The Magazine Book Review

Waterstone's Good Reads

Emma Strickland, Bognor Regis Observer

THE FOURTH TREASURE

Dipping into both the present and the past, Shimoda tells the story of Tina Suzuki, a Japanese San Franciscan who is just beginning her studies into the human brain and also that of her boyfriend's calligraphy tutor, who produces brilliant but indecipherable calligraphy following his stroke.

At the heart of the story is the Daizen Inkstone, a prized cultural icon which goes missing from the Daizen school when the incumbent sensei passes on, yet mysteriously turns up in the belongings of the stricken tutor.

Beautifully written, with the measured pace that has become typical of second generation Japanese novelists, The Fourth Treasure really lives up to its name.

For those with an interest in Japanese culture, it reveals enough to tantalize but little more. On the subject of calligraphy, it is much more expansive, detailing many of the important features of the art to a mostly ignorant audience.

The text layout too is something of a novelty, with extensive notes in the margins of the pages almost as wide as the text itself, demanding at least two readings to get the most of both.

Knowing how important the written word is to most cultures, it would be easy to explain the significance of the calligraphy motif to this story, but then the reader would lose the undisputed joy of figuring it out for themselves.

A stunning debut here from Shimoda and one that will leave you gently contemplating the power of language.

Copyright 2003 Bognor Regis Observer