by Sherlock on Fri 16 Feb, 2007 10:53 am
Hi, Motoko!
Thank you for welcoming us into your thread, and for taking our joke in good part. I suspected that you were fluent in English and could read our messages without having to catch that Babelfish in a net (as I imagine did Michelle), so hoped to amuse you.
Your thread is always so alluring: all those beautiful and mysterious words.
You know what it's like: a door stand half-open to a fascinating and graceful land, filled with magical characters, and you simply have to enter; even if you haven't a clue what to do when you get there!
As to growing up: who would want to do that? Children are so much more fun than most adults, don't you think? Besides, if I grew up, Julia would have to stop mothering me, and she LOVES mothering anyone who will allow it!
When Darcy was at school, her class was given a "Japanese Project", which required each of the pupils to research into the Japanese way of life and produce a book with drawings, photographs and text. In her usual fashion, Darcy threw herself wholeheartedly into this venture and filled the house with library books on Japan.
She discovered an exquisite book, brimming with Japanese words, together with the English translations, so was then able to head each section of the project with a Japanese symbol - i.e. "Agriculture", "Religion", etc. - rather than the English word. Since she draws very well, she produced this beautifully (and loved doing it), accompanied by apt little illustrations.
The teacher who set the task was English but had spent many years living in Japan, so you can imagine how delighted she was with these headings, which she could easily read. The rest of the book was filled with Darcy's text (which all had to be carefully hand-written, in those days: no short- cuts allowed!), plus photographs and more illustrations, and really was a delight to behold. Even as a lad, I remember being impressed with it (although it annoyed me, a little, at times, when she preferred working on it to playing with me!). Darcy was given the prize (a splendid fountain-pen) for the best project.
Whenever I enter this thread to look at your beautiful characters, I remember that project!
I look forward to further exchanges, Motoko, and to continuing to gaze in wonder at that glorious Japanese writing.
With very best wishes.