The Only Gaijin in the Village by Iain Maloney

Building a life in a foreign country is never easy, but adjusting from being entirely in control of your life to suddenly being illiterate and unable to do basic daily tasks without support is on a different level. in Boston to a full-time housewife in Japan? Ask Tracy Slater. How do you transition from being an independent educator with a Ph.D. More info: Kodansha USA “The Good Shufu: Finding Love, Self, and Home on the Far Side of the World” by Tracy Slater Nonomura switches between diary-like stories describing daily life and routines and arcane texts penned by Zen masters to give us a fascinating overview of what a long-term stay in a temple may be like. The rules are based on the founder Dogen’s 13th-century teachings and detail every aspect of monastic life down to the tiniest detail - including how to use the toilet. The temple is one of two head temples of the Soto Zen sect and is famous for its strict rules. More info: Penguin Random House “Eat Sleep Sit: My Year at Japan’s Most Rigorous Zen Temple” by Kaoru Nonomura, translated by Juliet Winters Carpenterįirst printed in Japanese in 1996, Nonomura’s account of his transformation from Tokyo-based designer to trainee monk offers a jaw-dropping insight into the rigorous training at Eiheiji. It’s a respectful, insightful and illuminating work to be savored. The book is dotted with beautiful illustrations, and exquisite recipes finish each chapter. Her lyrical style is soothing and retains the magic of her experiences without being overly effusive. What starts out as a two-month apprenticeship at a small sake bar becomes a unique opportunity to get firsthand insight into the lives and works of traditional artisans. Our April read for the TW Book Club is an enthralling personal journey by Hannah Kirshner in the depths of Yamanaka in Ishikawa Prefecture. “Water, Wood, and Wild Things: Learning Craft and Cultivation in a Japanese Mountain Town” by Hannah Kirshner

Three books are TW Book Club picks - two upcoming and one former - so if you want a sneak peek at what we’ll be featuring this year, read on. Start the year right with a selection of personal Japan-based stories, from longtime residents recounting their lives here to Japanese people digging deep into the traditional practices of their homeland.

The Only Gaijin in the Village by Iain Maloney