Matsuyama Asahi-Do Hi-ho

Author: Lin Shaohua
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-06-01
Features: The Unlucky Capricorn: I was born on January 12th, making me a Capricorn by zodiac sign. My blood type is A. My wife was born on October 3rd, making her a Libra. From an astrological perspective, the combination of Capricorn and Libra seems quite incompatible. In short, Capricorns are grounded, hardworking, and serious about life, while Libras are flighty, superficial, and light as air. From a Capricorn's point of view: What can she possibly achieve? Conversely, in a Libra's eyes: Ha, such a stubborn head, unable to see reason! The two simply cannot coexist peacefully. One day, on a whim, I told a famous astrologer in Nagoya about my wife and my birthdays to get to the bottom of it. At the time, I was told, "Ah, this is no joke! Capricorn and Libra are inherently incompatible, and your situation is particularly bad. It's no good, it's the worst possible combination—don't hold out any hope!" Yet, many years have passed since then, and my wife and I are still together. I occasionally get angry with her, thinking she goes too far. It's outrageous! It's a mess! However, according to the astrologer, the situation is even worse than that—it should be more serious. So, I've always been determined to find out just how serious it is. Living with such a mindset can be quite fulfilling, as I always believe there's more to the story, that there must be hidden cards. Sometimes, I even think that this way of thinking is the key to marital happiness. I don't want to force it on others, but it's just one way of living. To be honest, I have no interest in divination—whether it's astrology or blood types, none of it matters to me. It's not that I completely disbelieve, nor that I look down on those who do; I simply lack the interest. I think it's fine if such things exist in the world, but I prefer not to get involved myself. For example, even if a fortune teller says, "You'll have no good luck this year, only poverty and misfortune," I wouldn't mind it at all. After all, since I'm not interested, it's just an "Oh, so be it." In practice, some predictions come true, while others don't, so there's no need to take them all to heart. As long as you do what you're supposed to, things generally won't go wrong.
This book is a collection of essays by the Japanese author Haruki Murakami, consisting of 30 pieces written over five years, starting from 1983. These essays are short, witty, and insightful, filled with Murakami's signature carefree and whimsical style, making them highly readable. His willingness to bare his soul and expose his flaws—this personal and intimate quality is not only a defining feature of his essays but also a source of their charm. The title "Hey Ho" refers to a song from Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. It reflects Murakami's trajectory in both writing and translation, as well as his so-called "Murakami-style new personalism."