Show your support by donating any amount. (Note: We are still technically a for-profit company, so your
contribution is not tax-deductible.)
PayPal Acct: 
Feedback: 
Donate to VoyForums (PayPal):
| [ Login ] [ Contact Forum Admin ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time ] |
| Subject: suggestion | |
|
Author: rei kimura |
[
Next Thread |
Previous Thread |
Next Message |
Previous Message
]
Date Posted: 08:49:16 10/08/04 Fri Recommending "Butterfly in The Wind" which I hope will be of interest to you and students of Asian studies and any American interested in japanese literature and culture especially as this story is set against the the historic opening of Japan to the West..and was the first diplomatic encounter between Japan and America.. It will be nice for American readers to read about the first point in time when their history crossed that of Japan.especially this period when America and Japan are celebrating 150 years of the arrival of the "Black Ships" to Japan and the beginning of a close relationship that has gone on till today. This story also has the potential for a film or theater play. I hope you will spare a moment to read this recommendation of the greatest of all legends in the fascinating setting of 19th century Japan's enforced opening to the West. This is the true story of the tragic life of Okichi Saito who became the pawn to placate Townsend Harris, the first American Consul to Japan in the turbulent mid 1800's when Japan was being forced to open its doors to the West. This poignant story takes place during a period in history when the "Black Ships" arrived in Japan and changed many lives, especially those of Okichi and her fiancé and lover, Tsurumatsu. Like a butterfly, Okichi was beautiful but fragile, easily tossed about and bruised by the stronger forces of political wheeling and dealing. This was because she was a woman of great beauty born into a poor family without the means to fight the powerful feudal lords who would offer her to appease Harris when he took a fancy to her. These powerful forces caused great agony to Okichi and Tsurumatsu as they were torn apart by others as a means to an end. The story takes the readers on a journey from the wild windswept fishing village of Shimoda to the colorful world of the geishas Okichi was literally sold into, then onto the awesome stage of politics and power and finally to a lonely outcast who walked into the icy waters of the Shimoda Bay one cold grey March morning…. A Review: http://www.ustimesbestsellerlist.com's Rosalie Whitney says "...author and journalist Rei Kimura has put yet another tear in the veil of mystery that still surrounds early Japanese-American relations." She goes on to add, "Butterfly in the Wind is a complex layering. A true and bittersweet love story is portrayed between Okichi and her intended, Tsurumatsu. The particular period of this history - when the 'Black Ships' were arriving in Japan and causing upheaval in so many lives - is excellently painted. This is a wrenching, beautifully written story and one very worth reading." "The tender and tragic story of Okichi Saito, unsung heroine of Japan, is recounted with poignant, vivid detail....Don't miss ' Butterfly in the Wind'. This is one legend you will never forget." (Sonya Bateman, BookReviewClub.com) A review was also done by Mr Donald Richie on Asian Bookshelf Japan Times 4th April 2004. The e-book version was nominated in the 2000 Frankfurt Book Fair Award. This book is available at: Amazon.com OR Olive Press Leeuwerikstraat 4-B 1021 GL Amsterdam The Netherlands tel / fax +31 20 6327212 email: info@olivepress.nl www.olivepress.nl Or Independent Publishers Group (website: http://www.ipgbook.com/ ) 814 North Franklin Street Chicago, IL 60610 CALL TOLL-FREE (800) 888-IPG1 (800) 888-4741 (312) 337-0747 All other inquiries FAX (312) 337-5985 orders@ipgbook.com [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] |