How did you end living in Yamaguchi?
All this was just an accident, in fact. I was living in Germany and studying before coming here. The way I was coming at the end of my time and wondering where to go ahead, a friend of the university emailed out of the blue color. She said that she was working in an English school in Yamaguchi who was looking for a teacher; Was i interested? And I thought, “Why not give it?” I am happy that I did this, because here I am 20 years later, and may be happy.
What were you interested in writing and writing about Yamaguchi Bruriaries?
The first thing was just enjoying the drink. I came here in 2004, and was correct at the beginning of a big leap in the quality and recognition of Yamaguchi. Therefore, people around me were excited to share the local drink with this new man. Over time, as I began to know more about the process of making alcohol, I was attracted to all the craftsmanship that goes into it. I have always been a fan of traditional crafts and making things by hand, and is definitely a good example.
Then, when I started working as a translator, I saw my position as a way to get closer to that craft and perhaps help to share these amazing local products with the world.
After interacting with the work of Uketsu as a translator, what did you stand as a major subject in the book?
Strange photos There is an unusual book that you can only read for cold and mysteries, but can also reward some deep reading and discovery of subjects. As a translator, of course I wanted to be as deep as possible to ensure that I did not remember anything when I was bringing it to English. I will not go into the spoiled area, but as I went repeatedly through the book, I think the essential topic of strange photos is maternity, and how it can be a source of immense love and also a very dangerous thing.
You mentioned in your blog about the challenges of translation Strange photos – Kanji letter, name of the blog in chapter one, etc. What are some of the most common challenges to translate Japanese into English?
I think there are two things about Japanese that make me especially challenging to translate personally – other people have definitely their list. There is a purely linguistic, and a stylistic.
The linguistic issue is that the sentences often leave the subject, that is, who is this who is speaking or taking some action, which we cannot do in English. In Japanese, the subject is usually understood from reference, but sometimes it is deliberately left unclear. Especially in mystery and horror styles, not knowing is often necessary for the effect of a story. There is a danger of ruining the surprise of English to know the theme of a sentence.
The real challenge, then it is not necessary to decide who did something, but how to write a meaningful English sentence without ruining any plot point.
The stylistic issue is that Japanese writing uses recurrence in ways that English writing simply does not. For example, it is very common in written dialogue to make a statement for a person, then to repeat the idea in other words for narrative text. So, you can find an exchange that will be translated directly, “This is not just an accident. Somebody killed him.” He was saying that it was deliberately? In other words, murder?
Those who are accurately three ways to say the same thing, and people studying in English, without the kind of style, can tired from a novel that was done for every big exchange. Therefore, I have to be right for both tones and meanings, while still making English lessons, some people will enjoy reading.
What do you make with Uketsu’s deep nature?
In relation to the fact that he never shows his face, he has a YouTuber-some unconventional profile of the author, in the story in which he chooses to attach to it is quite different. I have heard that Utsu himself now talks about it many times, and I think the way people focus on his masks and body-stocking are an excellent example of organic identity building. He has said in several interviews that he was simple about preserving oblivion as a person making those “strange videos” at the beginning of his YouTube career, but now they have become necessary for the Uketsu mystery. I don’t think he had ever dreamed that he would become as famous as he is, so I suspect that he has a plan.
Therefore, the unconventional profile and the story are probably just as a result of being with him as he goes along. Fortunately, he looks quite good on it. All of this actually works to create mystery and attraction with everything, which is not?
For the Utubar-Turon-writer path, he has said that he had not originally intended to become a writer, but in the publication someone watched his mystery video and said that if he writes books, he would be a hit. Obviously, that person was right.
From a contemporary novel to classics, tell us about your understanding as Sashi Yocomizo’s novels and Honaku’s style, something that was in vogue about five decades ago.
Honku Mystery has been a significant presence in the publication market of Japan for decades, even as a goal of rebellion, some writers began to feel that it was getting very high in conservatives and trops. Of course, Yocomizo was a fundamental person throughout the Japanese mystery style, and his works are still popular in Japan today. One of the things I find so interesting is how dark their stories are, and how they are toy with supernatural elements, even during the purely inherent in the natural world. I think, Yocomizo, the “founding father” of Japanese secret, reflects the influence of Edogwa Ranpo, which, in turn, was deeply influenced by Edgar Alan Po.
Therefore, he includes a grotes, corrupt and an undercrunt of twisted that is beyond more worldly murders, which populate the functions of Agatha Christie or Elary Queen. If you are looking for a Western writer for comparison, it is probably John Dixon car, which finally tried to incite horror fiction trops such as ghosts, vampires and witches while purely natural and scientist remaining.
And today, the “fair-play” mystery is still alive and well in Japan. This is the age of Shin-Honkaku of the “New Orthodox” mystery movement starting in the 1980s-or even Shin-Sin-Hankaku, “The New-Arthodox.” I think some people can also call it a golden age, young writers have challenged the fair-play secrets that bring fresh, which takes the locked rooms and impossible murders well to the treated ground. Which explains why YoComizo’s books are still in print, and many films and television conversions are still being seen.
Of Strange photos And The Devils Flute MurdersWhich translation was more fun and why?
I say in the context of “fun”, Strange photos To be the winner. It was just so satisfactory to reveal all the threads together to reveal together at the end … Okay, I will stay there. No spoils!
There was a lot about The Devils Flute MurdersAbsolutely. This gave me a way to learn about Japanese history, such as the collapse of short -term great classes that were designed in Europe. But then, when I wonder what I achieve from translation, I have to say that connection to writers is one of the biggest awards – and unfortunately, Yocomizo is no longer with us. However, Utsu, and I have been lucky that I have been lucky enough to speak and work with him.
What are you working on next?
Uketsu, the next book of Strange House, coming out in summer, and we are completeing editing on it. Then, I have another undeclared mystery translation coming from Pachkin for some time in 2025 or 2026, maybe, before the next Utsu book, so my schedule is very full next year or for it. But I am also trying to find time to work on my own book, a non-fiction look on ceramic artists in Japan. I hope to make it so public, I will feel forced to finish everything I started!
Arunima Majumdar is an independent writer. He is @Sermoninstone on Twitter and @Sermonsinstone on Instagram.
