The Easy Life in Kamusari: where modern meets traditional life

The Easy Life in Kamusari by Shion Miura and translated by Juliet Winters Carpenter is the first book in the Forest Series. It is a story where modern and traditional life meets in the gorgeous splendor of Japanese mountain life. Yuki Hirano has graduated high school and his parents enroll him in a forestry training program in the remote mountain village of Kamusari. Against his will and with no phone, no interest, he is thrusted into the small, inviting community where the motto is “take it easy.” At first, Yuki fumbles with the tools, asks silly questions and feels every bit the outsider. However, the pull of the scent of the cedars and breathtaking beauty begins to have a lasting effect on him. As he learns the trade, he embraces the traditions of the village and learns a new respect for the forests with its secrets and harmony. 

The Easy Life of Kamuari is a warm coming of age story told in Miura’s lyrical style which sets a mood and will entrance readers as they take this journey into a Japanese mountain community. It is a beautiful and yet simple story of one young man’s life in a mountain village where he learns to work hard when he can and rest when it’s needed. One of my favorite quotes is “Running around won’t make the trees grow faster. Get plenty of rest, eat hearty, and tomorrow take what comes.” It is a beautiful way to say let tomorrow worry about tomorrow. While readers will see the story through Yuki’s eyes, the mountain itself is a character filled with vibrant life and mysterious secrets. It is an easy read as the story flows like a river, calm and relaxing. I highly recommend The Easy Life in Kamusari. 

The Easy Life in Kamusari is available in hardcover, eBook and audiobook

The Great Passage: a beautiful story of words, language and our lives

The Great Passage by Shion Miura is a beautiful story of words, language, and their meanings in our lives. Kohei Araki is an editor of dictionaries or a prominent Japanese publishing house. Along with his mentor, Professor Matsumoto, Araki dreams of creating an inclusive dictionary of the Japanese language. He hires Mitsuya Majime, a studious young man who is focused on accuracy and perfection. Joining the small crew, Majime is now tasked with a career-defining goal: the complete The Great Passage, the comprehensive 2,900-page dictionary of the Japanese language. Meanwhile, in his personal life, Majime discovers friendships, romance and a great dedication to the words that connect us all. Will Majime be able to hurdle the obstacles in his way to achieve the goal? Will The Great Passage ever be published?

The Great Passage is both a hard read and a beautiful lyrical flow of language. The story and interaction between the characters was my favorite part. As the suave, self-assured Nishioka becomes a reluctant friend of Majime’s, and is surprised at the quiet, awkward Majime succeeds where he fails. The sweet and simple romance between Majime and his wife. The characters are what made me stay with the story. However, it is a difficult read as the technical information of the work that goes into making a dictionary slowed down the story. I do recommend The Great Passage as it is a beautiful story and a glimpse of life in Japan and her people.

 

The Great Passage is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook