The Dancing Girl of Izu

This newly translated collection presents twenty-three stories by one of the most important writers in contemporary Japanese literature. The translator notes that the author "employs devices from those long poetic traditions in order to create in modern prose his remarkable effects: juxtaposition of image upon image to open up the depths of feeling lurking behind placid surface reality." We owe this insight to Martin Holman, who revealed to us that the author, Yasunari Kawabata, was already a mature writer in his childhood by translating these significant early writings into English.

The acute awareness, deceptive simplicity, and profound melancholy that characterise most of Kawabata's art are all evident in this collection. The author's remarkable ability to capture the nuances of human emotion and the complexities of the human experience are on full display. Through the juxtaposition of vivid imagery and the exploration of the depths of human feeling, Kawabata transports the reader into a world that is both familiar and foreign, inviting them to engage with the underlying layers of meaning that lie beneath the surface.

The stories in this collection span a wide range of themes, from the intimate and personal to the broader societal and cultural. Whether exploring the intricacies of human relationships, the search for meaning in the face of adversity, or the fleeting nature of life, Kawabata's writing is marked by a profound sense of empathy and a deep understanding of the human condition.

One of the standout features of this collection is the author's mastery of language, which is evident in the deceptively simple yet deeply resonant prose. Kawabata's writing is characterized by a sense of restraint and a refusal to indulge in unnecessary flourishes, allowing the power of his storytelling to shine through. The result is a reading experience that is both intellectually and emotionally engaging, leaving a lasting impression on the reader.

Overall, this newly translated collection is a testament to the enduring brilliance of Yasunari Kawabata, one of the most revered and influential writers in the Japanese literary canon. Through these stories, readers are invited to explore the depths of the human experience, to grapple with the complexities of emotion and identity, and to discover the profound insights that lie at the heart of Kawabata's remarkable body of work.

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