Authentic Japanese short stories in Sinhala

Reviewed by Ranga Chandrarathne

Though it is difficult to offer a comprehensive interpretation of Short story, different views and ideas and criteria have been expressed from time to time on short story. However, the common features of short story are sequence, organisation, integrity and summing up. I often wonder why a discussion on Japanese short stories with all these essential features of short story and with universal appeal has not taken place in Sri Lanka. This struck me after reading the anthology of short stories 'Asaliya Mal saha Thavath Ketikata' by Prof. Ariya Rajakaruna. It also stuck me though Anton Chekov is the pioneer in Short Story, the Japanese short story writers are also highly talented in the craft.

Asaliya Mal saha Thavath Ketikatha Editor Prof. Ariya Rajakaruna Publisher Sarasavi Publishers

A prominent feature of Japanese traditional poetry is the presentation of human nature and the world at large in a concise manner. In the medieval tradition of Haiku poetry, a poem is confined to 17 words. But those few lines offer insights into life. Prof. Ariya Rajakaruna in an introduction to Asaliya Mal says that it has not been a difficult task for the Japanese who have been quite used to a concise form of poetry such as Haiku to adopt short story whose prominent feature is conciseness.

Japanese short stories are like a mirror before readers who can see their reflections on them. By and large, this is a hallmark feature of almost all short stories in the anthology 'Asaliya Mal'. These short stories written in the early part of the 20th century (1913-1952) are timeless and relevant even today as they contain universal truth and human nature.

The anthology contains nine short stories such as Inoue Yasushi's 'Asaliya Mal', Niwa Fumio's 'Pilikul Vayasa' and Shiga Naoya's 'Han ge Aparadaya'.

Prof. Ediriweera Sarachchandra, Prof. A.V Suraweera, Prof. H.M Gunatilake, Prof. Ariya Rajakaruna, Kusuma Dissanayake, Prof. Kusuma Karunaratne, Prof. Piyaseli Wijemanna, Dr. Udaya Prashantha Baddegama, Prof. Somaratne Balasuriya and Prof. Rohini Paranavithana have translated some of the short stories from English to Sinhala while the short stories 'Midipokura' and 'Balalakuge Kathadaraya' have been translated originally from Japanese into Sinhala by Prof. Ariya Rajakaruna.

One should read the short stories in the anthology 'Asaliya Mal' over and over again in order to appreciate them fully. The short stories offer rich insights into the life. Though all the short stories are best among Japanese short stories, the short story 'Asaliya Mal' is an important one which is noted for its unique diction and the portrayal of character. It is considered as one of the best short stories of Inoue Yasushi.

The short story commences as "How fast time flies! It has been five years since I visited Katada last. Five years have passed by following the summer of 1944 which marked that the war would turn bad for us! It would have been like years ago. Once it felt as if yesterday or day before yesterday. Sometimes, I felt I have lost sense of time. It was not so in the youth. I was introduced in the magazine 'Dissect body' as 'industrious old man in 80s' "(Asaliya Mal -page 31)

The story written in a poetic and dramatic language is a beacon into the human psyche through recollections of life of an old professor. The professor recalls his past while being alone in a restaurant near picturesque Biwa Lake and Hira Mountain. When he visited the restaurant for the first time, he was then a youth of twenty five or twenty four. It was fifty years ago.

"What a calm and quite place is this? For how many years, I could enjoy such a scene! ", he thinks. This time he had gone to the restaurant following a family dispute and to get over the anxiety and depression. The moment depicts the professor's greed for luxuries and his selfish nature. The following passage shows primordial human feelings are common even to an old professor with a lifetime of experiences.

"For a couple of minutes, I looked at the picture of award winners. All of them have a badge on the chest. I thought I should also receive one...If I am honoured in this manner. If I am honoured and loved by the people! I am not greedy of honour. But I like to hold on my thin shoulders, at least for this time, people's honours. "- (Asaliya Mal -page 63)

This short story as well as others depict that 'humanness' is not only a collection of virtues but also vices and Japanese writers' ability to use them effectively in short stories. It should be mentioned here Prof. Sarachchandra has used poetic diction in translating the short story 'Asaliya Mal' (The Azaleas of Hira). The editor of the short story, Prof. Ariya Rajakaruna states, "It was I who selected Prof. Sarachchandra for the translation. One of the reasons that prompted me to do so is that I found some of the characteristics in the old Professor present in Prof. Sarachchandra's character. There are similarities of some life stories. I think Prof. Sarachchandra has derived great pleasure in translating the story. It would have been one of the reasons that this would become his best translation. It was Prof. Sarachchandra himself named the translated story 'Asaliya Mal'".

The other short story which depicts the secret nature of human mind is the short story "Hange Aparadaya) (1913). Han, a magician in a circus company, with a single stroke, cut off his wife's throat. Han, who was immediately arrested, was produced before court and the story unfolds with different witnesses testifying before the court. It becomes extremely difficult to determine whether it was a mistake or a premeditated murder. But the Judge was convinced by the accused confession. The story concludes leaving a question and depicting the complex nature of human mind.

