The Sacred Era

by Yoshio Aramaki, Baryon Tensor Posadas (Translation), 荒巻 義雄

The magnum opus of a Japanese master of speculative fiction, and a book that established Yoshio Aramaki as a leading representative of the genre, The Sacred Era is part post-apocalyptic world, part faux-religious tract, and part dream narrative. In a distant future ruled by a new Papal Court serving the Holy Empire of Igitur, a young student known only as K arrives at the capital to take The Sacred Examination, a text that will qualify him for metaphysical research service with the court. His performance earns him an assignment in the secret Planet Bosch Research Department; this in turn puts him on the trail of a heretic executed many years earlier, whose headless ghost is still said to haunt the Papal Court, which carries him on an interplanetary pilgrimage across the Space Taklamakan Desert to the Planet Loulan, where time stands still, and finally to the mysterious, supposedly mythical Planet Bosch, a giant, floating plant-world that once orbited Earth but has somehow wandered 1,000 light years away.

K’s journey to this strange world, seemingly sprung from Hieronymus Bosch’s Garden of Earthly Delights, is a journey into inner and outer space, as the novel traffics in mystic and metaphysical questions only to transform them into technical and astrophysical problems, translating the substance of religious and mythic texts into the language of science fiction.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction, Japan, Post Apocalyptic, Japanese Literature, Dystopia, Speculative Fiction

240 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 1980

About the author

Yoshio Aramaki is the pen name of Yoshimasa Aramaki, whose given name was originally Kunio Aramaki. He is an award-winning author and writes mostly in the speculative fiction genres.

Reviews

[Rachel Cordasco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why can't I give this book 25 stars?!??

[ttttooo”””’mmmmmm · Rating 4 out of 5]

i enjoyed the beginning of the book a lot, because the described concept of futurist christianity with a sense of direness and self punishment was super interesting. i’m a bit disappointed that wasn’t really a large topic toward the end. the fact that the main story is based upon hieronymus bosch’s (and others’) paintings makes the whole thing very vivid. i enjoyed the writing style, except for probably twice when K said “yeah”. nice to see a science fiction author put a bit of effort into making the pseudo-scientific (theological) concepts sort of understandable. definitely could’ve been a sci-fi epos like dune.

[Bbrown · Rating 1 out of 5]

The Sacred Era is probably the worst book I've read in the past three years. The world is ill-defined, sometimes we are lectured about the setting but more often we are neither shown nor told what the hell is going on; this is made worse by the protagonist being a young man that just passed the Sacred Service Exam, which provides the perfect excuse for some orientation event explaining the setting, but that doesn't happen. Instead the book just jumps from one event to the next, illogically and with the bare minimum of textual justification, while the protagonist is an unmotivated lump (except when he’s inexplicably not), and the feeling that the ball is being hidden from you (or that the author Yoshio Aramaki doesn’t actually know what’s going on with the book’s setting) permeates the entire work.

The religion that is so important to this setting is related to Christianity, but how does it differ? We’re never told! What is the nature of the human empire spread throughout the galaxy, or methods of interstellar travel? Who knows! Characters and events constantly reappear or reoccur, what is the meaning of this? Unclear! At the eleventh hour, the book tries to explain things, but does such a terrible job that it made it undeniable that this book is just garbage through-and-through. Yoshio Aramaki can’t introduce settings, can’t make compelling characters, can’t write a plot that links events together in a way that makes sense, much less in a compelling manner, and the writing is bad too (this last one may be the translator’s fault as well). It’s crap! This book, in so many ways, serves as an example of how not to write a piece of science fiction. Any of the elements of the book, from the characters, to the setting, to the writing, to the plot, I could dive into and set out why they're terrible, but the book just isn't worth such an in-depth writeup.

At one point the main character recounts all the plot points of the book: “K passed the Sacred Exam. He trained in the monastery in the middle of the desert. He received the official notification to go to the Planet Bosch Research Center. He received another notification to depart from Earth. He traveled to the strange emerald-colored city of the void. Finally, he boarded the ship to traverse the great distance of the Taklamakan Space Desert. Things seem to be happening far beyond his control or understanding.” How the fuck do you write this without realizing that your story is of a guy that gets bounced from thing to thing like a helpless Ping-Pong ball, and, more importantly, without realizing that you’ve written a “story” that is just a series of loosely connected events that can’t hope to satisfy anyone? Yoshio Aramaki apparently isn't smart enough to understand this, even when he's spelling it out.

