Behind Cloistered Walls: On Translating the Memoirs of an Imperial Convent Abbess, preceded by tour of “Amamonzeki: A Hidden Heritage” (Geidai Art Museum) exhibit

Date: May 23, 2009 (Sat.)
Time: “Amamonzeki: A Hidden Heritage” exhibit tour (3:00-4:30 p.m.; 1,300 yen admission);
Talk and dinner (5:00-8:00 p.m.)
Fee: 5,000 yen (includes dinner)

RSVP by May 16 (indicate if you require vegetarian meal)

Place: 2nd Floor, Tankiro Hanten. At Ueno JR Station, take Shinobazu Exit, cross over to Park side, ascend steps to park (Keisei Station on left), at top, turn right and climb one more flight of steps to the “Green Park” building; Tankiro is in the right-hand side of the building. “Green Park” is on the edge of the park not far from the landmark Saigo Takamori statue.

Bringing to English readers a story of life in the imperial convents of Kyoto long hidden behind cloister walls, this event introduces the just-published bilingual publication, In Iris Fields (Tankosha, 2009). Author Kasanoin Jikun’s story evokes a world where the past—of Heian (Tale of Genji) splendor, imperial dynasties (daughters of emperors were trained to become abbesses), the upheaval of the Meiji Restoration and the wrenching move of the capital to Tokyo (when the very livelihood of Imperial convents and monasteries was in jeopardy)—as if it were yesteryear.

The remarkable Abbess Kasanoin Jikun, whose life spanned the tumultuous twentieth century (1910-2006) and the last of abbesses of aristocratic blood, recounts in personal essays and tanka poetry her thoughts and experiences. Her singular viewpoint ranges from comments on her childhood pleasures to cultural interests and deepening Zen Buddhist beliefs. Her poetry is at times ethereal and at times down to earth.

Translators for the project, SWET members Beth Cary and Janine Beichman will share their perspectives and read passages from the book.

The talk will be preceded by a tour of the exhibit: “Amamonzeki: A Hidden Heritage: Treasures of the Japanese Imperial Convents” open at Tokyo University of the Arts (Tokyo Geijutsu Daigaku) April 14 through June 14.