This is wonderful, Jeffrey. You have a poet’s gift for making unexpected connections (Soseki and his museum., the Sharp company, its founder, the affinity group, your own introduction to classical music and love of Rachmaninoff, shared birth order, parallels between Japanese and English novelists, etc.) that is simply remarkable. All of this is informed by your imagination and the depth and breadth of your intellect.
Coincidentally - speaking of famous cats in literature - I’m working on a post about Britten’s ‘Rejoice in the Lamb’ and its brilliant curation of the words of Christopher Smart. “For I will consider my cat, Joeffry” of course! I’m also - as a result of some insights gained from Maya C. Popa and her Conscious Writers Collective - rereading Conrad’s The Secret Sharer and Heart of Darkness.
Thank you for sharing the photos. Love the ginkgo trees with their golden leaves.
I hope you are enjoying the holidays. Wishing you a glorious New Year.
Thank you so much, Mary! I truly appreciate your generous words.
The Smart poem is great, isn't it? I came across it in Edward Hirsch's “How to Read a Poem” a while ago. I'm a huge Britten fan but didn't know this piece so thank you for that. I'm listening to it now. Of course, it's lovely. I don't think he was capable of writing a single boring note. I'm looking forward to reading your piece about it! Best wishes to you, too, for 2025!
Thank you for the David Lean movie reference. He was my late father's favorite director. I watched and thoroughly enjoyed the film, imagining how my parents must have loved it, too, especially the trains🥰.
What a beautifully evocative essay. I’m a fan of Japanese writers, and Soseki has been on my to-read list forever. Which of his books (that you’ve read) do you think would be good to start with?
Beautiful piece, Jeffrey. You weave together so many pieces of history here. Funny as you mention Sharp and I immediately thought of tech and Manchester United!
Sōseki’s time in London touched me in particular, he sounded lonely and I sensed fear in the quote, which given the time period may well have the been the case.
Thank you, Sarah. He certainly seems to have been miserable. And, of course, he'd have been out of contact with his friends back home, with just occasional letters from them I guess.
I love the ethereal quality of this ending. Those gingko trees are magical. Now thinking I need another trip to London to visit the Charles Dickens Museum.
Interesting, Jeffrey - and gingko trees in late autumn, my favorite. I wonder if you have a link or book in mind that details the why of Westernization in Japan/Asia in general vs. the opposite? Certainly we see the Asian influence in our historical record, arts, etc., but it's never a question of "too much" (except, maybe the "Made in Japan/Taiwan/China" thing some people lament.) I'd be curious to know more about that subject. Cheers, and happy new year to you!
Thank you, Troy. I'm not sure if I can find one link about the topic of westernisation and its impact in this part of the world. But the key difference between Asian influence in the west and vice versa is around power, imperialism and cultural loss. Instead of goods being imported, as we have experienced, at different times Asia found values and systems being imposed on it. And to take China as an example, it's impossible to understand what happened there in the 20th century without looking at what imperial powers like Britain did to the country in the 19th century. Huge topics, these. Something for me to think about for future posts perhaps.
A very interesting piece Jeffrey. I really enjoy the pieces where you explore/illuminate the life/writing/experiences of a writer I’ve never heard of. It is so informative and engaging. And the way you often weave in your own personal reflections makes the pieces feel so accessible. :)
I'm truly glad to hear that you enjoyed the essay, Michael. Your comments mean a lot to me. Thank you for being a reader in the English Republic of Letters!
What a beautiful synergy of masters you blend Jeffrey, I am in awe of your ability to find connections and weave them so imaginativly into your words.."I imagined the ghosts of the two artists walking through the falling leaves, arm in arm, in deep conversation." I will walk my hill with an image of this in my head... thank you.
And with Natsume Sōseki, my newly refreshing education in comparative literature continues. You're a splendid docent, Mr. Streeter. The pace is relaxing, the observations always engaging and curious. Shall we continue?
A lovely tribute and meandering ~ glad we could visit Sōseki's museum with you. I'm in the middle of reading The Story of the Stone (thank you), so I have to ask what Sōseki novel would you recommend to a new reader?
