The article "A life found in translation" in the Jan. 3 edition reminds us of our deep respect for Dr. Donald Keene.
He is a well-known American scholar, who has the heart of Japan. He has loved Japanese history and culture. And he has written many books on Japan both in English and Japanese.
Loving Japan means in his case not only looking at our country as a subject of his translation and research, but also finally he has chosen to live in Japan, getting Japanese citizenship in 2012. The article tells us his feelings clearly that "I gradually thought of Japan as a place where I would like to live, and also where I would like to die."
May I be allowed to interpret that like the frog in Matsuo Basho's famous haiku of the frog jumping into the pond, Keene finally leaps into Japan.
Japanese people pray sincerely from the bottom of our hearts that his life in Japan continues to be very peaceful and fruitful, swimming freely in the pond filled with Japanese love, peace and beauty, though together with some problems as well.
The opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are the writer's own and do not necessarily reflect the policies of The Japan Times.