Japanese Adventures 02: Book Store Boogaloo - How I Rediscovered myself and my new Dream
The Journey continues
After the Castle-Adventure, and all the joy and anger that was to be found in the knowledge that the government has been skimping on the bill and job-creation program that would come with building a proper castle again, I decided a few days later to go find a book-store at the department store.
The funny thing is I didn’t reach it quite yet on that first trip. But was to reach it on my next one a few days after that.
The first trip saw me circle around town a little, go in some wrong directions then go down some right ones.
Instead of the big department store, I ended up in the market-stalls that are semi-roofed semi not (hard to explain) it’s like a series of allways set up with building-stalls and restaurants that lead up to the department store.
It was an interesting place to find.
That said, I was soon distracted from my journey by a place that Ali Baba would have sworn was a greater source of treasures than any the 40 Thieves could possibly imagine. It happened to be a place that the local Japanese I was to later speak to agreed was lovely, and which had one of the friendliest store-owners imaginable.
His name was Haruna-san, and he was to greet me like one might an old friend. We were to speak of books, of Genji Monogatari, of Yoshikawa Eiji and his monumental history-novels.
But while such literature is a passion of mine, and Haruna-san (who is incredibly cultivated though he could not speak English), was to express some enthusiasm for those stories was to admit to not having read them in some time.
His interest lay instead in the fantasy genre. At this we spoke for nigh on 2 hours about the genre, exchanging notes about it, swapping titles and what not.
I expressed horror at his love for Harry-Potter, to which he laughed good-naturedly, I then told him of my love for Conan the Barbarian, and while at first he thought I meant Conan the Detective character, once he realized who it was I spoke of he admitted to not having read him yet, but commenting he’d take a look into the character and mythos.
Lord of the Rings he was familiar with and was an avid fan of. It was here that we spoke not unlike bosom-buddies, and discussed at length how well it sells in Japan, and spoke of the best scenes, characters, themes and ideas.
He was also to analyze the fantasy genre as a whole, and was to demonstrate a knowledge that was more than a match for my own, of a myriad of American and English fantasy series and universes. He was also to speak of some Japanese ones, and was to carry on with why he loved the genre.
There is something in the premodern, he remarked, something that calls to one’s soul. Yet there’s also a need in all of us, for the childish, for the magical and for the wonder, we all long for Narnia, for Hogwarts, for a place of wonder where we might be welcomed but also prove our courage and where we might find beauty, love and wonder that cannot be found in the modern world.
Honestly, his little speech ended in him blushing, and laughing it off a little. I was incredibly moved, and told him that was exactly how I had long felt, to which he grasped my hand and exclaimed that he was happy to have met me. I normally hate to be touched (it’s related to some negative childhood experiences) but here I felt the warmth of his person and was deeply moved.
From there we spoke of how French culture and Japanese culture are brothers, how similar they are and how most of us French and the Japanese seem to always get on naturally. And he admitted that he didn’t know quite why it was that we got on so well, but that it might have to do with the shared traditions of chivalry/bushido, our shared love for nature and a passion for literature. That there is something in our spirits that make us strangely close and connected to one another.
He was to ask if French people also like Fantasy fiction, to which I told him very heartily yes, but that there’s few French fantasy novels set in a fictional version of France, and he agreed with me that it was a shame and that it was a shame that there is little to no Japanese fantasy fiction set in a fictional Japan. That both France & Japan need their own Lord of the Rings, Hyborian Ages, Harry Potters and such.
Then he went to the bathroom, I kept an eye out for him, when he came back we spoke a little more of fantasy, namely what there is available in Japan in terms of Fantasy and how he had no English or French novels in their native tongues.
He also mentioned that sales have not been great due to the invention of the smartphone and most teens preferring to read books online, he blamed the webnovel but admitted many are well-written.
I told him I write fantasy fiction, am looking to properly publish and that I do write webnovels but agreed with him. He was pleased to hear I was a writer, and even offered advice and words of encouragement saying he did not hold any kind of troubles against webnovelists and said ‘we have to do what we have to do’, if there’s a market there’s a market.
But his view is that webnovelists should get their books printed and sent to bookstores like his, and that maybe he in turn should carry business cards with the link to the webnovelists work in turn as bookmarks or something so that readers pick up the completed work and get marketed the author’s website so that they support each other.
But as none of those writers likely knows he exists, he stated it is how it is, but that he does hope they are doing well for themselves. I was moved by his goodness, and was to tell him I would write a Japanese fantasy novel, and see to getting it translated into Japanese no matter what. He was happy to hear that, and encouraged me to try writing it for my webnovel audience first to test the waters.
I must confess to though his shop was small, really loving the place, I honestly would like to talk to him again.