Before its final ten pages, I was planning to give The Sacred Era a 1.5/5, as a work that was badly done in almost every way, but was trying to do something interesting (yet utterly failing). The ending of The Sacred Era, though, makes clear that Yoshio Aramaki must have confronted the inadequacy of the story he had crafted and either ignored that inadequacy or failed to recognize how shit it is, and either way that’s such a huge failure for an author that it’s unforgivable. I adore works that combine theology with the post apocalypse like Canticle for Leibowitz and The Book of the New Sun, so the fact that I found this work with a similar subject matter so terrible means that I suspect that many people will dislike it even more than I did, somehow. It speaks poorly of whoever is in charge of the University of Minnesota Press that this book was chosen for translation. 1/5.

[Julien L · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is weird/bonkers/bananas etc.

In the same vein as Kawamata Chiaki's Death Sentences (it's from the same publisher, U of Minnesota press), it follows a relatively straightforward story that quickly moves into the weird and metaphysical. It ends kind of abruptly and the plot basically takes a detour for larger philosophical and theological queries, which made the reading experience weird. This is not a book you read for the narrative, because the narrative is just a larger vehicle for speculations on the nature of existence, the nature of organized religion, and bending of space and time. This is sci-fi on acid.

Another note: The prose is odd and kind of stilted but its prose-in-translation. Nuances in Japanese don't translate well over to English, and vice versa. This knocked it down a bit for me but it's sensible most of the time.

Worth a look.

[Verne · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible surrealist romp through religion, space, and art. I wish more of his work was translated. Unique wild sci fi. The layers upon layers of story remind me vaguely of Phillip K Dick and the sensory space travel of Samuel Delaney. Loved it.

[Bogi Takács]

Review coming next week IY"H (need to insert some formatting into it but it's mostly done)

[Sean Parson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some cool philosophic ideas and some interesting ideas but not much of a story arc and really horrific gender politics. All women in this book are just props for sexual anxiety.

[Syd · Rating 1 out of 5]

sloppy world-building with tossed together sci fi tropes--including women as clueless sinful traps but of course also a key plot motivator 🙄 disappointingly dull with the kind of religion analysis you'd expect of newly atheist internet trolls

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

** I received an advance reading copy of this book for free through a Goodreads giveaway. **
More of a 2.5 star than a 3 but I'll be generous!

I'm still not entirely sure what it is I just finished reading. The book is dystopian and fantastical and so dreamlike that it is hard to hold on to the story at times. A very surreal post-apocalyptic novel following a young man as he explores the secrets of his world, his religion, his culture and the universe. While I did for the most part enjoy this book (while remaining very, very confused most of the time!), I did not enjoy the negative portrayals and lack of real description of the few females in the book. They seemed to exist only to provide temptation and sex to the male characters. Honestly, the book would have been much better if they had been left out entirely as they seemed to add nothing of merit to the novel. Just side-stories of tempting the main character into breaking his rather undefined vows. Still, as I said, I did mostly enjoy the book. I do wish the translation had been better. At least I hope it's the translation that led to some of the clunky and poorly put-together sentences!

[Lilou · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would call this a self-centric sci-fi story. Despite not being referred to by name throughout the book, the story revolves around its protagonist. Other characters are more like figments of his imagination and not real people. Its saving grace is that this lack of characterization is relevant to the plot.

While it had its profound moments from time to time, I'm not familiar with Catholicism enough to catch all the themes and references. However, it did have some neat insights from time to time.

Also, please don't refer to refer to shuttle rocket launches as a "giant phallus ready to violate the heavens." I want any future rocket launches I watch to be free of any lewd thoughts. On the other hand, I found the erotic docking scene that followed strangely funny. It was certainly not what I expected.

[Jeremy Garber · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first exposure to a fascinating Japanese sci-fi author. Aramaki deftly weaves philosophical (and theological) reflection into an engrossing tale of institutional coverups, space travel powered by souls, and the pleasures of the flesh versus the secret of knowledge. K, the main character, is the youngest postulant ever to be accepted to the Imperial Academy. His study begins at the end of the Empire's Millennium of Progress, as water supplies dwindle and food production slows. His area of study - a heretical planet that may hold the literal secret of the Universe. Kudos to the translator on this one too - the language and conversation carry you right through the book. If I didn't have to sleep (and work), I would have devoured this one in one sitting!

[Adán · Rating 3 out of 5]

El libro depende por completo de que el lector acepte que es un viaje de vibes. Todo el chanchullo pseudo-espiritual depende de dejarse llevar y no darle muchas vueltas al tema. Toda la experiencia se basa en eso: el mood. Los personajes, diálogos y escenarios van dirigidos a crear una sensación particular y si compras eso es decente, pero como entres igual que se entra a otras novelas se va a caer al segundo o tercer capítulo.

