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kaurwreck · 5 months

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January 2, 2024 [1:04 AM]

below is a transcript of dms i sent while reading the final chapter of Return to Tsugaru by Osamu Dazai

What's worse, that I can't be sure any of this chapter is or that he would write this at all is the only truth that really matters.

Did he find his father in his father's place of birth, or did he just wish he had. Did he see his father in his eldest brother or only the rejection he imagined receiving from his father had he'd ever worked up the courage to ask anything of him.

Was he recieved liked he belonged there or did he just think he should have been so that's what ought to have happened had the narrative been satisfying instead of what it was, which was lonely and othering.

Was he brave enough to even see how he'd be received at all, or did he keep walking, so that he could decide what would have happened had he not cowered.

Everywhere he has never been, he is of the people, their blood is his, he is as native to the locale as the flora and fauna. But where he has history, where his family live and lived, he is a wandering vagabond, a mere passerby, an outsider. "I can't help feeling that this area is not really Tsugaru," he says, as if to reconcile who he is now with the man who declared himself to be a peasant among peasants "There is nothing here of Tsugaru's luckless karma; the clumsy tactlessness so typical of Tsuguru is absent. Just looking at the landscape, you can sense it— it is knowing, cultured, as it were. Its heart contains no mulish pride." Or does it just look like the place where your father lived, and you can't see yourself in anything he's known because he never bothered to know you.

Dazai, have you once written about Tsugaru, or has it been you all along.

Oh, but then he DOES find himself in his fatherland. The worst parts of himself, the parts he despises the most. The pretense and lack of confidence and the naked fear: "The people of the Tsuguru heartland really lack confidence in their own history. They haven't a trace of it. That's why they end up assuming that posture of arrogance, why they square their shoulders and accuse others of being 'base.' It's the basis of the obstinacy, the stubbornness, and the complexity of the Tsugaru people, and ultimately the cause of their sad destiny of isolation and loneliness."

Aren't you like me? He says to his father and brother. Isn't it just that you've forgotten? Isn't it just that you've resigned yourself? Aren't you just as timid, only you're too stubborn to admit it?

Dazai doesn't hate pretense, he's afraid of the loneliness it promises. He's afraid of resigning himself to never being known.

But he also doesn't know if he can survive being known either, if anyone like him as ever survived it.

"Since the start of my journey, I had always been treated by others, but suddenly, the unedifying thought occurred to me that tonight for once, I might try to get drunk all by myself."

...

"I realized that after all, I could not do a single thing by myself, and this made the delicate taste of the entrails even more memorable."

We don't do anything on our own, love.

#japanese modern lit reading diary #return to tsugaru #osamu dazai

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arcticdementor · 1 month

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On my "REAL Banned Book List", unlike Barnes and Noble's fake "banned" book tables, works of fiction very rarely appears. School teachers might want children to believe short simple books readable by adolescents are "Banned" because Oooo👻 forbidden fruit, don't read the age appropriate short fiction the school librarian tells you to".. But in reality 95+% of real banned books are non-fiction political tracts, censored histories, or terrorist manuals. And the fiction books that are banned are usually fictionalized versions of those, works like "Camp of the Saints", or "The Turner Diaries", despite their ability to move people emotionally are not banned for their emotional content but for their political content (and in the case of "The Turner Diaries" its accurate instructions on bomb making)Subscribe HOWEVER! There is one series that was driven from bookstores, and by the late 90s was almost totally disappeared based purely on the... "feelings"... it generated in its readers. A fantasy series set entirely on another world with more or less nothing to say about politics back on earth, awakened... stirrings... in its readers so disturbing to the powers that be it had to be stopped.

…

The Chronicles of GOR by John Norman (Pen-name of Philosophy Professor John Lange) Begun in 1966 and continuing to... today (he's 92), the 38 book series is a Pulp Science Fantasy series in the vein of Edgar Rice Burroughs' "Barsoom" series (shout out to John Carter of Postcards From Barsoom ) It has a lot of neat fantasy/historical/military hypotheticals to get the young male mind going "what if Vikings raided Japanese samurai cities with flying monsters?" but the thing that outraged the feminists and what they'd never admit enraged them, was its effect on female readers.

