Thus, Kōrin...

[pyat]

In idle moments over the last few days I've been writing English narration for a Japanese documentary. I'm rewriting the literally translated Japanese into native English. At times, the literal translation is quite perplexing and confusing.

Other times, the clunky translation has a telegraphic poetry that seems to enhance the meaning of the words. Like so:

"To paint as the men of power loved, that was what the Kano school chose.

Thus, Kōrin parted from the Kano school's way of life.

Thus, setting the talent of Kōrin free."

I could rewrite this passage in a way that expresses the same idea with greater clarity, but I wouldn't like it as much.

Also, can't you just imagine Mako Iwamatsu reading that out loud?

"Between the time the oceans brought the Gaijin and the rise of the House of Tokugawa, there was an age undreamed of. And unto this, Kōrin..."

*nerd swoon*

Comments

[dagoski.livejournal.com]

"To paint as the men of power loved..."

I have got to see some of these paintings now. Then again, if that involves not especially attractive interns maybe that wouldn't be such a pretty picture.

[pyat.livejournal.com]

Mostly, it's flowers and birds! Sort of 16th century hotel room art, except more tasteful.