Love, Life, & Beyond

I figure there are a couple of reasons why Kamusari villagers are so easygoing. One is that most of them are involved in forestry, where you have to think in cycles of a century; the other is that there’s no place to hang out at night, so when it gets dark everybody just hits the hay. “Running around won’t make the trees grow faster. Get plenty of rest, eat heartily, and tomorrow take what comes”: that seems to be the prevailing philosophy

Shion Miura’s The Easy Life in Kamusari and Kamusari Tales Told at Night give you a glimpse into the remote mountain village of Kamusari—a place where the ancient art of forestry and the power of storytelling shape the lives of its inhabitants. 

I went into this book series without much information about it. It was available for free on Kindle Unlimited so I went for it. I am glad I did. The sense of connection with nature and community shines through the book and makes you long for the simple life. Both the books are also available as audiobooks on Audible.

These two novels are translated by Juliet Winters Carpenter, highlighting the charm and culture of rural Japan. Add this to your reading list if you’re a fan of Japanese literature, a nature lover, or simply in search of heartwarming stories. 

The series is perfect for those looking for a slower-paced, introspective read. We follow the charming protagonist, Yuki Hirano to the serene beauty of rural Japan while exploring themes of nature, tradition, and self-discovery. The characters, from Yuki’s wise and quirky mentor, Yoki, to the enigmatic villagers, are richly drawn, their voices ringing true in every story they tell.

Author Shion Miura

Shion Miura is a celebrated Japanese author known for her insightful and heartwarming storytelling. Born in 1976, in Tokyo, Japan, she began her literary career as a book reviewer and essayist before gaining widespread recognition for her novels. Miura’s works often explore themes of personal growth, human connection, and the beauty of everyday life, blending humour and poignancy with effortless grace.

Her breakout novel, The Great Passage is about the world of dictionary-making and celebrates the quiet dedication of those who seek to preserve language. The novel earned her the prestigious Booksellers Award in 2012 and was later adapted into a film and an anime series. 

One thing I do know: Kamusari village will go on forever, just as it always has. The people will go on with their easygoing ways, surrounded every day by the mountains and the river and the trees.

Translator Juliet Winters Carpenter

Juliet Winters Carpenter is a renowned American translator specialising in Japanese literature. Born in the United States, she developed a deep appreciation for Japanese culture and language. A professor emerita of Japanese literature at Doshisha Women’s College of Liberal Arts in Kyoto, Carpenter has played a pivotal role in introducing Japanese literary works to global audiences.

She is best known for her elegant translations of works by acclaimed authors such as Shion Miura, Fumiko Enchi, and Jun’ichi Watanabe. Over her career, Carpenter has received numerous accolades, including the prestigious Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission Prize for the Translation of Japanese Literature.

Book Review: The Easy Life in Kamusari

You can’t go around planting trees wherever you feel like it and then just forget about them,” said Iwao. “You’ve got to think in terms of the cycle. Not doing any maintenance, just letting things go—that’s not ‘nature.’ You’ve got to help the cycle along, keep the mountain in shape, and that’s how you preserve nature.

Shion Miura’s The Easy Life in Kamusari is a charming novel that beautifully captures the essence of finding one’s place in society and in nature.I loved the imagery of rural Japan, brimming with lush landscapes, timeless traditions, and quiet moments of self-discovery.

The novel follows 18-year-old Yuki Hirano, a city boy who is reluctantly sent to the remote mountain village of Kamusari for a forestry apprenticeship. At first, Yuki feels like a fish out of water, struggling to adjust to the physical demands of the job and the slow pace of life in Kamusari. However, as the months pass, he begins to connect with the people, the land, and the deep-rooted traditions that shape the village’s way of life.

My anger and frustration were just a way to distract myself from my utter uselessness.

Miura captures the beauty and challenges of rural living with vivid descriptions and heartfelt moments. Through Yuki’s eyes, we are introduced to the ancient art of forestry, the spiritual reverence for nature, and the profound sense of community that defines Kamusari. The novel’s humour, particularly Yuki’s witty internal monologues, adds a lighthearted touch to the narrative, making it both engaging and relatable. Mind you, it is the mind of a teenager so not all thoughts are ‘pure’!

What sets The Easy Life in Kamusari apart is its celebration of simplicity and nature. The mountains are portrayed as living, breathing characters, integral to the villagers’ lives and traditions. The novel invites readers to reflect on their own relationship with the natural world and the value of slowing down in an increasingly fast-paced society.

While the story is rich in atmosphere, there is no standard plot which focuses more on Yuki’s inner growth and the rhythms of daily life rather than dramatic twists. You need to be in the right frame of mind to read this book as it may feel uneventful if you’re looking for something more fast-paced. Come back to it when you’re in a more meditative mood to appreciate the beauty of the mundane.

When you start feeling like you’ve got the hang of things, that’s when you’re most in danger. Don’t let yourself get complacent.

Book Review Kamusari Tales Told at Night

Greeting people helps to smooth relationships, and it kind of lifts you up, too, I think. Kamusari ceremonies are an extension of that. Just like in the morning you tell people ‘Good morning,’ people here offer specific greetings at specific times of year to the gods, whose presence they take for granted. 

Shion Miura’s Kamusari Tales Told at Night continues Yuki’s experiences in Kamusari exploring themes of heritage, belonging, and the power of storytelling. Set in the secluded mountain village of Kamusari, the novel is both a love letter to the natural world and a heartfelt tribute to the oral traditions that bind communities together.

Yuki Hirano has now settled into life in Kamusari after completing his forestry apprenticeship. While he has grown more comfortable with the rhythms of rural life, Yuki remains an outsider, striving to understand the village’s deep-rooted customs and its mystical connection to the land. As he listens to the tales shared by the villagers—legends, personal histories, and anecdotes—Yuki begins to see how these stories shape Kamusari’s identity and his own sense of purpose. It’s almost as if you’re given a behind the scenes look into how legends and myths are formed.

Each tale shared by the villagers carries a sense of timelessness, blending humour, folklore, and quiet wisdom. Through these narratives, Miura paints a vivid portrait of a place where tradition and modernity coexist, and where the mountains are not just a backdrop but a living presence.

The tales are not merely entertainment but a way for the villagers to preserve their history, impart values, and strengthen their bond with the land and each other. Yuki’s growing appreciation for these stories mirrors his deeper integration into Kamusari, highlighting his transformation from a reluctant outsider to someone who feels at home in this magical setting.

Maybe that’s what a god is truly like. Someone who’s not far off in the sky but right in our hearts, always watching. Keeping an eye on our words and deeds, our lies and our truth.

Verdict: Read

It is perfect for those seeking an escape from the chaos of modern life and a reminder of the joys to be found in simplicity, community, and nature. Fans of reflective, character-driven stories will find much to love in this enchanting novel.

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