Your exquisite post reminded me that I should know Soseki better.
Alas, it's almost impossible to find the original abode of many past Japanese greats. Burned by fires, destroyed by earthquakes or bombing, or (the worst kind) torn down to build a condo.
Soseki and Rachmaninoff might meet in London. It was fascinating! They are both étranger. If Rachmaninoff would have compose songs with Soseki's HAIKUs or China type poems, they would be amazing!
So fun to peek inside your mind and witness the synaptic connections you draw between fellow patrons, an author and a musician. Your curiosity is boundless!
Thank you, Kimberly! It was fun to visit the museum and I soon found my head spinning with connections. Like any good museum, it was full of questions as well as answers.
We visited the Portland Art Museum yesterday. A Paul McCartney photography exhibit Eye of the Storm and a showcase of psychedelic rock posters of the 1960s. If I were looking at them through the classic Streeter perspective I’d draw an inverse connection between the two. Paul’s camera was stillness in the center of their 63-64 whirlwind tour, while the poster graphics were wild, neon, explosions, the only stillness our eyes upon them.:)
"while the poster graphics were wild, neon, explosions, the only stillness our eyes upon them;" You should be curating shows like that, Kimberly! What a wonderful description. I'd like to see that show. I'm struck by how well 60s rock bands sound today - better than most from the 80s, I'd say.
This is wonderful, Jeffrey. You have a poet’s gift for making unexpected connections (Soseki and his museum., the Sharp company, its founder, the affinity group, your own introduction to classical music and love of Rachmaninoff, shared birth order, parallels between Japanese and English novelists, etc.) that is simply remarkable. All of this is informed by your imagination and the depth and breadth of your intellect.
Coincidentally - speaking of famous cats in literature - I’m working on a post about Britten’s ‘Rejoice in the Lamb’ and its brilliant curation of the words of Christopher Smart. “For I will consider my cat, Joeffry” of course! I’m also - as a result of some insights gained from Maya C. Popa and her Conscious Writers Collective - rereading Conrad’s The Secret Sharer and Heart of Darkness.
Thank you for sharing the photos. Love the ginkgo trees with their golden leaves.
I hope you are enjoying the holidays. Wishing you a glorious New Year.
Thank you so much, Mary! I truly appreciate your generous words.
The Smart poem is great, isn't it? I came across it in Edward Hirsch's “How to Read a Poem” a while ago. I'm a huge Britten fan but didn't know this piece so thank you for that. I'm listening to it now. Of course, it's lovely. I don't think he was capable of writing a single boring note. I'm looking forward to reading your piece about it! Best wishes to you, too, for 2025!
I happen to have have I Am a Cat sitting on my bookshelf and I'm going to read it next. Thank you.
I hope you enjoy it, LeeAnn!
Fascinating post Jeffrey. I would love to visit Japan. Thank you so much for sharing this interesting piece on this well known Japanese novelist.
Thank you, Pamela! If you do visit, let me know!
Will do Jeffrey, for now I can vicariously visit through your newsletter!
Thank you for the David Lean movie reference. He was my late father's favorite director. I watched and thoroughly enjoyed the film, imagining how my parents must have loved it, too, especially the trains🥰.
What a beautifully evocative essay. I’m a fan of Japanese writers, and Soseki has been on my to-read list forever. Which of his books (that you’ve read) do you think would be good to start with?
Thank you, Andrei! I'm so glad you enjoyed the essay. I'd suggest you begin with I'm a Cat. Happy reading!
Beautiful piece, Jeffrey. You weave together so many pieces of history here. Funny as you mention Sharp and I immediately thought of tech and Manchester United!
Sōseki’s time in London touched me in particular, he sounded lonely and I sensed fear in the quote, which given the time period may well have the been the case.
Thank you, Sarah. He certainly seems to have been miserable. And, of course, he'd have been out of contact with his friends back home, with just occasional letters from them I guess.
I love the ethereal quality of this ending. Those gingko trees are magical. Now thinking I need another trip to London to visit the Charles Dickens Museum.