[James W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Wondrous Work of Art

It’s esoteric and represents a great unification of science and theology. It’s creative and reaches profound conclusions that are of a very unexpected nature. Many twists and turns. Much wisdom. A dreamlike, lilting read, filled with unforeseen wonders. I had a great time with it. Some of it can be a bit difficult to parse at times but that’s the nature of abstract works of art

[Harry · Rating 1 out of 5]

None of the characters (including the main character, "K.") had more depth than a piece of cardboard; the unfolding of the plot was entirely predictable; not even the world-building was terribly interesting. I did find the weird theocracy with its nemesis heretic Darko Dachilko mildly interesting, but it just made me want to read Borges.

[Erik Bailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

The magnum opus of a lactation fetish? This book was speculative fiction on overdrive. Without saying much or spoiling the plot, you will travel across the galaxy. You will sleep with every female character you meet, and you will still be confused. The author is trying to rewrite the bible and feels very edgy about doing it, but really it looses me but I stuck around for the ride...

[Susan Haseltine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I guess new wave isn't my thing. The weirdly filtered western theology is somewhat interesting but the offhanded misogyny is repellent. Women are beautiful, graceful, lustful, but never anything that isn't determined by being female. Even when they are mechanical.

[Rebecca Han · Rating 3 out of 5]

very confused but not in a bad way

[Larry Ggggggggggggggggggggggggg · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Bosch thing works ok, surprisingly grim but some parts are a boring mess of ideas

[Zack Heaton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really profound at times. The whole book has a really neat dreamlike quality unlike anything else I've read, other than Leaves of Narcissus.

If you find theology or philosophy interesting, you will enjoy this. Personally I loved it. I must say that what other reviewers have said about female characters is true. However, i found the bulk of the material so interesting and, again, at times profound, that I can't give it less than 5 stars.

[Georgina Lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a basic rule I enjoy science fiction which, more than simple fiction, lets me enter into another dimension where world building has permission to include and operate under different physical laws and thus sets my mind free to just enjoy the story without trying to make sense of it. Add to that a Japanese writer, elements of Christian theology, twists in the space and time continuum and you've got yourself a winning formula, at least for me.

[L.S. Popovich · Rating 3 out of 5]

I stumbled upon Aramaki’s “Soft Clocks” short story in the Big Book of Science Fiction Anthology and was favorably impressed. The integration of Dali’s motifs with a science fiction setting and fantastical story meshed well in my mind. It was clever and compact storytelling. So I searched out the only other thing of Aramaki’s in English available, this so-called masterpiece modeled after Bosch. I was impressed at first by a lot of the themes and descriptions, but as the book wore on, I began to wonder why it was considered so great. Certainly, “Soft Clocks” is better, I thought. I think the use of the present tense is a result of a direct translation from the Japanese. I don’t much care for the translation work on this book, since I think it lacks some of the artfulness of “Soft Clocks,” as if the author’s style got washed out in a more literal interpretation. I believe it is a convention to translate the present tense narration of Japanese into Past tense English – since a huge majority of English language literature is narrated in past tense. For some reason the translator violates this rule. But that wouldn’t be enough to dismiss this novel. It contains some vivid imagery – not a result of the word choice but a result of the strong backbone of surrealism underlying the novel. I fail to see much connection to Bosch, except for the name-dropping that occurs on almost every page. The author indulges in weird mixtures of names – mingling Gilgeas with Darko Dachilko, and Barbara, Martha, Tantra, Loulan, Parnassus, Amalia, Serena, Abir, Ellen, Hoffman? It was as if he could not decide what sort of name to use or was trying to make abstruse references with each of them. There is a reverential attitude toward the divinely inspired Hieronymous Bosch throughout the novel, but very little exploration of the themes of salvation through the word of God. Instead Aramaki blatantly rejects Bosch’s vision for the fate of man separated by God and posits something far more disturbing. I am fine with Aramaki’s eccentric novelistic choices, and he can think what he wants about the unsaved souls of men, but he should have fleshed out this novel more, cut some of the extraneous scenes and focused it down to its essential theories. He tried to do too much at once, and though it’s interesting at times, it’s really messy overall.
I do know I will be reading anything else of Aramaki’s that makes it into English. It’s pretty obvious that there is a vast body of Science fiction in Japanese and Chinese waiting to be unearthed in Western languages.
I think Aramaki’s military fiction series probably won’t be as interesting as this novel, but I would still like to see them translated. Japanese science fiction, in my opinion is uniquely fascinating, if a little inconsistent.

[Paul Burke]

Super trippy weird psycho-Christian parable

Echoes of "Empire of the New Sun"

[World Literature Today]

"Surrealist art, post-Christian dogma, reincarnation, and spaceships fueled by human consciousness: these are just some of the elements that make up the complex panorama of Yoshio Aramaki’s exquisite work of speculative fiction." - Rachel S. Cordasco

This book was reviewed in the Sept/Oct 2017 issue of World Literature Today magazine. Read the full review by visiting our website:

https://www.worldliteraturetoday.org/...