Michael Pronko's Blog, page 18
February 27, 2016
4 out 5 from Luxury Reading
Reading Michael Pronko’s collection of essays, Tokyo’s Mystery Deepens, is a delightfully enlightening experience, especially for someone who has never traveled to Japan (or anywhere else in Asia). While it might go without saying that there are a plethora of significant cultural differences between the United States and Japan – and in this case, more specifically, Tokyo – reading about Pronko’s experiences and observations as a long-term expat living in Tokyo provides an insider’s view of what life is really like in this pulsing, densely populated Asian metropolis.
Tokyo’s Mystery Deepens includes dozens of richly detailed vignettes, each one an ultra-zoomed snapshot of local customs and peculiarities. Some topics might seem mundane at first, but even subjects as ordinary as, for example, riding the subway, become exotic as Pronko reveals the unique way in which Tokyoites move as a collective group, ever mindful to not take up more space than is absolutely essential. Other topics are inherently more alien, from an American point of view; like the necessity of obtaining a hanko, or personal stamp that serves as a one-of-a-kind means of “signing” important documents. Some essays, like A Little to the Side and Motion Sickness, portray an admittedly less than favorable, yet uncomfortably palpable environment, giving vertigo-stricken individuals pause when considering a trip to the area. Furthermore, many Japanese customs, for which there are simply no easily translatable American equivalents, are woven throughout the book, making it an even more substantial contribution to the illumination of the Tokyo way of life.
This little book of short, easy to read essays delivers to its readers an education about the cultural variances between Americans and Tokyoites that only someone who has lived and worked in Tokyo for an extended period of time, as Pronko has, could deliver. Tokyo’s Mystery Deepens gives its readers a realistic impression of the city, and what it physically feels like to be there, while also firmly establishing a sense of curiosity and wonder, and a strong desire to see all Tokyo has to offer for oneself. Reading this assortment of essays would likely better prepare a prospective traveler for a journey to Tokyo than would reading any run of the mill guidebook.
Excellent Rating from Bookreview.com
Reviewed by: M.K.Turner
“Tokyo’s Mystery Deepens” is a collection of essays by Michael Pronko who has been writing of and in Tokyo for fifteen years or so. A professor of English at Meiji Gakuin University and columnist for Newsweek Japan, Pronko writes that “Essays fit Tokyo well…they can switch modes quickly and easily.” Now, the man writes so well you will want to keep turning the pages, but I would suggest that you pull back and read one or two essays at a time. Tokyo—all the different Tokyos that we meet—takes a bit of getting used to.
My guess is that Pronko’s earlier essay collections covered the things of which guide books are made, but here we find the world that a Westerner confronts day in and day out in this truly exotic city. We vaguely know that Tokyo is a huge, crowded place, but “knowing” and actually taking part in the unending face to face encounters one has in the dense and fatiguing daily life takes considerable getting used to. The essay on the Japanese constant use of the apology—a quick “Sumimasen!” and bow– is an excellent introduction to the tempo and mood of the city. When one has thousands of interactions with people all day every day “keeping small things small” is sound policy.
The physical city, writes the author, is in many ways “easy to ignore…there are no overt demands to participate or appreciate its beauty.” Cities such as Paris and London have a gritty authenticity blended with their beauty, but his “’How beautiful!’ in Europe gradually turns to a bemused ‘How strange!’ back in Tokyo,” where one bumps up against “one wacky idea of how to use space after the next.” Fantasy rules. “Tokyo’s urban planning seems more like urban gaming—virtual, shifting and always new.” And yet there are moments: “Tokyo will always be a lovely isolating city whose pleasures are doled out in brief passing moments.” There is a “love of small, love of instant.” There is “skip to a different point of view and look again.” Could one have a better guide?
Anyone planning to work and live in Tokyo for a period of time will find Pronko indispensable. The author grew up in Kansas; it would appear that Dorothy is not the only one to find a magic world over the rainbow. Bookreview.com recommends “Tokyo’s Mystery Deepens” as excellent.
Link to BookReview.com site review
Review from The Bookbag
Last year I was lucky enough to review Beauty and Chaos: Slices and Morsels of Tokyo Life, Michael Pronko’s first essay collection about his adopted city. I found that book to be full of insight and variety, so was delighted to be approached about reviewing his latest book, Motions and Moments, which is a third set of essays (after Tokyo’s Mystery Deepens). Again the book is compiled from Pronko’s Newsweek Japan articles, this time from 2011 onwards. All of the pieces have been reworked, but most of them remain short; ‘Tokyo life is about spatial limitations,’ Pronko wryly comments, and it’s appropriate for his pieces to reflect that.