After this talk of writing (he asked a few questions about the process, about the marketing, about the nature of it) and when I asked if he might be interested he said ‘iia-iia-’ (no, no, no!) but he did look a little interested and as though he’d like to write in spite of his denial. I think if ever I phone call his shop, if it has phone services maybe I’ll try to push him to write a Japanese Harry Potter series or something, as he expressed familiarity with manga, with Yoshikawa Eiji, Genji, Heike Monogatari and Japanese history, knowledge of a variety of Meiji era writers and even many modern ones such as Murakami. Apparently on slow-days he picks up some of his books on occasion and reads them from beginning to end.
A voracious reader I can only imagine how deep, psychological and fun his fantasy world would be. Likely given his love for children’s literature (namely Harry Potter, LOTR & Narnia) it would be an amazing world.
Then as I determined to write my Samurai novel over again, I spoke to him of my troubles with starting it. To which he said maybe I needed to start over again and start from the very beginning of my process that is to say go back to my core roots as a writer.
The lightbulb went off, and I asked for a Japanese notebook, he showed me a few and then upon buying one, I asked for a pen and he showed me three, let me test one and I bought all three. This way when I write, my writing will be imbued with the spirit and energy of Japan.
That is the story to how I restarted my current Samurai novel, and the first chapter is just about finished, and should be copied to pc over the course of June, and revised/redrafted for July for you all. I’d like to get it in down before then though, and if I’m fortunate enough I’ll have it out for between June 8th and the 15th in honour of not only Father’s Day but also Robert E. Howard Days (which is June 7th & 8th). But I’ll need to really speed it up and work harder!
I parted from Haruna-san’s bookstore for work, a part of me wishing to weep as I had felt at home in his little bookstore. Honestly, he felt more like an uncle or old friend than a great many I’ve met in some time. I miss him and part of me entertains fantasies of flying back if only to visit his shop.
Maybe what I’ll do is try to reconnect, because I really want to get my Japanese novel finished (along with Heishi Monogatari, expect Ch 2 in June or July also), and translated into Japanese, published and a copy sent to him for his approval.
So now I’ll say this; I need a Japanese translator for my projects, so if you know one let me know. I intend to have the process of translating some of my novels into Japanese later this year, so that I can start producing them for a Japanese audience.
Secondly, Haruna-san awoke in me a sudden desire/dream. It struck from nowhere and has left those nearest to me stunned.
I’ve not spoken of dreams in years, beyond speaking vaguely of going back to Japan and establishing myself there. But now there’s a new, a much more concrete dream.
I wish to open up a book-store.
I know it sounds strange. But talking with Haruna-san, seeing how happy he is, and looking at the mountains of books and thinking on it. I recalled years ago hearing from a fellow indie writer about her having opened a bookstore, I laughed at the time and expressed that she was living the dream. But now I find myself struck by the same desire.
But I want to sell Bande-Dessinees and books (along with other goodies I can’t reveal for fear that my business ideas will be stolen by the competition). I realized then that much as I’ve spoken of going back to college for plumbing and to secure my license, I would do that for money but the real ambition is the book-store.
I will always write, and will be publishing a number of my books, but the writing could be tied in with such a shop. Shop-owners as Haruna-san are those who make dreams come true as readers come to find worlds they could escape to and writers find someone who will share their worlds with their readers. But it is more than that; shop-owners are middle-men for publishers/distributors so what better way of securing the support of the book-business class than by becoming a middle-man?
Also, I could support my favourite writers, push forward their great works and also help indie writers more in this style and make new connections and become an integral part of a social-egosystem depending on the location.
Quite where I’d establish such a shop I’m still not sure, but I must thank Haruna-san and must credit him as an inspiration both as a man and as a reader.
With his permission I snapped this picture, and posted online to market his beautiful store. Honestly, if I have any Japanese readers here (and I’ve a few I know), I’ll let you in on a secret; his shop isn’t the biggest, but it is the warmest. It is also the best site in Tsuyama, visit it and buy some great Japanese works.
Haruna-san is awesome, knowledgeable and a deeply pious, and genial man. He deserves more business, and works hard to help his customers, and if you’re a writer he’ll listen offer advice and treat you like family.
His shop is the best part of Tsuyama. My favourite part of visiting that city was his shop (right alongside the Chicken-Sandwiches and the local bakery).
This was worth a read, if only to learn that Lord of the Rings is also beloved by Japanese readers.
I understand the desire to open a bookshop. I've always wanted to work in a library. Just to be in a repository of the written word would be so cool. Plus, I could read at work.
Having a bookstore would be a close second.
Good luck on your dream of having a book store.
I had to look up what Bande-Disinees were. You could have said comics. LOL.
Are french comic books different than American comics?