Hello, this is Frank.
I’d like to share my thoughts on this short story by quoting a rather insightful review featured at the end of the anthology.
This piece belongs to the Miyu Kaminaga series — featuring an art detective who can literally taste the authenticity of art. While that concept is undeniably intriguing, I have to admit my personal experience with this story didn’t quite hit the mark.
It’s described as a “masterpiece offering a surprising interpretation of a Nirvana painting said to be from the Edo period.” And while I could appreciate the deep dive into the artwork’s symbolism, I found myself emotionally disconnected. Maybe that’s because, for someone whose life sometimes feels stranger than fiction, the twist didn’t quite land.
The depth of research behind the artwork was impressive — no doubt about that. But as someone who doesn’t regularly follow this author’s series, I struggled to connect with the characters on any meaningful level.
I walked away thinking, “So this is what happens when a novel leans heavily into expert knowledge.” In that sense, it was educational — just not particularly moving.
Perhaps the story simply fell outside my personal comfort zone.
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Thank you for reading today.
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Need a break? Why not check out my daughter’s YouTube channel,
O-Hana Fantasia. We’d be so happy if you subscribed!
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Currently, I’m participating in the popular blog rankings.
Today’s ranking for [AMISTAD] is?
■ Frank Yoshida is an award-winning author who made his professional debut in January 2009 after winning the Grand Prize in the “Gateway to Success for New Writers 2008” Contest, sponsored by Goodbook Shuppan, Japan. His acclaimed short love story, Hanarerarenaku-nacchau (“What Would I Do Without You?”), marked the beginning of his published literary journey. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Kobe University of Commerce. ■ Frank brings a wealth of international business experience to the table. With a strong background in Surface Mount Technology (SMT), he served as a technical adviser in key innovation hubs such as Silicon Valley, Hsinchu (Taiwan), and San Jose (California). His global career includes negotiating international investment disputes in the United States, advising in the leather industry, and managing timber import strategies. As a seasoned international business consultant and flexpatriate, he has worked extensively across North America, Latin America, Oceania, Southeast Asia, Europe, and Africa for leading trading companies and multinational clients. ■ A certified English expert, Frank holds ten prestigious English qualifications: UNATE (United Nations Association Test of English) SA Class, BEST (Business English Standard Test) A-Grade, Volunteer Interpreter Test (V-Tsuken) A-Grade, TOPEC (Nursing English) Perfect Score, Nissho Business English Proficiency Test Grade 1, Tourism English Proficiency Test Grade 1, Zensho English Proficiency Test Grade 1, English Vocabulary Test (TANKEN) Grade 1, EIKEN® Grade 1, and Japan's National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter certification. ■ Frank is also a passionate motorcycle enthusiast. He finds his ultimate freedom cruising along scenic coastlines aboard his beloved Suzuki Hayabusa GSX-1300R mega tourer. He describes the liberating experience in two words: “Stay aloof.”
Frank
