I don't usually respond to negative reviews. I'm aware of the book's fault but for some reason, I had an off moment. Truth to tell, I didn't realize what I was getting into when I started to write that story and I know now. I'm not saying I wouldn't have written it but I would have waited until I knew more about the culture before writing it. I do'nt write about wispy hair anymore and actually I did see your review three years ago. I hadn't seen the date of the entry I responded to until after I wrote it.
However, about Toshiro Mifune - he lived in Manchurian as part of a colony of Japanese citizens, who during the war were relocated to Japan many of them. Also, Mifune flew for Japan and returned to Japan after the war where his acting career began accidentally when he went to the film studio to apply for a job there, not as an actor. He was Japanese, not Manchurian even though he'd lived there. Moreover, it didn't seem like a huge stretch that the character would be named for him considering Mifune was one of Japan's great treasures and his collaboration with Akira Kurosawa went a long way toward restoring JApan's dignity in the world view after WWII.
As for real estate, I spent a good deal of time poring through real estate in Japan and found there are 2 bedroom apartments there for sale. It wasn't just something I made up.
Yes, I made plenty of errors as your knowledge points out but to some degree your criticism bordered on slander, saying I didn't research. I did hours and hours of research and not just wikipedia. I put a lot of work and a lot of care into writing the book. I just wish I hadn't been so inexperienced writing it. If I wrote it now, I might even have passed muster with you! I didn't mean to invade your blog with what you probably consider nonsense but I've always wanted to at least pointo out those few points to you and refrained from it all this time.
no subject
Date: 7 Apr 2010 07:12 am (UTC)However, about Toshiro Mifune - he lived in Manchurian as part of a colony of Japanese citizens, who during the war were relocated to Japan many of them. Also, Mifune flew for Japan and returned to Japan after the war where his acting career began accidentally when he went to the film studio to apply for a job there, not as an actor. He was Japanese, not Manchurian even though he'd lived there. Moreover, it didn't seem like a huge stretch that the character would be named for him considering Mifune was one of Japan's great treasures and his collaboration with Akira Kurosawa went a long way toward restoring JApan's dignity in the world view after WWII.
As for real estate, I spent a good deal of time poring through real estate in Japan and found there are 2 bedroom apartments there for sale. It wasn't just something I made up.
Yes, I made plenty of errors as your knowledge points out but to some degree your criticism bordered on slander, saying I didn't research. I did hours and hours of research and not just wikipedia. I put a lot of work and a lot of care into writing the book. I just wish I hadn't been so inexperienced writing it. If I wrote it now, I might even have passed muster with you! I didn't mean to invade your blog with what you probably consider nonsense but I've always wanted to at least pointo out those few points to you and refrained from it all this time.