‘The irresolvable problem, I’d say, is how to be myself and yet also be a Tokyoite, a trick I’m still mastering,’ Pronko confesses. In essence, that is what these essays are about: the ways in which he has adapted to life in Japan, but also his continued suspicion that, coming from the ‘wide-open American spaces’ of the Midwest, he might always be a gawky outsider. Compared to the earlier collection, I sense Pronko is more comfortable in his surroundings, perhaps happier to include himself in ‘we’ rather than looking on passively at ‘them’. For instance – inspired by Japanese women’s perfect outfits – he consciously tries to dress better, and he’s taken to eating ramen and sleeping on a futon, just like a native.
Still, there is plenty of wonderfully strange behaviour to remark upon in Tokyo, like the ‘gifts’ that come with most purchases, the bewildering English slogans that show up on T-shirts, and the ‘super-convenience’ kiosks where one can buy just about anything, so that forgetting something essential as you catch the morning train is never a problem. Recycling policies are so stringent that one has to separate various plastics, chiefly burnable vs. non-burnable types, and rubbish collectors will leave a sign and refuse to take the bag if it’s done wrong.
In a hypermodern city so defined by plastic, technology, constant construction and fashion, Pronko nostalgically looks for traces of the true, ancient Tokyo – a slower, simpler ‘world of wood, ceramic, cloth and paper.’ It might be found at tucked-away shrines or jazz clubs; it is more evident during the summer months, when the heat forces people to linger and indulge their ‘inner child’ (the subject of ‘The Summer Slowing,’ one of the best individual essays). The thing to remember, Pronko emphasises, is that Tokyo is never just one thing: generalisations don’t work perfectly; it’s a city of multiple layers, both literally and metaphorically.
The stand-out section is Part Four, a series of five dated essays reflecting on the city’s recent earthquakes, particularly the one followed by a tsunami in March 2011. The final piece in the set is from June 2015, after several smaller quakes brought back the emotions of years before. I was reminded of some of the literature that came out after 9/11 – the fear, the uncertainty, the sense of everyone pulling together and preparing for the next crisis.
Cramped, bureaucratic, clinical and terribly busy as it might often be, it’s clear that Pronko loves Tokyo. This is another eloquent tribute to a city full of contradictions and wonders. I didn’t like this collection quite as much as the first one, but there’s not much in it at all. Both books are about the title’s ‘moments’, those glints of connection and significance that can be found in everyday life:
Most of my days in Tokyo are suffused with the white light of daily experience. But from time to time, it hits the prism at the right angles and explodes into meanings, ideas, associations, directions. With a slight tilt, Tokyo diffracts wild spectrums of meanings. … These essays are less mirror [autobiography] and more prism.
Further reading suggestion: Don’t miss Beauty and Chaos: Slices and Morsels of Tokyo Life, the author’s first essay collection.
Link to The Bookbag site review
4 out of 4 stars from OnlineBookClub.org
Official Review: Motions and Moments by Michael Pronko
14 Jan 2016, 10:37
4 out of 4 stars
Sometimes the planets are all aligned and a book pops up that seems like a perfect fit for my reading preferences. Motions and Moments: More Essays on Tokyo by Michael Pronko is a non-fiction book of essays about the intricacies of living in Tokyo. The essays are mainly drawn from monthly columns the author wrote for Newsweek Japan. He wrote for this magazine for ten years and his earlier essays were published in a few previous books. The author has a unique Westerner’s perspective as an American living abroad.
Although Mr. Pronko has lived in Tokyo for many years, he will never be truly “of Tokyo.” He remains an outsider who has the keen eye of someone living in a foreign land. In Japan, normal, enjoyable activities contain an extra connotation of the culture of being Japanese. By contrast, Westerners tend to enjoy activities because they just happen to enjoy them – for example, an American eating a delicious dessert. There is also a formality about the Japanese language, as well as Japanese body language. Their posture is Zen-like and there is even a proper way of sitting.
This book sparkles and succeeds as a love letter of sorts to Tokyo. The author’s writing is a joy to read, with wonderful phrasing and vivid descriptions. I have no doubt he could write the great American novel, if he so chooses; a book of essays about his adopted country is still a fine choice. His wise and thoughtful take on Tokyo shines through the pages. The essays are informative, sometimes providing contrasts to the American way of life. I felt like I received a crash course in the intricacies of this city’s culture. Space is a particular problem in Tokyo and its residents have mastered the art of “fitting things in.” It’s a necessity to have things well organized and be able to maneuver in tight spaces.
