Book Junky. Japanese/English Translator. Writer.
Interviewed by THE RAKE’s Yuko Fujita Written in English by Johanna Airth Kai Sotto. Photo Credit: Ivan Kuek “The two words that encapsulate who I am, are ‘immigrant and people,’” Kai begins. He speaks as if those two words are enough to understand his scope of work and artistry. He is sitting in his tranquil beach... Continue Reading →
The Hidden Meaning Behind the Names of the Wessex Estate BlocksA photo documentary book by Ana Menchen Edited by Johanna Airth I met Ana about two years ago at an intimate gathering for photography enthusiasts. It was one of those sweet seemingly spontaneous meetings, that was meticulously organized in its goal to bring like-spirited people... Continue Reading →
Science Write Now article: https://www.sciencewritenow.com/essays-craft-memoir/beautifulmathematics A foreword from Amanda— A few months ago I read a novel called The Housekeeper and the Professor, by revered Japanese writer Yoko Ogawa, translated into the English by Stephen Snyder in 2009. A writer friend had recommended it on Facebook and, seeing it dealt with mathematics, I had to... Continue Reading →
BBC Article: What the Japanese can teach us about super-ageing gracefully By Johanna Airth 30th March 2020Japan has one of the oldest populations in the world, but some of the country’s elderly aren’t slowing down. Mieko Nagaoka first started swimming in her 80s to help recover from a knee injury sustained while practicing Noh, a... Continue Reading →
BBC Article: Five must-read books from Japanese literature By Johanna Airth 18th December 2019With the translation of Japanese literature into English, new meaning is given to the texts which illuminates our understanding of Japanese culture Understanding Japanese culture has fascinated the Western world ever since the country’s trading doors opened up in the 1800s. Eating... Continue Reading →
BBC Article: Why Japan is so successful at returning lost property By William Park and Johanna Airth 15th January 2020Cultural norms, complex religious influences and friendly neighbourhood police officers make losing something in Japan no big deal. But does this tell the whole picture about Japan’s relationship with honesty? For most, losing a wallet or... Continue Reading →
BBC Article: What Japan’s love of nostalgia says about its economy By Yuko Komura (translated by Johanna Airth) 29th November 2019Despite being thought of as being at forefront of cutting-edge technology, Japan maintains a quiet relationship with all things analogue. Nippori, Tokyo is known for its “old-town” vibe, bustling with shoppers in its wholesale district... Continue Reading →
BBC Article: The hunt for Japan’s ‘ghost’ wolves By William Park and Johanna Airth 18th October 2019Could an apex predator, thought to be extinct for 100 years, still be roaming the Japanese mountains? Some enthusiasts think they have the evidence. Hiroshi Yagi was driving through the Chichibu Tama Kai National Park when the animal came... Continue Reading →
BBC Article: An Ancient Way of Doing Business In Japan By Yuko Komura (translated by Johanna Airth) 4th November 2019 When we think of a Japanese tea ceremony (sadō), it invokes thoughts of a refined woman in a kimono, sitting on a tatami mat making matcha, carefully following detailed instructions of old. According to a... Continue Reading →
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