It is mentioned that the short story 'Labukataya' has been included in anthologies of short stories for children in Japan. But short stories such as 'Lobukataya', 'Midipokura' and ' Balalakuge Katandara' though catogorised as youth stories, can be appreciated by all as they shed light on complex nature of human behaviour. The book was published for the first time in 1989(Pradeepa Publication). In 2000, its second impression came as an M.D Gunasena publication while the latest edition comes out as a Sarasavi publication.

Another reason that Japanese short stories become popular among Sinhala readership is the Japanese literati's philosophy on life and death. Another is the influence of Buddhism. For instance, the short story 'At Kinosaki' is a story which reveals the subconscious mind. The anthology 'Asaliya Mal'offers a rich literary harvest from Japan and will be a feast for Sinhalese readers.

Recipe for contentment in life

Reviewed by W.T.A. Leslie Fernando

This is the English translation of the book 'Sathuta Saha Sundaratvaya' by Premachandra Dissanayaka, former school principal, well known writer and social worker launched six years ago. it has been translated into English by M.B. Mathmaluwa.

The author Premachandra Dissanayaka presents the contents of the book under four titles namely 'Spiritual explorations' 'Social reviews', Enhancing personality and 'Jottings in the diary'.

Happiness and Beauty Author Premachandra Disanayaka Translator M.B. Mathmaluwa Publishers S. Godage and Bros.

Premachandra Dissanayake states that one could attain lasting joy when one realises the truths and the reality in life. This could be achieved not by mere logic but honest understanding of things. In the process one should not be ashamed, when he realises the fallacies of his earlier concepts.

He explains that most people seek joy in temporary phenomena. When this artificial happiness comes to an end the sorrow sets in. One should realise that every pleasure in this world is impermanent. When you understand this reality you tend to think of higher values in life. It is only when you could distinguish happiness based on reality from artificial pleasures you could experience the real beauty.

It is a fact that people undergo more suffering than joy. This is because people go in search of sensual pleasures, power and glory as the goals in life. People are not happy with their basic needs of food, shelter, clothes and medicine.

They want luxuries in life to outrival others in material things. However, the things do not appear the way they want and all their desires could not be fulfilled. Today the civilisation is directed not to make people lead good lives but to go for luxuries. In the midst of materialistic competition in society, spiritual bankruptcy sets in creating an emptiness in life.

Premachandra Dissanayake contends that when one realises the truth and the realities in life, one would shed the egoistic tendencies in life, he would begin to love others, would be kind to them and would work for their welfare. When a person becomes concerned for others he would be liked by others and he develops a pleasant personality. Such a person has a lot to do for others and even in his retirement and old age he would not feel lonely.

The person who has realised the truth and gives up egoism for altruism would be simple, humble, active and go in search of higher values and leads a fruitful life. the author asserts that only such a person could have the lasting joy and beauty in life.

You cannot expect leadership from the professionals. Most of them such as lawyers, doctors and engineers are second only to the politicians in exploiting people. They charge exorbitant fees and have become parasites. Most of the teachers are making money rather than providing a service for the salary they get.

The NGO's under the pretext of serving the country have hidden agendas to get round the people.

The students though somewhat honest go in search of quick remedies and fall a victim to scheming leaders. Television and the radio do not pay sufficient attention to the problem.

In this situation it would be an uphill task to set things right. To overcome this Premachandra Dissanayaka suggests that writers and journalists of integrity, honest officials, upright teachers and voluntary associations should enlighten the masses and mobilise them to bring about a better social order.

Premachandra Dissanayaka submits that the Europeans who invaded us used every strategy known to them to wean the Buddhist public from the leadership of the Buddhist monks. Of these the cardinal and most effective way was to take hold of education from the Buddhist monks into the government hands or to hand over it to the State controlled Christian missionaries.

The result of this was that it bred a leadership devoid of nationalistic feelings.

The author assumes that the Maha Sangha has a special role to play in this respect. All throughout history Buddhist monks have been the mentors of people. He urges that Bhikkhus should regain their position in society. here Dissanayaka clarifies his position and explains the he does not mean that bhikkhus should enter Parliament but in the villages and the towns they live should be in the forefront to guide the laity.

The book explains intrinsic theories of Buddhism in simple language so that it would convince the reader to seek the truth and make himself happy by leading a fruitful life. An illuminating foreword by W.A. Abeysinghe adorns the book.

It is not an easy task to translate a book from one language to another. You have to use the appropriate words to convey the meaning. It is also difficult to translate from Sinhala to English rather than from English to Sinhala. The idioms of the two languages are also different. With all these limitations M.B. Mathmaluwa has magnificently performed his task so as to make the original writer to confess in his comments on the translation that is better than even his original work.

