A Letter to Readers
Tell Me What You Wish to Read
Dear Readers,
Thank you as always for reading.
Since opening this Substack at the end of 2024, the presence of readers who take the time to read these pieces has been a source of support beyond what I can put into words. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
I have always been driven by an interest in “Japan” itself rather than by any single specialized field, and as a result Shitsurae has covered an extremely wide range of themes.
A year and a half has passed since the start, and I now want to make a substantial update to the publication so that I can respond, as best I can, to what readers truly wish to read.
I have come to want to increase dialogue with subscribers and raise the quality of the content. As things stand, I have settled into a style of selecting one theme each week and releasing a long form essay based on it. My intention has been to share with readers the opportunity for reflection by speaking in detail about what stands behind cultural and intellectual life.
I have always sought to propose things that do not yet exist in the world. Beyond mere explanation or introduction of Japan, I am at my best when raising depths that cannot be reached through conventional sources, with a particular focus on reading the spirit and thought that lie behind the birth of a culture or a history.
Yet because the range of what I take up is wider than that of most Japanese writers, gaps inevitably arise between what I write and what readers want to read. I have struggled with this for some time, and I have come to feel that the moment has arrived to listen to the voices of readers and shape Shitsurae into a publication that responds to them. I am certain this is something only I can do, drawing on the fact that I have explored Japan more deeply than anyone.
Please feel free to write whatever comes to mind. The kinds of questions I would love to hear answers to include the following.
What themes interest you?
What are you hoping to find in Shitsurae?
What length feels right to you?
Would you prefer a magazine style format covering multiple themes rather than a single theme each week?
Would a Q&A section be valuable?
Anything else you would like to share.
You can send your message through the link below.
With the wish that, by staying close to readers, this publication will continue to deepen the understanding of Japan and serve each reader in their own daily life.