…

This is the world and theory of mind Norman paints with a philosopher's attention to completeness... 38 books deconstructing and undoing not only modern feminist ideas of equality, but Christian ideas of the equality of the soul and nobility of the feminine spirit. By any standard maybe the most sexist misogynistic books ever written, not out of ignorance or resentment but a philosopher's indifference to any social or ethical preening that might impede the truth... And women freaking loved it.

…

Consummately refusing to acknowledge or accept that Norman's audience ws well beyond 50% female (men read it for the war and there's tons of books on that) feminists starts campaigns insisting that Norman's audience was entirely male abusers and misogynists, and naive young impressionable boys who needed to be taught not to rape, but were being taught the opposite. Of course Norman had merely written the type of violently sexual romances that had been staples of harlequin romances and women's lit had been romanticizing for decades if not centuries... on paper he'd just made the war scenes more realistic and engaging aside from the fantasy fortresses and rideable giant birds. But he did something 30s romance writers like Margaret Mitchell, and now tens of thousands of romance, erotica, and fanfic authors never did in all their sexy violent stories... Something the feminists could never forgive him for. Sandwiched between the fighting and the fornication, he explained with a philosopher's exactness, WHY those stories are sexy. Amidst the pulp adventures and wars on an alien world, and the sexy slavery, Norman lays out a comprehensive theory of human sexuality utterly incompatible with feminism, "Democracy", equality, and possibly even Christian civilization. He summoned the primordial lusts and hungers from the cruel ages of humanity into the hearts and souls of his readers, and he told them their names such that they could never forget them, nor look upon the egalitarian world world around them with anything but boredom and disdain. In short: It's pretty hot.

#kulakrevolt #substack #banned books #john norman #chronicles of gor

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paeonie-s · 2 years

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Hey! Saw that you got a book of essays recently. Mind telling a little bit of what it’s about? :0 I like to hear peoples thoughts on things

oo ofc !! this book is actually a compilation of two pieces of work, Yoshida Kenkō's Tsurezuregusa (徒然草, trans. Essays in Idleness), as well as Kamo no Chōmei’s Hōjōki (方丈記, the title literally means "square-jō record", which refers to the tiny hut he lived in). Both of these authors are Buddhist monks who lived in medieval Japan and decided to leave organized society and go off to live on their own. Essays in Idleness was written between 1330 and 1332, and it mainly focuses on how living in isolation and “idleness” has influenced Kenkō's perception of his former life & faith, as well as the appreciation he has found for nature in his isolation. It’s a really beautiful piece of work, and it shows a love for the world that made me really genuinely emotional at times. I personally related a ton to the sense of isolation he talks about, it’s crazy how well the themes translate into the modern age. I’ve yet to read Hōjōki (i’m waiting for this copy of the book to arrive lol), but I believe it focuses more on Chōmei’s experience dealing with the impact of a ton of natural, social, & political disasters, which led him to go off and become a Buddhist hermit in the mountains (me too bro) Both works are really popular works of Japanese lit, and they contain a lot of interesting ideas relating to Buddhism, isolation, & impermanence. Essays in Idleness read a lot like a diary, and I assume Hōjōki is similar, since they’re both literally defining works of a genre centered around journaling. i’d definitely recommend checking it out, but it might not be too enjoyable if you don’t like old literature in general lol

#i love hearing abt other ppl random interests too ugh its so cool #!! come off anon .. same w cloud anon from forever ago yall get it !!#🌸.asks

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drewebowden66 · 6 years

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Three Homes Using Exposed Brick, Wood Panelling and Grey To Their Advantage

Have an exposed brick wall, but not sure what to do with it? These three inspirational homes – sized as smaller apartments or more luxurious two-storey dwellers – use exposed brick, wooden paneling and shades of grey to create modern spaces. Long lines of wood construct kitchens with grey benches ending in exposed brick walls. Wooden doors shake off their natural grooves to reveal bookcases. Exposed brick tiling holds a faucet, and wooden shelving a sink top in a stone bathroom clothed in grey. Get inspiration and design ideas for your exposed brick facades, with these three homes combining brick, wood and grey.

