Usagi Yojimbo DojoBoard

If I'm going to write about Japan, am I going to need to learn Japanese? I'm serious enough about the whole thing now to do so if it is necessary. I just think it might REALLY slow down the writing. It will probably take me six to seven years to get fluent. Do I need to learn? I'm almost certain Mr. Sakai speaks Japanese. Did James Clavell speak Japanese, too? Also, how much research do I need to do before I write? I REALLY want this to be good.





What if it turns out later down the road that I DON'T want to set my story in Japan. ARGH! I'm so confused. Despair. Don't laugh, I mean it.

Logan Myrddin wrote:If I'm going to write about Japan, am I going to need to learn Japanese?

You don't need to learn the language to write about it. However, you will have to do a lot of research. Reseach will enhance the story but lack of authenticity will damage even a well written story. I've been doing this for almost 20 years and I still get things wrong.

I do speak a little Japanese. The problem is that I rarely have the opportunity to use it.

THANK you Sakai Sensei! Wow. That's such a relief. I'll get to researching IMMEDIATELY!

Hmmm.... twenty years, you say? Wow.

I WILL PREVAIL!

Heh. Sorry, that was me.