08/06/2026
【A Visit from Renowned Translator J. Martin Holman😊】
Today, we had the pleasure of welcoming renowned translator J. Martin Holman to Kyoto Handicraft Center!
Mr. Holman is widely known for his English translations of several celebrated works by Nobel Prize-winning Japanese author Yasunari Kawabata, including The Old Capital, The Dancing Girl of Izu, and Palm-of-the-Hand Stories.
Originally from the United States, Mr. Holman came to Japan in the 1970s and has spent decades living here, mastering the Japanese language while teaching Japanese literature. He currently resides in Tokushima Prefecture and serves as the director of Tokubeiza, a traditional ningyo joruri (puppet theater) troupe. He told us that he visits Kyoto four or five times a year, often guiding people around the city while providing interpretation.
Because we see Kawabata's novels in our store almost every day, it was both an honor and a delight to meet the person who brought these literary masterpieces to English-speaking readers.😌🙏
Today, translation tools such as online translators and ChatGPT make it easier than ever to translate words from one language to another. Yet, Japanese literature often contains subtle nuances and cultural contexts that are very difficult to convey without a deep understanding of both the language and the culture behind it. Mr. Holman's translations and commentaries reflect the insight that comes from decades of living in Japan.
Interestingly, The Old Capital itself was written while Kawabata spent extended periods in Kyoto, immersing himself in the city's changing seasons, rich history, and unique atmosphere. 👘👘⛩️🌸🍁
If you visit Kyoto Handicraft Center, we encourage you to pick up one of Mr. Holman's translations of Kawabata's works and experience his remarkable contribution to bringing Japanese literature to the world.📚
