"Things About Beijing" is a selected translation from a collection of Mr. Okuno's essays about Beijing in the 1930s and 1950s. It records his experiences of studying, working and visiting Beijing three times. It reviews the past events of his life in Beijing. It also writes about Beijing's scenery and people, and witnesses the city's changes in the tide of the times. Okuno believes that Beijing has the elegant and noble temperament of an ancient capital that has been preserved for thousands of years. At the same time, it is inevitably swept away by the times and is in the changes and shocks of the old and the new. His writings express his attachment to life in the ancient capital, his longing for his friends in Beijing, and his deep nostalgia for the scenery of the ancient capital. From this, I can truly feel how Mr. Okuno, as a Japanese, has a deep "Beijing plot".
Reader comments
The author's description of Beijing is very detailed. I especially like the part he wrote about the "Nanjin" magazine. I feel that the cultural atmosphere of that era was very strong. This reminds me of Lao She's "Camel Xiangzi", which also describes old Beijing, but the style is different. However, it makes me want to know more about Beijing in that era!
The author's description of Beijing is very detailed. I especially like the part he wrote about the "Nanjin" magazine. I feel that the cultural atmosphere of that era was very strong. This reminds me of Lao She's "Camel Xiangzi", which also describes old Beijing, but the style is different. However, it makes me want to know more about Beijing in that era!