Customer Reviews

Chronicles Chronicles of My Life: An American in the Heart of Japan

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Donald Keene's Chronicles is an enjoyable read. At first I hestitated to buy it because I had already read On Familiar Terms (now out of print) and I didn't want a rehash. I was wrong. Keene took the basic structure of his life from On Familiar Terms and wrote with great insight and humor and presented his anecdotes at a different angle. He expands on things said in his preivous book and both books read together give a complete picture of Keene. He actually said more with less. Chronicles is only 183 pages compared to Familiar Terms at 287.
In Chronicles, Keene talks about how he was "lucky enough" to even start Japanese language. He studied Japan at a time that was before WWII, the bubble economy of the 80's, and the recent otaku devotion to anime, manga, jpop, and video games. Now, many students probably come to Japanese classes because of some aspect of pop culture. Keene developed an interest in Japanese literature that would led to many excellent translations and non-fiction books on Japan. He recalls humorous dinners with such famous writers as Mishima Yukio, Abe Kobo, and he even spent time at the house of Tanizaki Junichiro.
How many scholars of Japanese Studies are that fortunate?
This is a great read about a young man who studied Japanese and eventually matured into an older man who became a gifted translator and teacher. I think more people should read memoirs like this. My regret is that few people will probably read it even though it deserves to be read.

I read this book in two sittings, and found that in a genre often characterized by bloated, self-aggrandizing tales of Me-dom, his was extremely thoughtful and modest and, most importantly, entertaining. I recall a passage where he describes the extent to which his psyche has shifted toward that of the Japanese. It is revealed in the humility with which he tells his story, and by the omissions which anyone would have been forgiven for including (myriad honorary degrees, Japanese government awards, recognition within academic circles). He includes those only which aid the narrative, consistent with his belief that passion for the topic is more important than minutiae.

First a disclaimer: I know nothing about Japanese literature, and I read Keene's autobiography only because I am fascinated with people who are gifted at mastering other languages, especially difficult ones. (Even some Japanese express surprise that Keene is fluent in their language.)

Keene is a lucid writer who chronicles his life with grace and modesty. As is typical with academic autobiographies, the general reader will probably find Keene's early career more interesting than his latter years when he was showered with honors for his multi-volume history of Japanese literature. For one thing, childhoods are more similar than adulthoods. My own concentration flagged as Keene detailed his connections with noted Japanese writers who were all (except for the notorious Mishima) unknown to me.

Apparently Keene's life is strictly that of a scholar who loves Western classical music, especially opera. Keene mentions no love affairs of any sort, and his political views are charmingly naïve. (His strongest quasi-political statement is the declaration, "Down with the car!") Of religion there is not a hint. In short, he has eschewed discussion of any larger philosophical questions--his right, of course, but somewhat surprising for man in his late eighties.

The book itself is a masterpiece of the bookmaker's art and includes clever drawings by Japanese artist Akira Yamaguchi (although unfortunately for readers like me--the sort who muddle through French and German--many of the captions are in Japanese). The book concludes with a helpful guide to the Japanese individuals mentioned in the text, but the book has no index.

Downloading this book is an option Amazon offers, but doing so will seriously diminish its appeal. I am enjoying the little volume as a good read: it's quite interesting even to someone like myself who is unfamiliar with Japanese literature and culture. But further, it's quite the most beautifully made book I have had in my hands for many years. The pages are heavy glossy paper, the font of type is attractive and pleasantly laid out, and the illustrations are charming and witty. For example, the airplane being fueled by a horse-drawn tank, and the airplane cockpit lit with oil lamps! The book's lovely paper enhances the understated lines and colors of the drawings. The pictures portray Keene's experiences or provide background which enriches a reading, and the drawings are sprinkled exactly where they belong throughout the pages. It's no wonder artist Akira Yamaguchi is listed as co-author with Keene, and the Columbia University Press has done them both proud. I'm getting a lot of pleasure just from the beauty of the book itself. It's a gem!

A fine memoir of a scholar of the highest order, written with grace and modesty.

This book will especially be enjoyed by those with an interest in the culture of modern Japan, and also those familiar with previous works authored by Donald Keene.

This slight volume on Professor Keene's long and fruitful life is enhanced by the delightful art of Akria Yamaguchi.

This is the second time that I have used such a heading, as I read,
in a book on tea, that that is great praise from the Japanese. As others above have noted, Keene's humility, fairness, and openness are a wonder to behold.

And look at the beautiful, almost netsuke-like illustrations by Yamaguchi! All highly appropriate and genuinely helpful to the stories. There is one masterpiece of understated excellence, on page 80, of a bird's-eye view of the Ponto-choh in Kyoto, with fine detail. Wonderful!