Translate Japanese books about acupuncture

 

When I was studying, during vocational school and later in a general hospital where the son of SHIROTA BUNSHI (Shirota Fumihiko) had set up a "Research Institute for Oriental Medicine", I read the books of late Shirota Bunshi sensei. At that time MOST people in the field knew him and his books, which most definitely had a major influence on the development of postwar acupuncture in Japan. And they are about the ONLY source of information pertaining to master Bunshi's own master: SAWADA KEN sensei.

Even after extensive search I did not find, however, any English (or other languages, with the exception of a pirated Chinese book) translation. I was once even asked by an American person running an acupuncture clinic in the States visiting me in my clinic, to find some spare time to translate Shirota sensei's book(s) into English, since he really wanted to know, what the original text said and not only read reports ABOUT those books.

Feeling very honored by that suggestion, I proposed to start with "鍼灸真髄" (Essentials of Acupuncture).

However … I did ask the publisher of the Japanese version several times and even proposed to translate the book and publish it for free as an ebook, but was denied the right to do so because of "copyright reasons". And that even though the wife of late Shirota Fumihiko sensei asked his "deciples" (of which I seem to be a member) to spread the knowledge of this outstanding master.

Since said copyright will be in place for another 18 years, I do not think, I will ever be able to translate that book in my remaining lifetime.

Boycott America

 

I have been working as a freelance translator for almost 40 years. When I first heard of Trump and saw what he does, I decided never to work for American companies again. By now I probably declined job offers worth about 2,000 USD. Being a member of the (very) low income group, I cannot really afford that kind of sacrifice, but I paid the price gladly!

Living in Japan I worked naturally mostly for Japanese companies, but also quite a list of companies from other countries. Yet, working for a number of American companies over a period of about 35 years had never been pleasant or even gratifying after all.

Announcement

 

I do support and agree with the “Make America Go Away” (MAGA) movement. In fact, I started to refuse to work as a translator for American companies for the last ten years. I believe, by now the reasons do not require any explanation or justification. Occasionally working for American companies over a period of over 30 years has NEVER been pleasant or gratifying after all.

And yes, I refuse to buy American products whenever possible.

横文字かぶれ – 再び

 

以前も日本に頻繁に見かける「妙な」英語を指摘した事ある。例えば、良く見かける店の前の甲板や窓にある "Close" サイン。（→別の投稿）

今回はこの町にある横幅3-4ｍ、縦2ｍ近くの大きな看板に見られる言葉を少々指摘したい。娘に言わせると、誰も見ていないからいいじゃないか。それでも間違いですから、私個人的気になって仕方ない。

看板の上の部分は全部日本語ですが、下の三分の一ほどの領域には：

Foods – Herbs – Drinks と複数の写真が飾られている。

"Herbs – Drinks"　に異存はないが、"Foods" は可笑しい。英語には「数えられる名詞」と「数えられない名詞」があるからです。Food は数えられない。One food, two foods は言えない。同じく one bread, two breads も言えない。

結局どうでも良いでしょうが、あの大きさの看板は恐らく20万やそれ以上のお金が掛かると思うから、攻めて一つか三つの単独の言葉に誤りがあるかないかを家に恐らくある辞書で引いてもういいのではないでしょうか。　

https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/grammar/a1-a2-grammar/nouns-countable-uncountable

"Gobbledygook"

 

About 15 years ago a Japanese publisher (Idononippon) specialized in Oriental medicine asked be to write a book about some of my personal views regarding the practice of acupuncture. Apparently the director of that publisher who used to come for treatments did like my approach.

The published (printed on old-fashioned paper) was made available to all bookstores in Japan as well as Amazon (where it may possibly still available ).

The title of the book written in Japanese is "トーマス先生の話を聞いてみませんか"　(Thomas sensei no hanashi wo kiite mimasen ka).　

However, when you switch the site language to English, you get a "title" that makes absolute no sense (regardless of whether you can read the Japanese or not):

"Gentleman Acupuncturist Thomas Teacher You Have To Listen To Me. A Good Night Sleep – Good Forever Birthday For The Health Of Law"

Well done, Amazon!

If that is the level of computer aided translation, maybe there is after all still some work to be done as a translator.

My books - a little boasting ...

 

My books in the order of their publishing

Preparing my sixth book, is something I think I can be a little proud of.

1) Printed (published) book pertaining to acupuncture written in Japanese by me

トーマス先生の話を聞いてみませんか

Amazon

2) My autobiography, written on patient request 10 years ago; Japanese = original

鍼灸界の異端者 ebook

ISBN: 9781311666192

Amazon

3) My autobiography, written on patient request 10 years ago; Japanese = original

Sonderling in Ost und West ebook

ISBN: 9781310040382

Amazon

4) Some personal views regarding acupuncture

Acupuncture: The Easy Way - Or the Hard Way ebook

ISBN: 9781311525796

Amazon

5) Translation of the autobiography of a Japanese priest involved in kyudo

"Startanew - Look again" ebook

ISBN: 9798224117635

Amazon

6) coming soon: my autobiography in English, rewritten

The book is finished

 

Finally!

After 10 years of effort, the translation of the autobiography of pries Suhara Koun is finally finished – a little earlier than expected. Admittedly, I did not have the time to work on the project for a few years, but it nevertheless stayed on my mind.

Written by a Buddhist priest who took up kyudo late in life, something which became a defining element for him, it contains a lot of ‘old-fashioned’ / unusual Japanese even Japanese people have difficulties understanding. Apart from that Buddhist, zen, kyudo terminology, Chinese poems etc. I really had to struggle with this material.

Yesterday I published the book on Amazon and through another site worldwide. Although I submitted the required file format to those sites, they somehow “converted” the material, which resulted in a rather unappealing appearance. Even though I tried hard to look nice.

On the said sites, it is listed with a price tag of $9. One of the Japanese pronounciations for “9” is KYU. Put together the Dollar, you get “kyudo”. In the hope, you allow me to indulge in this little word play.

If interested

https://books2read.com/u/mlM2aq

or contact me, if you are looking for a little better looking files:

buch@thoacu.com

#book #Suhara Koun #zen #kyudo #autobiography #Japanese #archery