Portrait of Bhutan now in Japanese
Bhutan: A Japanese translation of the second book authored by Her Majesty the Queen Mother Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, Portrait of Bhutan, has appeared on shelves of book stores in Japan.
Translated from English by Dr. Yoshiro Imaeda, formerly an advisor to the National Library in Thimphu, the book was published by the NHK Book Company in Tokyo. “One reason why the book is interesting is the autobiographical story of a how a little girl born in a tiny village in Punakha, when there was no electricity, was educated elsewhere in a missionary school, and became a queen,” Dr. Imaeda told Observer.
”The other reason is that the story is representative of Bhutan itself in the second half of the 20th century.” In its first edition, 5,000 hard cover copies have been printed, which is twice the number that Her Majesty’s first book, Of Rainbows and Clouds warranted in its First Japanese edition in 2004.
Ayaka Matsubara, the editor of NHK Books, believes Portrait of Bhutan will sell well in Japan. “Many people have heard of Bhutan and wish to experience its natural beauty and traditions but it is very difficult to visit the country,” she said.
The Japanese edition carries eight colour pages of photographs and 256 pages of text. Notable differences from the English original include a detailed map encompassing Punakha and Thimphu (the English edition featured a map of the entire country) and a few original photographs taken by a professional Japanese photographer.
Portrait of Bhutan is the third book by a Bhutanese author to be translated into Japanese following Kunzang Choden’s Folktales and Legends of Bhutan and Of Rainbows and Clouds. Mr. Imaeda expects the book will contribute to the international attention that Bhutan will be receiving in 2008.
By Kunga T Dorji (Bhutan Observer)