Customer Reviews

The Silver Drum: A Japanese Imperial Memoir (Global Oriental Series)

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This is the English translation of a book written by a Japanese princess. Born a 'commoner' and educated in America, she was unexpectedly chosen to marry Prince Chichibu, younger brother of Emperor Hirohito. The story of her early life set mainly in America is interesting, and her description of the days leading up to her wedding, and the wedding itself, are a fascinating account to anyone interested in Japanese royalty and tradition. After that her discussion of married life becomes more of a diary of events which covers the war and post war years in Japan. To those interested in Japanese life, her recount of these years will seem rather stiff and factual and not embellished with interesting aspects of royal life, or even her married life. It is obvious she was very fond of her husband but never really opens up on any very personal feelings, as a Western writer might. She avoids any criticism of either side in the war years, but makes it clear that she was sad to see her birth country fighting with her 'adopted countries', as both herself and the Prince had close ties with England and America. The reason for this impartiality of course is that the book was originally written for Japanese readers and this is reflected in the style of writing which is largely impersonal and factual. Still, the story of her husband's attempts to beat turbuculosis and their lives in postwar Japan make interesting reading. It is obvious that even though their lives were privileged as Japanese Royalty, they were always concerned with the plight of ordinary people everywhere. After her husband's death the Princess became very involved with charities and social welfare organisations, and was very much loved and admired .

Princess Chichibu's memoir. A princess by marriage, she tells about her days before she married into the Japanese royal family and then her life as a member of the imperial court. While she intentionally avoids commenting on most political affairs, she still paints a captivating picture of her world(s). Very re-readable!

While I enjoyed this quick, easy memoire of Japan's Princess Chichibu, sister-in-law to Emperor Hirihito, I couldn't help but be accutely aware of the glaring ommisions the Princess (or the Japanese Imperial Family) chose to make. For instance, the events of World War II are mentioned almost casually. While the Princess admits to being concerned for her country and for her American and British friends during this period, she appears cold and out-of-touch in relation to current events. Granted, this lack of emotion and information is most definitely due to censorship by the Japanese Imperial Family, who have for centuries made an impressive show of unemotional disconnectedness with their people. The princess does admit at the end of the book that she feared the Imperial Family was out of touch with real people, and this statement helps the reader to better understand why the Princess behaved as she did throughout her life.

Dorothy Britton's translation of the Princess' memoire is halting and riddled with typographical errors. However, these faults do not impose too much upon the story - they almost help to bring the voice of the princess alive, as one can imagine Princess Chichibu reading her story aloud in hesitant English.

As a whole, this glimpse into the daily life of a member of Japanese royalty is very interesting, even if it appears to only scratch the surface. It is understandable that the Princess was restricted in what she was able to portray regarding political sentiments and other members of the royal family. She does her best to give an honest account of her own personal life, and chooses to focus on details of cermonies and her day-to-day activities. I believe that "The Silver Drum" is the only memoire of a member of the modern Japanese royal family, and the princess was a pioneer in reaching out to the public to make the aloof family more accessible.