The Easy Life in Kamusari
2009 novel by Shion Miura
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The Easy Life in Kamusari (Japanese: 神去なあなあ日常, Hepburn: Kamusari Nānā Nichijō) is a 2009 novel by Shion Miura. It follows Yuki Hirano, a city native, as he works a forestry job in a remote mountain area.[1] A movie adaptation (Wood Job!) premiered in 2014.[2] The novel was translated into English by Juliet Winters Carpenter in 2021.[3]
| |
| Author | Shion Miura |
|---|---|
| Original title | 神去なあなあ日常 |
| Translator | Juliet Winters Carpenter |
| Language | Japanese |
| Series | Forest |
| Genre | Bildungsroman |
| Publisher | Tokuma Shoten |
| Publication date | 2009 |
| Publication place | Japan |
Published in English | 2021 |
| Pages | 208 |
| ISBN | 9781542027151 |
| OCLC | 1237633352 |
| Followed by | Kamusari Tales Told at Night |
Synopsis
Yuki Hirano, recently graduated from high school, finds himself signed up for forestry work by his parents.[4] Traveling to work in the remote village of Kamusari is difficult in many ways for Yuki, who was born and raised in the city; a new coworker even takes Yuki's cell phone and cheerfully disposes of the battery.[1]
Over the course of a year, the young man comes to appreciate the meticulous process of taking care of the trees and the environment around him.[5][6]
Characters
- Yuki Hirano (平野 勇気, Hirano Yūki) - a young man from Yokohama, disillusioned with life and unexpectedly signed up for forestry work in mountainous, remote, forested Kamusari.
- Nao (直紀, Naoki) - a local schoolteacher in the village, and younger sister of Risa. She has a crush on Seiichi (her sister's husband).
- Yoki Iida (飯田 与喜, Iida Yoki) - an employee of Nakamura Lumber, in Kamusari. He has bleached blond hair and a sense of humor. Yoki's wife is Miho (みき, Miki); their relationship is tempestuous but genuinely loving. They live with Granny Shige (繁), Yoki's grandmother. Yoki also owns a loyal white dog named Noko (ノコ) .
- Iwao Tanabe (田辺 巌, Tanabe Iwao) - an employee of Nakamura Lumber, in Kamusari. He is experienced and patient with teaching Yuki.
- Saburo Koyama (小山 三郎, Koyama Saburo) - Nicknamed "Old Man Saburo," he is an older employee of Nakamura Lumber, in Kamusari. He is a neighbour of the Iidas.
- Seiichi Nakamura (中村 清一, Nakamura Seiichi) - the friendly head of Nakamura Lumber. His wife, Risa (祐子, Yuko), is the older sister of Nao. Risa and Seiichi's son is named Santa (山太).
