Book Break
Living Japan
By Harumi Kimura

(The speech and Q & A will be in English, with Japanese interpretation)

The aim of the Book LIVING JAPAN is to tell to all the world who we Japanese are through everyday life essays by ordinary housewives. Most foreigners may know we Japanese have the special attachment to Mt. Fuji and cherry-blossoms. But I am afraid few foreigners actually know how we Japanese behave and express those emotions in ordinary life. They will find many such answers in the refined essays in this new book published in England.

"Living Japan was reviewed in The Japan Times and The Asahi Shinbun. I would like to explain at this event how I could help so many essayists and keep so many classes for thirty years. In Japan, there has been a traditional system of licensing the teaching of the arts, tea-ceremony or flower arrangement, kendo, judo, and so on, since the Edo Period. The talent of traditional arts and sports has been nurtured and succeeded through this system in which human relationships are very important in both teaching and learning. I have been supported by the system. I think
this system is unique in the world," Harumi Kimura says.

Harumi Kimura is Professor Emeritus of Kyoritsu Women's University. She graduated from the postgraduate school of Tokyo University of Education with a Master of Arts (English and American Literature) and has published many academic essays in English and Japanese. She stayed in London from 1974 to 1975 and her first book 'Letters from London at Twilight' was awarded the eighth Ohya Soichi Nonfiction Award. Since then she has been active as a writer and journalist in various fields. She is the president of KEG (Kimura Harumi Essayists' Group), which has
published many books of essays.

A dinner will be served at a cost of 1,850 yen (including tax). Sign up now at the reception desk (3211-3161) or online at http://www.fccj.or.jp. To help us plan proper seating and food preparation, please reserve in advance, preferably by noon of the day of the event. Those without reservations will be turned away once available seats are filled.

Reservations cancelled less than 24 hours in advance will be charged in full.

Library Committee