The book carries a beautiful cover and is neatly printed on glossy paper. The book should be read by all those who want to lead a happy, contented and fruitful life and also all those who have feeling and love for the country.

New approach to English learning

Revived by Upali INDRAGUPTHA

The latest addition to the collection of English course books available in Sri Lanka is "English-An Integrated Course" co-authored by two experienced university lecturers serving at the Sri Palee Campus of the University of Colombo.

English An Integrated Course Authors: Cyril Ediriweera (Visiting Lecturer in English) Jayantha Wannisinghe (Senior Lecturer in English) Published by: Sarasavi Publishers

Most of the English language books found in Sri Lanka have been written and printed either in England or India. Therefore, they have inevitably been based on a foreign background. The striking difference in this Integrated Course is that it carries texts and activities of which about 90% is based on local background and current affairs. The occasional deviations are justifiably meant for breaking the monotony.

The epithet - "An Integrated Course", speaks for the methodology used. None of the main skills in learning a language should be presented as totally separate or detached units. The practical method is to incorporate in the same lesson, all these four main skills' i.e. listening, speaking, reading and writing, in this logical order. This book provides ample practice activities for group work, pair work and individual practice. While it is ideal for a group class with an innovative teacher, it can also serve as a practice - book for a pair of friends, brothers or sisters to improve their English, on their own.

A gradual development of vocabulary and structural patterns can be seen, taking the student from the known to the unknown or from the demonstrable to the imaginary. For instance, the study of tenses begins with the Present Continuous Tense and gradually moves on to the more complex Simple Present Tense logically passing through the Perfect and Perfect Continuous Tenses. Similarly, Telephone - etiquette is presented earlier, placing letter and memo writing in the latter part of the course.

Vocabulary lists have been added to the relevant lessons, for ready reference. Humorous items have been placed after each lesson for relaxation.

Listening texts in the Appendix, if transferred to a CD/Tape would lend themselves to practise even for examinations like the popular IELTS.

This book should prove itself more useful to students after O/L, A/L, job-seekers and even teacher-recruits just as the authors have pointed out.

However, it is regrettable that they have had to insert an "Errata" to begin with. Hope they will go for a revised edition, without an "Errata", and incorporating suggestions forthcoming from the intelligent readers.

The writer is a former educationist (English), Dept. of Official Languages.

Different aspects of the Buddha's life

Revivwed by Ira Perera

The book under review is based on facts pertaining to Theravada Buddhism. It is an eye opener as it were to the life and thoughts of the great characters of the people who were very close to the Great Master. The different characteristics of their views and ideology are brought out vividly.

Budun dutuvemi ovun siyasin Author: Sanath Nanayakkara Sarasavi Publishers

When one reads the book, the scenes in 'Kapilawastu' where Prince Siddhartha was a handsome young prince, unfold before the reader like a panorama. The more human and romantic side of the life of the Prince and Princess Yasodara which is not mentioned in most books other than the signs which led to the Great Renunciation is described in a poignant manner. The emotions of Princess Prajapathi Gothami and the beautiful princess Yasodara as young Royal Princess are brought out clearly. The description of Prince Suddodana when he came to ask for the hand of Princess Maha Maya, by Princess Prajapathi her sister is touching and true to life. It is what any young girl would have done when a young man comes to court the hand of her sister.

The courting days of Prince Siddaratha and Princess Yasodara create pious and calm feelings in the minds of the readers, being presented with no erotic ideas included.

The different aspects of the life of the Buddha bring emotive ideas to one's mind. For example, the psychological attitude the Buddha showed to Kisa Gotami and Patachara, on the loss of their offsprings brings tears to one's eyes.

The Buddha's patient listening to their tales of woe had brought solace to their burning souls. It has been like a balm to their afflicted souls which turned them nearly to lunatics. The torn minds were led to accept reality. Even the episode of being insulted by Kincha Manavika did not deter the Buddha. All these incidents have been presented in this book in a very harmonious manner, which makes the reader dwell deep into the Maha Karuna of the Noble Master.

The presentation of the character of Devadatta Thera has a different aspect. It has enhanced the Karuna of The Buddha. It shows how the bad influence of King Ajasatta aggravated matters for each other.

The language and style used by the writer is very simple and is able to move the hearts of the readers bringing tears to their eyes. The presentation is very natural. It is very good reading material for anyone. This book is really worthy of being included in a Buddhist book collection and it helps to get more insight into the readers' mind.

Velava Keeyada?

Sahan Ranwala's Velava Keeyada? will be launched at the Western Province Aesthetic Centre, Stanley Wijesundara Mawatha, Colombo 7 on October 26 at 5 p.m.

Bandula Vithanage, Chandrasiri Bogamuwa, Dr. Sudath Damsinghe, Deleepa Abeysekara and Nuwan Nayanajith will participate in the launching ceremony.

Velava Keeyada? is a Dayawansa Jayakody publication.