The Great Passage (舟を編む)

Trust

Hey.

Apparently they have good squid ink paella there.

We should go sometime.

No way.

We can't eat here.

You never know who could see us.

Come on. Walk ahead of me a little more.

Okay.

Man, she has short legs.

The Great Passage

On a quiet dreamlike morning

On a quiet dreamlike morning

The crimson sky shines through the window and reflects off my pen

The crimson sky shines through the window and reflects off my pen

In the vivid clatter of the night, I wander between cities like a cat

In the vivid clatter of the night, I wander between cities like a cat

Deep thoughts

Deep thoughts

A flexible conception

A flexible conception

Foreseeable aspirations

Foreseeable aspirations

Distant memories

Distant memories

Unruly hair

Unruly hair

A narrow mind

A narrow mind

A large circle of friends

A large circle of friends

A long silence

A long silence

A short greeting

A short greeting

Tone of voice

Tone of voice

The light in our eyes that slightly differs

The light in our eyes that slightly differs

Traces of friendship that's not in the treaty

Traces of friendship that's not in the treaty

In the ocean that sweeps the sand of eternity

In the ocean that sweeps the sand of eternity

Swept and sunk in the waves with sparse opposites and similarities

Swept and sunk in the waves with sparse opposites and similarities

Clashing and exact opposites become resolved and connected

Clashing and exact opposites become resolved and connected

Reference

Reference

Conclusion

Conclusion

I'll gather words

I'll gather words

that have

that have

scattered

scattered

over

over

many

many

months and years

months and years

With the fragrant sea breeze, the connection that rests on the seashore becomes one

With the fragrant sea breeze, the connection that rests on the seashore becomes one

We appreciate your continued contribution.

Yes.

Yes.

Of course.

Yes.

Well, have a good day.

What's the matter, Majime?

Lately, I've been having difficulty grasping things.

Seriously? You've lost your fingerprints already?

And I've been here five years.

I still have mine.

It's hard to flip the pages. It's very inconvenient.

Hey, you'll be able to rob a bank without gloves on now.

Well, well. That's quite a disturbing conversation you're having.

Hey, you're the same too.

Nishioka, it's here.

Finally!

Thank you very much.

Oh boy...

It seems like this manuscript will require some significant work.

I thought so.

To Genbu Publishing's Dictionary Editorial Department

And so many exceed the set length limit.

What about the writing guideline?

Of course I give him a copy.

But it seems like he didn't read it.

Has he been informed about revisions?

Yes, I've let him know.

But this Professor Oda is really touchy.

I guess I'll cover my bases and let him know what we'll be changing.

What about this entry on Saigyou?

To start with, I think there are a lot of unnecessary words.

Yeah. He has a lot of his own personal opinions in here.

"Every Japanese person will be moved by Saigyou's poems."

Every Japanese person knows of his poems. When they read him, they will surely be moved like he was.

We shouldn't be using definitive words like "every person."

Also this part about his reasons for entering the priesthood.

When he was 23 years old, he gave up his crying child and entered the priesthood.

I don't know where to start.

Yes.

There are varying opinions on why Saigyou joined the priesthood.

This section is far too vague, so let's lose it all.

-------------------

-------------------

Do we need this poem here?

Let me die in spring under the blossoming trees Let it be around that full moon of Kisaragi month

I believe we'll need to examine it more closely later.

But we could probably eliminate it at this stage.

It's finally coming together.

Although I'm not sure just an explanation of the person for Saigyou's entry is sufficient for the dictionary.

Does it have another meaning?

Yes.

From Saigyou's travels around Japan,

we sometimes refer to wanderers or people who travel around as "saigyous."

Also...

There's more?!

Yes.

There is a Noh play called Saigyou and the Cherry Tree.

Wearing a conical hat with crossed strings is called "wearing a Saigyou."

Also, a cloth worn diagonally across your chest is called a "Saigyou strap."

Whoa.

Do you have multiple dictionaries memorized or something?

I wish I could.

In any case, it doesn't seem like there's enough room to list them all.

What definition do you think we should include in The Great Passage, Nishioka?

Let me think.

If I have to choose, I'd say the wanderer or person who travels.

Why is that?

Well...

You can kind of imagine the other meanings from context.

I see.

But for example...

Let's say a real-world wanderer looked over a dictionary.

And in the entry for Saigyou,

Saigyou

they found out that it also means wanderers or people who travel because of Saigyou's travels,

Meaning "wanderer" or "person who travels" from the historical Saigyou, who traveled across Japan

they might think, "Oh, there were people just like me back then who couldn't stay in one place."

They might feel pretty encouraged about that.

What is it?

I've never thought of it that way!

I mean, it might be wrong from a dictionary's standpoint.

No, I wouldn't say that.

Mr. Matsumoto, are you okay on time?

Oh, thank you for reminding me.

Nishioka, Majime.

Yes?

You two make such a fantastic team.

You respect each other's strengths and complement each other.

It's a wonderful trust you have.

Well, please, excuse me.

Have a good night.

Good Lord, it's chilly out here.

I should've worn a jacket.

Nishioka.

I think it's very unfortunate that you'll be transferring.

In order to make The Great Passage a warm and understanding dictionary,

I know that you're absolutely necessary.

Majime.

I might be transferring away soon, but I'm proud of the work I did on The Great Passage with you.

But that doesn't mean this is the end.

No matter how far we're separated,

no matter the obstacles,

I'll be there to support you.

Besides, there's still Mr. Matsumoto and everyone else at the Dictionary Department.

So even when you're by yourself, you're not alone.

Thank you very much!

Let us do everything in our power

to complete The Great Passage.

Yeah.

Recipient

Kobun University - Professor Oda

Recipient

Sending...

All right.

You're heading home already? That's rare.

Yes.

Kaguya will be in charge of her first dish at Apricot tonight.

Would you like to come as well?

Oh, I know you'd rather go alone.

N-Not at all...

I still have stuff to do anyway.

I'll pass this time.

I see.

Go on, get out of here.

Okay. Have a nice night.

Have fun.

Comments

Comments

Professor Oda tends to ignore our style sheets.

For internal use only

For internal use only

For internal use only

For internal use only

For internal use only