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July 16, 2024
 

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Kris Kosaka

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Kris Kosaka
Kris Kosaka, a resident of Japan since 1996, contributes regularly to The Japan Times. She is a lecturer at Meiji Gakuin University in the Faculty of International Studies.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Apr 25, 2021
Ginny Tapley Takemori: ‘Translation is a community’
The “Convenience Store Woman” and “Earthlings” translator works to support writers and translators through a collective she started with colleagues Lucy North and Allison Markin Powell.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Apr 18, 2021
‘At the End of the Matinee’: Love and longing in the recent past strike a chord
In his novel, Keiichiro Hirano provides a detailed view of politics, culture and economics at the start of the 21st century alongside a story about star-crossed lovers.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books / The World of Translators
Mar 13, 2021
Cathy Hirano: Translation is a door to another world
Translator Cathy Hirano balances her time between freelance translations and young adult literature, and has earned accolades for both. Although her most recognized translations are for lifestyle guru Marie Kondo’s wildly popular works, starting with “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up,” Hirano’s...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Mar 6, 2021
Foraging in Japan: What to eat and where to find it
In her book, “Eating Wild Japan,” Winifred Bird traverses the country searching for edible plants and the stories of those who pick them, eat them and live surrounded by them.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Feb 20, 2021
A daughter reclaims her mother’s heritage in ‘Speak, Okinawa’
Elizabeth Miki Brina's memoir reveals how country and culture are connected to identity by weaving her narrative with the history of Okinawa.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books / The World of Translators
Feb 20, 2021
Stephen Snyder: Distilling the essence of a literary work
In recent years, Japanese literature has earned a reputation abroad for its edgy, socially-conscious fiction, which translator Stephen Snyder, 63, has had a hand in encouraging. Snyder has translated titles like “Coin Locker Babies” by Ryu Murakami, “Out” by Natsuo Kirino and last year’s finalist...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books / The World of Translators
Jan 23, 2021
Poetry and translation are intertwined for Sawako Nakayasu
For poet Sawako Nakayasu, 45, a multicultural upbringing is what forged her distinctive perspective of language and artistic expression. Nakayasu was born in Yokohama and moved to the United States with her family when she was six. Although she was raised mostly in the U.S., Nakayasu also lived in France...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books / The World of Translators
Jan 16, 2021
Jeffrey Angles: Being a translator is an honor and a responsibility
Not only is Jeffrey Angles an award-winning translator of contemporary Japanese works, he’s also an award-winning Japanese poet. In 2017, the American writer received the Yomiuri Prize for Literature for his collection of poems written in Japanese, "Watashi no hizukehenkosen" (“My International Date...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Dec 26, 2020
‘Love Child’: A labor of love 20 years in the making
Rakuko Rubin's collection of short stories that traverse bicultural themes and universal mileposts in life was translated by her husband, Jay Rubin.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books / 2020 in review
Dec 19, 2020
Our critics’ favorite books published in 2020
As 2021 approaches, six Japan Times book reviewers look back on their top reads released in English this year.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books / The World of Translators
Dec 12, 2020
For Meredith McKinney, translations must be ‘as natural as breathing’
Inspired by haiku translated by R.H. Blythe, Meredith McKinney studied Japanese, moved to Kyoto and eventually built up a career in translating Japanese literature.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Nov 28, 2020
'There's No Such Thing as an Easy Job': How hard is it to find meaning in the modern workplace?
In Kikuko Tsumura's surreal and humorous novel, “There's No Such Things as an Easy Job,” an unnamed narrator sets her sights on trivial work after giving up her 14-year career.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books / The World of Translators
Nov 14, 2020
Michael Emmerich: Wisely navigating the levels of translation
The UCLA professor and professional translator says there is a distinct pleasure in developing work in prose styles that are not his own.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Oct 31, 2020
Calling out the U.S. military for ‘Poisoning the Pacific’
Journalist Jon Mitchell has spent 10 years probing the contamination of the Asia-Pacific region by the American and Japanese governments.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books / The World of Translators
Oct 17, 2020
Motoyuki Shibata is always ready to listen to writers’ voices
The founder of the literary magazine Monkey says a translator's first priority should be to honor the pleasure of reading.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Oct 3, 2020
Sayaka Murata's 'Earthlings': Alienated misfits fight against the ties that bind
Sayaka Murata's latest novel is an incisive expose of societal pressures and expectations, and touches on taboo topics such as abuse and incest.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Sep 26, 2020
‘Reconciliation’ is an exemplar of the introspective I-novel genre
Naoya Shiga's confessional, autobiographical novella stands the test of time with its themes of relationships, grief and aging.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books / The World of Translators
Sep 19, 2020
Polly Barton: A heart set on literary translation
The Bristol-based translator balances art-related texts with literary translation and has just finished her first original work, “Fifty Sounds.”
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Sep 5, 2020
‘Astral Season, Beastly Season’: The ambiguity and conflicting extremes of being a teenager
Poet Tahi Saihate's novel centered on adolescence offers an authentic yet compassionate view of searching for meaning and human connections.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books / The World of Translators
Aug 22, 2020
Jay Rubin: An academic’s path to translation
To introduce our readers to translators of Japanese literature, we'll be highlighting one working translator each month, starting with Jay Rubin.
Bloodied Trump survives assassination attempt at political rally
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is surrounded and evacuated by Secret Service agents at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday. Trump was rushed off stage at the rally after shots rang out.
How to beat Japan’s summer heat in ways better for the planet
Tenugui towels hang up to dry at a dyeing company in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture, on May 8. The durable and versatile tenugui, which many people have in their homes, can be used in many ways to cool one’s body.
The neurological disorder that 'kills culture'
Akiko Trush says her experience with the neurological disorder dystonia left her feeling like she wanted to chop her own hand off.
Amid same-sex marriage ban, LGBTQ couples opt for 'photo weddings'
A lesbian couple, consisting of a 35-year-old woman (left) and 40-year-old woman, cover their faces with bouquets as they pose for wedding photos in Yokohama on Nov. 1.
China and Russia conduct joint Pacific military patrol
The Russian corvette Gromkiy enters the Chinese port of Zhanjiang as part of a joint China-Russia naval exercise on Saturday.
How to beat Japan’s summer heat in ways better for the planet
Tenugui towels hang up to dry at a dyeing company in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture, on May 8. The durable and versatile tenugui, which many people have in their homes, can be used in many ways to cool one’s body.
After Trump shooting, U.S. presidential race might take a violent turn
United States Secret Service Counter Snipers stand guard on a rooftop during a campaign rally for U.S. President Donald Trump in Avoca, Pennsylvania, in 2020.
No AC this summer? No problem (for me).
Think air conditioning is a requirement for a Tokyo summer? Think again.
She’s paying ¥1 million to help behind the scenes at the Paris Olympics
Mai Tarumi, who previously volunteered at the postponed Tokyo Olympics in 2021, has a travel budget of ¥1 million for her trip to volunteer at the Paris Games.
How to tweak your diet when temperatures spike
Most people think of hydration as a strictly liquid-based concept, but eating foods with high water content is an essential part of making it through a Japanese summer unscathed.

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Akiko Trush says her experience with the neurological disorder dystonia left her feeling like she wanted to chop her own hand off.
The neurological disorder that 'kills culture'
By Tomoko Otake

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