Customer Reviews

365 Views of Mt. Fuji: Algorithms of the Floating World

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Most writers have enough trouble managing one viewpoint throughout a novel. Meet Todd Shimoda, the brilliant author who uses three intertwined narratives to tell the story of 365 Views Of Mount Fuji.

This is a story of the conflict between tradition and desire, expectations and personal freedom. Keizo Yukawa thinks he knows what he wants, but a move to a new job in a strange new environment will make him question his goals.

The story of Yukawa is the main thread of narrative. Sidebars provide insight into the strange characters that he encounters. Beautiful, traditional illustrations in the margin are a flickering glimpse of the past and the present.

Blending the ancient world with the growing techno-society produces a mesmerizing tour through the mind of modern Japan.

This book is one surprise after the other. First, the main text is a fast paced, mystery/suspense novel that would stand well on its own. However, in the margins are small sub-stories that can be read on their own but really are pertinent to the unfolding novel. In addition, every page has beautiful pen and ink drawings that are related to that particular part of the story. These drawings are a curious mixture of classical japanese art icons and ultra-modern social commentary. It is amazing how well these three elements blend to exponentially enhance the book's message. Although I was initally put off by the daunting task of assimilating all the information on each page, it was surprisingly easy and enjoyable to read. It's a book you want to read again immediatly after finishing it and one you want to set on your coffee table so you can thumb through the artwork. 5 stars.

From a press that specializes in the niche market of people fascinated with things Japanese. This book started as a computer CD project that fell through, becoming instead an interesting experiment in presenting multiple voices in text and pictures. The fictionalized stories of the original artist of the famous 365 views and the modern day pursuers of his work are successfully integrated into multiple narrative voices, although the illustrations rarely relate to the story, and are sometimes a distraction, such as the repeating "ink drop" patterns every few pages. This book is at its best capturing the repressed and conformist inner life of its main character, a museum curator. The story has qualities of the popular Japanese comic book novels, with sinister plots and suspected conspiracies, an intimidating industrial magnate, and occasional bouts of lust to retain our attention. The mix of voices from the past, the present, and possible cybernetic future leads the reader to poignant thoughts about the relationship of past and present, and the attactions and repulsions of modern Japanese culture.

Yukawa is hired by Ichiro Ono of Ono Robotics to be the head curator of a new museum he is building to honor the 365 Views of Mt. Fuji painted by the artist Takenoko. The problem is that Ichiro only owns one third of the paintings; the others are divided equally between his brother Gun, who runs a gay nightclub, and sister Akiko, who operated a ryokan (similar to a motel) which has been in the family for generations. They haven't spoken in nearly 20 years so the task is placed upon Yukawa to gather all the paintings together.

As Yukawa begins his task of cataloguing the views and trying to convince the others to loan them to the musuem, he tries to make an intimate connectionwith both the methodical Kumi (Ichiro's daughter) and the overprotected Haruna (Akiko's daughter). Then, mysterious packages containing some of the views begin to arrive at his dorm room, his office, his car, and Yukawa is unwittingly drawn into the bizarre and secretive world of the Ono family.

This is an intersting novel with a very good story. The author Todd Shimoda has added a unique twist by inserting more stories which run concurrently with the main plotline into the margins of each page, to give character depth as well as background into the artist Takenoko. While each of the characters is well-drawn and interesting, I felt that much of the extra info given was unnecessary and sometimes distracting. The story itself is intriguing enough to keep you reading.

A very strong book bringing us on a fast tour of modern life, 365 views draws us into the lives of many different characters, yet manages to strongly characterize each person. Each character develops and suprises. The story is intriguing, and the style also interesting. Reminiscent of Haruki Murakami.

. . . because this book is full of intriguing, lively characters who really do leap from the page. I am excited about the innovation shown here because as I read I felt disjunction without feeling confused. That's a plus (which many attempt and do not achieve). It definitely drives the more intellectual points home. And, at the same time, the disjunction never gets in the way of the bizarre story that is unfolding. The artwork interspersed throughout the text adds visual impact that cannot be fully explained -- it melds with the mood of the narrative. It's absolutely fantastic. I have never seen anthing else like this. And, I was also pleased to find that I didn't have to know anything about Japan or Japanese culture to appreciate this. It stands boldly on its own.

Keizo Yukawa, an museum curator in Japan, embarks on an intense and excruciating test when he accepts the job of head curator at a new private museum dedicated to the enigmatic artist Takenoko. As Yukawa's story unfolds, Takenoko's parallels it in the margins of this imaginative and thought-provoking work. One by one, Yukawa meets the family of Ichiro Ono, the museum owner. Each one introduces a tiny piece of the puzzle that is the Ono family history and draws Yukawa deeper into the part he has to play in the mystery.

Illustrations by L.J.C. Shimoda add an authenticity and depth to this well-researched and beautifully written book. If you're interested in Japanese culture, the question of aesthetics, or just looking for a book that diverges in a lively way from the norm, pick up this book.