Snow at the Shrine Entrance by Kawase Hasui
I’m drawn to this print for several reasons. For one thing, it is Japanese. For another, it is Winter, which is my favorite season of all. Lastly, it shows a person walking through a gate.
Are they leaving something, or someone, behind? Are they headed toward a new adventure? Are they stepping in to worship, or simply to stroll? There is a lot for me to contemplate, as I, too, find myself embodied in this figure.
I began the Japanese Literature Challenge in 2006. In many ways, it has fostered a greater awareness and affection for Japanese literature, both for myself and for other readers. Tony, in particular, comes to my mind, for the ways that he has shared this love of translated literature and gone on to host January in Japan. I can think of many others who have faithfully participated, such as Emma and Nadia, too many to name, really.
When Winter comes, when I think toward what I’ll read in January, it always focuses on Japanese literature. Yet, I find myself challenged this year, not because of my blog, necessarily, but because of my heart. Literally. In May, I passed out cold such that my husband called an ambulance to carry me off to the hospital. Since then, I have had a series of tests done, and it appears I need surgery on my heart this December. No one is more surprised than I am.
So, I will host the Japanese Literature Challenge, but I must warn you: I am not certain how involved I can be. If nothing else, it can be a central spot to leave your reviews and find others, and that is surely a lovely thing. I will do my best to respond as I can, to visit you and share what I read myself.
If this plan sounds acceptable to you, do join us. We will read from January, 2026 through February, as usual. All Japanese works in translation apply. I will leave a link to the review site in my side bar, where I have also left a list of a small sampling of titles for you to peruse.
Until January, then, if not before. 🇯🇵❤️
So sorry to hear of your struggles. Hoping the surgery goes well and you will be on the mend soon! I definitely plan to participate. I already am looking at titles I want to read. :) Wishing you all the best!
ReplyDeleteI’m looking forward to seeing your choices, Karen! Thanks for the good wishes, too.
DeleteThanks Meredith, now time to prepare our lists!
ReplyDeleteYou are in my prayers
Thank you, Emma, and thank you for your faithful participation over all the many years of the Japanese Literature challenges.
DeleteI am so sorry to hear about your struggles and upcoming surgery. You will surely be in my prayers. I will be participating (or at least reading, as usual) this year. This is such a lovely event, and thank you for hosting no matter what that looks like. Take care of yourself Meredith
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear about your struggles and upcoming surgery Meredith. You will surely be in my prayers. I will be participating (or at least reading, as usual) this year and very much looking forward to enjoying some more Japanese Literature. I am so happy that you will be hosting, no matter what that looks like. You are providing a lovely venue for us all to come together as a community. Thank you for that. Take care of yourself!
ReplyDeleteTerri, you, too, are an enormous part of the Japanese Literature challenges! I remember giving you a ginkgo plate, one year, and you still had it many years after. Any comment you leave, and book you read, is much appreciated!
DeleteSorry for spamming your comments. It has been a while since I've used Blogger and struggling to get oriented again!
ReplyDeleteDear Meredith, so sorry to hear about your health issues - I will be thinking of you and hoping the surgery is a success for you.
ReplyDeleteYou are a true gem for even considering hosting a reading event, but you know I will read a couple of my Japanese Lit books - it's such a lovely way to start a new year.
Well, let’s hope I’m able to hold up my end as hostess, at least in some small capacity! Hopefully, by February, I can rustle up some more energy, and maybe even a read-along for all of us? We’ll see. So glad to have you along, and I agree that it is a lovely way to start the new year. Every year. ☺️
DeleteDear Meredith, I'm so sorry that you are having to deal with health issues and that you'll have to have surgery for it. I'm keeping you in my prayers and trust that you'll be on the mend soon enough. And, I will definitely be participating in JLC19 - 19 years! My dear friend, how has it been that many years?! I think you are amazing for hosting and that you'll be checking in on our reviews. I'm excited to figure out which books to read - that's always fun. Plus, it's a wonderful start to a new year. Thank you! xx
ReplyDeleteNo, thank you, Nadia, for your encouragement and friendship all these years! So glad to be embarking on Japanese literature together again; I can’t imagine another way to start the year.
DeleteI was thinking about the print you chose, which I've always loved. I think the person is headed toward a new adventure. There seems to be a confidence in the direction they are headed. Plus, there is a sense of leaving the old behind, letting go of the past. Then again, I'm feeling the need to let go, so perhaps I'm inclined to see that in the print. :)
DeleteI completely agree with your interpretation, Nadia! Leaving the past behind, with confidence, is exactly what we (I) need to do heading into the new year. There are some old habits and patterns, which I leave to need far behind me. Surely this print is appropriate at this time of our lives.
DeleteHi Meredith, I'm very glad that you're going to host the Japanese Literature Challenge again this year. I always enjoy the event whenever I participate, and I plan to join in again this time. Wishing you all the best with the surgery!
ReplyDeleteHi Andrew, I’m so glad you’re joining in again! Your reviews are so thoughtful and insightful; they give me many dimensions to think about which are not readily apparent.
DeleteOh my!! Be good to yourself! We love this event, but we can read and post and you can just rest. You matter more than a reading event. I'm sorry I didn't see this earlier.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lisa. It turns out that i think I can be more active than I had originally thought, and I’m so relieved. But, it is good to have participants’ patience, too.
DeleteWhat I see is snow, the woman and gates with lanterns. Since snow is one of the symbols of death, and death in tarot can mean death of the past, or new beginnings, then maybe she is entering the gate to the future. Her past will be left behind and transformed into something new. Very auspicious for the new year. Maybe for you, too. Best Wishes!
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of entering into something new. The new year brings change, leaving behind the old, and I pray for everyone, a new beginning filled with hope.
DeleteI hope you are already starting to heal and to feel better, Meredith.
ReplyDeleteI shall join in with the Japanese Lit Challenge. Wow! The nineteenth year. Thank you so much.
Thank you, Deb, for your continued interest.
DeleteHow are you doing? Hope you are resting plenty. You are definitely on my prayer list. I have read Snow Country (and want to read it again straightaway), then I am on A Place of Shells (tr. Polly Barton, a first novel by Mai Ishizawa who is from Sendai herself, a very original contribution to tsunami literature post-2011, then The Third Love (tr. Ted Goossen) with the Manyoshu alongside
ReplyDelete