Ushi Time

A Yankee in the Far East

In his compelling travelogue 'A Yankee in the Far East', George Hoyt Allen offers his readers an intimate glimpse of varied cultures as seen through the eyes of an American traveler. With a narrative as richly descriptive as it is insightful, Allen weaves the experiences of his Eastern journey with a mastery of prose that both captivates and educates. His literary style provides a delicate balance between a tourist's wonder and a scholar's scrutiny, making this book an important piece in the literary context of Western perspectives on Eastern societies during the era of its writing. It stands as a testament to the importance of cross-cultural exploration and understanding, narrated with an authenticity that only a firsthand observer can provide. George Hoyt Allen, presumably moved by an inherent interest in the cultural tapestry of the Far East and informed by his own experiences, penned this work to offer a window into societies that would have been largely mysterious to his contemporaries. His work reflects a broader tradition of exploration and discovery literature, which sought to reconcile the familiar with the vastly unknown. Allen's intimate portrayals and keen observations suggest a deep personal engagement with the places and people he encountered, lending a particular veracity and depth to his writing. 'A Yankee in the Far East' is not merely a historical or cultural record; it is an invitation to journey alongside Allen as he traverses this diverse and captivating region. It is recommended for those with an interest in travel literature, individuals curious about the East as seen from a Western perspective in the past, and readers who value the personal touch of an author deeply invested in the worlds he explores. Allen's work stands as a bridge between worlds, a guidebook of empathy and curiosity, and a window to a time when every journey was as much about discovery of self as it was of others.

Transactions of the Asiatic Society of Japan

Southern Exposure

Southern Exposure is the first anthology of Okinawan literature to appear in English translation, and it appears at a propitious time. Although Okinawa Prefecture comprises only one percent of Japan's population, its writers have been winning a disproportionate number of literary awards in recent years--including the prestigious Akutagawa Prize for fiction, which was awarded to Matayoshi Eiki in 1996 and to Medoruma Shun in 1997. Both Matayoshi and Medoruma are represented in this anthology, which includes a wide range of fiction as well as a sampling of poetry from the 1920s to the present day. Modern Okinawa has been forged by a history of conquest and occupation by mainland Japan and the United States. Its sense of dual subjugation and the propensity of its writers to confront their own complicity with Japanese militarism imbues Okinawa's literary tradition with insightful perspectives on a wide range of issues. But this tradition is as deeply rooted in the region's lush semitropical landscape as in the forces of history. As this anthology demonstrates, Okinawan writers often suffuse their works with a lyricism and humor that disarms readers while bringing them face to face with the region's richly ambiguous legacy.