In Memory of Howard Hibbit

Osaka Museum of Housing and Living Tokyo Ueno Station: Yu Miri

In Memory of Howard Hibbit

Howard Hibbit: June 27, 1920 - March 13, 2019

I was sharing some of my works throughout Golden Week and it was brought to my attention by @therealcornjob on twitter that one of Tanizaki's main translator's, Prof Howard Hibbit, had just recently passed away at the amazing age of 98.

I have enjoyed numerous chances to speak with and interview translators over the last few years, and it is something I find wonderful and enlightening. I won't get the chance to speak to Dr. Hibbit, so instead, I'll give my thanks, a small bio, and my thoughts on the works I've read.

Harvard educated, from undergrad to doctorate, with a small break to work as a language specialist during the war. Hibbit then went on to work at UCLA before returning to teach at Harvard.

Some of his major translations (Wiki) include:

The Key by Jun'ichirō Tanizaki, Alfred A. Knopf, New York 1961Seven Japanese Tales by Jun'ichirō Tanizaki, Alfred A. Knopf, New York 1963 Diary of a Mad Old Man by Jun'ichirō Tanizaki, Alfred A. Knopf, New York 1965 Review Harp of Burma by Michio Takeyama, Charles E. Tuttle Co., Rutland (Vt.) 1966 Beauty and sadness by Yasunari Kawabata, Alfred A. Knopf, New York 1975 Quicksand by Jun'ichirō Tanizaki, Alfred A. Knopf, New York 1994 Review

I have read The Diary of a Mad Old Man and The Key, and both are exceptional works of odd erotic aging. Maybe that seems like an odd description, but I assure you, it's spot on, and if it intrigues you give them a look... and if it makes you cringe, maybe avoid them (at your loss).

I also have Quicksand as well as Beauty and Sadness on my shelf and hope to read them very soon.

As a pioneer in early J-lit translations I think anyone who enjoys this blog will join me in thanking Dr. Hibbit and saying how happy it is to see such a man enjoy a good long life.

I encourage everyone to pick up one of his books whenever you get a chance, and comment below on on my twitter @fulltimerinjp.

RIP