Our JanuaryInJapan Bookclub was so good last winter when we came together to talk about the first chapter of The Tale of Genji, that Yukki and I can't wait to host it again!
What could be better on a cold January Saturday than to join up with like-minded friends across the world, online, to chat about a novel that puts Kyoto at its heart!
This January, join us to talk about this enchanting short novel, The Old Capital by Kawabata Yasunari.
For our JanuaryinJapan Bookclub, we are delighted to be joined once again by our friend Akira-san, JSPS (Japan Society for the Promotion of Science) Research Fellow at Hokkaido University specializing in Greek philosophy. Akira san was the highlight of last year's Bookclub with his wonderful insight into Murasaki's waka poetry.
In this blog
In this blog we will introduce the questions that we would like to discuss about this fascinating novel, so that you can keep them in mind as you read. We would love you to note the points that you would like to share and discuss with us too - we are hoping for a lively and animated chat about Kyoto and this novel!
Below we will itemise all you need to know in order to join us! Please do, we love to meet new friends, and it would be a real pleasure to share your ideas! We will be covering the following topics in this blog:
1. How to join us for our Bookclub!
2. The questions that we will be asking on the day. 3. An introduction to the novel The Old Capital.
How to join our JanuaryinJapan Bookclub
Date: Saturday 28th January 2023 from
1pm - 2:30PM GMT
Sign up to our online book
club here!
We're reading the edition by Counterpoint Press, translated by J. Martin Holman, but if you would prefer to read another edition, or read it in the original Japanese, that's great too!
This is a free ticketed event. Just follow the link to our Eventbrite page and sign up, so that we know that you will be joining us :)
The questions we will be asking on the day
Some of the ideas we would love to discuss with you are:
Who or what is the protagonist of this novel?
The opening of the novel: what do the violets and the crickets in the bell jar represent?
How does the traditional skill of obi sash weaving appear to be used as a structure for the novel?
How are the tensions between traditional Kyoto ways and the modern city revealed?
Can you find influences of The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter in this novel? (You may like to watch the Ghibli film Princess Kaguya which is based on this ancient Japanese story. It is available on Netflix).
Why is the Gion Matsuri at the literal heart of this novel?
How does Kawabata introduce themes of twin identities, and themes of nurture into the novel?
Who is the author, and who were his contemporaries and influences?
An Introduction to The Old Capital
When Yukki and I came across The Old Capital by Kawabata Yasunari, it immediately shone as the perfect novel for our second January in Japan Bookclub.
Zusetsu is founded on a passion for the old city of Kyoto, and this novel is a love letter to the city, imbued with layers of history and custom and tradition. It follows a couple and their daughter as they hesitate on the threshold of a fast-changing city. With whispers of fairy-tale, and a narrative following loss and love, this is a novel in which every reference of place is placed for a reason, and that captures the twin identities of a city that is at once ancient and otherworldly, while simultaneously bustling and modern.
Kawabata's writing has been likened to Japanese ink painting, in that what is omitted is as resonant as what is included. In this novel Kawabata captures a glance or a gesture which informs us of unspoken feelings..
The Old Capital was one of the three short novels by Kawabata Yasunari (Snow Country and Thousand Cranes being the other two) for which he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1968.
In our online book club we hope to learn more about the intriguing author Kawabata Yasunari and his contemporary authors, including Mishima Yukio and Tanizaki Juunichiro.
1. Who or what is the protagonist of this novel?
Chieko is drawn to ancient temples that have a connection to the Imperial past, and seems to represent the traditions that continue to exist side-by-side with the modern city. But is the narrative preoccupied with her story, or something else?
2. The opening of the novel: what do the violets and the crickets in the bell jar represent?
Let's consider the way the novel begins. What could Kawabata be suggesting and invoking when he describes the violets and the bell crickets?
3. How does the traditional skill of obi sash weaving appear to be used as a structure for the novel?
A skilfully woven obi sash from Nishijin lends structure and support and great beauty to a kimono. How does Kawabata develop a strong frame of beauty to his narrative?
4. How are the tensions between traditional Kyoto ways and the modern city revealed?
Our characters are living in 20th century Kyoto, intrigued by new ideas from abroad, but as much a part of the rhythm of continuity in the old capital of Kyoto as the changing seasons that they hold so dear.
5. Can you find influences of The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter in this novel?
From Ghibli Studios The Tale of Princess Kaguya
You may like to watch the Ghibli movie Princess Kaguya which is based on this ancient Japanese story. It is available on Netflix.
Taketori Monogatari, the story's Japanese name, is believed to date back to the early Heian era, when the new capital city of Japan, Heian-kyou (modern day Kyoto), was established. It's a golden thread of beauty woven into this novel.
6. Why is the Gion Matsuri at the literal heart of this novel?
What is it about Gion that could have such an influence on the sister's story?
7. How does Kawabata introduce themes of twin identities, and themes of nurture into the novel?
There are at least three twin identities that exist side by side in this novel. How does Kawabata increase the pathos for the sisters with themes of nurture, and why were the sisters separated in the first place?
8. Who is the author, and who were his contemporaries and influences?
We are looking forward to learning more about the acclaimed Japanese writers of the mid-twentieth century.
We hope you enjoy thinking about these ideas for discussion as you read this great novel. We are looking forward to all of your ideas, and can't wait to hear what has resonated with you too!
We hope you join us at our JanuaryinJapan Bookclub!
We look forward to seeing you at our JanuaryinJapan Bookclub! 🌸
Remember you can sign up to the bookclub from here
and you can always email us at cathy@zusetsu.com if you have any questions.
Cathy & Yukki xx
Where to buy the novel:
We're reading the edition by Counterpoint Press, translated by J. Martin Holman, but if you would prefer to read another edition, or read it in the original Japanese, that's great too!
Amazon
Waterstones
Blackwells
The Counterpoint Press edition of The Old Capital is also available in pdf format online free.
Further resources
Our original Zusetsu Book Review about The Old Capital
Snow Country by Kawabata Yasunari
Thousand Cranes by Kawabata Yasunari
The Makioka Sisters by Tanizaki Juunichiro
The Sound of Waves by Mishima Yukio
The Tale of Princess Kaguya - wonderful animated film from Ghibli Studios based on The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter (Taketori Monogatari)
Our blog about Princess Kaguya which you can read here.
BBC Radio 3 Free Thinking podcast Kawanabe Kyousai and Yukio Mishima
NHK Video On Demand: Snow Country adaptation in two parts (includes a short introduction about Kawabata).