There are many interesting observations in this book. Tokyoites are obsessed with English slogan T-shirts and the author likes to jot down some of the quirky T-shirt sayings he sees. With the heavy reliance on finding restaurants and places to see through the internet, the author laments that people might miss the gems that are off the radar – a great jazz bar, a coffee shop with coffee drinkers’ names carved on the walls, etc.
“Staying” is very compelling with good imagery of a city that is built vertically. People often come out of a train or building straight into an upper-level walkway, a multi-level store or a maze of tunnels five levels down. Other standouts include “Ugliest City in the World” and a passage about the ritual of futon care, as well as a thoughtful section about the aftereffects of the 2011 earthquake.
Japanese words are sprinkled throughout the book. Some of the words are briefly explained in the text, but most are not in order to avoid interrupting the flow of the text. The author explains this in the introduction and provides a helpful glossary at the end of the book. I was able to figure out a few of the words from the context, and it was quick and easy to use the glossary for the words that weren’t so easy to decipher.
Halfway through the book I got a slight case of Tokyo overload and had to take a short break from reading. This is not really a criticism; it’s merely a comment about the overflow of valuable information about this vibrant city. I would compare it to binge-watching a TV series on DVD or Netflix. The show might be fabulous, but you still want to take a time-out after watching several episodes in a row.
I noticed approximately six technical errors in the book which surprised me, given the overall high quality of the writing. The rating system doesn’t allow for a reduction of less than a star. In any event, I was so impressed with the book that I doubt I would take away a half-star even if I could.
This book has earned 4 out of 4 stars. I would recommend it to readers who enjoy essays about foreign culture. As someone who knows very little about Tokyo, I loved this book. As someone who appreciates good writing, I loved this book. As someone who loves non-fiction books about experiencing a particular place and culture, I loved this book. As the author writes, “Tokyo is a workout.” This book about Tokyo is a reading workout in the best sense of the word.
Five-plus stars, Publishers Daily Reviews
How many drunken salarymen does it take to screw in a lightbulb? Answer: three. One to screw it in and two to make sure his shirt is perfectly tucked.
If you don’t want to be taken for a common gaiijin (foreigner) when negotiating the byways of modern-day Tokyo, you’d best consult this excellent guide to the traditions, customs, and many charming quirks that a visitor to Japan’s largest city might encounter. Written in an articulate style reminiscent of George Plimpton at his best, author Michael Pronko shares 43 insightful essays that reflect his unique observations as an American expatriate living and teaching in the largest city in the world.
In the essay “The Language Dance,” for example, Pronko discusses the proclivity of Tokyoites to be formal in just about every aspect of daily life. Even those who don’t work in the many high-rises seem always pressed and tidy — from construction workers to deliverymen.
About the only time the Japanese get really casual, in fact, is when they’re speaking English:
“The Japanese can really loosen up in English. In English, the Japanese switch not just language, but cultural assumptions, body language and mindsets, and end up telling me more in English about themselves and their lives than they ever would in Japanese.”
Another valuable tip for optimum existence in Tokyo: learn how to skillfully negotiate the extensive train and subway system. When walking through an ultra-crowded station, you must be particularly adroit:
“You have to be controlled to shoot at high speed through the crowd and out the narrow chutes of the train’s exit wickets. One misplaced step means a bruised knee or bruised hip, or, even worse, embarrassment. ”
In addition, Pronko relates, there seems to be a national obsession not just with cell phones, but the entire concept of doing many things at once. Even the TVs carry several information streams — all at once.
“The city itself seems built on multitasking, as if that has been the basic design principle. From any single point, you can find a hundred things to do, and imagine a hundred more. You can’t just walk through Tokyo; you have to deal with it — like an email inbox that never stops receiving new messages.”
There are dozens of erudite observations in this well-written and meticulously edited book. But perhaps one of the best passages, on the end of the annual cherry tree flowering, will resonate with you as it did with me:
“On days when the spring wind blows strong, the last blossoms release and dance through the air. The few late releasing petals seem more rare and more precious, floating alone through the warmer air of spring, like the last dancer pirouetting off the stage after a performance.”
This is a memoir to be savored like a fine red wine, crafted with supreme care by a man who clearly has fallen in love with his adopted city — and we are the beneficiaries of his lyrical reflections, making us want to visit and absorb the rich megalopolis of Tokyo for ourselves.
Five-plus stars to Motions and Moments, and to its warm and witty author Michael Pronko.
Don Sloan
Review from Midwest Book Review, D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer
Michael Pronko’s short stories about Japan’s culture and oddities are the next best thing to a visit, but don’t expect a travelogue, here. The pleasure of Motions and Moments (as in his other writings) lies not in the usual ‘things to go/places to see/I was there’ approach, but in an attention to cultural dichotomies and a depth of detail that is difficult to find elsewhere.
