May 11, 2013
-
Japanese mannerism book for kids.
Back in the month of February, I received an interesting e-mail that reads…
> Subject: I read your blog.
> Date: Fri, 22 Feb 2013 16:05:32 +0900
>
> Hello. My name is Yuka. I'm a Japanese and an editor. My company mainly publishes news and books for school kids.
>
> Now I'm making a manner book for kids. In the book I would like to introduce foreign people's opinion about Japanese manner. It tends to decrease that Japanese young people pay much attention to manners, though many of them are still polite. When they hear that foreign people appreciate our manner, it will encourage them to keep it, I think.
>
> I read your blog about "itadakimasu." If possible, would you give me a comment about Japanese manner.
>
> My company's HP is as follows:
> http://www.schoolpress.co.jp/
> Japanese only. Sorry.
>
> Recently my team has published this set of picture books.
> http://www.schoolpress.co.jp/book/karadawasugoiyo/karada_set.htm
> This series tells kids how great our bodies are.
>
> Thank you for your reading.So basically, this Japanese editior was interested in communicating with me, for she believed I have a good enough knowledge to share for the completion of her book, all based on what I wrote on my blog ITADAKIMASU, posted back in November 2012.
Intrigued by her interest, I started to email her back with my general opinion on Japanese mannerism, based on my limited experience visiting the country as well as doing business with Japanese companies. That one reply resulted in more emails from her and thus more replies from me. We emailed back and forth for weeks. She had more questions to ask which she included in one of her later emails…
>Subject: a few more questions
>Date: Fri, 1 Mar 2013 14:18:03 +0900
>
>Dear Rudy-sama,
>
>Hello. Rudy-san.
>
>As I said in the last e-mail, I'd like to ask a few more questions. If you have time to answer me, I'm really happy.
>
>The questions are follows:
>
>1. When you visit Japan, what do you want to do? or What is the most enjoyable thing for you in Japan?
>2. What do you think is the general character of Japanese people?
>3. Do you think that there is a common character among non-Japanese people who like Japan?
>4. Is there any good point for Japanese which we haven't noticed?
>5. From now on, what kind of ability should Japanese people strengthen?
>
> Thank you for your reading. If you have time, would you give me your opinions?To cut the story short, she was happy with my willingness to collaborate with her on her project, and made a promise that she would send a copy of her book once it’s all done and printed for publication. Well, I’m happy to announce that about a month later she kept her promise by sending me a copy of her book, complete with a hand-written thank you note. And in the book she mentioned my name, along with all of the people who have collaborated with her on the book, as well as our answers to all of her questions. All nine pages in length and all written in Japanese.
This is the third time I’ve gotten myself involved in a publication project. First time for a Japanese publication. It is always nice to see that my effort is appreciated, especially when used for an educational purpose. Now, if only I read Japanese…
Comments (12)
Wow! I didn't know you are a celebrity. I feel so honored having had lunch with you, Rudy-san.
If you can get it put onto a computer, then google could translate the Japanese. I suppose getting a Japanese translator will be hard for you to obtain. Even though I watch a lot of Japanese Amine and videos, I still am not very good at Japanese.
Ah, I see who works hard. No I don't read Japanese either wuold have to use the translator on here or the people at my favorite Japanese restaurant.
.
You are famous, wonder how did you answer her specific questions?
That's just great Rudy. The quote "they also serve who only stand and wait" comes to mind, though you are in way the one who would be doing the standing and waiting. I am excited for you Rudy.
That is so cool! Congratulations!
And, well, there's always google to help-out. =)
Now I guess you're also well known in the literary world too! Congrats! Those Japanese illustrations/graphics are so cute. Love it!
Congrats... it's so cool that things like this happen
You're famous. I wish I knew Japanese so I could read and translate
It's so cool how the internet can connect people sometimes ! I think it's wonderful that you were able to give your input and experiences and help her out with this project. Not only was it super cool that she approached you about this in the beginning, but the fact that you were able to email back and forth and truly contribute something to the project. Most people can't say they've had anything published before so that is super cool as well.
I would love to go to Japan and learn more about their culture and people in general. And of course learning Japanese would be super cool as well. My brother actually has a friend who is fluent in Japanese because his family are missionaries and they lived in Japan for like 15 years. He just recently got back to Canada.
Congratulations on your involvement with the publication, I am sure a lot of people will enjoy it ! Take care and have a great start to the week, bye for now.
Kyle
Coolness
I was totally expecting this to be a funny post about spam mail and some money-taking scheme... but, wow, totally wasn't expecting this!!! Well done, Rudy!
@beowulf222 - lol. you should have asked for my autograph then ;p
@PPhilip - i don't think i'll go to all that trouble. i'll just assume she translated my answers word for word.
@Fatcat723 - don't bother. i'm sure it's nothing exciting for anyone to read about. besides, i fear i might offend them with my answers.
@stevew918 - i gave long answers. she probably had to pick n choose parts of my answers that she thought would be appropriate for what she was looking for.
@ZSA_MD - thank you, zakiah. i'm getting a glimpse of the kind of excitement you might get when you had your book published. i got all giddy when i got the book. i wonder how i might be, if it was my own book that got published.
@nov_way - thank you. and also for stopping by and leaving a comment. much appreciated.
@CurryPuffy - @Devilzgaysianboi - me? famous? i WISH!
@kyle061685 - i'm certainly lucky. not in a million years would i thought i'd be able to get involved in a japanese publication one day. so your brother's friend lived in japan for 15 years? that's awesomely cool. sigh... if only it was me.
@oxyGENE_08 - thanks, gene. maybe someday i might be on a tagalog publication :p
@stepaside_loser - thank you. thank you. thank you