Glimpses of Old Tokyo

A short book of essays from an elderly Japanese woman who, during childhood lived in Tokyo. Having been school teacher all of her life, Masuho Fujita retired and enrolled in an English class. This book of her essays originated when her tutor recognised her ability, and encouraged her to prepare a collection.

The essays are written in English, rather than translated, and relate mostly to her memories of childhood in Tokyo. The writing has a nice ability to evoke the imagery from the description, even though it is all pretty simply set out.

They are a nicely curated collection of essays, on a wide range of topics - festivals, streets and shops or old Tokyo, the neighbourhood happenings, food, clothing and events from the authors life. Some are not relate to childhood, but to her everyday life such a visit to the museum with her English class,

Enjoyable to dip in and out of.

4 stars