Take the opening, for example, with begins with a note about its glossary. One might be surprised that information explaining the glossary’s importance prefaces the collection, but in fact this is key to enjoying the work, and shouldn’t be skipped over lightly, because: “All Japanese words that work better in Japanese have been given in italicized Roman alphabet form, called romaji. The reader can flip back to the glossary to find those, or read on and experience the confusion of being in Tokyo. Check the back for the fun words, the crucial ones and sometimes the strange.”
Tokyo living doesn’t just involve a light dose of inconsistency. It embraces it. Pronko outlines this right away, letting readers know that they should be prepared for a production less linear and predictable than the usual treatise on Japanese culture: “True to Tokyo’s inconsistency, I sometimes use some English, like “cell phone,” in the essay on cell phones. But at other times, I put in keitai, short for keitai denwa, which means cell phone. English speaking friends and I rarely use the English word because that little object is so central to Tokyo life. A little inconsistency never hurt anyone, I figure, and anyway, Tokyoites switch terms whenever they feel like it, dropping a little English in here, taking it out there. Inconsistency is part of life here—or maybe its only consistency.”
This collection is in keeping with Pronko’s other exquisite essays about Japan, so prior fans will be thrilled, while newcomers need have no previous familiarity in order to see how he captures the subtler nuances of Japanese living with crystal clarity.
From Tokyo’s own peculiar brand of cell phone addiction and how it differs from other countries to the bigger picture connecting Tokyoite decisions with how the rest of the world functions, insights are thought-provoking reflections of the particular choices this modern world makes, and their impact: “But if you see a teensy photo of a bowl of ramen before you eat it, will it taste any better? There is only so much information a screen can deliver. Tokyo screen size means urban experiences become pre-planned. Checking online beforehand deflates all sense of surprise. Tokyoites start to divide between the virtual planners with expectations cooked up online and the adventurers who plunge into the unplanned and take the consequences.”
From the city’s unusual undercurrents of silence compared with the din of other urban cities in Asia (“Tokyo life goes on largely unspoken. I could get by just fine for weeks and weeks without saying much of anything to anyone. Shopping, eating, entertainment, almost everything can be accomplished without once uttering a single word, as if the entire city is set up for monks.“) to symphonies of sound, taste, and a marathon feel in which life seems to move faster and faster, nobody captures the feel of Tokyo quite like Pronko.
His writings aren’t just designed to ‘show and tell’, but to dissect the psyche and heartbeat of a city to pinpoint its unique culture, from business rituals and formalities to intersections where Tokyoites relax.
Anyone with an interest in Japanese culture in general and Tokyo in particular must acquire Motions and Moments. More so than almost any other treatment, it captures the nuances Westerners find puzzling about Japan and translates them into digestible, vivid insights no visitor should be without.
Review from Indie Reader
Michael Pronko shares his detailed observations of the culture and life of one of the busiest cities on the planet.
Every city has its daily practices, yearly schedules, and small quirks. As an eighteen-year resident of the bustling city of Tokyo, Michael Pronko shares his experiences and thoughts of his long-time home. Using visual descriptions and intimate thoughts, the English teacher offers a direct connection into what makes Tokyo tick. From overcrowded commutes, tiny living spaces, and carefully thought outfits to sluggish summers, busy holidays, and terrifying earthquakes, Pronko’s essays offer a unique perspective that neither tourists nor life-long residents can offer.
MOTIONS AND MOMENTS appeals to both readers that have never been to Tokyo and readers that have lived in the city their whole lives. Pronko’s ability to shift between being a “Tokyoite” and a “Westerner” allows him to make connections and comparisons between the Japanese city and other cities he has visited around the world, including the lack of visual appeal that Tokyo has and its constant vertical expansions. Though he now calls the city his home, Pronko’s love for Tokyo does not prevent him from making honest observations, such as Tokyo’s inability to cope with snow and the ever-present fear of earthquakes.
With so many insightful comments, a few sections brought observations that seemed almost too keen. The chapter on T-shirts with English phrases written on them or the story of Pronko stubbing his toe and gingerly navigating through the city felt like extraneous details that do not necessarily enrich readers on Tokyo’s culture.
Additionally, the entire sections on earthquakes felt out of place. Whereas most of the collection of essays were only loosely tied together and a few pages long, Pronko devotes several chapters to earthquakes, keeping the reader on one subject for a much longer period of time than anything else in the novel. While this might make sense in a narrative novel, its length within a series of very short essays disrupted the flow of the collection.
