16 Comments
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Kate Jones's avatar

This is a fascinating collection of ideas and reflections on your first month in Japan. I can really feel the strangeness for you and also the fascination.

I'm so glad your first week has gone well in school! (Hopefully for your son too! :)

Brian Wilcox's avatar

Thanks for sharing this “moving” piece :)…This summer i read through Haruki Murakami’s newest novel “The City and Its Uncertain Walls” and was thinking how much I would love to be in the country where he developed and gathered inspiration. While I was not a super fan of his newest work, the sentiment would be nice. Hope you are enjoying the transition and as my son has grown up enough for me to jump on the road, I’m wondering what it might be like to spend the next 20 years as a migrant or a nomad…but ill start with 6 months. Thanks as always, KCW!

Kathleen Clare Waller's avatar

6 months sounds like a super start, Brian. Can’t wait to hear more about it after you’re back on the grid.

I’ve got that book on my shelf and haven’t hit it yet as I keep hearing it’s sort of mediocre. But I love the worlds he creates and will tackle it soon. Commendatore (I think the one before?) was great. Yeah I’m inspired by the Japanese books I’ve read to dive deeper into the culture. All in good time, I guess.

Thank you and keep us posted!

Plain Jane's avatar

Glad you’re settled in, thank you for sharing your creative responses to it all 🙏🌻

Jon (Animated)'s avatar

Your blend of disorientation and discovery is so good here. Hope all continues to go well.

Kathleen Clare Waller's avatar

Thanks so much, Jon.

Mr. Troy Ford's avatar

There really is nothing quite like moving to a new country to cast everything in a new and alien light. I do love those digital immersion experiences though, we just a single display at the Hokusai exhibit in Pisa and it's just so relaxing, I wish there were more of them, everywhere. Well done and best wishes "settling" in, Kate xo

Kathleen Clare Waller's avatar

Oh nice, yes I always think they will be cheesy but they’re really incredible. This one at least. Thanks Troy x

Gianni Simone's avatar

Welcome to Japan, Kate. Your description of the evil effects of summertime here is spot on.

Kathleen Clare Waller's avatar

Evil summer, ha. Thanks Gianni! Hope you haven’t had issues with the flooding in Tokyo.

Gianni Simone's avatar

Thanks for asking. Luckily it was only hard rain in my corner of the world, but I was shocked to see the streets of Shinagawa turning into rivers.

Jules's avatar

A lot to take in and so much to do! So stimulating. Look after yourselves x

Kathleen Clare Waller's avatar

Stimulating, that’s it! Thanks Jules x

Jeffrey Streeter's avatar

Glad to hear school has gone well and interested in your many and varied reflections here!