羊 --ひつじ-- (n) sheep;
The word "sheep" is not that useful in the daily vocabulary, I could only remember it, because of the 2 titles.
--あおいひつじのゆめ--
夢 --ゆめ-- (n) dream
Official English translation - Blue Sheep Reverie.
--ひつじをめぐるぼうけん--
めぐる-- (1) to go around; (2) to return; (3) to surround;
冒険 --ぼうけん-- (n,vs) risk; venture; adventure
The official English translation A Wild Sheep Chase.
Here is anime I really want to see again. My husband told me that once in his childhood (in early 1980s) he had seen in the cinema and it was so different and such a Weltschmetz. I just have to find it and watch it.
-- たつのこたろう -- directed by 大野 和士 --おおの かずし-- Oono Kazushi released in 1979.
English release title - "Taro the Dragon Boy".
龍 -- たつ-- dragon (esp. a Chinese dragon);
How the dragon 龍 is different to the dragon 竜?
大野和士 --おおの かずし-- Oono Kazushi is is a Japanese orchestra conductor.
He used to be a Musical Director of La Monnaie, Bruxelles and that's where I've seen his performances. This man made me finally realize how indeed awesome Mozart it. Mozart is such a must-do for anyone studying music, that after a while one can easily miss the fascinating genius of his music. Until you hear it performed by someone very talented. Oono Kazushi is rumored to be an avid fan of Mozart and it really shows. I've seen several of his Mozart performances and it blew my mind away.
指揮者 --しきしゃ-- (musical) conductor;
指揮者はオーケストラの指揮をする。 A conductor directs an orchestra.
指揮 --しき-- command; direction;
The Oooku (or often alternative romaji - Ōoku) is the location of the Edo Castle (江戸城,) reserved as living quarters for the women of the Shogun (将軍).
大奥 --おおおく-- (n) shogun's harem; palace's ladies chambers
大奥様 --おおおくさま-- (n) lady of the house
奥 --おく-- (n) interior; inner part; inside
Oooku was functioning as female quarters since 1607, established by Tokugawa Hidetada (徳川秀忠), and lasted for about 200 years.
What I find much more interesting is Alternative Universe (AU) manga featuring Japan under matriarchy with the males as the residents of the Oooku and a female shogun. A very smart setting and very interesting switch of gender roles. manga by よしながふみ (Yoshinaga Fumi).
My favourite ever double-page spread from this manga:
上様の!
お成り!
上様 --うえさま; うえざま; かみさま-- (n) (1) emperor; shogun; (2) honored person (honoured);
Just so amazingly fabulous! And in 2009 this manga got Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize.
There is one Japanese book I REALLY want to read. It has been translated in only in French. Though my French is sufficient enough for small-talk and reading fashion magazines, I doubt I could handle a book influenced by Freudian psychoanalysis... So, either my Japanese has to improve tremendously, or I'll need to deal with French...
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Novel by 夢野 久作 (Yumeno Kyūsaku), written in 1935.
All the critic loves to point that this novel is a perfect example of the modern Japanese avant-garde gothic literature. Whatever it means. And all the psychological, Freudian aspect of the plot-line. I guess, I really need to read it at least French (Dogra Magra) to have my own opinion.
There is a , 1988.
And there is a manga by 寿たらこ (Kotobuki Tarako) supposedly loosely linked with the novel. I read the manga - it's pure kafka, and if one wishes to see it Freudian - one has enough of the innuendos.
桐野夏生 (Kirino Natsuo) wrote her crime novel Out in 1997, later on it was published in English. I read it in English and that's really a breathtaking suspense story. As well it's been recommended as a poignant study of modern Japanese society.
+ OUT 下
OUT is a very convenient for Western translations, just keep it - and everyone understands. Except not. German translation was titled Die Umarmung des Todes (The Embrace of the Death). I honestly had not a single clue that it's supposed to be OUT, until a salesperson has shown me in their database that it's so. A really strange German book-market...
Additionally there is a movie directed by 平山秀幸, Hirayama Hideyuki (2002) and it seems there will be a Hollywood remake.
Searching amazon, I've noticed that there is a brand new book (2009) . I cannot help, but wonder if this new book connect to the best-seller OUT.
河合隼雄 - Kawai Hayao (1928 – 2007) was a Japanese psychologist.
I only read his one book and it has impressed me greatly - (1982)
昔話 --むかしばなし-- (n) folklore; legend; reminiscence; (P); EP
心 --こころ; しん -- (n) mind; heart; spirit; (しん) (n) core; heart; wick; marrow;
Of course, I did not read it in Japanese, but in English - . And that's the book I'd really recommend anyone interested in Japan.
宝塚歌劇団 Takarazuka Kagekidan is a all-female theatrical troupe in the city Takarazuka (宝塚市 ) in Hyougo Prefecture (兵庫県 - ひょうごけん) that makes fabulous performances in the most glamorous style.
歌劇団 --かげきだん -- (n) opera company; opera troup
劇団 --げきだん -- troupe; theatrical company
It's a pure lush!
湖月わたる Kozuki Watar - a former member of Takarazuke playing male characters (Otokoyaku)
男役 -- おとこやく -- (n) male part or role
