Christopher Field:Sample Translation Work



	Some Translation Examples
	Japan is still the world’s leading filer of patents, and most translation from Japanese into English tends to be technical — but occasionally I also get more literary challenges. Translations below include a short story, Hashiriame, liner notes for a CD by jazz pianist Satoko Fujii, and a Fuji Xerox patent about electronic paper.
	In all cases my goal is to leave no hint of “foreignness” in the language of the translation, so the reader gets to the heart of what the writer is saying without confusion. I also place great empahsis on proofing, reproofing, and re-reproofing (experience is a tough teacher).


	HASHIRIAME—Shuhei Fujisawa (1985)
	A solitary thief lurks under the eaves of the little shrine dedicated to Hachiman. His name is Kakichi. By day, Kakichi is a tool grinder. Bearing his box of whetstones, files and assorted tools of the trade, he circulates from village to village throughout Edo, sharpening knives, sickles, or scissors. Sometimes he's called upon to raise the teeth on a saw; on these occasions his files are at the ready. And in the course of his rounds, he sometimes revisits a home after its dwellers have dozed off for the night. Click here to read the rest of this story in English. (This is a large pdf file.)
	Set in a pre-modern Japan beset by petty thieves, gamblers, abandoned wives, and general poverty, it is easy to envision this story as a film. The language is modern Japanese, making it readily accessible for translation. Much of Japan's old world flavor has vanished in my 30 years of traveling there, but stories like this can at least rekindle the imagination.


	From the liner notes to “Sketches,” solo piano CD by Satoko Fujii
	From that intimate but quietly subdued relationship between the piano and the player, that distance so subtle as to be barely perceived, yet still insurmountable, untouched by dull-eared indifference or insincere pretensions of ignorance, rises Satoko Fujii's music.
	Through this translation project I became aware of the astounding richness of Satoko Fujii's many piano compositions. I also had the pleasrure of hearing her play the accordion with husband Natsuki Tamura in his band Gato Libre at a charming little club in Kichijoji, Tokyo.

	(full review here)

	Electronic Paper Patent
	A Fuji Xerox electronic imaging patent, which is underlying technology for the “elecronic paper,” now getting some press in products such as Sony's portable book reader...
	(patent translation here )


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