Visualizer: Polygons Our first home uses grey, brick and wood in a loft for an IT specialist, a home designed to repel negative thinking and clutter. Opening to the living room, spaced wooden rafters cling to the ceiling, while a relaxed grey couch offers a seat beneath. A base in grey – spreading from two different paint shades in the walls, to a floor rug, coffee table vases and extractor fan high shelving – keeps the mood calm, refreshed and not too busy.

As we zoom further out, the Menu Willmann vases on the coffee table find friends in other small, grey-hued things. A row of aluminium camera lights draw squares around the ceiling; door handles shine bright in silver; a grey abstract houses smaller shades, on the wall opposite. An exposed brick wall makes an appearance to the right.

Looking towards the TV, more exposed brick meets the eye. A standing lamp harks to the rows of camera lights above, boasting a similar style. Wide windows to the right open up the room, lighting a fern and making reflections off the screens. A large grey panel beneath ensures red brick doesn’t dominate.

The dining area wows with modern dining pendants in a lighter grey. Wooden panels show themselves in a reclaimed table and warmer kitchen cabinetry, harking back to the paneling in the kitchen. Two in-built stoves and a mini potted plant also catch the eye.

A front-on view reveals open kitchen shelving, indented stools and a community of lines that stretch across the island, cabinetry, rafters and upper shelving. Here, wooden paneling and grey stone mingle seamlessly, equally sharing the visual impact.

The concrete-walled bedroom offers a similar schematic, with a wide, open space joined by horizontal lines. A low concrete platform raises the futon, which boasts a headboard in brown leather. Grey curtains hide and reveal outside light, while a rough abstract painting harks back to the lounge. A distressed wooden side table holds a Buddha talking to its owner’s beliefs. More camera lights tie in the rest of the interior.

A row of dark glass cabinets form the wardrobe, artfully keeping clothing in whilst alluding to more space.

The office, once hiding behind Japanese doors, makes the most out of more grey and wood. Varnished wooden planks cover one floor and wall, while a concrete door, wall and ceiling keep it from feeling too boxed-in. A high shelf and modern leather chair are welcome elements.

Shrouded mostly in concrete, the bathroom wows with a standing bath in porcelain. Accentuated with black pendant lights, a wooden towel ladder, one-walled shower and dressing chair, it pairs a feeling of elegance with an absence of clutter.

Similar in style, the toilet pairs exposed grey brick tiling, a wooden bench and concrete finishes into a perfect use of space. Lit by a dangling pipe and enlivened by potted grass, it makes this potentially-tiny corridor feel more spacious.

Paired with a mirror to expand the space, wooden paneling and a porcelain block toilet complete the look.

Visualizer: roomdesignburo Our next interior, this time a two-floor apartment in a former art studio, uses exposed brick, grey, wood and a dash of turquoise to create a couple’s haven. Inviting us in, the main living space blocks out walls in turquoise and exposed brick, using a layer of white to keep the look open. Grey covers the furniture in an ottoman, island bench and rug. Black joins the party in a stylish accent chair, here the classic Wassily chair, which matches the cactus pots and a squared-off coffee table.

From side-on, a few more black elements make an appearance. Modern end tables with black stencil legs and a wooden top accompany the sofa. A black TV occupies a plinth, while the panel underneath gives it structure.

Looking towards the turquoise wall, two levels emerge. A zig-zagging wooden floor keeps the look cohesive, while white, glass, black and grey play.

Another column in brick meets the eye behind a bevy of kitchen bar stools. Turquoise shows the way upstairs, while full-length white windows illuminate.

Above zig-zagging wood, beside exposed brick and leading up to a room in white runs the staircase, a series of classic steps that almost appear to be floating. A touch of turquoise to the back reflects off a pane of glass railings.

