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Tree

Cherry blossom, hinoki, ezo spruce. Persimmon, maple, cypress. The trees of Japan are wondrous emblems of beauty that cast a spell on those who venture to its unique landscape.

As a child, Aya Koda realised they were more than mere objects of beauty. Gifted a sapling by her father, she discovered that we depend on trees, as much as they do on us. Markers of time passing, they clear the air and regenerate our earth – while we are responsible to care for their future.

Following her travels around Japan, as she witnesses landslides, lumber, and forests of falling ash, Tree is a beautiful series of essays that contemplate the most distinctive and eternal features of our natural world. A modern classic translated for the first time, Koda’s voice echoes down the generations, to remind us that trees hold a mirror to what we cherish on earth, and what we choose to leave behind.

About Aya Koda

Aya Koda (1904-1990) was an esteemed Japanese author and essayist of the 20th century. The second daughter of Rohan Koda (1867-1947), a famous literary figure in Japan, she began writing after his death and became a prolific writer of novels, essays and short stories. Her novels Nagareru and Ototo were adapted into successful films, and Tree, which was published posthumously, featured prominently in the recent Oscar-nominated film Perfect Days. She was the recipient of numerous awards for her writing, including the Yomiuri Prize, the Japan Art Academy Prize, and the Order of the Sacred Treasure.
Details
  • Imprint: Penguin Classics
  • ISBN: 9780241735510
  • Length: 256 pages
  • Price: £12.99