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2000-08-20 Utakata (Ephemeral)/Sanctuary
Utakata(Ephemeral)/Sanctuary; 1988.8.5, Banana YOSHIMOTO, Fukutake-shoten, 1000 yen

Banana Yoshimoto; born in year 1964 at Tokyo. She wrote best seller "Kitchen" in year 1987.

Story; A leading part is a young lady name Mermaid, and co-parts are her mother, her separated father, her possible half brother. Her father and mother go to Katmandu, and mother try to commit suicide after returning to Japan.

Impression; Father indicated in the book looks like her real father, poet and philosopher Takaaki YOSHIMOTO (1924-). In this point, this is a typical private story in Japan, and I enjoyed it much. Banana Yoshimoto is a popular writer among young Japanese ladies. The reason for this will her gentle writing style without argument.
Takaaki Yoshimoto is an advocate of self reliance in thinking since in year 1955. He is still active writer, and in the essay of him at Asahi-shinbun in May he said "Baseball is a mental sport and it will not succeed to gather many super players with money to become a champion". At that time Yomiuri Giants had a difficult time to win game in Japanese professional baseball. Yomiuri Giants is used to collect good players from other teams with money and its popularity.
But presently, Yomiuri Giants are running far ahead of other teams, and thought to win this year.
The president of Yomiuri Shinbun, Mr. Tsuneo WATANAB was once reported to say "10,000,000 subscribers will make effect to the prime minister".