Thank you, Maria! And a trip to Tokyo to see the Natsume Soseki Museum, too? 😊
Absolutely!☺️
Interesting, Jeffrey - and gingko trees in late autumn, my favorite. I wonder if you have a link or book in mind that details the why of Westernization in Japan/Asia in general vs. the opposite? Certainly we see the Asian influence in our historical record, arts, etc., but it's never a question of "too much" (except, maybe the "Made in Japan/Taiwan/China" thing some people lament.) I'd be curious to know more about that subject. Cheers, and happy new year to you!
Thank you, Troy. I'm not sure if I can find one link about the topic of westernisation and its impact in this part of the world. But the key difference between Asian influence in the west and vice versa is around power, imperialism and cultural loss. Instead of goods being imported, as we have experienced, at different times Asia found values and systems being imposed on it. And to take China as an example, it's impossible to understand what happened there in the 20th century without looking at what imperial powers like Britain did to the country in the 19th century. Huge topics, these. Something for me to think about for future posts perhaps.
That would be a great read - thanks Jeffrey!
A very interesting piece Jeffrey. I really enjoy the pieces where you explore/illuminate the life/writing/experiences of a writer I’ve never heard of. It is so informative and engaging. And the way you often weave in your own personal reflections makes the pieces feel so accessible. :)
I'm truly glad to hear that you enjoyed the essay, Michael. Your comments mean a lot to me. Thank you for being a reader in the English Republic of Letters!
What a beautiful synergy of masters you blend Jeffrey, I am in awe of your ability to find connections and weave them so imaginativly into your words.."I imagined the ghosts of the two artists walking through the falling leaves, arm in arm, in deep conversation." I will walk my hill with an image of this in my head... thank you.
Thank you, Susie! The beautiful descriptions of your walks on your hill are an inspiration to all of us.
My heartfelt thanks for such a kind comment Jeffrey.
And with Natsume Sōseki, my newly refreshing education in comparative literature continues. You're a splendid docent, Mr. Streeter. The pace is relaxing, the observations always engaging and curious. Shall we continue?
I'm glad you enjoyed the piece, Professor Adler. And we'll continue, as long as you continue to enlighten us about Reasons for Being in the World.
A lovely tribute and meandering ~ glad we could visit Sōseki's museum with you. I'm in the middle of reading The Story of the Stone (thank you), so I have to ask what Sōseki novel would you recommend to a new reader?
Thank you, Lani! I'm glad you enjoyed the visit to the museum. I'd suggest reading I'm a Cat. I hope you enjoy it!
Your exquisite post reminded me that I should know Soseki better.
Alas, it's almost impossible to find the original abode of many past Japanese greats. Burned by fires, destroyed by earthquakes or bombing, or (the worst kind) torn down to build a condo.
A good one to visit is Hayashi Fumiko's.
Thank you, Gianni! And I will check out the Hayashi Fumiko museum.
Soseki and Rachmaninoff might meet in London. It was fascinating! They are both étranger. If Rachmaninoff would have compose songs with Soseki's HAIKUs or China type poems, they would be amazing!
Yes, I agree, it could have been a wonderful collaboration.
So fun to peek inside your mind and witness the synaptic connections you draw between fellow patrons, an author and a musician. Your curiosity is boundless!
Thank you, Kimberly! It was fun to visit the museum and I soon found my head spinning with connections. Like any good museum, it was full of questions as well as answers.
We visited the Portland Art Museum yesterday. A Paul McCartney photography exhibit Eye of the Storm and a showcase of psychedelic rock posters of the 1960s. If I were looking at them through the classic Streeter perspective I’d draw an inverse connection between the two. Paul’s camera was stillness in the center of their 63-64 whirlwind tour, while the poster graphics were wild, neon, explosions, the only stillness our eyes upon them.:)
"while the poster graphics were wild, neon, explosions, the only stillness our eyes upon them;" You should be curating shows like that, Kimberly! What a wonderful description. I'd like to see that show. I'm struck by how well 60s rock bands sound today - better than most from the 80s, I'd say.
I wholeheartedly agree!
I Am A Cat is one of my favorite books, need to visit Japan finally!
Nice to meet another Soseki fan! If you do visit Japan, please let me know, Roman.