William just posted about a play based on a work by Ishimure Michiko:
https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/photos/a.129499733790134.25925.123734781033296/1778828775523880/
Sadly, Ishimure Michiko passed away yesterday. She and Dr. Harada Masazumi were the leading advocates for Minamata disease victims. Ishimure fought for the victims as an activist but became particularly famous for her writings on their plight. As was the death of Dr. Harada, the death of Ms. Ishimure is a major news event for Japan as a whole, not just Kumamoto.
I once had the honor of visiting Ms. Ishimure’s home to serve as interpreter for Bob Hernan, who later wrote “This Borrowed Earth: Lessons from the Fifteen Worst Environmental Disasters around the World”:
https://www.amazon.co.jp/…/dp/0230619…/ref=sr_1_1_twi_pap_2…
It was a true honor for me to speak directly with Ms. Ishimure. She seemed pleased with my interpreting and asked if I could translate a Noh play she had written. Unfortunately, I was in the middle of my PhD work and didn’t feel I could take the project on. In retrospect, I probably should have just put the PhD on hold and given the opportunity to work with this literary giant priority.
William mentioned her best know work: Kukai jodo. Thankfully, this has been translated into English:
https://www.amazon.com/Paradise-Sea-Sorrow-Min…/…/1929280254
There are also some excellent articles about her that you can read on the web (or download as pdfs). First, I’d recommend
Ishimure Michiko and Global Ecocriticism Karen Thornber July 1, 2016, Japan Focus http://apjjf.org/2016/13/Thornber.html
Also,
Environmental Ambiguity, Literature, and Ishimure Michiko Karen Thornber Japan Focus, 1970 http://apjjf.org/-Karen-Thornber/3764/article.html
RIP
– Kirk
