The Old Capital

by Yasunari Kawabata
The Old Capital  
published February 9th 2006 by Shoemaker & Hoard
first published 1962
binding Paperback
isbn 1593760329   (isbn13: 9781593760328)
pages 160
characters Chieko, Takichiro, Shige
setting Japan
description The Old Capital is one of the three novels cited specifically by the Nobel Committee when they awarded Kawabata the Nobel Prize for Literature ...more
date added
12-19-06



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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 61)



Antonius
Antonius added it
09/14/07

bookshelves: japanese-literature
Read in June, 2007
The Old Capital – the true title should simply be “Kyoto,” but to a non-Japanese, that city might not register as Japan’s previous capital, hence the English title which spells it out – was one of three novels cited when Kawabata received the Nobel Prize for Literature. At the time, he stated that he sought harmony in his work between man, nature, and emptiness, and that theme really comes through in this book.

Kyoto is not merely the old capital of Japan but the center of i...more
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Scott
Scott rated it: 3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars
06/08/08

bookshelves: orient
Read in June, 2008
recommended to Scott by: Patricia
At the end of The Old Capital, Kawabata leaves his readers savoring that uniquely Japanese sentiment of wabisabi, a feeling of pleasant melancholy brought on by an unobtainable desire for the past, completion, and resolution. Set in Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan, Kawabata's novella introduces Chieko, a young woman who must come to terms with her mysterious birth. But Chieko's story is only part of a narrative that takes the reader on a nostalgic tour of a city steeped in arti...more
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Gretchen
Gretchen rated it: 2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars
03/03/08

bookshelves: book-club
Read in August, 2007
This was another book I read for my book club. The story might have been more interesting in the hands of a more capable translator. At least that's what I've been told. The story WAS interesting, actually, but the translation was done in such a way that the writing was very stilted and unmoving to me. Hopefully this project will be taken on by a more skilled translator some day.
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Rhe
Rhe is currently reading it
03/26/08

bookshelves: currently-reading, jepun
pemenang nobel sastra ni, orang asia pula. walo bukan senegara, tapi ingin rasa na ngebaca. biar tau gimana tipe" tulisan yg bisa menang nobel. bahkan pramoedya yg dah msk nominasi aja cuma berhasil msk di nominasi doang, g lulus".
trus gmn sampe org jepang bisa menang nobel????? dr 4 orang pemenang nobel sastra di asia, 2 di antara na org jepang.
lagi" jepang....
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cecelia
cecelia rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
04/18/07

bookshelves: recommend
Read in January, 2003
Kawabata is one of two Nobel literature prize winners from Japan. His works are often referred as having the essense of Japanese watercolor paintings. One can find roots of Japanese culture and asthetics in his writings.
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Patricia
Patricia rated it: 4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars
06/05/08

bookshelves: japan
Read in June, 2008
Not so much a story or an exploration of character as an elegy to imperiled crafts and customs. Chieko's story seemed more like a thread to link lovingly, memorably evoked gardens, forests, festivals, and weaving.
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Gratcia
Gratcia rated it: 3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars
03/21/08

bookshelves: harus-beli, to-read
Woah....ini buku kesayangannya seseorang yg deket bngt sama diriku dan dulu sering sekali dia bicarakan.. so I MUST READ this one! jadi bisa tau kenapa dan mengapa, dan apakah mmg sedahsyat itu?
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Esarah
Esarah rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
06/24/08

bookshelves: japanese-lit-in-english-translation
When you find yourself hating the Memoirs of a Geisha franchise monstrosity, read something genuine about old Kyoto, like Kawabata.
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David
David rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
02/02/08

bookshelves: japanese-literature-1900s
Read in October, 2006
one of my favorite books. Just classic kawabata, beautiful minimalist writing...
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holly aiyisha
holly aiyisha rated it: 4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars
07/31/08

Read in July, 2008
Very melancholy, but moving story.
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Ryan
Ryan marked it as to-read
04/02/08

bookshelves: to-read
Still searching for.
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Darren
Darren marked it as to-read
06/03/08

bookshelves: to-read
 

Lindsay
Lindsay is currently reading it
07/25/08

bookshelves: currently-reading
Read in July, 2008
 

Susan
Susan rated it: 4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars
07/14/08

 

Janelle
Janelle is currently reading it
09/01/08

bookshelves: currently-reading
 

Lindu
Lindu added it
07/19/08

 

Trina
Trina marked it as to-read
07/25/08

bookshelves: to-read
 

Katie
Katie marked it as to-read
08/11/08

bookshelves: to-read
 


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book data (includes all editions)

avg rating (all editions): 3.80 (61 ratings)
avg rating (this edition): 3.83 (59 ratings)
number of reviews: 11






other editions

The Old Capital (Paperback)
The Old Capital (Paperback)
The Old Capital (Hardcover)