.
In a dusty library, in the quietest corner of a house in a Tokyo suburb, live the Little People: Fern and Balbo, Robin and Iris. Just a few inches high, sleeping in cigarette boxes and crafting shoes from old book jackets, they need only one thing from their Humans, a nightly glass of milk, served in a sparkling Blue Glass goblet, by a trusted young member of the Human family. But when the Second World War comes to Japan, bringing a dangerous new kind of patriotism, both Humans and their beloved Little People face a world they could never before have imagined
The perfect gift for cat lovers: a beloved Japanese modern classic that chronicles the author's twenty-year bond with her cat, meditating on solitude, independence, companionship, the writing life, and how cats can change our lives.For the last 20 years, Japanese readers have been falling in love with the late poet and prizewinning author Mayumi Inaba's story of life with her[Bokinfo].
"Keiko has never really fitted in. At school and university people find her odd and her family worries she'll never be normal. To appease them, Keiko takes a job at a newly opened convenience store. Here, she finds peace and purpose in the simple, daily tasks and routine interactions. She is, she comes to understand, happiest as a convenience store worker. But in Keiko's social circle it just won't do for an unmarried woman to spend all her time stacking shelves and re-ordering green tea. As pressure mounts on Keiko to find either a new job, or worse, a husband, she is forced to take desperate action..."--Provided by publisher.
A beloved Japanese modern classic, this deeply affecting story explores solitude, independence, writing, grief, love, and life alongside a cat. In 1977, Mayumi Inaba hears a forlorn cry by Tokyo's Tamagawa River and discovers an abandoned newborn kitten. Overcome with affection, she takes the tiny creature home and names her Mii, marking the beginning of an ineffable bond. Over the next twenty years, we follow Inaba, a poet and novelist, as she seeks quiet, solitude, and a space of her own. Mii, a fiercely independent cat, becomes her confidante and muse. This memoir beautifully captures the daily joys and intimacies of their relationship, offering a reverential portrait of human-feline connection. Inaba's reflections serve as a poignant meditation on the forces that enable us to connect, create, and build a meaningful life. Recognized as a must-read by various literary platforms, this work stands out for its profound and moving narrative, celebrating companionship and the emotional landscapes we navigate.