Japanese poet Shuntaro Tanikawa, who translated 'Peanuts,' dies at 92

RIP

Tokyo Olympiad is a great film, very artistic. You can watch it on Youtube. The road cycling and marathon near the end show mid 1960s Tokyo cityscapes, some of which look pretty grim to be honest. Like what I imagine China was like in the 1980s and early 1990s.

I remember Astro Boy, it was shown on British TV when I was a child.

Having read Gabriel García Márquez’ One Hundred Years of Solitude I had never heard of Two Billion Light Years of Solitude but now would like to read it if it has been translated to English.

The man obviously had a long, full life.

"Shuntaro Tanikawa stunned the literary world with his 1952 debut “Two Billion Light Years of Solitude,” a bold look at the cosmic in daily life, sensual, vivid but simple in its use of everyday language. Written before Gabriel García Márquez’ “One Hundred Years of Solitude,” it became a bestseller."

I don't understand the relevance of Marquez's work here -- is it solely based on the similarities of the English titles? Because if that's the case, and the only other real claims to fame is that the guy translated Peanuts and wrote a kids cartoon theme... well...

Tanikawa was rooted in his native Japanese, but his words transcend all parochial barriers of nationalism to reach out to a world audience. A Japanese mensch with a life well-lived RIP.

Respectful farewell to Japanese poet Shuntaro Tanikawa. RIP Sir.