Ultimately, Pronko’s essays are intriguing, reminding readers of the importance of immersing in other cultures beyond surface-level tourism. Cities, beyond landmarks and destinations, breathe with the life of its culture and its residents.
MOTIONS AND MOMENTS captures the personality and vigor of Tokyo with its thoughtful and perceptive essays.
✭✭✭✭✭ Star Review by Jack Magnus
Motions and Moments: More Essays on Tokyo is a collection of nonfiction travel essays written by Michael Pronko. The author, a professor of American literature, has been writing essays about this city for fifteen years, beginning in his capacity as a reviewer of jazz for an online magazine. He’s since written some 200 essays on Tokyo’s culture, food, nightlife, and just about anything he can think of, and yet he still finds more to write about. Hence these essays as he continues to discover that there’s still so much more about this city that he’s lived in for the last 18 years to enjoy and make his own. The essays in this collection range from the enjoyment of ramen noodles and onigiri and the intricacies of establishing a common conversational language in his everyday interactions, to the difference between loose and tight public body language that is so hard for non-Tokyoites to acquire; the verticality of Tokyo with its many layers and levels; and the mood of its denizens in the wake of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.
Michael Pronko’s collection of nonfiction travel essays, Motions and Moments: More Essays on Tokyo, is an extraordinary travel guide to a culture I had previously known next to nothing about. Each of his essays brought me closer and closer to an appreciation of the complex and complicated place Tokyo is, and the lifestyles of those who call it home. His writing style is conversational and smooth, and I found that after finishing one essay I was eager to dive into the next one right away. I particularly enjoyed his essays on Tokyo nightlife and the jazz clubs he frequents. There are lots of reasons why Pronko has made this city of crowds and concrete and hidden little shrines his home, and he shares so much of that affection and enthusiasm in each of these essays. This is the first of his collections of Tokyo essays that I’ve read, but it won’t be the last. Motions and Moments: More Essays on Tokyo is most highly recommended.
✭✭✭✭✭ Star Review by Rabia Tanveer
Motions and Moments: More Essays on Tokyo by Michael Pronko is a collection of essays that describe life in Tokyo. To be honest, this book actually cleared up some of my misconceptions about Tokyo and how people live in Tokyo. I thought people lived the high life, that they lived in the fast lane, and their lives are easier than most. After reading Michael Pronko’s essays, I realized how wrong I was. The people of Tokyo are not as different from us as we believe. Granted, they live in one of the most technologically developed cities, but they do have their own challenges.
I found “A Meal in the Hand” very interesting. Imagine your work day, imagine how you are working through your lunch, and you quickly gobble down a bag of chips or Doritos. Well, in Tokyo, they eat onigiri, a much healthier snack. And for readers who might think that the fast-paced life in Tokyo has no place for religion, “Tokyo’s Traditional Pauses” will tell them what religion is really like for the people of Tokyo.
There was another essay in the book which describes the earthquake and tsunami of 2011. The essay talks about the gruesome effects of the earthquake and how it shook the city. This book is perfect for people who, like me, enjoy reading about different cities and their cultures. Tokyo is a passionate city and I am glad I read this book and now realize that. A well written and eloquent account of life in Tokyo. I really liked it.
✭✭✭✭✭ Star Review by Faridah Nassozi
Tokyo is not only the Japanese capital and largest city, but is also one of the world’s most dynamic places. Probably one of its most fascinating attributes is how it has managed to go ultramodern without abandoning the beautiful traditions and ways of its people. Through his third book about Tokyo, titled Motions and Moments: More Essays on Tokyo, Michael Pronko presents yet another amazing insight into this magnificent city and its lifestyle. From fashion, entertainment, food, nightlife, ultramodern facilities, or some good old-fashioned Japanese culture, Tokyo has got it all and Michael Pronko captures its blends perfectly. With each new essay opening yet another window into life in this magnificent city, the book vividly captures the depth and beauty of Tokyo, bringing to life the city and the lifestyle.
Motions and Moments: More Essays on Tokyo by Michael Pronko perfectly captures the surreal feel and allure of Tokyo. It is an unbiased in-depth view of Tokyo from someone who not only lives in the city but has formed a deep personal connection with it. By using his personal experiences to tell the story of one of the world’s most dynamic cities, Michael Pronko put a human touch to the ever so vibrant scenery that is Tokyo. It is a perfect example of how to adopt the new without abandoning the old. The traditions bring a certain balance and serenity into the commotion and chaos of this ultramodern city and the two blend together impeccably; a feeling that is perfectly portrayed through Michael Pronko’s narrations and descriptions. Motions and Moments: More Essays on Tokyo by Michael Pronko is a captivating read that flawlessly captures the spirit of Tokyo.
