What a wonderful legacy you’ve received. Your great-grandfather would be so proud and happy to know that his writings and drawings and experiences have so inspired you.
Indeed, I imagine he’s accompanying you with great love and enthusiasm when you enter the mountains, perhaps perched on your shoulder, whispering suggestions in your ear.
It’s not the same…& yet it is. My grandmother, who moved from Victorian London ultimately to Los Angeles, kept a recipe/cook book in her own script. Every time I experiment with her experiments, I feel her by my side, sharing kitchen and caring that gives me strength and continuity beyond my here-and-now and propelling me forward for more.
So many Japanese wrote diaries during the late Meiji Period, but lots of them got lost over the years. How wonderful that your great-grandfather's diaries survived to be discovered by you.
I am impressed that he was so talented in such totally different fields. He must have been a joy to spend time with.
Are you planning to translate and share some entries?
Yes, I am! The one I posted in the essay is actually a list of his expenses climbing Mt. Fuji. 2 sen for ama-zake! 60 sen for twenty pairs of waraji!
I also inherited many other things, including old maps. Deciphering this material takes research and a lot of thinking and analyzing, but, I’m having so much fun. There will be a lot more coming! So please stay tuned.
That is a lot of waraji for very little money. I now see that he seems to be wearing waraji while seated on the horse, so he likely climbed mountains wearing waraji. I am even more impressed!
Researching and synthesizing this kind of material is unbelievably time-consuming, isn't it! I often spend many weeks on a single article and I don't even use handwritten materials very often. I always try to find transcribed versions.
I had to laugh when I saw the journals with all the post-it notes sticking out on top. I have lots of books that look like that on my shelves. I often wonder how helpful the notes are, though…
I am really looking forward to your articles about these journals, as well as the maps, photographs, and especially the drawings. The drawings that you shared look so friendly and full of character.
Your first (I think) piece about mountaineering with your great-grandfather’s maps and sketches, published here some time back, was interesting and moving. I’m so glad that you are pursuing this project. I look forward to reading your posts here, and the eventual book (I hope!).
Thank you for reading and remembering that article. It was Mt. Kinpusan. After that climb, I read my great-grandfather's diary again. And I found another drawing which I didn't see at the top of the mountain! So a few month later, I climbed again, and found his same view. I've been having so much fun following his footsteps. Your kind words are encouraging. I will definitely write more about my new journey!
Thanks for sharing Hiroko. I recently discovered through my late father's old papers that my great uncle and I shared a passion and it was such an emotional discovery. I think sometimes finding these connections with past generations can give a bit more clarity and direction to our lives, especially when relationships with more immediate family members have been challenging. I look forward to hearing more of your discoveries, and you have inspired me to dig a bit deeper into mine. Thank you.
This is such a wonderful story! Please turn it into a book! And I simply love his handwriting, it really is so beautiful. To think he was also able to sketch—a man of so many different talents!
It’s a wooden stamp on washi paper. It was probably left in a box on the peak for climbers to stamp themselves. Stamps (rubber, these days) are common in Japan, even today. They are “proof” of a climb but also a fun souvenir. I can tell he wanted a keepsake. I can feel him looking at it over the years, remembering the experiences that he had.
Great story. I guess that means I should get off my duff and explore some of Japan’s alpine trails…
What a lovely piece - thanks Hiroko! I thought this might be of interest: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Her-Nature-Boundaries-Outdoors-Personal/dp/1784742899
A great story. Thank you
What a wonderful legacy you’ve received. Your great-grandfather would be so proud and happy to know that his writings and drawings and experiences have so inspired you.
Indeed, I imagine he’s accompanying you with great love and enthusiasm when you enter the mountains, perhaps perched on your shoulder, whispering suggestions in your ear.
Lucky you. Enjoy! And thank you for sharing.
It’s not the same…& yet it is. My grandmother, who moved from Victorian London ultimately to Los Angeles, kept a recipe/cook book in her own script. Every time I experiment with her experiments, I feel her by my side, sharing kitchen and caring that gives me strength and continuity beyond my here-and-now and propelling me forward for more.
Beautiful. Something about this essay brought tears to my eyes
So many Japanese wrote diaries during the late Meiji Period, but lots of them got lost over the years. How wonderful that your great-grandfather's diaries survived to be discovered by you.
I am impressed that he was so talented in such totally different fields. He must have been a joy to spend time with.
Are you planning to translate and share some entries?
Yes, I am! The one I posted in the essay is actually a list of his expenses climbing Mt. Fuji. 2 sen for ama-zake! 60 sen for twenty pairs of waraji!
I also inherited many other things, including old maps. Deciphering this material takes research and a lot of thinking and analyzing, but, I’m having so much fun. There will be a lot more coming! So please stay tuned.
That is a lot of waraji for very little money. I now see that he seems to be wearing waraji while seated on the horse, so he likely climbed mountains wearing waraji. I am even more impressed!
Researching and synthesizing this kind of material is unbelievably time-consuming, isn't it! I often spend many weeks on a single article and I don't even use handwritten materials very often. I always try to find transcribed versions.
I had to laugh when I saw the journals with all the post-it notes sticking out on top. I have lots of books that look like that on my shelves. I often wonder how helpful the notes are, though…
I am really looking forward to your articles about these journals, as well as the maps, photographs, and especially the drawings. The drawings that you shared look so friendly and full of character.
Your first (I think) piece about mountaineering with your great-grandfather’s maps and sketches, published here some time back, was interesting and moving. I’m so glad that you are pursuing this project. I look forward to reading your posts here, and the eventual book (I hope!).
Thank you for reading and remembering that article. It was Mt. Kinpusan. After that climb, I read my great-grandfather's diary again. And I found another drawing which I didn't see at the top of the mountain! So a few month later, I climbed again, and found his same view. I've been having so much fun following his footsteps. Your kind words are encouraging. I will definitely write more about my new journey!
Thanks for sharing Hiroko. I recently discovered through my late father's old papers that my great uncle and I shared a passion and it was such an emotional discovery. I think sometimes finding these connections with past generations can give a bit more clarity and direction to our lives, especially when relationships with more immediate family members have been challenging. I look forward to hearing more of your discoveries, and you have inspired me to dig a bit deeper into mine. Thank you.
Loved this story in your book and look forward to further adventures.
Our mountains here in Tasmania provide similar solitude and reflection.
Thank you for sharing.
This is such a wonderful story! Please turn it into a book! And I simply love his handwriting, it really is so beautiful. To think he was also able to sketch—a man of so many different talents!
I went for a big mountain hike yesterday. I really enjoyed reading this post today. Thanks.
That's nice to hear. Where did you climb?
Castle Peak, Eagle County CO
Absolutely gorgeous calligraphy! And the seal is very cool- why did he stamp it at the summit? Was it carved there?
It’s a wooden stamp on washi paper. It was probably left in a box on the peak for climbers to stamp themselves. Stamps (rubber, these days) are common in Japan, even today. They are “proof” of a climb but also a fun souvenir. I can tell he wanted a keepsake. I can feel him looking at it over the years, remembering the experiences that he had.