Unframed glass barriers keep the view unobstructed. Framed by a L-shape in white, grey elements in the kitchen island, rug and sofa reappear.

Stretching along the bedrooms and towards the study, the lower level’s zigzagging wood connects the interior. Glass doors and a white wall at the end make its corridor appear bigger.

From a bedroom to the study, the interior’s central elements become more prominent. Turquoise covers a wall to the side, as exposed brick stretches from the ground floor to the ceiling. Curtains in grey tie in the couches, while wood constructs a row of low-down bookcases. White adds light to the rest.

Closing off the space, a model for double workspaces looks out. Exposed brick covers the one side, black stencil door frames the other, as white cubby chairs work together on a shared wooden desk.

Visualizer: Sikora Wnętrza Our final space, a 100sqm apartment in Gdansk, Poland, combines exposed brick, wood and grey with a bevy of comic strips. Opening naturally to the living room, exposed red brick meets with black dining room pendants, large wooden panels and furniture in light wood and grey, which together exude a relaxed attitude. Small details in pop-art fridge magnets, an open comic book and a bookcase lined with vinyls foreshadow elements to come.

As a round light hugs the ceiling, a strip of comics heads the kitchen, an unusual surprise above a black iron frame. Whilst the dining table turns industrial with steel legs and bolts, more exposed brick reveals itself in a small wall by the door.

Looking towards the kitchen, the comic strip dominates. Its frame over the kitchen makes the people within seem characters, performing real-life charades in their everyday business.

As we glance in the bedroom’s direction, a multitude of browns become apparent. Light wood connects the rooms, creating space. Grained wood covers the kitchen, storage cabinets and entrance. The bedroom’s door frame is coloured in dark brown paint, a subtle shade that keeps the look eclectic.

Although the rooms seem ever-changing, similar materials and shades ensure they don’t look busy. In the living room, monochrome plays in the light fixture, wood covers the bookcase, and grey offers a seat. In the kitchen, monochromes play in the kitchen frame, wood covers a bench, and grey offers a washable concrete floor.

Details in the comics also add contrast, with illustrations juxtaposing against smooth surfaces.

A scattering of books shows the owner’s character. Pin-up girl clippings cover the coffee table, while a diary shows usage in a place on the couch. The feature bookcase provides an opportunity for snooping.

Dull and shiny materials add depth to the interior. Shiny black appliances, hanging pendants, a fridge and splashback tiles work well in the kitchen, where long swathes of rough or grainy wood make the space feel more traditional.

As the door to the bedroom beckons, we find ourselves in a room peppered with Japanese-style windows, a bedside drum and modern wall sconces. A dark grey feature wall plays beside a wooden bed frame and almost-matching floor.

Leaning in closer to the bed, similar shades play with textures in a wooden headboard, polished wooden drums and light fur pillows. Black elements in the wall sconces and window frames polish off the look.

A bath lurks from afront the bed, in an adjacent bathroom. Snuggling into the corner, its grey walls mix with a thick white towel rail and Japanese windows, which slide to enclose the bedroom.

Harking to the bedroom’s feature, another grey wall holds a set of drawers reminiscent of the bookcase. A couple of framed paintings evidence different artistic tastes.

Another sitting room peeks around the corner, filled with musical instruments and entertainment. Afront wood shrouding a wall and door, a violin relaxes beside its case, while the bedroom’s bedside table holds the latest magazines.

As the sitting room offers more musical fixtures in an electric guitar and amp, its black wall and wooden floor link back to the bedroom and corridor.

Wood closes off the wardrobe and covers a side table, a perfect place for a weary diary and hat from yesteryear.

Recommended Reading: Living Rooms With Exposed Brick Walls Bedrooms With Exposed Brick Accent Walls

Living Rooms With Exposed Brick Walls

Exposed Brick: Two Ways

5 Houses That Put a Modern Twist on Exposed Brick

Three Contemporary Interiors Making The Most of Light Wood

A Creative Brick House Controls the Interior Climate and Looks Amazing

Bedrooms With Exposed Brick Walls

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garagedoorshampshire · 6 years